Taryn has been a close friend for years and someone I’ve always looked up to as an athlete. After having my third child, I set my sights on qualifying for the Boston Marathon. A goal that feels iconic in the running community and, at the time, completely out of reach. As a mom of three little ones, I reached out to Taryn to see if she’d be interested in coaching an average mom runner.
I had run a handful of marathons before, loosely following suggested plans, but I had never looked at the full picture of marathon training. Taryn completely changed that for me. She opened my eyes to the importance of key workouts, proper nutrition, strength training, and most importantly, life balance. She listened carefully to what my average day and week looked like and built a plan around what was actually doable. She understood that if a plan isn’t sustainable, success isn’t possible.
Taryn taught me how to fuel properly, not just during runs, but while nursing an infant and chasing two toddlers. She was encouraging, supportive, and willing to challenge me when I needed it. I stepped onto the starting line of my goal race feeling confident and prepared. I qualified for the 2020 Boston Marathon at that race and dropped 15 minutes off my marathon time.
When Boston didn’t happen due to the pandemic, my dreams felt crushed. But in 2021, Taryn helped me do it again, this time dropping another four minutes from my PR. And when I finally turned onto Boylston Street in 2022, I heard Taryn cheering me on to the finish. She taught me how to be a different kind of runner, one who pushes herself to limits she never thought possible.
What truly sets Taryn apart is that she looks at the whole person when creating a training plan. She tailors everything to set you up for success, encourages rest when you need it, and teaches you to truly listen to your body. I’m incredibly grateful for Taryn’s guidance and support in helping me achieve goals I once thought were impossible.
Liz
OT, Marathoner, Mom
I wouldn’t be running professionally today if it wasn’t for Coach Sheehan’s coaching, guidance, and utter belief in me during a pivotal time in my development as an athlete. Coach Sheehan became my coach halfway through my college experience and helped me make the jump from a top contender in the Ivy League to a top contender in the nation, in both cross country and track. I steadily improved during my three years being coached by Coach Sheehan, and I graduated from Yale with five school records, six Ivy League titles, an All-American 10th place finish at NCAA Cross Country, and a runner-up finish at NCAA Track and Field Championships in the steeplechase.
Coach Sheehan always emphasized the value of proper nutrition and recovery to ensure we remained healthy and able to train at a high level. She has always cared so deeply about all of her athletes – as people first, and athletes second. As my coach she brought out the best in me and made me believe that no goal was too big. She always prioritized my continued growth and long-term goals in the sport, which I why I am still improving and competing at a high level today. I am so unbelievably grateful to have been coached by Coach Sheehan!
KAYLEY
Professional Athlete, Brooks Beast
Coach Taryn Sheehan had a profoundly positive impact on me as both an athlete and a person. She challenged me to step back and see the bigger picture with my running, reminding me that true success comes from balance, health, and consistency over time. Throughout my many injuries in college, she always had my best interest and always found the root of the problem. Her mix of direct, straightforward guidance and genuine support helped me push past my personal limitations and grow in ways I didn’t know I needed. The lessons she instilled in me—about resilience, perspective, and caring for myself—have shaped not only the runner I became in college, but also the healthier, stronger athlete and person I am today! I deeply respect her and will always be grateful for the incredible foundation she gave me!
Maria
OT, Marathoner
For the last 6 years, Taryn has been an incredibly formative, positive, and helpful coaching resource in my life. As a female athlete, I feel so lucky that my path crossed with hers when I was in college. Taryn has the unique ability to recognize when you need to be pushed as an athlete or as a person, and when you need space or extra time to listen to your body and balance athletics with school, work, or whatever it may be.
What impressed me so much about Taryn right off the bat was her curiosity about all things running, strength, and recovery, and her willingness to go the extra mile to always incorporate new information into our training. It’s so rare to find a coach who cares so much about their athletes and has so much knowledge, but Taryn really checks all the boxes. Working with Taryn helped me form a healthy relationship with running that has allowed me to continue racing post-collegiately, setting new PR’s, racing longer distances, and continuing to have fun in the sport with the support of wonderful mentors like her.
