Meet the Coaches

Kristen Schindler

Maddie Hart

Lindsey McDonald

Looking for coaches with a human-first approach who prioritize mental health, connection, and finding joy in the process?

Maddie Hart

Maddie Hart is a UESCA-certified running coach, an elite endurance athlete, a sustainability consultant, and a dog mom who ran her first ultra before she could legally order a beer. Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, she grew up chasing mountains—on skis, foot, and trail—and completed her first 100-mile race at just 19.

With over a decade of experience in endurance sports, Maddie brings a thoughtful, athlete-centered approach to coaching. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that we are human first, athletes second. She knows that progress doesn’t always look like a straight line—and that the best coaching meets you where you are, then builds from there. For Maddie, running is more than a performance metric. It’s a space to explore resilience, confidence, and sustainable growth. She’s here to help you train with intention, push your limits with care, and develop a relationship with the sport that lasts.

Kristen Schindler

Kristen is a UESCA-certified trail running coach, an elite trail runner, a writer, and a Master’s student studying sport psychology at the University of Western States. 

She provide athletes with science-based and individualized training plans that feature a human-first approach to empower, educate, and help athletes excel as a whole person.

Her purpose is to help athletes rewrite their stories of potential. Her job is to empower them to have a greater sense of meaning, connection, and joy throughout the process while providing a safe space to pursue their wildest goals and watch themselves emerge on the other side.

Education and Certifications

Lindsey McDonald

Lindsey is a coach and mountain athlete living in Flagstaff, Arizona. Born and raised in the Midwest, she found her passion for wild places much later in life. Her coaching career began with 5 years of USATF youth track program development, mentoring kids in finding their footing in our sport. In 2019, she discovered trail running and fell in love with the challenge and creativity required to thrive on many types of terrain. Though her day job is in marketing, Lindsey nerds out on physiology and training theory. In her free time, you'll find her listening to science podcasts, reading new research findings, or pursuing backcountry adventures via foot, bike, or rope. 

With 15 years of coaching experience, Lindsey loves exploring potential through flexible and well-designed training systems and lifestyle interventions. Her training relies on regular evaluations of your response to stimulus and maximizes natural ability while elevating weaknesses. Lindsey enjoys helping athletes explore race and adventure options and setting goals that are both motivating and personally fulfilling. 

The Core Values Program
Stephen Ross

Working with Kristen was the best thing I did for my running. With a hectic work schedule, only having small windows to work out, etc., she was able to work with me to fit in runs that still helped me grow at both a running and personal level!

Sophie A

Kristen's expertise helped me set multiple PRs from the 5K to the marathon. Most importantly, through working with her I gained confidence in running. Her passion, kindness, and humor made the process fun!

Julia Aroca

I have been coached by Kristen for about the last two years while training for two hundred milers and a couple of other ultras. She supported me to reach my goals and practically started me from the ground up having had a small base! She worked around various niggles and injuries, helped me juggle running around my hectic nursing schedule, and adjusted training when I felt burnt out. Kristen is always so encouraging and is all-around a genuine and kind human! 10/10 would recommend!

Andrew Horvatits

Working with Kristen has been the single most impactful change I’ve made for my running. Within a few months of signing up, I realized how much of my previous training was based on misguided advice and how many other ways I cut myself short. It would’ve taken me years to figure out everything on my own that Kristen could share with me in a much shorter period. The best part of working with Kristen has been the support through all the low points – illness and injuries, canceled races, or even losing a pet. Any of those things would’ve been stressful or difficult to recover from on my own, and I’m so grateful that I was part of the team and had that support when I went through those challenges.

Cassie Ackzenick

I wanted to find a coach because I had injured myself trying to train for my first 50k with a random training plan I found online. I had pushed myself too far and ended up not being able to run the race and spending the summer in physical therapy. I signed up for the same race the next year and started working with Kristen. She really taught me a new way of training and I was able to complete my first 50k while enjoying all of it! She also helped me train to climb Mt. Rainier. With both of these events, I was always so impressed that not only could I complete them but with Kristen’s help, I was also able to enjoy them much more fully.

Jakub Drahokoupi

Training with Kristen has been a revelation in many ways. I have never in my life seen such a supportive coach who also understands that as an amateur athlete, we have to juggle a lot of things and that life comes first. Thanks to this, you will inevitably fall in love with the process. And that brings fitness breakthroughs. It helps you get rid of inner demons (low confidence, impostor syndrome). With Kristen, I know that I am training for the long haul and longevity. In my first year, I saw so many small adaptations, which were added up and now I am in the best shape of my life. And I know that it is just the beginning! BTW: The amazing community is just a cherry on top!

Anna Wisniewski

Working with Kristen was the best thing I could have done for my running journey. Before, I struggled with injuries and consequently staying consistent. Over my first year with Kristen, I’ve been able to steadily build mileage and fitness and run my first two ultramarathons (which before seemed way out of reach)! The daily check-ins and the relationship you build with your coach are what truly set her apart.

Garrett Grahl

I’m probably not like most, where I have very little interest in racing, but I love to go on extremely long, adventure runs. Most recently my coach Kristen helped me to run the entire Teton Crest Trail in a day, unsupported, and one of the biggest things she gave me in the training process was courage and the confidence to do this run. When you’re 20 miles away from a trailhead or people, all you have is yourself and God.

Athlete Testimonials

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Athlete Testimonials *