Reach your potential with expert guidance. Each of the following coaches has been vetted by Raise the Bar to provide elite-level coaching that aligns with our mission of building stronger, faster, and more resilient athletes. Raise the Bar is fortunate to have this powerhouse team of coaches.
Linda McCandless
I entered into triathlon from a sports background. I played 4 successful years of college soccer, and spent time playing competitively after college. I have coached girl’s high school and select soccer. I transitioned into triathlon at the age of 40 to find a new passion: Boy, did I ever!
I started in 2007 in sprint and Olympic distances. I moved quickly into half ironman, and plunged into the full ironman shortly thereafter. I discovered I still had a lot of fight left in these competitive genes. I won a few sprint and distance overall woman races, many age-group wins, top 5 finishes in several 70.3 distances and two top 10 finishes in full ironman distance. I placed 2nd in my age group at the 2022 IM Arizona and raced in Kona in 2023. I have completed a handful of stand-alone marathons, with two being the Boston Marathon and a 50K.
I have a passion to compete, share my knowledge and more importantly promote the growth of triathlon in my community and beyond! Seeing those around me succeed and achieve is a huge driver to coach. I have a philosophy to “enjoy life to its fullest”! Understanding we have many factors in our life beyond the desire to compete in triathlons. Many of us work full-time jobs, maintain a household, family constraints and participate in this thing called “triathlon” for the fun and camaraderie (that’s my favorite part).
I started in 2007 in sprint and Olympic distances. I moved quickly into half ironman, and plunged into the full ironman shortly thereafter. I discovered I still had a lot of fight left in these competitive genes. I won a few sprint and distance overall woman races, many age-group wins, top 5 finishes in several 70.3 distances and two top 10 finishes in full ironman distance. I placed 2nd in my age group at the 2022 IM Arizona and raced in Kona in 2023. I have completed a handful of stand-alone marathons, with two being the Boston Marathon and a 50K.
I have a passion to compete, share my knowledge and more importantly promote the growth of triathlon in my community and beyond! Seeing those around me succeed and achieve is a huge driver to coach. I have a philosophy to “enjoy life to its fullest”! Understanding we have many factors in our life beyond the desire to compete in triathlons. Many of us work full-time jobs, maintain a household, family constraints and participate in this thing called “triathlon” for the fun and camaraderie (that’s my favorite part).
Also, there are many levels of competing: I want to finish, I have a goal of X, improve my health, be a top finisher in my age-group, and on. All those factors are taken into play when choosing training plans and coaching an athlete. I believe everyone has a great story along their personal journey, which makes this even more FUN.
I have earned my USAT Level 1 coaching cert, and have many years of experience in triathlon and sports to share.
Contact Linda at [email protected].
I have earned my USAT Level 1 coaching cert, and have many years of experience in triathlon and sports to share.
Contact Linda at [email protected].
Ashley Sutherland
As RTB's head swim coach, Ashley specializes in helping triathletes demystify the swim leg through video analysis, technique refinement, and practical open water race strategies. Whether you're dreading your first open water start or chasing a faster split, she'll meet you where you are and help you unlock speed you didn't know you had.
Ashley brings elite competitive swimming credentials and proven multisport grit to every Raise the Bar workout. A former University of Arizona team captain and 2016 USA Swimming Olympic Trials competitor, she's posted multiple club and Pacific Northwest Swimming records, as well as National Age Group Relay records during her 15-year competitive swimming career.
Since discovering triathlon in 2021, Ashley has excelled across endurance sports—posting the fastest female swim splits at multiple races, finishing on the podium at her first full Ironman, earning a World Championship slot, and racing in Kona. Outside of triathlon, Ashley is also a Boston Marathon qualifier and multi-time Spartan podium-finisher. But her coaching philosophy isn't built on natural talent alone. After overcoming persistent running injuries and her own childhood fear of open water, she understands firsthand what it takes to transform anxiety into race-day confidence.
Ashley brings elite competitive swimming credentials and proven multisport grit to every Raise the Bar workout. A former University of Arizona team captain and 2016 USA Swimming Olympic Trials competitor, she's posted multiple club and Pacific Northwest Swimming records, as well as National Age Group Relay records during her 15-year competitive swimming career.
Since discovering triathlon in 2021, Ashley has excelled across endurance sports—posting the fastest female swim splits at multiple races, finishing on the podium at her first full Ironman, earning a World Championship slot, and racing in Kona. Outside of triathlon, Ashley is also a Boston Marathon qualifier and multi-time Spartan podium-finisher. But her coaching philosophy isn't built on natural talent alone. After overcoming persistent running injuries and her own childhood fear of open water, she understands firsthand what it takes to transform anxiety into race-day confidence.
Skyler Kottenstette
Coach Sky is the definition of a multisport athlete — she learned how to swim before she could walk, and has been pushing the boundaries and distance ever since through triathlon, gravel cycling, ultrarunning, and mountaineering. Moving from competitive swimming to collegiate triathlon to ultrarunning/cycling, Sky has had experience racing in every distance from 5k to ultras and has competed in ITU World Championships, USAT Collegiate Nationals and Age Group Nationals. But most of her experience as an athlete and coach was found in challenging solo adventures such as the Wonderland Trail 100, White Rim 100, and bucket-list ultracycling routes.
Sky is passionate about sharing her enthusiasm for sport through coaching — her aim is to help athletes push their limits and accomplish their racing goals, but more importantly to cultivate healthy habits and love for sport that will last a lifetime.
Working full time in aerospace engineering, Sky has experienced the demands of balancing work, school, training, and family and embodies the ‘whole athlete’ approach to training. She helps athletes with limited time prioritize their goals and understand the importance of striking the balance between discipline in training versus flexibility.
With 10+ years experience coaching swimmers, ultrarunners, and triathletes through her business independently and through Life Time Fitness, Sky emphasizes athlete-coach connection, data-driven training progression, and injury prevention.
Specialties:
Sky is passionate about sharing her enthusiasm for sport through coaching — her aim is to help athletes push their limits and accomplish their racing goals, but more importantly to cultivate healthy habits and love for sport that will last a lifetime.
Working full time in aerospace engineering, Sky has experienced the demands of balancing work, school, training, and family and embodies the ‘whole athlete’ approach to training. She helps athletes with limited time prioritize their goals and understand the importance of striking the balance between discipline in training versus flexibility.
With 10+ years experience coaching swimmers, ultrarunners, and triathletes through her business independently and through Life Time Fitness, Sky emphasizes athlete-coach connection, data-driven training progression, and injury prevention.
Specialties:
- Triathlon - Sprint to IRONMAN
- Swimming - OWS & Competition
- Road & Gravel Cycling
- Running - 5ks to 100M
- IRONMAN Certified Coach
- USA Swimming Coach
- NASM Certified Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach
- BOEALPS Basic Mountaineering Certified
- Life Time Certified Run/Tri Coach
- Wilderness First Aid Certified
- SafeSport Certified
- CPR/AED/First Aid
- B.S. Astrophysics/German CU Boulder
