Leon realised his passion for coaching after noticing the difference he could make in an athlete’s life by simply encouraging them to be the best they can be. He started his first training group in 1986. His earliest success story is that of one of his athletes, Susan Nel (Loots) in Team South Africa who participated in The World Cross Country Championships in Spain. Other representatives of Team South Africa in the senior competition were well-known athletes Elana Meyer and Zola Budd. Leon’s focus shifted from training elite athletes to simply creating a relaxed and fun environment for all runners, no matter their fitness level, focusing on wellbeing and each individual’s goals, for the last decade
