We’ve all been there. That moment when you think, “This is harder than I thought… maybe I’m not cut out for this.” It might have been when you were at work, when you were putting in the hours, but no one seemed to notice. Or it...
People often ask me, "Why did you write Hard Comes First?" My reason is simple. In my many years of coaching elite people, I have countless examples of people overcoming challenges to do great things. These stories of inspiration are worth sharing because learning from...
Our Future Self Has An Opinion Let's be in the business of encouraging people. This often means setting the example as someone who doesn't shy away from doing the right things, especially when it requires us to reach up and out. I'm fortunate to have many...
The term coach comes from the word that originally meant carriage. When I think of the word carriage, I think about something pulled by horses that carries people. If this is an accurate picture, then a coach is someone who helps others achieve their desired...
One thing is certain: there will be difficult days ahead. When I was young, my father often told me to save for a rainy day. He implied that one thing was guaranteed based on his life experiences: the rain would come, so it was wise...
I despise losing. My 25th year of college coaching did not go as planned because we lost more than expected. Winning on the scoreboard is marked as the primary goal of college sports, but there can be a contrarian understanding of results. Sometimes, the lessons...
We're made to do life in community with others. In fact, the people we surround ourselves with matter a lot. Your first boss, who you marry, high school friends, teachers and coaches, and more, all matter in shaping not only how we see the world,...
Is Blue Monday Hype or Real? January is called the saddest month of the year, and the third Monday in January (January 20th, 2025) is Blue Monday, labeled as the most miserable day of the year. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, sadness often...
One of the things that former college tennis players miss most after college is the closeness of a good team. Teams like ours, as well as many organizations, often talk about creating a family atmosphere. It is important to remember that family means different things...
I'm Christmas shopping today, which is causing some challenges. What do I give someone who seems to have everything? I'm pretty sure you have this same dilemma, too. So why not give something that will challenge and help them grow? Hard Comes First: The Guide...