"Susie and Brent! just wanted to report that I had my BEST 5km time ever today - at the Freshair Womens 5km in Kelowna. I attribute this success to the MBS program I started this winter and continued to build on this spring! You offer a great program and provide great motivation! I am tri training now but hope to be back in one of the MBS running groups this fall - Cheers!"
-Mel Reinhardt
"I have never been a runner in fact I HATE RUNNING! Mind, Body & Sole helped me not only run but run 10km and love it! Now I run 5.3km to work twice a week. Brent really knows his stuff and helped run more confident than I ever thought possible! Thank you guys ♥."
-Teagan Burton
"I have a great story about Mind, Body, and Sole Running and Fitness. I was enrolled in their Learn to Run Clinic and hurt my knees really bad after the 2nd clinic and the Doctor told me running is not in my future. So I'm going to seek a second opinion and such and so on. I send Susie and email informing her of my injury and that I won't be back for any of the clinics but I would like to take part in the next Learn to Run that comes around if my knee is all good. I just got reply and she was very understanding of my feelings and injury and said it would be no problem to join the next Learn to Run Program FREE OF CHARGE! How sweet is that! I was very excited to hear that and thought that is what I call AWESOME customer service and I have great confidence in this business and will tell everyone about them."
-AMY G
"I did the “Learn to Run” course with Brent in March 2011 and loved it. It was easy, refreshing ,and Brent's enthusiasm encouraged me to keep going. Each week, Brent’s passion and knowledge for running was obvious. Any doubts I had about running quickly disappeared.
Once I completed the 5K, I was hooked. I began to personally train with Brent and in October I completed my first ½ marathon with a terrific time. I felt strong the entire race and a lot of that was due to the great training and encouragement that Brent provided. He was always there 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns I had and adjusted my training accordingly.
I started running 9 months ago and now I run about 35K a week and couldn’t imagine not having it in my life. Thanks Brent for all your work. You’re awesome!"
-Lynn Seed
"I really had doubts about signing up for a running class, but am SOOOO glad I did. I used to HATE the mere thought of running and now I LOVE it. If you have ever wondered what the big deal is, or are looking for an inexpensive way to work out, give it a try. I liked the fact that it was a one time fee, and you can do it anywhere. Thanks to Dena Malashewsky Sharkey for getting me to go and thanks again to Brent and MB&S for teaching me how to learn to love running."
-Julie Funfer
"Mind Body & Sole Running and Fitness was the BEST thing that happened to me April 2011 I joined Brent and Susie in the learn to run program and have not stopped running since! Thank you for all the support and motivation I could not have done it on my own. Happy running"
-Tina Glover
"I first heard about Brent's Learn to Run program earlier this year when I was sent some information about it and after laughing to myself at the thought of me actually running in public, I figured "Well - why not? You only live once". So I did.
I had always thought my knees were too bad to run, I was too FAT to run... I have asthma so I can't run.... all those negative thoughts had prevented me from actually giving it an honest try, but I overcame those thoughts and I quickly learned that I actually loved to run! I so looked forward to each week and seing if I could do it.
I am now running 5k on a regular basis. My knees are actually STRONGER than prior to running, I've slimmed down and lost weight, and my asthma isn't nearly as bad as it was before! Funny how that works.... I would love to thank Brent for being such an awesome coach and always made me feel so proud of my accomplishments. If I only live once, I will live much happier now that I have found my niche.
Thank you Thank you Thank you!!"
-Dena Sharkey
"Every group meeting with Brent was always enjoyable because he shared his experiences with running and is very knowledgeable and passionate about the sport.
He is very helpful, curteous and friendly and helped many of us overcome obstacles and had us all perform at our highest levels.
Joining his Learn to Run clinic has been a very pleasant journey for me. I now am proud to say that I have the "Runners bug". I still continue to run 3 times a week which allows me to keep fit and have more energy to keep up with our two children."
Thank you Brent!
-Natasha Livingston
"I am a 52 yr old nurse, overweight, flat footed, and plagued with all sorts of aches and pains, I decided to take up the challenge of getting fit,I wanted the "most bang for your buck" came up with "Learn to run" as a possible answer.
i was told by many people that i was crazy. I'm sure people thought i would not be successful. When we started i had shin splints after one block, I was very discouraged several times during this process.
BUT with sweet non judgmental encouragement advice and support from Brent and the entire running group i was able to continue, and finish the program . On Sunday May 29th i ran a 5 km race in 41 minutes. AMAZING!!!!! THANKYOU"
-Janet Dawson
"I joined the 'Learn to Run' to get back the running ability that I once had. Brent did a great job of keeping us motivated and supplied the information that I needed to learn to run, injury free again.
This course was exactly what I needed kick start my running career and contribute to my lack of fitness.
The 5 km run at the end was an added bonus. Now I just need to keep it up. Thanks Brent, for getting me going."
-L. Sakamoto
"I have always wanted to be a casual runner. Just to be able to put on a pair of sneakers and "go outside and run around". Good clean exercise without the bells and whistles. Before I took the Learn to Run Course, I was lucky if I could pull off 5 minutes of running.
Now we're nearing the end of the program and I can run straight for 40 minutes. I'm so proud of myself and of my new "habit". Thank you Brent for encouraging me and so many others to discover the magic of running".
