Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meg Stolt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Meg thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

My work encompasses getting people to stretch their limits, and stepping out of their comfort zones. Endurance sports is indeed learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. In this, I have pretty much been a risk taker throughout my life, from jumping off the railroad bridge in Pennsylvania into the Delaware River, to moving across country not knowing a sole. The most recent risk was the catapult from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Houston, Texas. It seems. like a downgrade, but I knew that my time in Cape Cod was complete. I learned what I needed to, achieved new goals and was ready to step forward for new adventures. BUT my plan was to trade one view of the Atlantic for another. The anticipated destination was the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The plan was short-lived, as it fell apart on moving day. I look back in laughter, but it was pretty devastating at the time. After taking a moment to scream, yell, pull my hair out, and cry; I paused. I took a breath and asked God where I was supposed to be. Open the doors. Within the hour there was a job posting for a Youth Triathlon Coach in Houston. Within the week, I was hired. Within the month, I moved in a southwesterly direction to a city I had only visited several times before. A city I knew relatively little about. It was a tremendous risk. In reflection, it was the best one I have taken. Because of the relocation, I have been able to expand my business and found OtterTriTeam, a youth triathlon team. I have also met and been able work with many amazing women as each pursues her goals in triathlon and racing.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started this journey in graduate school, after seizing the opportunity to teach myself to bike to race. That is a funny story, of riding to a camp I worked at one summer with an ugly hill — never ending grade both ways. I remember carrying my bike home the first day. I was exhausted. After that summer, I was able to tackle not only the hill, but triathlon. Through this journey in training and performance, I have had been able to knock down many doors to help others chase down their goals. The process began with teaching swim lessons, and has evolved to now owning a youth team. I have acquired my USA Triathlon Coaching Certification, and later my USATri Youth and Junior Elite Coaching Certification, and am a connoisseur of learning. I strive to deliver the highest quality in my coaching, and keep learning as I go. The brand under MSJ Athletics encompasses the youth team (OtterTriTeam); Pink Otters, a women’s team; swim lessons for all abilities and ages; swim coaching and stroke technique; triathlon coaching for Women; Strength Training for Women. Every day is unique. Every day bring me joy. AND all my coaching is client centered. For kids, we move as they are ready. Granted some need a little direction, but I meet the client where she is, and help direct the next step. The process is sometimes slow, but it is rewarding.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Word Of Mouth. When someone refers you, that person believes in what you are doing.

I have paid for advertising, and dating myself, have hung signs in coffee shops, supermarkets, apartment complex community boards, but the most powerful resource is word or mouth.
I have learned that I can do things to start the conversation — my Otters all wear a team t-shirt to practice. It is less costly to put all the kids in a t-shirt, than pay for advertising that may not be seen. I have also learned to take advantage of the networking sites — alignable, nextdoor, instagram, pinterest — these have been helpful as I have expanded my outreach.
As the digital world continues to plow forward, I still can hang a sign in a pool office, or a mailbox store, and find that the data on the sheet may have changed (QR codes), but the networking is still the same.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I have a newsletter — one for the Youth Team, another for my other clients and interested. One does not have to be a client to receive the newsletter. With newsletters, I need to honor the commitment of publishing. If I have said it is sent every other Tuesday, I need to honor that. I also send the parents of my team, weekly updates to practice or announcements. These are sent via email, and is essentially the message board.

I also send a birthday postcard to all my Otters, thank you notes for referrals,
The kids on the team earn practice awards, as well as recognition for podiums, or other cool things they may do.

I may attend a race someone is competing in.

I remember important days and races.     

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ottertriteam.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachbatmeg
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/triathlon-swim-strength-coachmeg