GSP IS ONE YEAR OLD!

Almost exactly one year ago, I started GOAT Sports Performance. In truth, I had no idea whether it would be a successful venture or not, but I set the goal of working with three clients by the end of one year. Twelve months later, I currently work with thirteen clients/teams from eight different sports and from eight different countries. I never expected to be this busy, but I love it!

Most of us like dates and anniversaries, and they provide us an opportunity to reflect on the past and plan for the future. In my own reflections, here are a few thoughts from what I have learned over the past 12 months (in no particular order):

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What I've Learned

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- Every client is unique, and the challenges they face are unique. A generic program can demonstrate success and be beneficial, especially for large groups and teams where time and efficiency are issues, but it will never replace one-on-one support.

- It takes time to develop trust with clients. This is especially true when clients don't know me personally.

- I can help most, but I can't help everyone.

- I have always believed my role with a client is to compliment the training/expertise they receive from others. This philosophy results in positive, beneficial relationships with the client's support team rather than harmful/negative ones.
 
- The suspicion about sport psychology and mental training still exists among many people in sports.

- Tied with this suspicion about mental training is a willingness for those in sports to invest heavily in the physical training aspects of the sport over anything else. This is perhaps because physical improvements are easier to measure and demonstrate.

- A good training session can be easily undone by the actions of an athlete when they are not training (e.g., poor nutrition, sleep).

- Athletes and teams, even in major sports with significant coaching and financial assistance, can still lack the support they need to be their very best.      

- In general, coaches rely on their own experiences as athletes in combination with their successes/failures as coaches to become and continue being successful. Most do not engage in any professional or personal development to become better. Some do, but it's often because they are required to do so. Finding coaches hungry to learn and improve is quite rare.

- Some people claim they want to be their very best, but lack the discipline or desire to actually become their very best. There's a difference between words and actions.

- In almost all sports, the mental challenges are similar. Dealing with anxiety, controlling negative emotions, working with others, motivation, believing in oneself, and many other topics cross sports, ages, and abilities.

- Most athletes and coaches work very hard, but cannot explain why they are training the way they are training. There remains a distinct lack of scientific process in training for sports and sports in general.

- The behaviors, feelings, and actions of an individual that have been developed for many years, and often for decades, cannot be undone with a few hours of work. Small changes can be made, but it takes time to undo bad habits etc. There is no magic pill!    

- Working with clients online and with video technology has worked well, but it will never be more effective than working in person.

- My clients make me better also. I love working with clients, and they inspire me to continue learning and improving. I've spent considerable time this year working to improve my knowledge base and ability to be a more effective coach.

- I have competed in many different sports at various levels throughout my life. I enjoy and have always enjoyed performing at the best of my abilities, and winning is always good too! But this year has taught me that the success of my clients is more rewarding to me than my own personal successes. I love seeing my clients succeed!

It's been a great year, and I'm so excited to see what the year has in store! My thanks to all my clients who have instilled their trust in me. You challenge, encourage, and inspire me to continue bettering myself. In other words, I'm working toward becoming my GOAT! I hope you are too.