Nina Laughlin

CTS Pro Coach

 

“I believe that coaching is not just about writing training plans, and training for events is not just about following a training plan. I strive to work with athletes on every aspect of their life that can impact their performance and happiness, including mental performance and recovery techniques, time optimization, strength, and nutrition in addition to the physical training.”

 

Coach Bio:
I fell in love with endurance sports when I joined the rowing and track teams my sophomore year of high school. Constant nagging injuries while running forced me to pick up a bike to train, and once I bought a road bike in college and started joining some local group rides, my running shoes started collecting dust and I didn’t look back. I joined the cycling team at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC and developed such a passion for bikes that I changed my major from a pre-med path to Exercise Science so I could work with athletes as a career. Four years after buying my first road bike, I graduated college, started coaching for CTS, and started racing professionally on the road. I spent 2 years competing in pretty much every high-level pro race in North America, as well as the Tour Down Under in Australia. I also developed a love of gravel riding and racing, because Boone and Brevard, NC are both known for their proximity to vast networks of gravel roads and several high quality local events. After facing a severe illness that kept me off the bike for 14 months in 2017-2018, I shifted my focus to primarily gravel racing, and was able to take my biggest (and most gratifying) win at Land Run 100 in 2019. My time off the bike in 2017 really helped me figure out that you should never take your health for granted, so there’s a good chance that on any given day you may find me riding my bike, walking my dog (yes, our walks are on Strava), or hiking up mountains. I have been with CTS since 2014, and I believe the best part about coaching is inspiring athletes to get the best out of themselves. When my athletes reach goals they never thought were possible, they end up inspiring me in return!
Some Of The Races/Events I’ve Participated In Or Coached Athletes For:
  • Land Run 100 (now called The Mid South)
  • Leadville Stage Race
  • SBT GRVL
  • Leadville 100 MTB
  • Redlands Bicycle Classic
  • USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships
  • Joe Martin Stage Race
  • Santos Tour Down Under
  • Pisgah Stage Race
  • Barry Roubaix

 

Residence:

Brevard, NC

Coaching Packages:
  • Premium
  • Select
Certifications:

BS in Exercise Science with Psychology Minor, USA Cycling Level 3 Coach