Cyclingnewsasia is proud to introduce our another Coaching partner, Max Shute Ph.D . . . .

Max has joined our team to help us ensure our readers are kept up to date with the latest in training technique, and technical info as it relates to your day to day performance. Max attended Virgina Tech where he gained his Ph.D in Nutrition in Sport and Chronic Disease and Appalacian State University where he gained a Master of Science.

Currently working with CTS (Carmichael Coaching Systems) Max will be working with our coaching team to answer your questions and assist with articles. He has also been kind enough to provide with the answers to a huge range of random questions - over to you Max:

Current Residence: Valdosta, Georgia , USA
Hometown: East Peoria, Illinois, USA
Coaching Level: Senior
Sports: Cycling (Road, Mountain, Cyclocross), Triathlon, Running
Date of Birth: July 7, 1970
Family members: Wife, Jen; Son, Oscar
Dogs: Solomon and George
Cats: Fred and Herman

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:

Born and raised in East Peoria, Illinois. Moved to Boone, North Carolina in 1997 and fell in love with the mountains. Since then I lived in Eugene, Oregon, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Johnson City, Tennessee all of which were gorgeous cycling areas. Currently we reside in Valdosta, Georgia where I enjoy endless pristine asphalt, no traffic, and a 12-month cycling season. When I long for some climbing I head back to Boone for a visit.

Favorite Quote:

“Intellectual tasting of life will not supersede muscular activity.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Education

High School:
East Peoria Community High School

Favorite subjects/courses:

• Mr. William Beckman’s Independent Biology (East Peoria Comm. High School)
• Dr. Lucille Smith’s Exercise Physiology I and II  (App State)
• Dr. David Webb’s Protein Metabolism (Virginia Tech)

Coaching Background

I decided to pursue training and education as a coach because:
I love interacting and learning from other people

I decided to join CTS because:
They have the best internship program with the smartest training philosophy

What I liked best about the CTS coaching residency program:
The hands on experience

The greatest lesson I learned during the CTS coaching residency program:
Every athlete is different and requires very personal attention

My most rewarding coaching experience:
When an athlete achieved a 50lb weight-loss goal after a lifetime of being overweight

The best thing about being a coach is:
Learning from all of my clients and being welcomed into their lives

My coaching philosophy is:
Super-compensations/adaptations mean being able to enjoy rest days and recovery periods

My coaching goals:
To continue working with a full range of athletes whether they aspire for the Olympics or wish to lose 10lbs, and not get dropped on the local group ride

My proudest moment as a coach:
Whenever an athlete achieves or exceeds their goals

My most embarrassing coaching experience:
Making an Ironman training schedule for an Ironman athlete but then accidentally submitting it to a recreational triathlete. It didn’t take long before we both figured it out.

My area of coaching expertise is:
Cyclists and runners

My strongest coaching quality is:

Explaining “why”

Distinguished athletes I’ve coached:
Everyone is equally distinguished in my book

Athletic Career Highlights

When I started cycling and what got me started:
My Dad. I was three and he taught me how to ride a bicycle. I’ve been in love bicycles and cycling ever since.

What cycling means to me:
It means health. Without your health you don’t have much.

What I like best about cycling:
The time to think when riding alone.

What I would have done differently in my competitive days if I knew what I know now:
Taken more rest days

What I would not change:
The time spent traveling with friends

My near and far-term athletic goals:
To be as fit as I am now when I’m 65

My favorite race/competition and why:
Any cyclocross race. When they go well they are pure pleasure . . .

My worst athletic experience:
Running over a rider’s neck who crashed in front of me in my very first criterium. He lined up the next day, and we had a good laugh.

Pet peeves:

telemarketers

Miscellaneous

When I’m not coaching or training I like to:
Play with my son and cook

The mentor who influenced me the most is:
Dr. Lucille Smith from Appalachian State University

The best advice I ever got from him/her was:
You can do whatever you want.

The coolest thing I ever found on a run/ride was:
An AC/DC Back in Black CD

If I wasn’t a coach, I would be:
A college professor

My favorite meal/dessert is:
Peanut butter and jelly. However, it must be natural crunchy with all-fruit raspberry jelly on my Mother’s homemade whole-wheat bread

“Bad” food I just can’t resist:
cream filled chocolate covered donuts

My favorite book is:
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

My favorite place in the world is:
Boone, North Carolina

When traveling, I never leave without:
my XM satellite radio receiver

In my car you’ll find:
A child seat

The oldest piece of sports equipment I am still using:
1999 Sidi Genius cycling shoes

In 2020, I plan to be:
Visiting colleges with my son

The best small bit of advice I can give is:
relax

Where I would most like to go and what I would most like to do on a dream vacation:
Galapagos Islands to see the wildlife

Pure relaxation is:
A mountain view and a chair

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