Meet Kelly Dues

Hi, I’m Kelly! I’m a runner, triathlete, mom of two, and the coach behind Spectrum Performance.

I’ve spent years competing in everything from 5Ks and marathons to sprint and full-distance IRONMAN triathlons, including qualifying for and competing at Age Group Nationals. But what I love most isn’t racing — it’s helping others discover what they’re capable of.

I’ve coached athletes through their first races, marathon personal bests, 70.3 PRs, and full-distance IRONMAN finishes. I also work with people who simply want to get stronger, feel healthier, and find a way to make fitness fit into their lives.

My coaching credentials include:

• USA Triathlon Level 1 Coach
• IRONMAN Certified Coach
• ACE Certified Personal Trainer
• U.S. Masters Swimming Level II Coach
• Girls Gone Strong Certified Pre/Postnatal Coach
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

My Story: Finding Strength Through Movement

I wasn’t a born athlete. I was a shy, awkward kid who often struggled to find where I belonged.

I started running at 12 years old, tagging along with my mom through our south-suburban Chicago neighborhood. Eventually, a coach gave me a chance on my junior high track team, despite my less-than-impressive abilities in most track events.

Running became something more than a sport. It was a place where I felt capable, confident, and part of something.

Growing up, I struggled with bullying, anxiety, and depression. Running became my safe space, especially during my teenage years and early adulthood. It gave me strength during some of my hardest moments and quite literally saved my life.

Years later, I ran my first marathon in Chicago, then discovered triathlon almost by accident. I was initially terrified of open-water swimming, but I kept showing up. Eventually, I found myself qualifying for national championships, earning age-group podium finishes, and crossing the finish line of my first IRONMAN.

Those accomplishments mean a lot to me, but I never forget where I started.

As someone who also spent years navigating the world as a closeted queer woman, I know what it feels like to wonder whether you belong. Sport helped me discover a strength I hadn’t always recognized in myself.

That’s the experience I want every athlete to have: the opportunity to discover what they’re capable of, regardless of where they begin.

Why I Coach

Today, I’m a mom of two, an endurance athlete, a personal trainer, and a coach who understands that life doesn’t always cooperate with our training plans.

I know what it’s like to balance parenting, work, relationships, and personal goals. I also know that finding time to train is only part of the challenge. Finding an environment where you feel safe, supported, and welcomed matters just as much.

My background in behavior analysis has shaped how I coach. I focus on realistic goals, individualized support, building sustainable routines, and helping athletes navigate barriers without judgment.

I’m passionate about creating an inclusive fitness community that welcomes athletes of all backgrounds, abilities, identities, and experience levels. That includes LGBTQIA+ athletes, BIPOC athletes, neurodivergent athletes, parents, and anyone who has ever felt like fitness wasn’t a space for them.

Whether you’re preparing for your first 5K, chasing an IRONMAN finish, returning to fitness after having a baby, or simply hoping to feel stronger, you deserve coaching that meets you where you are.

You bring your goals. I’ll help you build a plan that works for your life.

Training for real life.