Aero
Coach
- Jan 1, 2014
- 836
- 2,153
Hello ChalkBucket friends!
Life has been nuts lately, hasn't it? 2020 has been an insane year for everyone so far, and I really hope it gets better from here on out. I hope all of you are doing well, staying healthy, and keeping your spirits up. Optimism is a strong weapon right now.
I'd like to tell a story about the last year of my life.
Last May, I got hired at ENA, a nationally recognized, high quality program in NJ. I worked alongside some of the very best coaches, and got to work with some amazing athletes. I picked up numerous new skills, and I got to see first hand what the atmosphere can be like within high performance programs. Unfortunately, for a few different reasons, my employment ended in October. My experience was overall very positive, and I gained a ton of valuable knowledge during my time there. I still remain in contact with the coaches at ENA, and I consider them industry professionals and valued colleagues.
I then began working with John Min within his MAGMA program. A nascent program with small numbers, and very few coaches, renting out space at an established gym's facility. It reminded me heavily of my roots; I started off running a small Xcel team on my own, working in a facility that was not ideal. John's ambitions are huge, and his knowledge and experience equally so. He and I quickly became close friends, and from being in a slump after my untimely departure from ENA, my spirits were high. I am incredibly grateful for his generosity in welcoming me into his program, giving me the chance to keep coaching and financially sustain myself.
Then, opportunity knocked.
I saw a job posting for a team program director/head coach position, with a comfortable salary. The catch? The gym is in located in Michigan.
I got in touch with the gym owner about the position, and after some discussion, he proposed a three day working interview. After going on a few other interviews, the one in Michigan was the last, as well as the furthest away (all the others were in NJ). After coordinating with my good friend who lives in Ohio, I made a nice week-long trip out of it. With accommodations paid for by the gym, I went through a three day cycle of: drive to the gym, coach kids who had no idea who I was, drive back to the hotel, enjoy my evening nerding out on coaching material, go to sleep, wash and repeat. It was tons of fun, and I went out to eat with some of the coaching staff twice, the second instance being quite important because... I was offered the job!
Upon returning home, I had a lot to think about. If I took the job, I would literally have to uproot my entire life. I would have to move away from all of my friends and family, and away from New Jersey, where I have lived for, like 95% of my life. However, I realized my ambition has always been sky high, and I have been patiently searching for the opportunity to be the head coach of a WAG team, at a gym that could actually support my vision and goals, as well as meet the needs of a high performance program. The decision was a simple one.
I accepted the job, and I would move in to my new apartment the first week of March, and begin coaching at the start of the second week. I was incredibly excited, but equally nervous; I was reassured by my friends and family. There was a big going away party held, and I was... emotional, haha. This was the single biggest event of my life so far, and I am happy to say it was an incredible send off, and it helped me realize how much love and support I have. My dad and I packed up a 10' moving van with all of my belongings (IT ALL BARELY FIT
), and we drove six hundred miles to Clinton Township, MI. It was a blast.
The move-in process was great, and the gym owner actually helped me with moving expenses, as well as actually moving furniture into my new apartment! I was incredibly grateful, and I quickly realized I was in very good hands. My dad helped me settle in the first couple days, and then I was on my own. The first week of coaching was amazing. All the girls that I coached during my three day working interview months prior were excited to learn that I was now becoming a permanent fixture in the coaching staff. I was on cloud nine.
Then, quarantine hit.
The gym had to shut down. After one week of coaching, everything was taken away. No coaching, no kids, unemployment, worry, uncertainty, no friends or family near me. I don't want to use the word "depression," but it was pretty damn bad. It was very difficult adapting to the new normal. I was initially worried that the gym might go out of business after so many months of no business. However, I quickly learned that the owner is a very astute businessman, and he actually planned to spend money to expand and improve the gym during all the downtime. I helped with the huge task of expanding the facility, and now, after months of hard labor and coaching withdrawal, we have finally opened! It's at very minimal capacity, and to team athletes only, but my spirits have been at an all time high. For the last month I have been coaching these girls, adapting new policies, introducing new standards and expectations, and the girls and coaching staff have been incredibly receptive. I am over the moon!
As many of you know, I have never been one to care much about anonymity. I like sharing my exploits, and I believe, especially as a coach in this sport, that there are zero downsides to transparency. I coach at Sterling Gymnastics Academy, at their Sterling Heights location, and I am eager to meet all the Region 5 people! I have spent my entire coaching career thus far in Region 7, so this is certainly an experience for me to be in a brand new USAG region! Please, if you are in Region 5 and are open to conversation, don't be afraid to reach out. I love meeting people and networking!
