all abilities  |  supportive |  inclusive

MARK GLEESON

Head Coach

MARK has been participating in Triathlons for over 25 years and has covered all distances up to Ironman. Some of Mark’s achievements are:

• 15 x Ironman Finisher (PB 9:23)

• 3 x Hawaiian Ironman Finisher (5 times Qualifier)

• Ironman Asia Pacific Age Group Champion (2017)

• Ironman 70.3 Sunny Coast Age Group Champion (2017)

• Ironman 70.3 Worlds Sunny Coast (2016 - 22nd out of 235 in 45-49 Age Group)

• Sub 3hr Marathon

• Triathlon Australia Development Coach

• Cycling Australia Community Club Coach

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Mark understands the importance of having a flexible approach to training by maintaining the balance between training, work, family and friends. Mark believes in the importance of using your time wisely to achieve your individual goals, and at all times #trainwithpurpose.

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Mark's Motto:  Talent only gets you so far, ‘Grit’ is the key to success - it requires persistence and resilience with a focused goal. Grit can be developed over time in a supportive environment with a mentor who can provide leadership and guidance. To achieve your potential in Triathlon, you can develop Grit through getting feedback and continual learning. Mark enjoys sharing his knowledge of the sport and providing guidance and support to help athletes reach their full potential.

TARYN AXELSEN

TARYN comes from a non-competitive youth, only being consistently involved in Triathlons for 7 years and participating in running events up to marathon length. Since joining Energy Lab Triathlon in 2018, Taryn’s skill development has improved immensely resulting in some noteworthy results:

• National Champion Olympic Distance (35-39) (2019)

• 3rd Ironman Australia (35-39) and 4th Female amateur overall (2019)

• 1st Springfield Marathon female winner (2018)

• 3rd female Park2Park half marathon (2018)

Taryn has participated in all distances from Sprint to Ironman - including 6 Ironmans, 18 Half Ironmans and 4 Marathons. In her spare time, she is a Lecturer in Statistics and Mathematics and is involved in community engagement encouraging high school students to become interested in mathematics.

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Taryn’s Motto:  Firstly, have fun. Some sessions will test you mentally and physically but ultimately we have to have fun.  Secondly, I believe one of the key factors, often overlooked, is confidence - your ability to fully believe in your ability to achieve your goals. You may have all of the ability in the world but without confidence, you won’t have the belief to “shoot for the stars” and “step outside your limits”. When confidence is developed you have faith in your ability and your preparation, without expecting success. Focusing on winning rather than confidently performing at your best can lead to self-imposed pressure and a fear of failure.

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Gleeso's Words:  Taryn has been with Energy Lab from the start, with her son Bailey. She is at sessions when it is cold and dark. She brings so much to Energy Lab, by demonstrating the behaviours required to be successful. Interestingly, success came to Taryn when she focused on continual improvement and not achievement. When I think of 'Relentless Pursuit of Continual Improvement' I think of Taryn, who consistently trains week in,  week out, all year round. Taryn has played a huge part in becoming a Mentor,  providing encouragement, advice and guidance. 

JACQUELINE THISTLETON

JACQUELINE is an athlete who has almost a decade of experience in Triathlon. Having raced originally as an age group athlete in all distances, she took her professional licence in 2016. Although currently having a break from the racing scene since having her son Oliver in late 2018, Jacqueline is still actively training and excited to be a part of Energy Lab's coaching and mentoring team. 

