“I've won and podiumed at more events in the last two years working with Johann than I did in 5 years of trying to go pro despite having a full-time job.”

When I started racing again I wanted to find the best partner possible. Someone who knew what it took to reach the top level of cycling and could use those insights to help me optimize my training around my 9-5 job. Since working with Johann my level surpassed when I was training and racing full-time. I've won and podiumed at more events in the last two years working with Johann than I did in 5 years of trying to go pro despite having a full-time job. Johann has been a great friend too. I look forward to discussing each training block and our life events every month. He's always responded to my workout questions in a timely manner and leaves useful feedback on my workouts.

— Chris Prendergast

“Johann earned my trust early on when despite not being able to train as much as I’d like for a stage race, I followed his plan and race advice to the t and won two stages as well as podiumed the stage race, earning my Cat 1 upgrade.”

I started working with Johann 13 years into my athletic career so in many aspects of training I was very much set in my ways. Previously I found it hard to buy into new ideas from coaches and to that end, probably was not getting the most out of the athlete-coach relationship. Johann earned my trust early on when despite not being able to train as much as I’d like for a stage race, I followed his plan and race advice to the t and won two stages as well as podiumed the stage race, earning my cat 1 upgrade. Johann has been fundamental in helping me advance many areas of bike racing that were huge blockers to success for me previously. These include technical descending and maintaining my position in the bunch. His experience racing at the top level lent itself to advice that was actually actionable, rather than throw-away comments I’d received previously. Johann was also very helpful with regard to heat acclimation, something I struggle immensely with and my performance in the heat improved a lot after undergoing an acclimation program we designed together. I am taking a break from racing to focus on my career and get married but if I return, I will certainly continue to work with Johann again. I recommend his coaching services to anyone trying to reach the next level.

— Sam Hausman

“He still remembers the struggle and sacrifice, and he's incredibly good at recognizing when an athlete needs encouragement and when they need a kick in the pants.”

Working with Johann has been a great pleasure. He obviously knows what it takes to get fit, compete, and perform at a high level, and he was able to take that knowledge and apply it to my often hectic and difficult schedule. Whether it was a local criterium or an international stage race, Johann always got me to the start line prepared and ready to compete. Beyond just the training, though, Johann has a great deal of understanding and empathy for his athletes. He still remembers the struggle and sacrifice, and he's incredibly good at recognizing when an athlete needs encouragement and when they need a kick in the pants. The best part of working with him is certainly his soft skills which have always been helpful and very appreciated. I'd recommend Johann to anyone looking to improve because he knows how to get you there and will be supportive along the entire way. 

— Travis Furman

“What immediately struck me about Johann and his coaching philosophy was his emphasis on creating a sustainable routine and tailoring the training to improve my weaknesses. Having competed at the highest level of the sport, Johann knows what it takes to succeed and he uses this experience to help his athletes achieve their goals on the bike.”

Prior to starting cycling, I was a top level rower for 10 years so I am no stranger to coaches, plans, and the delayed gratification that comes with relentless training only to race for a handful of days a year. 

What immediately struck me about Johann and his coaching philosophy was his emphasis on creating a sustainable routine and tailoring the training to improve my weaknesses. Having competed at the highest level of the sport, Johann knows what it takes to succeed and he uses this experience to help his athletes achieve their goals on the bike. His attention to detail and willingness to work with his athletes to adjust training so it doesn’t create any additional life stress is what sets him apart from so many other coaches and training plans.

It doesn’t matter what you hope to achieve on the bike or where you are on your fitness journey, every workout Johann prescribes will make you a faster cyclist - the training isn’t easy, but seeing improvement on workouts or getting a top result at a race makes the hard rides even more rewarding.

— Michael Battaglia

‘‘Johann has not only helped me to boost my power on a bike and general fitness, but also he built a training routine that I absolutely love.’’

I have been cycling for 6-7 years when I started working with Johann as I set up a goal for myself - to compete in National TT Championships (I only competed as an amatuer before) and here I am a National TT Champion (Women Masters) half a year later. :)

Johann has not only helped me to boost my power on a bike and general fitness, but also he built a training routine that I absolutely love. His personal attention to every workout and amazing effort to get to know what are my strengths and weaknesses, extraordinary motivational skills helped me reach results that I really didn't believe I could and to love cycling even more (which is not easy when you train 10-12 hours a week + a full time job).

Thank you, Johann, you are the best!! and I am not exaggerating. :)

— Jurgita Lemesiute

“Whether you are looking to reach personal goals or the highest levels of the sport, I cannot recommend Johann enough. This is just the beginning of Johann's coaching career, and I'm stoked to be a part of it... 

As a former collegiate distance runner, I have been exposed to a variety of coaches and coaching philosophies. When I first began working with Johann, I immediately recognized that Johann's approach sets him apart from anyone else that I have ever worked with. His personalized training is world-class and he rigorously tracks my progression. However, Johann's approach addresses the complete athlete, and not just performance. He possesses the perceptivity to understand the impact of factors outside of training and racing, and the wisdom to address it. ”

— Adam Schwendt

“Working with Johann for the last 6 months has been a super enriching and positive experience. As a young cyclist that wants to see how far he can make it in the sport, having a mentor and a very knowledgeable coach has helped a lot with my progression.¨

He’s been very in tune with my wants and needs while still being direct and demanding. He provided a great environment to evolve in where I feel comfortable but motivated to push my limits. 

After a great winter of training where my numbers went way up, I feel super excited to get back to racing and see what the summer holds for me! I’m confident Johann will be by my side and that I can further improve and refine all the great things I learned this winter.  .”

— Felix Fortin

¨The structure and performance gains have exceeded expectations, but more importantly, there has been an emphasis on creating a physically and mentally sustainable program.¨

Working with Johann is my first coaching experience, so I was unsure of what to expect.  The structure and performance gains have exceeded expectations, but more importantly, there has been an emphasis on creating a physically and mentally sustainable program.  He’s helped me better understand that an occasional bad or missed workout isn’t the end of the world, how I don’t always need to be right at the limit, and that rest, recovery and balance are as important churning out the watts.  I’m excited to continue this journey and would recommend Johann and Catalyst Coaching to anyone looking to improve their cycling. 

— Chris Carnahan

¨This isn't a guy who rode in the world tour for a year, got booted then started coaching; Johann had a real racing career as a world tour pro and is one of the reasons I chose to work with him. My logic is: if you want to be a millionaire, learn from someone who is a millionaire.¨

As an elite amateur cyclist who always dreamed of racing on a world tour level, it is a real pleasure working with a guy like Johann. This isn't a guy who rode in the world tour for a year, got booted then started coaching; Johann had a real racing career as a world tour pro and is one of the reasons I chose to work with him. My logic is: if you want to be a millionaire, learn from someone who is a millionaire. I've always wanted to be a world tour pro, so I figured, learn from a world tour pro. Though I won't reach world tour level, Johann has helped me live vicariously through my training and chasing w/kg numbers so I can crush local cat 1 races, lol, it's fun though! To any new cyclists--don't let what I am saying make you think: "oh well, I guess I have to already be an elite cyclist to work with Johann." No, that's not the case at all. The great part of working with a top professional athlete is they understand how to help anyone at any level from the very bottom to the very top. I talked to several other coaches and the two main things that made me want to work with Johann was 1. He's a real world tour pro 2. He had a positive outlook on my lofty goals. He never questioned my ability or had anything discouraging to say. I think that is a real motivating factor when you are looking for a coach. And if anyone cares, he's a friendly, personable guy as well. I would highly recommend.

— Shane Edele