The Team

Blake Jacques

HAX Founder & Head Coach · Kelowna, BC

Originally from Winnipeg and now based in Kelowna, BC, Blake is a former elite-level hockey player turned full-time founder of HAX and full-time coach. After retiring from hockey, Blake experienced firsthand the loneliness that often follows the end of a competitive athletic career — and recognized that feeling in dozens of others around him. That insight became the founding vision of HAX in 2022: a community built around fitness, belonging, and helping athletes reach new heights.

Since founding HAX, Blake has transformed hundreds of athletes, travelled globally to in-person HAX events, and continued to compete himself, completing 14+ Ironman-branded races and dozens of running events. He has also qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships two years running, a testament to the same standards he brings to every athlete he coaches.

"Every athlete I work with is unique, their personality, their goals, their life. That uniqueness isn't something to work around, it's something to build on. I hold high expectations for the people I coach, but I care just as deeply about the humans behind the training. I treat my athletes as a person first, athlete second. HAX was built on that belief, and everything I do as a coach comes back to it."

Trey Kueper

Coach · Waterloo, Illinois

Trey brings a rare combination of athletic experience and academic depth to his coaching. A former baseball player who made the leap into endurance sport, he holds a Bachelor's in Dietetics and a Master's in Health Advancement and Promotion, and has put both to work as a competitive Ironman 70.3 athlete. Trey bridges performance and nutrition in a way few coaches can, ensuring athletes are as well-fuelled as they are well-trained. He builds personalized, progressive plans that balance effort with recovery and honour each athlete's lifestyle… pushing athletes to set ambitious goals while always keeping the long view in focus.

"I've built my entire coaching philosophy around one word: consistency. Not the glamorous stuff... the boring, repeatable, show-up-every-day kind. Sustainable progress doesn't come from going all-in for two weeks and burning out. It comes from structured training, smart fuelling, and trusting the process over months and years. Consistency builds greatness... I genuinely believe that, and I coach every athlete with that in mind."

Brock Hoel

Professional Triathlete & Coach · Kelowna, BC

Brock Hoel is one of Canada's most accomplished triathletes. A member of Team Canada's 2024 Olympic roster, he has earned a bronze medal at the Pan American Games. Brock holds an Ironman personal best of 7:29, making him the fastest Canadian ever over the full Ironman distance.

Having trained alongside some of the world's top triathletes and coaches, Brock brings a depth of knowledge that spans every discipline: swimming, cycling, running, and strength. He translates complex physiology into practical, personalized programs, considering each athlete's strengths, weaknesses, and real-life demands, and adapting continuously to keep them moving forward.

"My approach to coaching starts with one simple belief: athletes are humans first. Every person I work with has a different life, different goals, and a different reason they show up to train, and that deserves to be respected. I don't hand out cookie-cutter plans and call it coaching. I take the time to understand who you are, what you're working toward, and what your day-to-day actually looks like, and I build from there. No two athletes of mine train the same way, because no two athletes are the same."

Katie Griffiths

Coach · HAX Athletic Club - Tempe, Arizona

Katie Griffiths has spent over six years coaching across fitness, strength, and triathlon, working with everyone from first-time endurance athletes to competitive racers chasing big goals. Her strength is helping athletes build lasting fitness without sacrificing the rest of their lives in the process. As an athlete, Katie is a two-time Ironman 70.3 World Championship qualifier and committed practitioner of hybrid training, blending strength and endurance to create resilient, well-rounded competitors. She is currently on the path toward her professional triathlon card, and brings that same drive to every athlete she works with.

"I'm in it with my athletes every single day, the planning, the check-ins, the adjustments, the hard conversations, and the celebrations. My coaching style is detail-oriented and performance-driven, but it's rooted in genuine care. I want every athlete I work with to train smarter, stay strong, and reach goals they once thought were out of reach. And I'll be right there in their corner the whole way."

Blake Harris

Professional Triathlete & Coach · Tempe, Arizona

Originally from Sanford, Manitoba and now based in Tempe, Arizona, Blake came up through hockey before finding his way into elite triathlon via the World Triathlon pathway. His junior career brought him to the international stage early, including a medal at the Junior Pan American Games in draft-legal racing. Now competing professionally in Ironman 70.3 with a personal best of 3:45, Blake brings a distinctive perspective that blends raw speed with the aerobic depth and durability long-course racing demands.

"Real results come from disciplined, consistent execution over time, not from short bursts of intensity. My own career has been built on progression, adaptability, and trusting the process, and that's exactly how I coach. I work closely with each athlete to build a plan that fits their life, their goals, and where they're at right now, and then we build from there, patiently and purposefully. The confidence and resilience you develop in training are the same things that show up for you on race day."

Ernie Mantell

Professional Triathlete & Coach · Barcelona, Spain

A Minnesota native who grew up playing hockey, Ernie discovered triathlon during his time at Arizona State University and never looked back. He has since raced around the world, spending several seasons competing in Europe with standout results including a 9th place finish at Ironman Switzerland and a career-best time of 7:53 over the full Ironman distance. Now with 5+ years in the professional triathlon field, Ernie brings hard-won race experience and a deep understanding of what it takes to perform at every level of the sport.

"I'm available... full stop. TrainingPeaks comments, Discord, WhatsApp, the occasional Instagram reel at 10pm, I'm there. Life is messy and unpredictable, and training has to fit around family, work, travel, and sometimes the weather. I'm constantly adjusting plans because that's what real coaching looks like. That said, I do think you should ride your bike in the rain sometimes. It's good for the soul. My job is to make sure no athlete ever feels like they're out there doing this alone, and I take that seriously every single day."

