Why I Coach - Alok Mehta

I recently wrote a post explaining that I don’t actively promote who I work with. And I don’t. I don’t expect them to promote me either. If I’m good at what I do, they’ll tell other people. If I’m not, they won’t, and they won’t work with me.
 
My primary goal isn’t to make money. I have a “real” job for that. Rather, I love being able to help athletes at all levels, whatever the sport, get better. It’s a privilege seeing my clients working to achieve their potential, and it’s an honor to be part of that experience and their improvement.
 
But there is one person who I do want to mention, and it’s someone who encouraged me to talk about our working relationship. So I am. Many of you who are reading this will know Indian/Illinois racquetball player Dr. Alok Mehta. He’s one of the fiercest competitors I know, and has amassed medals and titles across all levels of the amateur divisions, and has qualified to represent his native country of India on several occasions. If I detailed his successes in the sport, we’d be reading for quite a while.

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Every client is different, and my relationship with Alok is unlike any other client. Most need to work with me regularly, sometimes a few times a month, and some just once a month. Alok works with me sporadically. He doesn’t need me to teach him how to train, and he doesn’t need me to teach him how to swing a racquet. Alok needs me to keep him driven toward his goals. Once every few months, I’ll get a “I want to talk” message, and we’ll have a conversation that serves as his checkup. What’s working? What isn’t? What are his goals? What is he doing/not doing to achieve these goals? These are some of the questions that might be discussed.
 
Alok drives me crazy sometimes, but I love working with him. And at times, I don’t think I’m helping too much. He says otherwise. And if he thinks I’m helping, then we keep at it. He’s a fierce competitor, never quits, and HATES losing. Just like me. Are there more things to improve? Yes! But he’s willing to keep working to get better. I love that about him.

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A few weeks ago, Alok and I set the goal of winning the Indian National Championships. As a 54 year old, playing competitors much younger than him, we knew it would be hard. But goals should be hard. He lost 11-10 in the final.
 
Most athletes would be crushed by the result. Not Alok. He wrote me shortly after: “No regrets. I’m actually not even sad. I feel great!!! Thank you for reigniting the fire in me!!!”
 
That’s why I do what I do.    

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