As a keen recreational cyclist Kevin joined Team Triumph in 2006 to train for the Vätternrundan, a 300 km 1 day ride. He soon discovered that triathletes “needed” very cool bikes so he asked Coach Julia to teach him to swim and run and introduce him to the sport of triathlon. After starting out in local sprint triathlons, a 47 day coast to coast ride across Canada in 2008 helped convince him that the long distance events would suit him better - despite requiring more swimming and running.
Following successes in local iron distance events Kevin qualified for the Ironman World Championships, Kona Hawaii in 2012. Other highlights include: Ultraman Canada Champion (2014). Ultraman age group world record holder. Triathlon Magazine Canada 2014 Endurance Triathlete of the Year. Ironman World Championships, Kona Hawaii (2015), 5th in age group, Ultraman World Championships, Kona Hawaii (2015), 8th overall.
Following a crash at a Deccaman race, Kevin is recovering and looking forward to "ageing up” and racing Ironman again!
To support his exercise addiction Kevin worked in health research. He holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and retired as executive director of the Canadian Stroke Network in 2014. He has published widely in basic and health science, holds a number of issued patents and has received professional awards for his contributions to understanding the role of sodium (salt) in chronic disease.
I love the accountability and the structure of the Virtual 70.3 Half Ironman training program. I don't think I would have gotten this far without the program. The accountability is huge for me!
Deborah Jackman
My coach Kevin Willis is amazing. His swim practices have been a real game-changer for me. A great communicator regardless of your swim level. The whole club is supportive of everything you do. You don't need to be an Ironman to benefit from their programs. 5 stars all around!!! - Denise Pittuck
I just wanted to thank you and your team (Gabi! Brenda! Maggie! Dawn!) for making last weekend's event so amazing. I had tried to do a try-a-tri on my own last summer, and the experience was night and day.
Even though I didn't make every virtual session, I felt so prepared... I knew where to go for information, and I knew I had a team of people (coaches and our beginner tri group!) who were all there to support me.
It was interesting to watch Eric train on his own (without access to the TrainingPeaks workouts and without the weekly meetings to ask questions and learn more about proper form and race-day stuff). When we left on Sunday, he looked at me and was like "we're DEFINITELY doing the training with Julia if we decide to go for the olympic distance, right?".
So glad to have found this club and looking forward to many more triathlons in the near future!!! Tai Teleso