Alison Lany

Coach · HAX Athletic Club - San Diego, California

Ali is a California native, UC Davis graduate, personal trainer, and endurance athlete currently based in Carlsbad, CA. With a background in strength training and experience competing in Olympic and 70.3 distance triathlons, she coaches athletes through performance-focused programming designed to build strength, endurance, and long-term consistency.

Her racing accomplishments include earning 2nd Female Overall in an Olympic-distance triathlon, 6th place in her age group at La Quinta 70.3, and qualifying for both the 2026 Ironman 70.3 World Championships and the 2026 USA Triathlon National Championships.

Ali’s coaching style is encouraging, supportive, and rooted in the belief that consistency over perfection leads to lasting results. Through open communication and accountability, she helps athletes stay committed to the process, gain confidence in their training, and continually surprise themselves with what they’re capable of achieving.

Apply for Custom Plans / Coaching

HAX Family Says:

Dylan Mailey ~ Sydney, Australia

I'm glad it I have started this program because it has changed my life. After having to give up Rugby, I was lost. I Stumbled across Blake and HAX... was sold right away. HAX and Blake has given me the passion and drive to make me fall in love with training all over again.
Silvia Stajer ~ Toronto, Canada

I joined HAX to see how far I can push my limits. Seeing the success stories of all the HAX athletes, seeing the team environment they had was something I was really drawn towards, and ultimately was why I decided to join HAX.
John Hetterich ~ Ohio, USA

I’ve never had people I could turn to for guidance like I have now in HAX. Getting around people that push you to be better is literally the best investment you can ever make.
Eduard de Ferrater ~ Barcelona, Spain

There is always someone there for you when you are losing motivation or when you’re at a low point. Coaching and training plans have been amazing since day 1. What I need to do or not to do, perfectly detailed. Everyday I feel like I’m doing my best.
Demi Kuipers ~ Netherlands

I was searching for a community with the same goals like me and finally found HAX through BPN. I followed HAX for 6 months then finally made the jump to join the community and have had no regrets since. I love my friends but they don’t have the same goals as me. My best memory has been my first workout. I have ran for the past 3 years but never did a heart rate based workout and now running has been so much easier for me basing my running off of heart rate.
Audrey Dilworth ~ Winnipeg, Canada

I joined HAX because I was at a plateau in my life while lacking motivation. I I saw progress physically, mentally and emotionally. The training plans and coaching with Blake is great. The community definitely has a big effect on my motivation and still does.
Sam Hernandez ~ Dallas, USA

I joined HAX to be coached and supported. I knew guidance and motivation was going to be a big thing for me. Blake has done a really job to build a training plan that is super easy for me, to check my phone and know what to do. Having a team that is filled with like minded individuals is huge. The community has greatly effected my motivation.
Kaitlyn Paradis ~ Edmonton, Canada

I joined HAX to join something bigger than myself. Become a more active and more confident version of myself. Losing motivation during workouts is a real thing, so being part of a team like this is so supportive.
Katie Moritz ~ Edmonton, Canada

I joined HAX because I was looking for a big community to get me on track with my Hybrid Training. My coaching and training plans have been good coming from Blake, especially because i’m so picky about them. I have seen amazing results and is actually fun to keep up with it. It’s enjoyable, well rounded and you are getting what you ask for. The HAX Community is like none other, I have been so motivated and inspired by the others surrounding me.
Josh Ledeich ~ Columbus, USA

One thing I enjoy the most is being able to share my experience with others and have others share theirs with me, it adds that whole community team framework. Just having that support is very hard to come by. The training has been awesome, having a more structured workout, (swimming, running, biking and lifting) has a whole new dynamic to my daily routine and makes me more excited. Its a whole new learning atmosphere.
Trey Kueper ~ Missouri, USA

I joined HAX to be surrounded by like minded individuals who wanted to push outside their comfort zones. The training plans have been super effective and they’ve been super flexible towards scheduling because Im a student. Being coached by Blake who has dabbled into endurance and strength training was something I looked for and have been enjoying this type of training.
Kegan Law ~ Calgary, Canada

I joined HAX because I was lifting weights but I wasn’t really enjoyed lifting weights anymore but still had motivation to be athletic. Community is huge with HAX, its really motivating to see other people on a similar program doing better than you.
Natalie Hamel ~ Boston, USA

I joined HAX because I wanted to get into triathlon. I love the HAX coaching and training plan, I meet with Blake once a month to go over my training, check in and to see how it’s going. Overall its super well laid out and super easy to follow.
Jacob Hutchings ~ St. Catharines, Canada

I just finished playing university hockey and I always wanted to do endurance sports. I went from not being able to run 20 minutes to being able to complete Ironman Muskoka. The group chat seems to always be blowing up by young hungry individuals wanting to make a change in their life.
Noah Tran ~ Guelph, Canada

I joined HAX becuase I wanted to incorporate hybrid training into my lifestyle and to become a better triathlete. For my first triathlon I did it alone but I quickly realized it would be alot more enjoyable and motivation to be apart of a like minded community. I have seen alot of great results, both my weightlifting and cardio. The HAX community has had alot of added motivation to myself.
Colin Drexler ~ Chicago, USA

I joined HAX after meeting Blake at Ironman Texas 70.3. I wanted a community of people who were my age that also wanted to complete Ironmans. I recent got a PR at Ironman 70.3 Des Moines in all 3 disciplines. Ive enjoyed having the 1 on 1 calls with Blake along with the Bi-Weekly group calls. Getting to stay with HAX Family during Ironman Texas was such an amazing experience, plus being the HAX chef for the trip.
Garren LaPlante ~ Boston, USA

I’m glad I started this training program becuase its assured me this is something I want to commit to accomplishing. HAX has introduced me to a different style of endurance training. Its also nice to see the whole team building as well.