The Good Vibes #1 - What is a life coach and why would someone need help?

Hi Everyone,

I hope this email finds you well and that you are enjoying the fresh feelings of fall. Similar to Spring, Fall also feels like a time of change, rebirth, and fresh opportunities. Personally, there is a lot of change in my life and I navigate a new, but familiar role as a life coach. I’ve coached countless kids, athletes, and executives over the years, but now I am excited to explore this new avenue and provide a much-needed resource for young athletes. So, I guess it's important to start things off by answering the key questions, “What is a life coach?” and “Why would someone need help?”  

First, “What is a life coach?” Well, similar to other coaches, a Life Coach’s job is to help you develop skills to help you move forward. My training has provided me with tools to work collaboratively with my clients to identify goals and develop a process for reaching them. A great analogy is that of the driving instructor. The client is driving, they are in control, I just point out signs and help navigate potential potholes and accidents. We may discuss different avenues to reach our destination and we may take wrong turns, but we are in the car together sharing a collaborative experience. I like this idea because far too often we are in situations where we are encouraged or supposed to figure things out for ourselves. I see this, especially in young men. Asking or needing help isn’t a sign of weakness, it is actually the opposite, it is a sign of understanding and strength. So, back to the question, “What is a life coach?”, well a life coach is someone who assists people in navigating their lives and relationships to end up in a better place. 

The next question, “Why would someone need your help?” is an easy one. I’ve been there before. I’ve spent countless cycles navigating the ups and downs of a season.  I’ve lifted trophies and had my heart broken more times than I can remember. I know how hard it is to begin the trudge up the hill again, maintain the commitment throughout the cycle, and the unique phases of things as you move up in the ranks. All of this is new for young athletes and their parents, but for me, it is something I’ve already lived through and processed. If you are climbing Everest, you want an experienced sherpa, but far too many athletes and parents of athletes climb the mountain alone. 

This Fall, many athletes are starting their seasons and beginning to “climb up the hill” once again. The championships are far off, in December or sometimes February or March. We are entering the period I fondly refer to as “the grind.” The days shorten, we see the sun less and less, school work piles up, and our best athletes are expected to just keep grinding. These are the moments where I come in. I am here to support and to help keep goals in focus.

I hope that this helps you better understand what life coaching is and why it is important. I will be sending out a newsletter frequently, so if you have any questions or topics you would like me to dive into, please let me know! If you found this information helpful, please forward it along.

Sending good vibes your way,

Coach Josh