With a background in surf lifesaving, the sport of Triathlon fulfils her love for multidisciplinary sports! A passion for swimming, having competed her whole life, combined with strong cycling & running, makes for a competitive triathlete. Some of Jacqueline's achievements are:

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Age Group World Champion

• ​Ironman 70.3 World Championships, Sunshine Coast (2017) - 30-34 Age Group Champion, 
  1st Age Group female overall

• World Duathlon Championships, Adelaide (2015) - 25-29 Age Group Champion

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Professional Triathlon Results​

• Ironman 70.3 Cebu - 2nd Professional Female (2017)

• Ironman 70.3 Liuzhou - 6th Professional Female (2017)

• Ironman 70.3 Geelong - 7th Professional Female (2017)

• Ironman 70.3 Ballarat - 4th Professional Female (2016)

• Hervey Bay 100  - 1st Professional Female (2016)

Dedicated, honest, consistent and driven would be words that reflect on Jacqueline. Jacqueline is a strong supporter of female participation across all sports. She enjoys mentoring all levels of athletes to help them achieve their goals.

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Jacqui's Motto: “Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out” – R. Collier.

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Gleeso's Words:  I recall Jacqui racing at Ironman 70.3 World Championships at the Sunny Coast. I was heading down the hill from Alex and all of a sudden Jacqui passed me like I was standing still - all I heard was 'Gleeso' and then she ran off into the distance (to be the fastest female Age Grouper on the day). While she was pushing hard she still had time to encourage others - we see this at our sessions, where Jacqui is a constant source of encouragement. Jacqui sets the example on how to train - she is always first on the start line for the next interval. I am particularly excited for our Juniors and developing athletes as they can be mentored by Jacqui who has progressed through to being a Professional Triathlete. 

SUSAN LINDSAY

Beginner/All Abilities

SUSAN entered her first Triathlon at Bribie Island in February 2012 - halfway through that ocean swim, she swore she’d never do another Triathlon ever again!  Seven years later and three bikes down, Susan is well and truly addicted to the sport of Triathlon.  During those seven years she has advanced from Enticer distance, through to Olympic distance, where she has placed 3rd at Bribie Island Tri.  

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Susan has a passion for diversity and inclusion in Triathlon and loves nothing more than to see people conquer their first Triathlon and the joy it brings them.  Now a little wiser and smarter, Susan is looking forward to working alongside Head Coach, Mark, to deliver a Beginner / All Abilities training platform that is flexible, adaptable and, most importantly, fun.  Susan is incredibly proud to be a part of a club committed to providing training for all abilities of athletes with the focus being on building confidence - both in training and on race day.

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Susan understands the importance of finding the balance between being a single parent of two awesome kids, two opinionated cats and one incredibly disobedient border collie and her career as a Group Executive Human Resources for a group of independent schools.

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Gleeso's Words:  Susan has overcome some incredible medical conditions to compete in the sport she loves. Starting out as a beginner in 2012, she has progressed through the sport and is now passionate about sharing her knowledge. ​Susan is such a kind hearted and giving person who is always willing to help. She will be amazing with anyone wanting to do their first triathlon or build confidence going into longer races. 

LISA TODD

Beginner/All Abilities

LISA competed in her first Triathlon in 2012.  She got involved in Triathlons as a result of having to stop playing Hockey due to injury.  Doctors said to her "either fuse your foot or stop playing hockey" - so she chose Triathlon!  

Lisa focused on sprint Triathlons until 2018, as she could not swim very well due to needing a shoulder re-construction, which she got in mid 2017.  She went full steam after that - racing in her first Olympic Triathlon at Noosa in 2018, then her first Ironman 70.3 at Western Sydney three weeks later. 
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Lisa will focus on the Beginner / All Abilities and knows how to go from Beginner through to Ironman 70.3.  She balances her love of Triathlon with a corporate career.

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Gleeso's Words: Lisa has an inherent Grit - she chooses a goal and focuses on achieving it. Lisa is the ideal person to help our Beginner and All Abilities athletes as she started out as a beginner back in 2012 and has gradually progressed through Triathlon. One story I have of Lisa's determination was when she did her first Ironman 70.3 at Western Sydney and it was amazing to see her focus on finishing - there was never a doubt. Lisa is goal orientated, she just loves targeting a race and then focusing on doing the training to get to the finish line.