Now a tougher and smarter runner, David McNeill is well-placed to make a good impression in his second Olympic campaign next year in Rio.
McNeill, 29, powered away from training partner Brett Robinson with three laps to go to claim victory in the 10,000m national title race at Lakeside Stadium on Saturday night.
As he had previously bettered the qualifying standard of 28 minutes, the victory gained McNeill an automatic spot on the Games team.
Another Nic Bideau-coached runner, Eloise Wellings, dominated the women's 10,000m to win in 32 minutes 02.61 seconds to also book her spot at a second successive Olympics.
McNeill went through the US college system and competed at the London Olympics, where he was run out in the heats of the 5000m having battled injury in the lead-up to the Games.
In September last year, he made the big decision to join Bideau's training squad.
"He told me it might not click all together right at the start and I was conscious of that," said McNeill.
"I thought whatever happens for the first year, just stay healthy, get through it.
"There were times when I lost sight of that a little bit but I regrouped and realised I had made a lot of progress and the last few months have started to show I'm getting a bit stronger.
"And you have to be strong if you want to cope with Melbourne Track Club training. We work our arses off."
Bideau said McNeill had drawn clear benefits from training in a group that includes the likes of Robinson, Collis Birmingham, Ryan Gregson, Zoe Buckman and Genevieve LaCaze.
"The aim is to win the race and the tough guys are the ones who keep their cool and control their energy until they can actually use it to the best effect," said Bideau.
"This year, instead of going to the front too early and getting himself all tense, Dave was able to wait.
"Then he took the chance with three laps to go and won the race.
"It showed that he was able to reason why he was out on the track and make decisions that would give him the best chance of winning, rather than being emotional."
Bideau said McNeill had the ability to finish in the top 10 in the men's 10,000m in Rio.
Wellings' ceiling could be even higher, especially after her big breakthrough at August's world championships in Beijing, where she was 10th in the 5000m.
The 33-year-old missed three straight Olympics due to stress fractures in her feet, before finally getting to the line in London three years ago.
"I did take absolutely no risks with London," said Wellings.
"I took about 30 per cent off my mileage so that I wouldn't get hurt before the event.
"In Rio, it will be a bit more business-like and I will take a few more risks, although they will be measured.
"I'm definitely a different athlete to what I was four years ago."
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