AI Coach: How a Champion Turned Data Into Gold

Kristen Faulkner, the double Olympic gold medalist from Paris, has turned her own body data into a personal training guide.

A Setback Turns Into Insight

In 2023, Faulkner was disqualified for wearing a continuous glucose monitor during a race. The rule prohibited the device, yet it revealed valuable clues about how she fuels and recovers.

Rather than abandoning the technology, she continued to experiment with data. She spent hours coding her own metrics after rides and during recovery, converting raw numbers into a system that tracks:

• Heart rate
• Sleep quality
• Power output
• Menstrual cycle stages
• And more

Combining Code and Coaching

With a computer science background from Harvard and experience in venture capital, Faulkner had the tools to build this system. Noticing that most sports science studies focus on men, she chose to research her own body instead of waiting for external help.

The result: a set of AI models that predict performance on any given day. These models indicate where to adjust nutrition, training load, or rest for maximum benefit.

Proven Success

This approach helped her win three gold medals at the Pan American Championships and set a new 20‑minute power record.

Looking Ahead

Faulkner is now targeting the Los Angeles 2028 Games, where her AI coach will guide her to defend her Olympic title on home soil. She wonders whether the same rules that banned her glucose monitor will also block her AI system, but she remains optimistic.

Takeaway

Faulkner’s story demonstrates how technology can empower athletes to understand themselves better, especially when traditional coaching gaps exist. Her blend of data science and sports performance is turning personal insights into podium finishes.