The house idles on a Wednesday evening.  I can hear the hot water heater trying to catch-up with the evening dishes that have now been laid down to rest for the night.  I look forward to joining them soon…

Outside in the distance, just a few blocks from the living room window I can see that the lights from the outdoor hockey rink at the park are still burning.  Volunteers have gathered for their evening ritual of shoveling the surface and then spraying down a new layer that will be frozen long before morning.  I’m grateful for those who have dedicated their time to grooming the ice this year.  The kids and I have had a good time playing hockey and learning what natives have known for a long time.  The hockey is as pure as heaven itself.

Though I live with a dull ache that I did not possess last winter, I relish in my ability to move on the slick surface.  The discomfort is a small price to pay for the lift it provides to my spirit and the core of who I am.

This reminds me of a conversation I had this morning with my yoga teacher.  She eloquently described my innate body awareness as a treasure.  Thought at times this heightened sense of acuity can feel like a burden, I know it is not.  And I was glad to be reminded.

Those of us who have been chosen for this path know deep down how special this feeling is.  In fact, we connect with it so strongly that we make it our life’s work to share it with others.  The problem is, not everyone understands what we do.  Not everyone understands what we are trying to do.

One of the great ironies of my own work as a fitness professional is that sometimes clients become disenchanted with the relationship and they depart quietly into the night, like the last flicker from the light around the hockey rink.  They reach a point where they simply cannot find a way through the obstacles that are keeping them from knowing what I know, from feeling what I feel.  Very often this is only fear.  And instead of embracing it, they cower, go away frustrated and often angry directly at me, their coach.

This is OK with me.  I am much more concerned about being respected, than liked.  This is not a popularity contest.  And though I might be building close relationships with my clients, there comes a point where my job as a coach takes precedent.  This is where I earn my miles as a leader.  But only if I do the right thing.

I don’t and NEVER will sell myself out for anyone.  I won’t sacrifice my principles, my standards, and my intensity because I’m afraid it might turn people away.  I make a bonfire out of my reputation on a regular basis, because authenticity is what truly matters to me.  This is who I am, and this is what makes me a great coach.  And like it or not, this is what separates the champions of life.  Our clients are most likely never going to the Olympics, but that doesn’t mean they should be allowed to back-off on the pursuit of goals they earnestly told you they wanted to achieve.

The road to success in any venture is paved with hard work, hard choices, and hard lessons about what holds you back.  If you’re ready to face those lessons and embrace the fear, I’m right here with you.  But if you choose instead to work harder at justifying your limitations instead?  Well, that’s certainly your choice.  Just don’t expect me to accept them, because I NEVER will.  Even if that means you’re going away mad, frustrated and with me as your scapegoat.

Your Success is YOUR choice, not mine…