How to Manage Having a Bad Week as Coach?
Every coach has weeks where life is chaotic, and the first step is admitting your limits as a human being. I set boundaries: the phone goes away when I’m with my family, I cut notifications during deep work, and I limit how many athletes I take on so I have room when someone needs me. But I care about my athletes as people, and if someone is struggling I want to hear about it. No coach nails this perfectly. Too much separation and athletes feel they can’t reach you, and too little lets coaching take over your whole life.
What is Something You’ve Changed Your Mind On?
Over the last year I’ve started leaning on my athletes more in the planning of their own training. I have ideas about what someone needs to work on, but many of the athletes I coach already know their limitations, what to prioritize, and how much volume they can handle. So I let them lead the conversation about what matters to them. I’m more directive with some than others, but the final call on what goes into the program is still mine.
How Has Your Communication Changed Over Time?
I try to meet each athlete where they are. How much they like to communicate, how often, and the language they use all change how I respond. I talk differently to a young competitor than to a 65-year-old Masters athlete heading into a competition, because their goals and life situations are different. It’s the same as programming: a powerful athlete building an engine needs something different from an enduring athlete who needs to get stronger. I’m trying to get both to be the best CrossFitter they can be, but doing my job well looks different for each.
What Qualities Does An Athlete Need to Meet Their Goals?
Ownership comes first. If an athlete tries to hand off responsibility for their process, they won’t succeed, and there are no shortcuts in this sport. You have to put in consistent work over many years. After that, it comes down to the basics: do your training and give good feedback. Many athletes just check a box, or dump everything on me and leave me to sift through it. You hold up half the conversation with your coach, and what you write in the box shapes what comes next. Do each session with the best quality you can, give clear feedback, and if you can’t, tell your coach.