I am happy with where I am in my life. Thank you all for listening.
Life has been nuts lately, hasn't it? 2020 has been an insane year for everyone so far, and I really hope it gets better from here on out. I hope all of you are doing well, staying healthy, and keeping your spirits up. Optimism is a strong weapon right now.
I'd like to tell a story about the last year of my life.
Last May, I got hired at ENA, a nationally recognized, high quality program in NJ. I worked alongside some of the very best coaches, and got to work with some amazing athletes. I picked up numerous new skills, and I got to see first hand what the atmosphere can be like within high performance programs. Unfortunately, for a few different reasons, my employment ended in October. My experience was overall very positive, and I gained a ton of valuable knowledge during my time there. I still remain in contact with the coaches at ENA, and I consider them industry professionals and valued colleagues.
I then began working with John Min within his MAGMA program. A nascent program with small numbers, and very few coaches, renting out space at an established gym's facility. It reminded me heavily of my roots; I started off running a small Xcel team on my own, working in a facility that was not ideal. John's ambitions are huge, and his knowledge and experience equally so. He and I quickly became close friends, and from being in a slump after my untimely departure from ENA, my spirits were high. I am incredibly grateful for his generosity in welcoming me into his program, giving me the chance to keep coaching and financially sustain myself.
Then, opportunity knocked.
I saw a job posting for a team program director/head coach position, with a comfortable salary. The catch? The gym is in located in Michigan.
I got in touch with the gym owner about the position, and after some discussion, he proposed a three day working interview. After going on a few other interviews, the one in Michigan was the last, as well as the furthest away (all the others were in NJ). After coordinating with my good friend who lives in Ohio, I made a nice week-long trip out of it. With accommodations paid for by the gym, I went through a three day cycle of: drive to the gym, coach kids who had no idea who I was, drive back to the hotel, enjoy my evening nerding out on coaching material, go to sleep, wash and repeat. It was tons of fun, and I went out to eat with some of the coaching staff twice, the second instance being quite important because... I was offered the job!Upon returning home, I had a lot to think about. If I took the job, I would literally have to uproot my entire life. I would have to move away from all of my friends and family, and away from New Jersey, where I have lived for, like 95% of my life. However, I realized my ambition has always been sky high, and I have been patiently searching for the opportunity to be the head coach of a WAG team, at a gym that could actually support my vision and goals, as well as meet the needs of a high performance program. The decision was a simple one.
I accepted the job, and I would move in to my new apartment the first week of March, and begin coaching at the start of the second week. I was incredibly excited, but equally nervous; I was reassured by my friends and family. There was a big going away party held, and I was... emotional, haha. This was the single biggest event of my life so far, and I am happy to say it was an incredible send off, and it helped me realize how much love and support I have. My dad and I packed up a 10' moving van with all of my belongings (IT ALL BARELY FIT
), and we drove six hundred miles to Clinton Township, MI. It was a blast.The move-in process was great, and the gym owner actually helped me with moving expenses, as well as actually moving furniture into my new apartment! I was incredibly grateful, and I quickly realized I was in very good hands. My dad helped me settle in the first couple days, and then I was on my own. The first week of coaching was amazing. All the girls that I coached during my three day working interview months prior were excited to learn that I was now becoming a permanent fixture in the coaching staff. I was on cloud nine.
Then, quarantine hit.
The gym had to shut down. After one week of coaching, everything was taken away. No coaching, no kids, unemployment, worry, uncertainty, no friends or family near me. I don't want to use the word "depression," but it was pretty damn bad. It was very difficult adapting to the new normal. I was initially worried that the gym might go out of business after so many months of no business. However, I quickly learned that the owner is a very astute businessman, and he actually planned to spend money to expand and improve the gym during all the downtime. I helped with the huge task of expanding the facility, and now, after months of hard labor and coaching withdrawal, we have finally opened! It's at very minimal capacity, and to team athletes only, but my spirits have been at an all time high. For the last month I have been coaching these girls, adapting new policies, introducing new standards and expectations, and the girls and coaching staff have been incredibly receptive. I am over the moon!
As many of you know, I have never been one to care much about anonymity. I like sharing my exploits, and I believe, especially as a coach in this sport, that there are zero downsides to transparency. I coach at Sterling Gymnastics Academy, at their Sterling Heights location, and I am eager to meet all the Region 5 people! I have spent my entire coaching career thus far in Region 7, so this is certainly an experience for me to be in a brand new USAG region! Please, if you are in Region 5 and are open to conversation, don't be afraid to reach out. I love meeting people and networking!
I am happy with where I am in my life. Thank you all for listening.
AeroFlyer Mom forever
