Today we’d like to introduce you to Marilyn Chychota.
Hi Marilyn, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been immersed in elite sport since I was 9 years old, building a life around high performance, grit, and the pursuit of potential. My journey has taken me across three professional sports—equestrian show jumping, triathlon, and cycling—as well as competitive strength sports. Through it all, I’ve lived by one motto: Never Die Wondering.
I began my career in equestrian show jumping, competing up to the Grand Prix level and operating a professional training stable as both a rider and coach. At 26, I shifted full focus to endurance sport, but the lessons from that arena—discipline, feel, and partnership—still guide my work today.
In triathlon, I’ve raced professionally since 2003, earning podium finishes at Ironman events around the world, including a win at Ironman Malaysia in 2004. I’ve been a committed triathlete since 1999, constantly evolving with the sport and helping others do the same.
As a professional cyclist since 2000, I’ve competed in national and international road and time trial events, including the USA and Australian National Road Circuits, Canadian Nationals, the Women’s Tour of New Zealand, and World Cup races. I’ve earned victories in stage races and won multiple state titles in time trial and criterium racing.
I’ve also embraced strength sports, competing as an amateur in Olympic weightlifting and powerlifting from 2014 to 2017, including a Masters State Championship win in powerlifting and a Masters World Cup appearance in Olympic lifting.
My career has taken me around the globe—from New Zealand and Australia to Europe, Asia, South America, and North America—as an athlete, coach, and student of sport. Now based in Arizona, USA, I’m Canadian born and an American Citizen, drawing from a lifetime of international experience to support athletes of all backgrounds and abilities.
Whether you’re chasing a podium or personal best, my mission is to help you build a foundation in sport that strengthens every part of your life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Raised in Alberta, Canada, Marilyn began coaching in 1995 in the high-performance world of equestrian show jumping, becoming one of the youngest top coaches in the region by age 21. After an accomplished riding career that included coaching and managing a stable of 30 horses and national-level riders, Marilyn transitioned to endurance sport, beginning triathlon in 1999 and turning professional in 2003.
A podium-finishing Ironman triathlete and winner of Ironman Malaysia in 2004, Marilyn also raced professionally in cycling, competing in national and world-level events across Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Her career includes multiple stage race wins and time trial and criterium championships.
From 2008 to 2017, Marilyn was a full-time coach with Endurance Corner before founding MCC in 2018. She has coached athletes of all levels, from beginners to professionals, across triathlon, cycling, running, and strength sports. Her expertise lies in long-term athlete development, integrating mental skills, strength training, and individualized programming tailored to each athlete’s personality, goals, and lifestyle.
As a certified Iron Athlete coach with extensive experience in powerlifting and Olympic weightlifting, Marilyn brings a deep understanding of strength training. She helps athletes build resilient foundations that support both peak performance and long-term durability—not only in endurance sports, but in strength disciplines as well.
Known for her global perspective and cultural fluency, she has trained and competed across five continents and leads international training camps and clinics. She has delivered keynote presentations, one-on-one coaching, and workshops focused on the mental game of sport—helping athletes thrive under pressure and build resilience.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work with athletes of all levels—from beginners to seasoned professionals. No matter what you’re striving for, every goal is equally important to me as your coach. Whether you’re aiming to win a race or have no plans to compete at all, my focus is on bettering your life through sport and supporting what truly matters to you.
A teacher at heart, I enjoy sharing the knowledge I have learned throughout my career.
I have a deep background and passion for developing athletes of all levels—from beginners building a foundation, to experienced competitors taking on bold new challenges.
I’ve coached both amateur and professional athletes to podium finishes and overall titles, including World Championships. My experience spans a wide range of disciplines, including Ironman, 70.3, Ultraman, short-course triathlon, duathlon, long-course triathlon, Xterra, bike racing, gravel racing, and open running races.
I work with triathletes, duathletes, cyclists, runners, off-road adventure racers, and strength programs for athletes.
I enjoy working with anyone committed to growth. I believe in educating you as an athlete, empowering you with knowledge, and guiding you with purpose on the path toward your goals.
MCC COACHING IS ABOUT THREE SIMPLE PILLARS:
1. Awareness
Understand who you are, where you are, and what is possible.
We begin by building awareness of your strengths, challenges, habits, patterns, goals, and values. Lasting growth starts with honest self-understanding.
“She helped me see myself more clearly and recognize what I was capable of.”
2. Growth
Build the skills, habits, confidence, and structure to become your best.
Through purposeful coaching, education, accountability, and consistent action, we create the foundation for long-term success in sport and life. The goal is not just better performance, but becoming a stronger, healthier, happier version of yourself.
“She gave me the tools and confidence to become the person and athlete I wanted to be.”
3. Resilience
Stay the course through adversity and thrive in every season.
Success is never a straight line. Injuries, setbacks, failures, life stress, and uncertainty are part of the journey. Together, we develop the mindset, perspective, and endurance to keep moving forward and continue growing through every challenge.
“No matter what happened, I knew she was in my corner.”
I help people build awareness, pursue growth, and develop resilience so they can become the strongest, healthiest, happiest version of themselves—in sport and in life.
Know Yourself. Build Yourself. Trust Yourself.
I work with athletes all over the USA and globally. I am an experienced professional coach and an elite performance coach.
I believe in coaching each athlete specifically to their needs, their personal development, and to their specific goals.
I believe in quality coaching through science and the proven art of success. My athletes’ goals always come first. The athlete-coach relationship is a fundamental part of our success.
I believe in consistency over time towards reaching your goals. I want to support you to go further than you ever thought possible. My goal is not to sell you short cuts, but to provide quality that will get you results. I want to empower you through sport to be the best you can be in your life. I provide long term planning, dedicated coaching, and a commitment to making you better.
“Marilyn has built her coaching record through the tireless dedication she puts into every one of her athletes, bringing her lifetime of athletic achievement to help them achieve their goals. She has a rare combination of elite experience, coaching versatility, and commitment to her people.”
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
MCC’S SYMBOL IS THE FERN
In the face of adversity I discovered my ability to endure through sport. I grew despite obstacles, and realized the joy in helping others achieve the same. Our team symbol, the fern, represents my journey and the journey I share with the other members of our team.
AYA = “FERN” is a symbol of endurance and resourcefulness. The fern is a hardy plant that can grow in difficult places. Individuals who wear this symbol have endured many adversities and outlasted much difficulty.
Pricing:
- Athlete Coaching $399
- Mindset Coaching $375
- Business Coaching $375
- Strength Training $275
- Consulting $300
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mcc.coach
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marilyn_chychota/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarilynChychotaCoaching
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarilynChychota
