Coach Tip Tuesday: Assemble YOUR Team

It’s hard to believe it’s here again so soon, but it is.  It’s Coach Tip Tuesday!!

Who is on your team??  You’re not on a team, you say??  FALSE.  ALL athletes have teams, my friends, whether they realize it or not.  Branded gear or kits are NOT what make up a team, though many people use that to guide what their definition of team is.

Every athlete has a group - a team - of people who make it possible for them to do what they do.  At Team MPI, we talk a lot about how we work for our athletes as part of THEIR team.  We believe in it so much that it’s a part of our name.  As coaches, we’re merely one piece of the team puzzle.  It’s important for athletes to determine who is best suited to be on their personal team.

Each athlete’s team will look different, but can be comprised of any of the following: family, friends, co-workers, physicians, physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, acupuncturists, dieticians, coaches, strength trainers, bike fitters, and more.  Each of these folks plays an important role that contributes to the overall health, wellness, and success of the athlete.  Family, friends, and co-workers can fill incredibly important roles that enable the athlete to have the time they need to train, balanced meals to support training, and time off for travel and racing.  Medical and wellness professionals help athletes keep their bodies optimized for optimal performance.  Coaches and other types of fitness professionals help athletes get stronger, more comfortable, and more efficient over time.

It’s really important to note that all of these people can (and should) work in collaboration with one another, and especially with other coaches.  Right now, I’m coaching an athlete in swimming who has hired a different coach from another company to write his workouts and be his day-to-day guide.  That other coach and I work together to make sure that the athlete is set up for success in swimming.  While we coach under different brands, we are both on that athlete’s team, and we want what is best for him.  In my opinion, that is what separates a good coach from a great coach.  It boils down to what I talk about a lot: humility.  Both of us realize that we are stronger together to help this athlete, and we don’t let our egos get in the way of that.  This situation isn’t unique; I’ve worked for many athletes who hire other personal trainers, and I collaborate with them to make sure that we’re on the same page and helping the athlete reach his or her goals.  Input from other sources such as medical and wellness professionals should be welcomed, as it helps the coach get a better picture of what is going on with an athlete so that the coach can best serve that athlete.

At the end of the day, you want (and deserve) the best team possible to be working for you.  Sometimes it takes a little while to figure out exactly who deserves to be on that team, but it’s possible.  Set yourself up for success and assemble YOUR all-star team to make your dreams a reality.