Our Coaches

Meet Head Coach, Lana Burl

The stories are true… I did my first triathlon in 2010 and was hooked! I even DNF’d my second triathlon, but the fire was already lit…

Since that first pool sprint, I’ve done lots of multisport events from super sprint to full distance triathlons, along with duathlons, SwimRun, aqua bikes, relays, single sport events, and well, all the fun things. I represented Team USA twice at the ITU World Championships and enjoyed multiple brand ambassador and competitive team roles.

I’ve overcome a paralyzing fear of open water to conquer marathon and ultramarathon distance swims, including a 12.5-mile crossing of Lake Tahoe. 

Since coaching my first athlete in 2016, it’s been a blast helping athletes at all levels achieve amazing goals and dreams, including first open water swims and first distances, podiums, personal bests, national and world championship appearances. 

Coached Athlete Accomplishments:

  • Qualifiers: 4x ITU World Championships, Xterra World Championship, Ironman 70.3 World Championship
  • First Time Finishers: 20+ Ironman, 30+ Half Ironman, 50 km, Marathon, Half Marathon, Olympic & Sprint Triathlon, 10km Swim, Century Rides
 

Qualifications:

  • Coach: USA Triathlon Level 1, USA Cycling Level 3, USA Swimming
  • USMS Level 2 Coach, USMS Adult Learn to Swim (ALTS)
  • MS Nutrition, University of Buffalo
  • BS Chemical Engineering, Clarkson University

Meet Associate Coach, Janine Pleasant

It’s great to meet you! Whatever your goals are, I look forward to helping you achieve them as part of the LB Endurance Lab team.

I competed in my first triathlon in 1998 and have completed two full Ironman triathlons. I’ve also participated in over 100 shorter competitions.

In 2016, I was named the first head coach of the NCAA Division I ETSU Women’s Triathlon Team – a position I held for 5 years before retiring. I embraced the opportunity to build the program as an emerging NCAA sport.

Before my swimming and triathlon coaching career, I worked in corporate Information Technology for over 20 years (a different kind of badassery).

Coached Athlete Accomplishments:

  • Led NCAA Division I ETSU Womens Triathlon Team to top-three finishes at the first four USA Triathlon Women’s Collegiate National Championships, including a runner-up showing in 2017.
  • Coached team member Lane McDonald (South Bend, IN) to USAT Collegiate Triathlete of the Year honors in 2018, while McDonald also qualified for her 2018 USA Triathlon Elite Card
 

Qualifications:

  • USAT Level 2 Coach
  • AAAI/ISMA Phase II Master Personal Fitness Trainer

Meet Assistant Coach, Phil Donihe

Growing up, I swam for Carpet Capital Aquatics Club, Scenic City Aquatic Club and The McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN. I’ve loved teaching and coaching swimming since I was a teenager, working with students of various skill levels. 

I studied exercise science at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where I served as the Student Assistant Strength Coach and Head Manager for the men’s swim team. Using underwater video analysis with targeted strength training, I helped swimmers enhance their understanding of efficient body position, utilization of gravity, and mechanics. 

Working at La Palestra, The Center for Preventative Medicine in New York City, I became a true student of General Movement Theory. We applied an integrated wellness approach using a team of Internists, Physical Therapists, Chiropractors, Nutritionists, Behavioral Therapists, and Personal Trainers. My clientele ranged from actors and athletes (focused on swimmers & triathletes), to cardiac and orthopedic rehab.  

I returned to Chattanooga to pursue my true passion as a full-time swim coach and worked with USA Swimming teams in various capacities.  

True champions are developed through the reinforcement and constant practice of positive character qualities and a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Qualifications:

  • BS Exercise Science, University of Tennessee
  • USA Swimming Coach

Meet Assistant Coach, William Norris

It’s a privilege to help people become fitter and healthier through strength training, behavioral modification, making better lifestyle choices and understanding smarter nutrition to support their goals. I enjoy working with athletes that enjoy endurance challenges, as well as that want to push beyond and try new adventures.

My coaching experience includes endurance athletes striving for a variety of distance goals and MS/HS track. I’m the co-founder and former owner of Bike ‘n Tri, a retail and repair shop for cyclists and triathletes. I’ve finished multiple half marathons, three half ironmans and captained a Race Across America (RAAM) team in 2019, cycling over 3,000 miles nonstop in 7 1/2 days. 

Qualifications:

  • BS Nutrition, University of Tennessee
  • Certified Bike Mechanic
  • Nurse