How I Started Coaching

Sometimes I’m asked if I went to school for coaching or why I care so much about helping people move forward. Well, it all started back in elementary school. When I was in fifth grade, I had a teacher, Mrs. Frankle, who was very kind and an all-around good teacher. She listened to her students, she was honest, and most importantly she noticed something unique about me that I didn’t know about myself. She provided an opportunity that sparked my hunger to help people move forward.

I grew up in a good home and followed the rules. I wasn’t the smartest kid in the class, and while I was pretty good at playing defense in hockey (basically tripping kids with my stick), I wasn’t a good athlete. I did, however, enjoy asking people questions. Sometimes too many questions. I remember one time on our family’s yearly camping trip I’d asked my dad a long series of questions as to why the fish weren’t biting and he said, “Maybe if you stop asking so many questions, they would.” Ha! I guess you could say I was curious kid. I digress.

In fifth grade my teacher selected me out of the entire class to spearhead this program called Peace Patrol, which is a fancy term for conflict resolution. I accepted. During recess while all the kids were playing different activities, my small team and I would go out, donned with clipboards and blue windbreakers, inserting ourselves into any conflict that occurred on the playground. I was tasked with helping my peers feel heard while guiding them to a resolution.

Looking back, I am very much the person I am because of the leadership and conflict resolution opportunities I had in the 5th grade. Helping people break down the conflict in their life and move forward is my greatest passion and I thank Mrs. Frankle for this opportunity to learn, grow, and serve.

I have a desire to help people move forward and get unstuck from their situations and for me, that passion started in the 5th grade.

If you are looking to move forward, let’s talk!