What do a musician, soccer player, and painter have in common? They are each an artist in their own right. Art is defined as “a skill acquired by experience, study or observation”. Which begs the questions: What is your artistry? What is the purpose of executing your art without PASSION?
I believe that coaching is an art, because while many may carry the title, very few are willing to neither master the skill-set nor understand the responsibility. Similarly, many athletes wish to be defined as “THE BEST” but few are willing to assert the time and PASSION necessary to achieve this level of ARTISTRY…
Eleven years ago marked the commencement of a journey to find my PASSION in sports, a strong and barely controllable emotion, or the “thing” that drives me. I was a senior in college, preparing to graduate with an opportunity to serve as an intern in Strength and Conditioning at Florida State University. I remember sitting at my desk wondering, “What impact will I make on this world?” It was important for me to define my legacy and execute it.
After about 3 months into the internship, my supervisor (coach) described me as “wet behind the ears”, a description that I initially took offense to but later welcomed as he hired me (full time) fresh out of college. It was official: I was a Strength and Conditioning Coach for a Division I school. It meant the world to me that he BELIEVED in me (when I clearly didn’t believe in myself…I WAS TERRIFIED). Eleven years of experience in the field hasn’t come without challenges, insecurities, and disappointments, but the rewards of growing and impacting a unique part of society are priceless. Not to mention all of the free Nike gear!! Annnnnndddd free trips around the country!!! I was living my dream and thrilled about the opportunities ahead of me.
Today, I continue in that passion …a passion that drives me to serve this generation, and a passion that serves a larger purpose. Why am I so passionate about sports performance training? Influence! Athletics is becoming increasingly more prevalent in our society, and as the numbers of participants increase, the potential for impacting this generation is ripe!
Interestingly enough, the same lessons that I experienced as a young Strength Coach are the same lessons I lead with today. It is an honor (that I don’t take lightly) to challenge my clients/athletes to simply get better with each opportunity they have to “get better”. CHOOSE to be great! Simple concept, yet this single decision is what distinguishes average and best. It is with great diligence that I desire to help others find their passion, but they first need to find that same desire within themselves.
At the end of their preseason training, I challenged a girls’ high school varsity basketball team and presented them with this:
1. CHOOSE what you want to accomplish this season.
2. IDENTIFY what it will take to achieve this.
3. Are you willing to DO what it will take to achieve this? (be honest with yourselves!)
4. Be PASSIONATE about pursuing greatness
I realize that coaching is LEADERSHIP. Coaching is INFLUENCE. It warms my heart to still receive phone calls and texts from former players! It is evident that at some point, and in some manner, I impacted their life (although I believe that they have impacted my life more.). At the end of each day I examine every interaction, conversation, and/or reaction I experienced with a client, student, and/or athlete. I ask myself the following questions:
-What was my investment? What did I choose to “pour” into someone’s life?
-Did my words or actions encourage?
-Did I challenge motives, work ethic, or mentality?
-Was the session conducive to learning?
-Did I maintain a high standard of expectation?
-Ultimately, did I establish an atmosphere conducive to enjoyment, growth, and fulfillment?
This daily evaluation is essential to my growth as a coach because I understand the importance that WORDS and ACTIONS have on the INFLUENCE of human life. Oscar Wilde wrote, “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life”. This philosophy suggests that art sets the visual principles by which life is perceived. Thereby, coaching is just another tool to prepare kids for life. This is why I’m passionate about what I do…I want you to win!!
What is your artistry? What is the purpose of executing it without PASSION? Life (phase of earthly existence) without passion is merely existence without life (growth).
I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse group of athletes and in turn have seen every “type”: Talented but lazy. Hard worker yet lacks skill-set…you name it! However, when the rubber meets the road, the individual who flourishes in their craft is the one who simply CHOOSES to be PASSIONATE in their ARTISTRY.