Turning a Love of Running Into Coaching
Chelsea Harp is a running coach based in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Through her coaching platform, Ascend Running, she helps runners pursue their goals with structured training, guidance, and ongoing support.
Chelsea works closely with her clients to build personalized running plans that fit their abilities and ambitions.
Beyond the training itself, she also provides accountability and encouragement, helping runners stay committed through the ups and downs that come with pursuing challenging goals.
Her approach is centered on meeting people where they are and supporting them in whatever way they need to keep moving forward.
A Coaching Path That Grew Naturally
Chelsea’s coaching journey developed organically.
With a long-standing love for running and a natural interest in helping others, she began by supporting family members and friends who wanted guidance with their own training.
That experience eventually led her to coaching cross country at a local high school, where she discovered just how much she enjoyed working with athletes and helping them grow.
From there, the idea of coaching clients professionally began to take shape.
She decided to see whether others might be interested in working with her and slowly, her coaching practice began to grow.
Even now, Chelsea describes herself as someone who is still learning and evolving, embracing the process as her business continues to develop.
Learning the Human Side of Coaching
One of the biggest challenges Chelsea has faced has been learning how to connect with people on a deeper level.
Coaching is not only about writing effective training plans, it also involves understanding each runner’s motivations, fears and personal goals.
Part of her role is helping potential clients see the value of the support she offers and encouraging them to take the leap of committing their time and financial resources to their training.
Like many service-based entrepreneurs, she has also had to learn how to handle rejection.
Hearing “no” is a natural part of offering a service, and navigating those moments has been an important part of her growth as both a coach and a business owner.
Building a Sustainable Coaching Business
Chelsea’s biggest focus is developing a consistent and sustainable way to attract new clients.
While she has experienced strong client retention so far, continuing to grow her business requires reaching new runners who are ready for guidance.
She is also working through the challenge many entrepreneurs face: determining how to price her services in a way that reflects the value she provides.
At the same time, she continues to sharpen her technical skills, including learning the training platform she uses to design customized running programs.
For Chelsea, the journey is still unfolding but her passion for running and helping others achieve their goals continues to guide the way.
At Reignelle, we continue to share the stories of women who are turning their passions into meaningful work and inspiring others to pursue goals that once felt out of reach.