Many people have role models in their lives; teachers, parents and friends who help shape who they are over time. For me, my role model was always my coach.
I play tennis, and I’ve spent many hours on the court learning everything from how to hit my serve to how to stay calm when losing a match. But the impactful words that stuck with me didn’t come from drills or corrections — they came from the way the coaches I worked with put in effort to understand me. They noticed how I reacted under pressure and pushed me to believe in myself.
At first, their help was about the game itself, such as how to move faster, how to keep my eye on the ball and how to win against my opponents or recognize their shots. After spending enough time with my coach, I realized her coaching taught me lessons beyond tennis. Her advice and guidance made me think about how to pick myself up when I doubted myself, how to control my frustration and how to be a good teammate.
I’ve spent years with the same coach and something you notice is how they start to pick up on your habits. They see when you’re giving your best effort, and they see when you’re holding back. Coaches know when you’re frustrated, tired or distracted — even if you don’t say it out loud. Yet, through all of that, they still push you to be better.
That kind of pushing isn’t always comfortable. At times, it can be frustrating and overwhelming, to the point where you feel like quitting or skipping the hard parts. But when someone is consistent, continues to show up and refuses to let you lower your expectations, it starts to change the way you think.
Coaches for me teach more than just training. They encourage you to stick with things when they get tough — how to focus even when your mind wants to wander and hold yourself accountable when no one else is watching. Those lessons on life don’t stay on the tennis court — they follow you into school, work and even in your everyday life.
The positive effect a coach can have is often quiet. It’s not always a big speech or a dramatic moment. Sometimes it’s a small comment that sticks with you or a steady presence of someone who believes in you more than you believe in yourself.
That belief can be a game changer. Not because the coach says it once, but because they show it again and again through their actions. That kind of consistency builds confidence and helps you trust yourself. Once you start to believe in what you’re capable of, you begin to unlock a version of yourself you didn’t even know was there.
Looking back, the effect my previous coaches had on me goes far beyond the sport. They helped me develop discipline and resilience. Through their guidance, I learned to trust my own effort and push through challenges.
People often talk about role models and it can sound dramatic. But really, it’s just about having someone in your corner who sees your potential and doesn’t let you give up. For me, that someone has been the coach I’ve worked with for years.
A great coach doesn’t just impact your game, they influence how you show up for others. Because of my coach, I find myself encouraging teammates, listening more, and pushing people to believe in themselves. That’s the quiet power of good coaches, it inspires you to pass it on. Whether I’m on the court or not, those lessons will definitely stay with me.