Jane
Marathoner
Coach Sheehan brings an enormous amount of commitment and passion for the sport. She is detail-oriented and bases her training and recovery methods on science-backed evidence. She tailors coaching conversations to meet individual needs. She is responsive and reachable. She firmly believes in the pursuit of excellence and holds me accountable to the goals I have articulated.
I also appreciate how Coach Sheehan is always readily available for one-on-one meetings to meet with her about training, upcoming or past races, managing stress and workload, or anything on my mind. In these meetings, she is solution-oriented and always encourages us to have a growth-mindset when it comes to tackling challenges.
In team settings, she actively seeks opportunities to engage in dialogue with the team around this topic. She recognizes that a team culture founded in support for one another’s goals, growth, and disciplined hard work are crucial elements for success.
Her specific brand of leadership, support, and genuine love for her athletes deepened my college running experience. Her coaching philosophy and caring investments into her athletes have created a strong network of deeply supportive women. I am so grateful to have received such remarkable coaching and support from both an expert in the sport and a deeply kind mentor.
Sam
I was lucky to have Coach Sheehan as my cross country and track coach for my senior year at Yale. My college running career had many ups and downs, and I’d struggled with health issues, race anxiety, and confidence. While there was never going to be a magical overnight fix, Coach Sheehan believed in me, gave me the push I needed in training, and helped me to build back some confidence. This all played a major role in me running in my first cross country conference meet, running a 6 second 3k PR (to break 10 minutes for the first time) and a 23 second 5k PR on the track. Coach Sheehan really prioritizes the health of her athletes, not shying away from important topics such as fueling properly, the menstrual cycle, and mental health. This is so important for long-term health and longevity in the sport – and I am happy to say that 5 years after being coached by her I am still enjoying running and am racing my first marathon this Fall!
Rachel
My journey as a competitive athlete was a lonely one, marked by dismissed health issues and outside pressure—until I found my collegiate team. Thanks to the integral help and support from Coach Sheehan during my first year, I was able to finally prioritize my health.
She changed my mindset with a single, pivotal question: “Would you rather have a lower number on the scale or on the track?” Her guidance gave me the courage to prioritize my well-being over performance. She not only helped me find a community that valued fueling for strength and health, but her mentorship was the foundation of my recovery.
My biggest victory wasn’t a personal record—it was regaining my health and learning to run from a place of strength. I wouldn’t be able to share my story and help others today if it weren’t for the mentorship that taught me my health mattered more than any metric. Now, I advocate for others, proud to be a product of the guidance that truly transformed my life.
Chloe
Working with Coach Taryn has been a game-changer for our kids. She goes beyond basic coaching by teaching strong fundamentals, improving athletic performance, and helping them develop mental toughness and focus. Our children have gained confidence, discipline, and a better understanding of how to approach challenges both on and off the basketball court. Coach truly cares about her athletes, and it shows in the progress our kids have made. Coach Taryn’s ability to connect with young athletes and bring out their best is truly special. We’ve seen measurable improvement in their abilities, mindset, and love for the game. We highly recommend Coach to any family looking for a positive and results-driven youth coach.
Ang
Parent
I cannot say enough positive things about Coach Sheehan as my daughter’s basketball coach. She has been a true mentor to my daughter and has helped to grow her from a kid who loves sport to a young woman who has a greater understanding of what her own body can do, how to challenge herself, and how to set goals that will take her to the next level. Coach Sheehan has guided her to significantly improve her sport IQ, technical skill sets, and mental toughness, while also helping her better understand, respect, and challenge her changing athletic body. She consistently encourages my daughter to reflect on her own progress and challenges, identify areas for growth, and set meaningful, achievable goals for herself. Coach Sheehan’s guidance has helped my daughter to build confidence, resilience, and a love for challenging her body in training. She creates an environment where athletes feel supported, challenged, and empowered. I would highly recommend her to any athlete looking to grow physically and mentally, and she is an exceptional role model for young women in sports.
Sarah
Parent
My daughter has gained so much confidence thanks to Coach Sheehan. Before working with her, trying out for the cross country team felt completely out of reach. Now she not only believes she can do it, she’s excited about it. Coach Sheehan has helped her develop a real understanding of how her young body works, how to move with purpose, and how to push herself safely and effectively.
Megan
Parent