The Coaching Team
Flat Rock Endurance’s coaching team is a hand-selected team of world-class coaches, athletes, sport scientists and registered dietitians across South Africa, France, Spain, and New Zealand. Each coach brings a different specialism — but the philosophy is shared.
Erin van Eyssen · Toni McCann · Brendan Lombard · Naomi Brand
Founder · Head Coach · Cape Town
Erin van Eyssen
Long-term athlete development · road, trail and ultra · coaching since 2016
“I want athletes to spend more time looking up, than looking down”
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Erin van Eyssen founded Flat Rock Endurance in 2017 upon completion of his National Diploma in Coaching Sciences.
He found his love for running in March 2010, and has been a student of the sport ever since. With a passion for both road and trail running, Erin has been in the coaching space, building Flat Rock as a pillar of support and community for athletes to thrive and achieve their goals.
He has a world of experience working with athletes of all levels, from beginners to elites, covering distances from 5km to hundreds of miles.
He holds the athlete as the top priority, taking into consideration their goals and and their long-term focus in the sport for them to grow sustainably in their discipline.
Erin strongly focuses on the physical and mental health and well-being of his athletes prior to any race result or goal, which gives Flat Rock Endurance athletes a unique and well-rounded coaching experience.
Coach · Adidas Running Athlete · France
Toni McCann
International trail & ultra racing · race nutrition specialist
“The race is really just the celebration of the work”
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Toni McCann lives by a mantra of “Stubborn Self-Belief” and what an important pillar that is in order to achieve your goals!
Toni offers a wealth of experience in the field of running and specialised nutrition coaching. It brings together her belief in supporting the whole athlete, and not just the physical side of coaching.
Toni believes having a coach is so much more than a training plan; they are the voice of encouragement, belief, support, and - when needed - a bit of tough love.
Toni’s experience of racing at an elite level, both locally and internationally, will no doubt benefit all who are under her wing.
Coach · Sport Scientist · Spain
Brendan Lombard
Sports science · strength integration · multi-sport background
"Any terrain, anyone."
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As a Stellenbosch University graduate with a Sports Science degree, an elite trail runner, and a former World-ranked multisport athlete, Brendan brings a wealth of experience and insight into the world of performance and trail running.
Brendan believes that there is a specific science behind endurance coaching on a physiological level and that the mind, body and spirit all work together to get one over whatever finish lines they set out to achieve. Brendan has worked with a variety of athletes; from "couch to 5km" to elite ultra runners. With a coaching mantra of "any terrain, anyone", he undertakes an inclusive, well-rounded approach to training.
With rich knowledge in strength and conditioning, specifically targeting the athlete's objectives, Brendan understands the importance of conditioning and insists it is a part of every athlete's plan.
Coach · Ultra Specialist · New Zealand
Naomi Brand
Elite trail runner racing 100km and Miler distances · based in New Zealand
“The long buildup is the work
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Naomi has been running and competing since the age of 12. Although she began with track and road running, her interest quickly shifted to cross country and eventually trail running after school. Since 2014, ultra trail races — including 100km and 100-mile events — have been her main focus, and she has been fortunate to compete in major races both locally and internationally.
Currently based in New Zealand, Naomi works as a locum veterinarian. She especially enjoys coaching athletes back home, as being part of Flatrock keeps her connected to her roots and the running community. Passionate about helping both humans and animals, she believes coaching makes her a better athlete and a better person.
Join Flat Rock Endurance
Tell us about your running, your goal race, and we'll match you with the coach who fits.