Sometimes, all it takes is someone else believing in you for you to believe in yourself. I learned this truth early in my life when I walked into a gymnasium for a practice I thought would be like any other. Little did I know, this was the beginning of a transformation that would change the course of my life.
I was a shy, First Nations kid from the reserve, growing up in poverty. I didn’t think I had much to offer, and I certainly didn’t expect to make the team. But as I walked into that gym, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I wasn’t good enough to belong there. I was about to let that negative self-talk define me when something extraordinary happened.
A coach named Doug, who I had never met before, noticed me. He saw beyond my insecurities and saw potential in me. At the end of that practice, he pulled me aside and said words that would change everything: “I see potential in you. You might not get a lot of playing time this year, but I want you to stay on my team. I believe in you.”
No one had ever said anything like that to me before. It was as if a lightbulb went off, and for the first time, I began to see a future where I could be more than I thought possible.
In the three years that followed, I committed myself to that team and to Doug’s belief in me. Every practice, every game, every moment I felt like giving up, I remembered those words: “I see potential in you.” His belief in me fueled my belief in myself.
From being the shy, uncertain kid struggling to make it to practice to becoming the team captain and Athlete of the Year in my high school, the growth I experienced was nothing short of transformative. Doug’s influence went beyond the court; his presence alone made me smarter in my decisions, even in moments when I might have strayed from the right path.
That experience taught me the power of having a coach—someone who sees potential in you, even when you can’t see it yourself. It’s not just about the skills they teach you, but the belief they instill in you. A great coach helps you recognize your worth and pushes you to reach heights you never thought possible.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: you don’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s in sports, business, or life, having someone who believes in you can make all the difference. So, find that coach, mentor, or guide who will help you unlock your true potential. Because sometimes, all it takes is someone else to see the greatness in you for you to realize it yourself.
hiy hiy