-Lisa Taron
"For the past two years I have been coached by Brent Helland for Track and Cross-country running. Since the first practice he has been an astounding coach who puts so much time and effort into personalizing a program for myself. I have been running since I was in Grade 7 competitively and I am now a senior in high school and throughout the many coaches I have had, Brent is by far my favourite.
He has made a program for me that works, showing me when to train hard to peak, as well as how much training to do. The workouts he gives me push me but at the same time he knows how much is too much.. which I have learned over years of running that this is very important.
Over the past 2 years I have seen so much improvement in my running and times and it is all thanks to Brent's contribution to my training program...the program he has developed sincerely works. His personality when he is coaching me is what shines the most because he truly cares about his athletes and is a genuinely great person.
He has a balance that a lot of coaches don't have; wanting his athletes to do well and succeed but also wanting them to enjoy themselves and love what they do. Even after races that have not gone so well for me he is always there for support and helps me to improve for the next race.
Brent's passion for coaching others is what puts him over the top because every practice when I am out at the track I can see this is what he loves to do. And his drive and passion for the sport only spreads to his athletes making every practice no matter how hard or easy enjoyable!"
-Sasha Schoch ( ranked 1st in 1500m, 2nd in 3000m for youth girls in BC)
"This is my first year running competitively and I was lucky to be coached by Brent Helland.
I have had some excellent coaches over the years in both cross county skiing and swimming and Brent ranks amongst the best. He is very knowledgeable about the sport. He is able to adapt training plans to fit my school and work schedule and I have seen a continuous improvement all season. I came into the season injured and Brent was able to modify my plan in order to me keep training.
Within weeks I was injury free and running at full capacity. On a personal level Brent is easy going, dependable and consistent. He stepped up to help fundraise within weeks of a National event and managed to raise enough money to cover most of the expenses for two athletes.
I never dreamed that I would be able to attain a top 5 at the Nationals in track and now I am excited to go into my first cross country season with him to see what I can achieve. I highly recommend him as a coach!"
-Tessni Carruthers (ranked 2nd in 1500, 3rd in 3000 for youth BC girls)
"Brent Helland is an incredible coach. I have been training with Brent for four years in track and cross country running. Brent became my coach after I had only been training for a year. The first practice was intense; i thought the warm up was half the workout!
Over the years he has developed my fitness and increased my passion for running. Without him I know I would not be as successful as I am today. It is not too often you have a workout that is the same and that type of range makes running so much more enjoyable. No matter what type of workout day I am having Brent always knows how to motivate me to go faster or maybe just push through the workout.
Every day he comes to practice with a huge contagious smile on his face. He knows how to alter training plans for the type of race you aim to improve in. Brent also works extremely hard to improve your mind set and to keep your spirits high so training doesn't become a chore.
The thing that sets Brent apart from most coaches or trainers is his true passion for the sport. I have never seen anyone with as much love and dedication for running. Everytime he can he is out there right beside us pushing us to push ourselves".
Thank you Brent for helping me reach my goals!
-Sarah Bailey (ranked 2nd in the 800m, 4th in 1500m for youth BC girls)
"I trained with Brent last fall – just before I decided to sign of for the BMO Kelowna ½ marathon this past October. I only started running about a year before that. I used to be someone that despised running, especially in high school.
Brent was great – and helped me work torwards my goal time in the marathon. It was hard work training but very enjoyable as well. I especially liked the drills before the training. I lacked confidence in myself that I would make my time – but Brent gave me that and he was very encouraging, and gave me the confidence I needed. Just before the marathon I developed plantar fasciatis in m right foot – and was really disappointed that Brent had helped me train so hard – the last practice before the race was pretty painful.
There was no way that I was going to back out after all that hard work – a session with Aaron at Damini physio therapy, and a great taping job by fellow runner and also physio therapist Sharina Zantig got me ready for the race. My goal was to finish it – and try not to worry about beating my 2.20 time. Both Aaron and Brent said it would hurt – miraculously it didn’t hurt until after I had crossed the finish line – and beat my time by 8 minutes.
I have signed up for the ½ in Vancouver in May – and will train with Brent again for sure. My goal time for this one is 2 hours and that’s with a hill too. I know it’s do-able for sure. I also want to do the full 42k in Kelowna next year too.
I would definatley reccommend Brent if no matter what level of runner you are".
-Jackie Cote
"I have been doing track since grade 9 and have had Brent Helland coaching me in grade 12 (my best year so far). I’m a first year university student now.
I ‘ve had a lot of good coaches in basketball, soccer and track and Brent is one of the best I’ve had. Having Brent as a coach was great. He puts in a lot of time and effort, knows exactly how to motivate me and how to keep it fun too.
I’ve always had injury problems and I had no problems during the entire season with Brent. He knows a lot; he’ll get you in a great shape and keep you healthy.
When I went to the first practice I thought I wouldn’t make it to the end. The warm up alone was a good part of what I used to call a workout, but I made it through because he knows how much he can push you.
On a personal level Brent is easy to talk to, always positive, professional, and dependable. If you are thinking of just starting, or if you have already been running for a while, Brent is a great coach, and I would recommend him".
-Pepijn Ramakers
" I have been working with Brent for the past several months and he has improved my running in a lot of ways. Not only am I more confident, I feel stronger and I am running faster.
Brent is a very energetic trainer who offers practical advice and is very patient in his coaching delivery. I look forward to continuing to train with Brent for years to come as I set and achieve my running goals with his help".
-John Glennon
