I love watching the Olympic Games.
Held as a global celebration of athletic excellence, the Olympics promote unity, sportsmanship, and national pride. They showcase the highest levels of human performance and inspire people worldwide.
This year, my husband and I had the chance to attend the Olympics and watch in person in Paris. While on our way to a track and field event one day, we were able to have a conversation with a distinguished Olympic coach.
We grabbed a few pictures with the coach and shared our excitement and expectations of gold and success for the USA team.
But most importantly, this interaction highlighted to me the significance of coaching to achieving triumph, on and off the field.
Coaches are vital for growth
Coaches play crucial roles in either a person’s athletic or personal development. Whether for sports or life, coaches are critical for cultivating potential.
Sports coaches mentor and motivate athletes, helping them overcome challenges, set goals, and strive for excellence. They teach the discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship that are essential for fostering a positive competitive environment.
These coaches not only provide technical and tactical training but also nurture mental resilience, focus, and confidence in their players.
On the other hand, a life coach focuses on enhancing someone’s overall quality of life and their ability to attain goals and desires. They do their work by focusing on the present and future rather than the past.
Research shows that people who receive life coaching are more resilient, have increased well-being, gain deeper personal insight, and are more likely to reach their goals.
A life coach collaborates with clients to help them achieve their goals and succeed.
Life coaches also draw from research and literature to help others set realistic goals that still push them to grow. Individuals make progress toward goals through plans of action, regular check-ins, and adaptive reflections. Life coaches help you to alter your steps as needed to better progress toward success.
Did you know that there are even coaches that exist to assist the whole family?
Family life coaches address family-related issues. They regularly work with individuals, couples, or families to help them reach their ambitions.
This sort of coaching involves guiding families through a process of self-discovery, goal-setting, and behavioral change. Family life coaches ask powerful questions and provide educational insights, helping clients enhance their familial well-being and navigate challenges effectively.
However, a person first needs to believe in themselves and their potential to make the most of any type of coaching.
Coaching is necessary for your teens
At the Olympics, I vividly remember seeing a large screen at the track and field stadium that displayed the reactions of victors and those who missed medaling. The screen showed my husband and I firsthand “The Thrill of Victory and the Agony of Defeat.”
An array of emotions from the athletes were exhibited here. The athletes’ responses demonstrated how much bliss or disappointment can occur during competitions.
Some athletes showed shame or fear over their performances. Researcher and professor Brene Brown describes shame as the fear that a mistake could make us unworthy of relationships and belonging. Athletes who lost often felt disconnected by missed opportunity or struggled with regret.
Seeing the athletes show such vulnerability reminded how many factors can contribute to final outcomes. Stress, pressure, parents and friend associations, and unexpected circumstances can drastically change our progress toward goals.
Obstacles impede our way, and cause life to feel out of control.
Coaches are there to help you have the confidence to pick yourself back up in these moments. They can help you process the emotions and develop resilience to overcome these obstacles.
Parents, your teens might not be Olympians, but that does not make coaching any less vital for them.
While you are preparing for your child to return to school, many middle and high school students will face new challenges in academics, sports, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities.
Personal insecurities, fear, and shame can trigger anxiety and avoidance behaviors in teenagers. Coaches can help young people build confidence, process their difficult feelings, and prevail over problems.
Athletic and family life coaches are necessary to foster personal development and enhance overall well-being. Coaches influence extends beyond immediate outcomes, helping students build the skills and mindset to continually navigate life’s trials.
With coaching, teens can grow, mature, and progress toward a thriving future.
