Run Stronger.
Think Smarter.
Go Further.
Psychology-based coaching for ultra and trail runners in Scotland and beyond. Train smarter. Build real confidence. Actually enjoy the process.
Running Coaching That Works With Your Head, Not Against It
You've done the training. You've read the books. But somewhere between the start line and mile 30, your head takes over — and not in a good way.
Maybe it's the self-doubt that creeps in on long runs. The race-day nerves that undo months of preparation. The voice that says "who do you think you are?" when things get hard. Or maybe you're just tired of training plans that treat you like a robot — all mileage, no nuance, no understanding of the person doing the running.
I'm Kayleigh. I went from Couch to 5K to Backyard Ultra winner in four years. I've also had a stress fracture that forced me to pull out of races I'd dreamed about. I know what it's like when it all falls apart and you have to start again.
I coach ultra and trail runners who want more than a spreadsheet. People who are curious about why they think the way they do under pressure — and ready to change it. My approach combines a Psychology degree, UK Athletics and UESCA coaching certifications, and real experience of getting it wrong.
Why this isn't like other coaching
The plan is the easy bit. The hard bit is what happens in your head when things go wrong. I give you a plan, teach you why it works, and help you handle what happens in your head at mile 40 when everything's telling you to quit.
Psychology is built in, not bolted on. Every session, every week, every conversation — we're working on your head as much as your legs. This isn't a token "mindset module." It's the foundation.
Your plan fits your life, not the other way around. Work stress, family stuff, bad sleep, hormonal cycles — these aren't excuses, they're data. Your training adapts to what's actually happening, not what "should" be happening.
I've been where you are. Couch to 5K beginner. Nervous first-time ultra runner. Injured athlete watching goals slip away. I coach from experience, not just theory.
You'll understand the why. I want you to finish our coaching knowing enough to make smart decisions on your own. The goal is that you don't need me forever.
1-TO-1 COACHING
Your running, your life, your brain — not a template. I get to know how you train, how you recover, what trips you up mentally, and what's going on in the rest of your life. Then we build something that actually works.
Personalised
Responsive
Expert
PERFORMANCE NUTRITION
Fuel your body AND your goals. Learn the science and psychology of eating for performance. No restrictive rules—just sustainable strategies that support your training, recovery, and long-term relationship with food.
Simple
Practical
Sustainable
MINDSET COACHING
The stuff between your ears decides whether you thrive or just survive. I use real psychology tools — visualisation, attention control, cognitive reframing — to help you stay calm when things get brutal. Not toxic positivity. Actual skills you can use at mile 40.
Psychology-Informed
Confidence-Building
Proven
INTELLIGENT TRAINING
Running, strength, mobility, recovery — planned around your body's signals, not arbitrary targets. When life throws a curveball (and it will), the plan adapts. The goal is long-term durability, not short-term heroics that leave you broken.
Adaptive
Comprehensive
Smart
YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHY
Become your own best coach. You'll learn the why behind every decision — energy systems, adaptation, recovery — in plain English. By the end, you'll make smart calls whether I'm there or not.
Empowering
Evidence-Based
Lasting
Ruth Cross
“My consistency, mindset, nutrition, and confidence all improved—Kayleigh helped me perform at my best in the Forth Ultra.”
Gill Kirk
“I’ve not felt like that after a race in ages! Just enjoyed it, finished strong and didn’t empty the tank."
Gez Sutherland
"I've been living my best life, full of gratitude and awareness, mindful of how strong and capable (I am) and willing to push myself."
