The charming and successful New York City Team In Training Coach, Ramon Bermo, was kind enough to let us in on what it's like to have trained more than 5,000 Team In Training participants.  At the end, there'a  video snippet of Coach Ramon in action!

Coach Ramon, you're a popular and successful Team In Training coach. What's your secret?

I believe my secret is the passion I have for the program and the sport...but if you ask people, they will say my secret is my energy! I believe in the mission and the people. Whatever I can do to help those who give their time and efforts for this worthy cause, I will.  It's the people who participate in this program that make me want to get up early - be a little crazy - and share my knowledge as a coach and athlete.

I believe I'm successful because people know I care for their success.

How did you get involved with Team In Training?
About 12/13 years ago I would run a mountain or join a race and fundraise for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Then 8 1/2 years ago I was contacted to become a Team In Training Coach.  On my first day I remember a young girl, 21, Joanne -- she came up to me and told me that she would be running with me, but  wanted me to know that she had been in remission for a year...That's when it really kicked me -- Team In Training is not just about coaching, it's about much more.

Do you have any idea how many people you may have trained through Team In Training? Give us an estimate.

A few thousand, for sure...5,000 plus.

Coach Ramon, that's impressive! Thank you for helping so many people get across the finish line safely.
It is my pleasure.

I understand that you've coined a number of phrases that you use to keep Team In Training participants inspired.  What are they?

I have a lot of phrases that are unique, but I say 'behave' a lot to get people to train correctly. Throughout the season I tell people to 'behave'...to run regularly, to pace themselves, to eat right, then after - I tell them they can ''misbehave'!  You know, everybody likes to misbehave!

Do you know any of the National Advisory Coaches?

I know Tom Dooley very well. (Tom Dooley is the National Advisory Walk Coach for Team In Training and a two-time Olympian).  We get along very well... the passion that he has for Team In Training has inspired me.  He is someone who truly cares.

Coach Ramon, you've also been a coach for other training programs. How does Team In Training compare?
With Team In Training, the coaching is second to none...I don't see any other organization being able to top it.

What do you tell people who express interest in Team In Training?
As a coach, I tell them that if they can give me the time, I will make sure they will cross the finish line - and that they should come to a training session and they'll see people just like themselves.

It's all about the will to do it --- if you have the will, you have run!  Team In Training will get you there.