ABOUT
Coach Natasha Van der Merwe
Passionate About Inspiring Others
NATASHA VAN DER MERWE is a seasoned endurance coach and former professional triathlete, competing at the highest level from 2010 to 2023. With over a decade of experience coaching athletes of all levels, Natasha is known for her hands-on, detail-oriented approach to training and racing.
Since 2009, she has worked with hundreds of athletes both in-person and online, delivering expert guidance across every aspect of the sport—from structured training plans to advanced swim, bike, and run technique, and race-specific fueling strategies.
Before founding NVDM Coaching, Natasha led Camps and Clinics for Bicycle World and served as Director at Austin Aquatics and Sports Academy, where she built one of the largest triathlon teams in the country within its first year.
She has coached numerous professional triathletes and currently works with professionals such as Jackie Hering—the Ironman American Record Holder, a 2-time Ironman Champion, 7-time 70.3 Champion, and 4-time Snowshoe National Champion—and Alice Alberts, a 2-time Ironman Champion. Her client roster has also included high-level CEOs and public figures, showcasing her ability to tailor coaching for busy, high-performing individuals.
Her results speak for themselves, with over 1,000 athletes coached and an exceptional record of success at every level of the sport.
Founder and Head Coach
Professional Achievements:
-
Professional Triathlete since 2010
-
Ironman PR of 9:25
-
70.3 PR of 4:23
-
Olympic distance PR of 2:07
-
3rd at Challenge Atlantic City
-
Multiple Top 10 finishes at Ironman and 70.3 Events
-
Multiple Wins of Local Austin triathlons such as the Cap Tex Tri and the Rookie Tri.
-
Number 1 ranked triathlete in the SouthMidwest Region in her first year of triathlon.
Coaching Achievements:
-
Coaches Jackie Hering: Ironman American Record Holder, 2x Ironman Champion, 7x 70.3 Champion, 4x Snowshoe National Champion
-
Coaches 2x Ironman Champion Alice Alberts
-
Coached and currently coaches multiple professional athletes
-
Over a dozen athletes earned their pro licenses in a remarkably short time frame
-
More than 300 athletes qualified for World Championship events across Ironman, 70.3, and Olympic distances
-
100+ athletes qualified for the Ironman World Championship in Kona
-
200+ qualified for the 70.3 World Championship
-
Multiple Ironman and 70.3 age group and overall wins
-
Athletes achieving Ironman and 70.3 wins in their first year in the sport
-
Supported a blind athlete on their path to the 2016 Paralympics
