Stéphanie Gros (FRA)
From elite athlete to Olympic-level coach, Stéphanie Gros has spent nearly two decades shaping the next generation of French triathletes. A former Poissy Triathlon competitor and now a leading figure within the French Triathlon Federation, Gros’s journey is defined by resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to athlete development — all while navigating the complexities of motherhood and high-performance sport.
From Athlete to Coach
For Gros, the turning point came in 2004.
“I decided to have a child just after I passed the exam to work for the Ministry of Sports in France, specifically with the French Triathlon Federation,” she recalls. “It was a big life change — I was 29, ready to start a family and begin a new job close to my passion.”
That same year, Gros found herself moving from competition to coaching when her longtime teammate and friend, Jessica Harrison, approached her for help in qualifying for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
“It was incredible,” she says. “When I stopped racing, Jess asked me to help her qualify for the Olympics. It became a challenge we both believed in.”
Developing a Coaching Identity
Gros credits her years as an athlete for shaping her coaching philosophy.
“I understood many things about training and the mistakes I had made,” she explains. “That experience helped me see how training could be structured for high performance.”
Her early work with Harrison confirmed her passion for coaching.
“I quickly realised that looking after others and helping them develop was a mission for me. Every morning I wake up wanting to help athletes improve — to understand how they work, sense their limits, and help them know themselves better.”
Balancing Coaching with Family
While Gros entered a male-dominated environment, she recalls that her colleagues within the federation were supportive.
“I didn’t experience strong gender bias,” she says, “but there were moments when people doubted us. Some said Jess would never be able to run fast enough after T2 — comments like that became fuel for us both.”
Her biggest challenge, however, was balancing motherhood with the demands of Olympic-level coaching.
“My husband and I lived in the south of France without family nearby. Coordinating childcare, travel, and training schedules was extremely difficult,” she admits. “The hardest part was being as available as male coaches while being there for my young son.”
Mentorship and Continuous Learning
Mentorship came gradually through professional collaboration.
“I was invited to national coach meetings with others from different sports,” Gros says. “These were valuable spaces to share ideas and learn how others handled similar challenges.”
After the London Olympics, Gros pursued further studies to deepen her understanding of athlete physiology and fatigue management.
“When Paris was awarded the 2024 Olympics, many things changed in France — there was greater access to mentorship and collaboration. Working in groups with other coaches gave me perspective beyond the immediate field of play. Sharing and reflecting are essential; they provide precious keys for the future.”
Balancing Roles and Family
Managing two sons born in 2005 and 2009, Goss had to integrate family life into a profession that rarely stops.
“After Rio, I became responsible for both men’s and women’s Olympic teams, so my sons were really in the middle of my job,” she says. “Over the years, I relied on my husband and my mother for support. But it’s never easy for a mother to return to work just weeks after giving birth — we are not prepared for that.”
Passion and Impact
Despite the challenges, Gros’s motivation remains constant.
“I love my job,” she says simply. “I enjoy helping athletes perform, stay healthy, and think creatively about performance. The sport moves fast — with new race scenarios, bike technology, running shoes, and training methods — so you have to stay sharp. I love that challenge and the teamwork that comes with it.”
Her greatest impact, she believes, lies in creating an environment where athletes can grow and coaches collaborate.
“Triathlon is multidisciplinary by nature; it teaches you to think broadly and work together.”
Looking Ahead
Asked what she would change to help more women succeed in coaching, Gros answers without hesitation — childcare.
“The number one problem is childcare. In France, it’s difficult to combine coaching with finding reliable care or a babysitter. It’s a real challenge and addressing it would make a huge difference.”
Stéphanie Gros’s story captures a success story that also reflects many of the challenges identified in the Female Coaches in Triathlon – Status Study and Development Plan (2025). With Stéphanie highlighting the lack of childcare as her greatest challenge, many National Federations should consider providing structural support for women — a key step toward ensuring female coaches can thrive.