Coaching is a tough occupation. The hours are odd, the days are long, and talking and communicating all day is exhausting. I get sick of hearing my own voice. I think that’s why I like writing so much. It’s a way to communicate quietly and subtly.
The toughest thing about coaching is keeping your energy up. Rowers demand a lot of attention and want to talk about their rowing a lot, long after class. Some days this is easy, but others it is tough to muster the energy to chat with every single student. I typically coach 2-3 ninety minute practices back to back and it is exhausting. I don’t have a lot of time between sessions so I often find myself running away in order to find a quiet space where I can recharge. And eat my breakfast. And be alone.
Here are some of the things I do to try to keep my energy and enthusiasm up so that my rowers are getting what they need and deserve:
Nourish Your Body: I typically have raw nuts in my coaching bag, such as almonds, walnuts, and pecans. If I want to spice things up I add in some raisins or chocolate chips for some flavor, sweetness, and variety. In a pinch or when my hunger pangs distract me I can grab a handful and it will satiate me until I can eat a full meal. I also make my lunches at home, which often consist of salads. I use fresh romaine or arugula, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and either tuna salad or leftover chicken from the night before. I make my tuna salad by adding in some salt/pepper, a little mayo, and some relish. It tastes great and it’s super quick to make the night before when I’m tired. I also try to throw in either a banana or an apple at some point during the day. And it’s important to have some treats from time to time because they are one of life’s simple pleasures. One of my favorite treats is to grab a scone at Cloud City Coffee on my way in in the mornings. They have an Elvis Presley scone that has banana and chocolate chips. So good.
Nourish Your Brain: I try to read a little bit every morning and in my spare time. I’ve been reading some interesting books lately, such as How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, Seth Godin‘s Purple Cow and Peter Thiel’s Zero to One. I’ve been leaning towards business books lately because the sales and marketing and understanding of people fascinates me. It also helps me understand my athletes motivations and desires better. I also listen to podcasts pretty much any time I’m in the car or doing something around that house. I’ve been listening to James Altucher almost exclusively the past few weeks. I think he is hilarious, super articulate, and really smart. He has unique and interesting guests and it gets my brain working hard to connect dots. It’s like a logic puzzle but in my head. Other recommendations are the Tim Ferriss Show and The Doc and Jock Podcast.
Nourish Your Spirit: I don’t do this every day but this morning I wrote in my journal and listed things that I was grateful for. The list was long and it reminded me that I have so much in my life that is good, loving, and positive. I think having some daily practices in which you step outside of your maybe not so healthy ways of thinking and focusing on proactive and forward thinking can really help your mental health. Another thing that helps me keep the well from running dry is to remember to empathize with my athletes. Though I do feel drained, often times the enthusiasm and love that my rowers bring to practice is enough to snap me out of feeling down or low and back into action. I often experience this with my Seattle Fire Fighters team. They are my third session in a row on Tuesdays and Thursdays and I am frequently struggling to find the energy to go on the water for my fourth straight hour. But they show up and are always ready to go and excited, and if I let myself I can feed off of their energy, perk up, and give them my best. Leaning on others for support and a boost is a great way to crawl out of the hole and stay fresh.
Nourish Through Sleep: Coaching requires a lot of energy, patience, innovation, and communication. At the end of the day I feel pretty drained, so recharging with sleep is the last way to help refuel my tank. I sleep on a very comfortable mattress with a special pillow that supports my cervical spine. My wife and I keep the bedroom cool with little to no light and some white noise provided by a fan. We create a relaxing space in which we can shut off, shut down, and get the sleep we need for the next day’s challenges. I go to bed before 9 every single night of the week. I have early mornings so the later I stay up, the less sleep I get, and the worse I feel. The amount of sleep I get is crucial to how I face the following day.
What other ways do you recharge, whether for coaching, rowing, or other jobs and situations? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
