Other's Stories
Testimonials
"The miracle isn't that I finished.
The miracle is that I had the courage to start."
- John Bingham
ERIN SVEC
I reached out to Megan in October 2025 with a goal that was almost a year away, completing an Ironman 70.3 the following September. I had done one sprint triathlon 10 years earlier, and after having a panic attack during the swim, I had no intention of ever doing another one. Ten years later, I was looking for a new athletic challenge and decided I wanted to stop saying I didn’t know how to swim and give triathlon another try! I had a some experience in running and cycling, but was starting almost from scratch in the pool. Starting early gave us plenty of time to build my fitness and confidence gradually without ever feeling rushed.
Megan created a structured plan that helped me progress across all three disciplines and consistently pushed me beyond what I would have done on my own. This was especially true on the bike and in the pool, where she helped me realize I was capable of much more than I thought. Her structured swim workouts and in-person coaching were invaluable in taking me from barely knowing how to swim to being confident enough to take on the 70.3 distance.
One of the things I appreciated most about working with Megan was how personalized and flexible the entire experience was. If life got in the way and I needed to move workouts around, she always helped me adjust. Communication was easy, and I knew I could reach out anytime with questions throughout the process. She even took the time to meet with me before and after races to make sure I felt prepared going in and to talk through how things went afterward.
By the time I reached the start line of my first 70.3, I felt confident and prepared. Megan took the guesswork out of training for such a big goal and helped me accomplish something that, not that long ago, I never would have imagined myself doing. I’m incredibly grateful for everything she did to help me become a 70.3 finisher!
MIKE RYAN
If availability is indeed the best ability in sports, working with Coach Meg has kept me in the game. Since falling under her domain in May of 2025, Meg has provided a strength training and structured running program that has not only made me stronger and faster but has kept me from missing a single workout. Before working with Meg, I was taking bits and pieces of what I read or viewed online and heard from physical therapists or other runners to put together my own training program. I was grinding through a 10-kilometer run per day at max effort with an occasional long run; completing a heavy upper body work three days a week; and taking zero days off leading to hamstring, foot and other maladies that made every workout a painful experience. Mentally, I put a governor on my efforts, not willing to adapt or make changes. Every race was about finishing faster instead of building toward something. Was I getting to the end line? Sure, but at what cost. Coach Meg has changed everything. I am working out less, incorporating days off, spending more time on lower body strengthening and running actual track, road and trail efforts that not only get me to the start lines healthy but funnel toward a major goal. I have built confidence and now embrace hill workouts instead of running nothing but flat courses. She helped me get to and finish the Boston Marathon and also hit a PB in the March Madness Half Marathon, one of the toughest races in Illinois.
Best of all, Coach Meg always reminds me to have fun and enjoy the racing experience, something I am still trying to remember. I realize every day is a blessing, each run is its own entity; and at age 62 I am fortunate to be able to enjoy a hobby that keeps me healthy, provides a social outlet and builds resilience. Most importantly, Coach Meg is right there with me as she requires accountability and provides feedback and encouragement. She gives guidance on carb loading, gear and offers the occasional group workouts. She has offered support as I move further off road events and into the trail world. Most importantly, she is a runner who has overcome physical and mental barriers. She has been there and continues on her own journey as a competitor. Without Meg leading the way, I might have walked away from racing or continued on a injurious path. I once thought hiring a coach was a waste of money. Now I view working without a coach as embracing a poor fueling plan heading into a marathon or triathlon. It might lead to success, but why struggle? Why not opt to follow a path proven to both work and produce a more enjoyable experience? Coach Meg has provided that gift to me
Beth Conerty
I began running with Megan fifteen years ago. She is the one who encouraged me to start and she has never stopped encouraging me. I've had her help and support informally for my entire running "career," but early 2025 seemed like an opportune moment to officially sign on for her coaching. She structured both run workouts and strength training (something I desperately needed help with). Through more consistent training and her professional coaching, I ran my two fastest half marathons ever in the same month as well as taking second in my age group at a 5K and 10K over back-to-back weekends.
Megan takes into account my busy weeks, my travel, and she adjusts workouts based on how I'm feeling. My running is the strongest when she is coaching me, and she does it in a way that fits with my schedule, lifestyle, and ambitions. I would strongly recommend Sloan Coaching for anyone looking for more fitness consistency!
Ingrid Carlino
As a busy working mom, it feels impossible to balance everything, but Megan creates personalized weekly plans that fit perfectly into my schedule (including flexibility for work travel and illness). She helped me prioritize self-care during a stressful time in my personal life while also pushing me to achieve my goals. The training is challenging but always achievable, and I never feel overwhelmed, which says a lot with my Type-A personality! I have no concerns about crossing the finish line of my first marathon this fall with Megan’s prep plan
Matt Hill
Before I met coach Megan I was training for Ultramarathon distances all on my own, from 50k to 100 miles. While completing the distances and meeting my goals was exciting, I didn’t realize what I was missing until I committed to her training program.
When you train on your own it’s easy to get “lost” in what you are comfortable with and actually over train with those “junk miles.” I started training this year and with her expertise I feel stronger, better recovered and have more variability in my training. At my first race this year, I not only beat my goal time in one of my most difficult races to date, my legs didn’t fatigue like I was used to and the last 2 miles were the faster of the entire 50 mile race.
Not only do I feel better trained and stronger this year - following the training program is so easy! Coach Megan fully customizes your plan to fit your busy life and work schedule, so not only do I not have to plan my own training, but I still have time for my kids and important events/travel.
I highly recommend Sloan Coaching and Coach Megan! I am very excited about conquering more goals this year!
Shawn Tegtmeier
Even though I am a certified personal trainer, have coached numerous 5K and half marathon training groups over the last decade, I have found that I simply cannot be trusted to stick with my own program. It was getting a bit out of hand as the years went by, letting my own training take a backseat to everything else. I was almost at a point where I thought maybe I’ll just not run. Well, I could still run, but not with any goals or consistency. Guess what? That doesn’t really work. Not when you love to run. I have been watching my friend Megan coach and train a variety of athletes, from brand new to well seasoned. "Hmmm. Maybe that’s an idea." Before I could talk myself out of it I hired her!
Best decision ever! I have been working with her for almost a year now and have felt better than I have in a long time. Having accountability, instruction and a coach who really cares is a game changer. Megan really listens to me, works with my schedule (which can be crazy), backs down, and also pushes me when I need it.
