Open Ourselves Up

Open Ourselves Up
Written by: Coach Slater

Everyone keeps certain personal things to themselves. It’s not easy opening up about anxiety, apprehension, vulnerability, etc… but opening up at the gym allows us, your Derby City coaches, to help you be a better athlete.

The other day, while coaching an afternoon class, Megan Courtney said to me, “Are you on your happy pills today?” I guessed that she thought I was unusually cheerful (maybe?), as opposed to other days. I told her that, “Coaching makes me happy”. It’s the behind-the-scenes stuff that’s monotonous to me, and oftentimes boring, but important for the growth of the gym, the employment of some wonderful coaches, and the betterment of many athletes at Derby City. To me, coaching is pure fun. I enjoy coaching others and helping them find something in themselves that they didn’t think was there.

But, I know what she was saying. I can come off as a quiet and aloof. And I *know* I’m that way in the mornings. I don’t bust out of that shell until after noon, usually.

I come from a background of quietness, showcased by men who never revealed too much of anything to anyone. At least, that was my impression of the men in my family. Nowadays, I have a habit of holding onto things, and I have some tendencies toward perfectionism. Sometimes I’m a little quiet or moody, but exposing those feelings and emotions actually helps me acknowledge and quickly overcome them. Other people always seem to notice because my body language tells all.

I tell you this because, as a coach, I try to read your body language every day. There are many variables in a class setting, and there are days that I need to coach you differently than the day before. I’m not going to ask, ever, for you to talk about something you don’t want to talk about. Some days you just need to be left alone. I get it. But, when I’m having a bad day, I know it’ll be better if I tell someone that I’m a little off, or if someone calls me out on it. Opening up and showing that vulnerability can help me perform better in the gym. So, if you’re having a rough day, tell a coach and we can respond accordingly. It takes courage, but opening up allows coaches to help you more directly and it might make our hour together easier on the both of us.

I’ll help call you out if, in turn, you help call me out. Be my AccountabiliBuddy. Let’s open ourselves up.