Da Moment

Dear Coach,

Do you remember what it felt like to be the player?

The moments before a game.

The butterflies.

The excitement.

The pressure.

And sometimes, the memories of the last game replaying over and over in your head.

The missed catch.

The strikeout.

The error.

The shot that didn’t go in.

As athletes, we’ve all been there. We get stuck reliving a moment we wish we could have back. We think about what we should have done differently instead of focusing on the opportunity right in front of us.

Then one day, many of us become coaches.

Now we’re setting the lineup.

We’re making decisions.

We’re controlling the tempo of practice and the game.

But sometimes we forget what it felt like to stand in the athlete’s shoes.

The truth is, coaches aren’t mind readers.

Parents aren’t mind readers.

Teammates aren’t mind readers.

And athletes aren’t either.

What we can control is how we respond.

We can choose to keep our heads up.

We can choose to stay present.

We can choose to learn from mistakes without living in them.

Because every game, every practice, every moment only happens once.

The mind will remember the mistakes.

That’s what it does.

But if we’re paying attention, it will also remember the lessons.

The resilience.

The growth.

The moments we overcame something difficult and became stronger because of it.

Those are the moments that build confidence.

Those are the moments that teach us who we really are. And that’s why your inner voice matters so much.

Long after the crowd is gone.

Long after the game is over.

Long after the coach’s words fade away.

Your inner voice remains.

Make sure it’s cheering for you.

Make sure it’s reminding you to keep going.

Make sure it’s helping you learn, not tearing you down.

Because if you can learn to trust that voice, it will never fail you.

Sincerely,

The Show Up Athlete