On 16 June 2001, my brother Andrew Kelehe won Comrades Marathon at the age of 33 ending a string of foreign winners and returning the world's foremost long-distance title to South Africa. That was the day I said that I want to win Comrades just like my brother. It took me 14 years after that day to achieve what I set out to do and at the age of 33 I won Comrades Marathon on 31st of May 2015. Being coached by John Hamlett has changed my life, given me a lot of discipline not only in the physical training but also in my day to day nutrition. Nutrition plays a vital role in your running and you cannot achieve greatness without the proper nutrition. I have grown in my running career by being coached by John Hamlett the last 14 years, achieved 6 Gold medals in Comrades Marathon, 4 Silver and 1 Wally Hayward Special Medal and many other marathons, 1st veteran and breaking the veteran record in Spain running the 100km World Championships on 27 November 2016 finishing 9th overall at 6:43. I was also part of the 1st team prize where South Africa took the overall team prize.

Dreams can be achieved if you put your mind to it, having the right coach with the right nutrition and the right guidance.

I started John’s New Lifestyle journey in December 2017. In just 9 months it completely changed my life forever. I went from as soft as butter to as tough as nails. Not only was I running faster, but I was also achieving a lot more at work as I had high energy levels, combined with a new drive inside me for success. John Hamlett had completely transformed my life and I was enjoying every minute of this New Lifestyle.

In September 2018 John invited me to his team and he started coaching me. Another 9 months later, I arrived at the Dullstroom Training Camp a completely different athlete. In just 18 months John had helped me reach ‘next level’. The crazy part is that I am only getting started! I still have a long way to go, but that is all part of the plan. Under Coach Hamlett nothing is impossible, all you have to do is believe AND LISTEN!

Achievement in 2018

Durban Ultra: March 2018

Time: 04:20

I podiumed in 3rd position.

Ironman 70.3 Durban & Comrades Marathon: June 2018

My goal was to qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Champs which was taking place later on in the year. John knew my goals and he knew that the qualifying race was the weekend before  the Comrades Marathon. He told me that I could race both events if I got my nutrition spot on, as my body would then be able to recover in time. I stuck to Johns nutrition plan and I reached both my goals by qualifying for World Champs at the Ironman 70.3 Durban in a time of 04:35 (5th position) and running a silver medal at the Comrades Marathon the following weekend in 07:03 after only 6 days of recovery. Johns Nutrition had done the job as many people had told me that I would be walking the last 20km of the Comrades Marathon.

​

Ironman 5150 Bela Bela- August 2018

I got a podium 2nd place 

Time: 02:11

​

Ironman 70.3 World Champs Port Elizabeth- September 2018

Again I reached my goals and got a PB at the World Champs.

Swim: 0:28 minutes (1.8km) Bike: 2:28 (90km) Run: 01:16 (21.1km) Total Time: 04:18

Kaapsehoop Marathon- November 2018

Shortly after World Champs I ran a 2.41 at Kaapsehoop.

Achievement 2019

Buffs EL Marathon- March 2019

I achieved another goal by doing the Buffs Marathon in East London to qualify for the Comrades Marathon in a time of 02:36.

One of Johns secretes to his success in his athletes is his range of Supplements. He has the purest whey protein (low fat & low carb) on the market, which he builds into his nutrition plan for you. This helps his athletes recovery and build lean muscle mass whilst on his training program. It is only part of the plan as you get most of your nutrition from the food he tells you to eat. John also has a wide range of other supplements that can help you reach your goals. As well as his race nutrition products, which is a really important aspect of John’s coaching.

“I have had the privilege to start training with John at the beginning of 2019. He created a customised running program and nutrition plan aimed at my goal race, Comrades 2019. Through his coaching where I received ongoing support and motivation I was able to achieve a finishing time of 6h20, which is a personal best for the up-run of more than 3 hours and 20 minutes. I am in the best shape of my life all thanks to John Hamlett. “

I joined John Hamletts team with the hope to complete my first marathon in under 5hrs and qualify for 2019 Comrades Marathon. I ran my first Marathon in under 6hrs, and although I didn't qualify for the 94th Comrades Marathon, the training program and nutrition plan has me better equipped for operation #Comrades2020.

I've always been conscious about what I eat and leading a healthy lifestyle, John's Nutrition Plan changed how I view food!

 #AddictedToLife

I met Coach John Hamlett at a social training camp in Dullstroom end of last year (2018) and started with his New Lifestyle nutrition and training program December 2018. I knew his training program would be tough, but I was determined to stick to it as I was sure that the results would come.

I was however not so optimistic about the nutrition plan as I was never a big fan of diets, but John’s nutrition plan is in his own words a “lifestyle change” and not a diet!  The results were impressive – I had never been overweight or struggling with my weight, however I did lose a few kilo’s but what I couldn’t believe was how my body composition has changed – the fat under my skin, especially around the waist, literally disappeared. 

For me, the switch to high protein/low fat was easy, once you know the products on the shelves that fit the requirements, shopping is just as easy as in the past.  John’s New Lifestyle is easy to follow, no starvation involved, results guaranteed!

I use the PPC bars during long training runs and the Protein shakes as per the nutrition plan and during long runs.  The PPC bars are all a runner could hope for – one small, compact, good tasting energy boost to take you all the way! I ran 6km for training before a marathon and then did the marathon (so 48km in total) on 3 PPC bars only as they had only water and Coke at the waterpoints.  I wouldn’t recommend it but the PPC bars was a life saver and it was able to sustain me!

I ran Comrades 2019 on Protein shakes, Pre-performance fuel, PPC bars and rye bread.  After following John’s nutrition and training program for only 6 months, my Comrades up-run time improved from 8h40 in 2017 to 7h22 this year, despite being off from training for 4 weeks during March and April because of a foot injury.  Thank you, Coach!!

