Nate Dunn – Head Coach
I bought my first heart rate monitor in high school. Watching my HR blink on my wrist during a run blew my mind. Shortly after finishing college, I snagged my first GPS cycling computer; a power meter came next.
BPM, RPM, and watts all beamed to a tiny computer on my handlebars. These numbers improved how I trained, but more importantly, data made riding more fun.
I fell in love with school for the first time during my graduate program. Data was a bridge between my experience on the bike and the world of exercise science I encountered in the lab.
When I started Data Driven Athlete in 2010, I felt like an evangelist proselytizing the gospel of data. Today, exercise data is everywhere: watches, rings, and glucose monitors.
There’s no limit to the information technology can mine from our lives, yet the drive to “quantify oneself” comes with a cost.
We want technology to improve our health and performance, but we’re so overwhelmed with information we don’t know where to start.
As your coach, I guide you and provide personal support as you strive to have your best days on the bike.
Cycling Coaching Qualifications
- Master of Science degree in Kinesiology (Exercise Science) from California State University Sacramento
- USA Cycling Certified Level 1 Coach
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) from the National Strength and Conditioning Association
- Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN) from the International Society of Sports Nutrition
Jacob Velasco – Assistant Coach
After graduating from my high school mountain bike team, I knew I wanted to become a NICA coach. Cycling has imparted invaluable skills and lessons beyond racing, and I was eager to pass these on.
My passion for coaching quickly grew as I discovered my ability to help athletes achieve their best experiences on the bike.
As I continued coaching high school athletes, I advanced in the sport and am now on the verge of becoming a professional cyclist. This journey has provided me with extensive knowledge beyond that of a NICA coach, enhancing my coaching capabilities.
However, my mission remains to share everything I’ve learned as a professional coach.
In the information age, there are countless paths to success in cycling and many opportunities for confusion. At Data Driven Athlete, I am committed to providing you with the tools and insights necessary to achieve any cycling goal you have in mind.
Cycling Coaching Qualifications
- USA Cycling Certifed Level 3 Coach
- Safesport Certifed
- Racing in MTB and Gravel as a Pro