Taking Care Of You

In a high performance environment like elite sport you often will hear people talk about hard work. Obviously hard work is an extremely important part of being successful in any field with this one being no different. It is our job as S&C coaches to help guide our athletes to become the best versions of themselves that they can. We show them what hard work they need to do to help them get there so that they can make the best use of their training time possible.

As coaches we will also talk to our athletes about proper recovery. Sleeping habits, eating habits and hydration are some simple examples. We know that it is extremely important that our athletes be in top shape for their training, as well as being ready to compete.

However, in our own careers we tend to take a much less measured approach. Coaches often spend as many hours as possible in the gym whether it’s 6 am or 9 pm. We put our own well being on hold to show that we are “in it for the right reasons.” Coaches are often viewed as selfish for working regular hours, for putting their own needs as a priority because we are not thinking of the athletes needs first.

As much as I agree that our athletes need to be a top priority, my views on this have shifted quite a lot over the last few years. Instead of looking at it in the way of “my athletes needs come first, so anything they need at any time, I am there.” I have begun to think more about prioritizing myself. In working on this, I firmly believe this is the LEAST selfish way to approach a career in coaching. Just as your athletes need to be in top physical shape to compete, you need to be in top shape to give them the elite level coaching you promise them.

So many coaches in our industry over work themselves for terrible wages. They think this is a point of pride as they are showing they have integrity, and are “in it for the right reasons.” It is almost looked at in more of a negative light to be a coach with a decent wage and the occasional day off, then one who drags themselves through 8-10 sessions per day, spanning over 13-17 hours just to get up tomorrow and do it all over again.

Of course, coaching can be a hectic type of schedule. You need to be working when your athletes are available. However, this doesn’t mean you need to be in the gym EVERY moment that your athletes are available.

By creating a more normal schedule, giving yourself some regular time out of the gym, and prioritizing your own mental and physical health, you are going to come into the day with more energy, as well as better focus and awareness. This means you will be more engaged with your athletes, be able to take better care of their individual needs, and as a result, be able to do a better job coaching.

I can already hear the thoughts coming out of “if he wants more time away from the gym, he must not REALLY love coaching.” This is a career I have dedicated 11 years of my life to. It was 7 years of coaching before I took a paycheque. However, as I get older and gain more experience, I realize more and more that a love of coaching doesn’t just mean a love of physically being in the gym. It means a love of programming, seeing progress for your athletes, building relationships, and watching your athletes grow and succeed. This is a people business before ANYTHING else. I still spend the far majority of my life thinking about my athletes, working on programs, and reading. However, I work at a pace that is enjoyable, and allow myself to shut off when I need to. Just as I talk about with my athletes, working hard and grinding is important, but proper recovery is equally important to set yourself up to be successful.

By living in the gym 70-80 hours per week, are you really putting your athletes in the best position to succeed? Or are you just showing everyone around you how hard you work cause “hey look at me, I’m not in it for the money, I’m in it for the RIGHT reasons.”

I still try to be as accommodating to my athletes as I can be. Saying no can be a difficult thing to do. However, by making sure I am taking time to myself when I need it, and allowing myself to block off time that is not spent coaching, but is rather spent programming, reading, working, or reflecting, I am learning so much more about programming, coaching, and the industry in general that I feel like I am bringing a better version of myself into the gym every single day.

If you are working in this industry, do yourself a favour. Take the advice that you give to your athletes. Work hard, work a lot and strive to be better every day then you were yesterday. However keep your priorities in line. By living a more balanced, healthier life yourself you are not only setting a better example, but you are setting yourself up to be more productive, and effective in your coaching.