Since I started training under Coach Hamlett I achieved lots of things that I never thought I will achieve  in a short period of time, my performance improve so much and I thank him for being very patient with me, because he never gave up on me when I struggle to adapt to his training program. In 2018 I received my first Gold Medal in Comrades Marathon and finished 6th position on the down run with a time of 5:39. In 2019 I received my second Gold Medal in the up run finishing 9th with a time of 5:52. Coach Hamlett is the best nutritionist, I'm now healthy and physically strong, following his lifestyle plan contributed a lot in getting my two Comrades Marathon gold medals.

We started following John Hamlett’s New Lifestyle Nutritional Plan in July 2018. Hand in hand with the eating plan John started coaching Amanda in August 2018. Within a few months our lives have changed substantially. We started to feel stronger on our training runs and we both experienced a change in our bodies by losing weight from losing fat and gaining muscle weight and strength. John’s special protein supplements make all the difference and Amanda improved her up-run time with 49 minutes at Comrades 2019 and finished very strong over the last few kilometres as first Veteran Lady and fourth lady overall of our running club. Andries trains with Amanda and they run every Comrades together and he ran Comrades 2019 experiencing no cramping towards the end as he would normally have experienced. We firmly believe that John’s specially developed lifestyle eating plan helped Amanda to overcome serious injuries to have been able to complete her training for Comrades. We are very excited for what lies ahead for us, because we have learnt when coach John tells you any route is ‘fast and flat’ you just put your mind to it and run it as if it is ‘fast and flat’.

My name is Louis Snygans 34 year old male. I started with John's New Lifestyle Nutrition Programme and Coaching Programme two and a half years ago. I weighed 87kg and could hardly managed to run a 6.2 min pace p/km. After a few months in training and eating clean I can humbly state that I now weigh 66Kg and I achieved pb's on a 10km race at 36min, 32km race at 2h:14 and a marathon at 2h:44 and I have never felt better and I am still improving.

I am grateful for this life changing experience not just physically but mentally assisting me to have so much more energy and drive in life.

The support of John's supplementation makes all the difference including dedication and hard work.

Truly a life changing experience.

When one individual has the ability to change your world that’s when the magic happens. Col. Coach John Hamlett is not only  a Coach but a pillar of power, determination, courage, resilience and the true definition of someone who only wants the very best for his athletes.

In August 2018 I started John’s New Lifestyle Journey and was so lucky to have been welcomed with open arms and to be coached by him (low key dream coming true!). There I was, 26 years old, not believing that I was speaking, in person, to the Coach of dreams! And dreams really do come true with Coach by your side. In September 2018 I completed my first training camp and I saw the light on those Dullstroom hills but it was totally worth it. This prepared me for what the rest of the year and new year was going to bring for me.

John has changed my life for the better. I am stronger, more determined and have a fire in my soul to want to achieve my very best. I always share with John that I have so much to still learn and so far, to still go and I know that I really am still a ‘spring chicken’. However, this is the most exciting part ; to know that you are a part of a bigger picture, to know that you can reach your goals.

My greatest highlight is how I have been able to get stronger, leaner, athletically faster and tougher in the short space of time I have been with John. Under the guidance of John in just over 3.5 months I raced a half marathon crushing my PB and placed top 10 in my age and gender category.  If that was not putting me on a runner’s high, the new year started with a bang where I broke my 10Km and 15KM PB. I managed to take off a full 40 minutes from my Two Oceans Ultra Marathon time in 2018 making my PB this year and improving on my half and full marathon times. However, I am not done yet and I am determined to keep on working hard to progress even more.

Six months into the Journey I arrived in Dullstroom for another training camp – a completely different individual now. It was at this Camp that I realized what and where I want to be and what my next set of goals were for the future. John has always been a man of realism which I respect and admire. Every time I have shared my goal with John he has helped me to realistically understand how it can be achieved – this is a skill and technique not many are able to accomplish, and Coach has never been wrong. During the 11 months I have now been with John I have encountered injuries and upsetting moments, but John has not once forgotten about me and always helped me to maintain the motivation through it all. Apart from the training John has introduced me to the best products I have used to date. Training on Protein and having the right nutritional plan on race day has only enabled me to be a better , stronger and more focused runner. My energy levels are well maintained through my working day and I feel full of energy when its time to train and get in my training sessions.  

A special mention must go to Pat Hamlett who so graciously puts up with my million and one questions but also exudes kindness which I so appreciate. Being part of John’s Coaching family has helped me to understand and learn humility and what it really takes to be better – pushing your mind, body and limits and realizing that goals can be achieved.

My favorite one liner that John has shared with me is; ‘Monkey see; monkey do’ and that is exactly what I have been doing these past 11 months and let me tell you, you ‘win’ every time you do as you are told 😊

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for giving me the ability to dream big. I admire you and all that you have achieved. You are an icon in the athletics world- I am so blessed to be under your guidance.

Not only am I happier but I am stronger mentally and emotionally to tackle life.

I am so excited for what is still to come and can’t wait to keep on learning, pushing my limits and crushing goals with you by my side ALL THE WAY!

John Hamlett is rated as one of the best ultra distance coaches in the World. I have learned so much from him in terms of nutrition and training discipline. With his training and nutrition I managed to break the UTCT World Tour 100km record. I ran my best time in Comrades Marathon uprun. His training formula is incomparable and out of this world. Winning UTCT 100km twice was no magic but through dedication, discipline, focus and hard work I was taught by coach Mr Hamlett I accomplished to be the best at what I can be.