A Coach's Diary

“Everybody wants to be a beast until it’s time to do what beasts do.” - Ann Wolfe Everyone has goals, but few people are willing to do what it takes to make it happen. Ann Wolfe was a professional boxer who was known for her resilience, grit, power, and fearlessness in the ring. She once said, “Everybody wants to be a beast until it’s time to do what beasts do.” Everyone likes the idea of being great — strong, dominant, or successful — but very few are willing to do the hard, painful, disciplined work it actually takes to get there. Ann Wolfe is saying that it’s easy to want the results, but real beasts — the ones who earn it — are the people who show up early, train through pain, and push themselves when no one’s watching. People love the glory, but not the grind. Ann has also said, “If you don’t go through nothing, you won’t be nothing,” and “Pain is just part of the process. You can’t build anything strong without it.” If you want to be a beast, you have to do what beasts do. Questi...

"You have to be a little bit crazy to do gymnastics. You have to love pain, love pressure, and love proving people wrong.” - Svetlana Khorkina You have to be a little crazy to actually do what it takes to be great at something. Svetlana Khorkina is a retired Russian artistic gymnast widely regarded as one of the greatest and most innovative gymnasts in history. She once said, “You have to be a little bit crazy to do gymnastics. You have to love pain, love pressure, and love proving people wrong.” This quote showed a glimpse into her competitive fire and relentless drive. Gymnastics pushes the body and mind to extremes — long hours of repetition, constant correction, fear of injury, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Khorkina embraced all of that. Greatness in all areas requires a little craziness — a willingness to push past comfort, embrace challenge, and keep going long after most people would stop. Question of the Day: When has chasing something important to you require...

“Winning means you’re willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else.” - Sonja Henie If you want to be great at anything, you have to stretch yourself and be willing to be uncomfortable. Sonja Henie was a Norwegian figure skater and actress who became one of the most famous athletes in the world in the early 20th century. She once said, “Winning means you’re willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else.” This quote is a reflection of her relentless work ethic and competitive spirit, and what we all need if we want to do or achieve something great. It means success doesn’t come from talent alone — it comes from persistence, effort, and sacrifice.  Those who win are the ones willing to push past comfort, stay disciplined when others stop, and give just a little more when it matters most. Question of the Day: When things get uncomfortable or challenging, how willing are you to keep pushing and give a little more to reach your goals?

“Details are the separator … The work ethic, this discipline … Those things matter.” - Jamal Crawford Jamal Crawford played in the NBA for 20 years and is known as one of the best bench scorers in league history. When talking to a group of athletes, he said to pay attention to the details when training and working out — because the details are the separator. “We all know talented people who didn’t make it where they wanted to go,” Crawford said. “We all see people in LA Fitness who had game. But the discipline, the work ethic, the character — giving your word and keeping it, looking somebody in their eye — those are the things that go into life.” Even on off days, Crawford said, you can do something — watch film, do push-ups, stretch. If you want to be your best, you have to be an everyday athlete, not a sometime athlete. Question of the Day: When it’s an off day or you’re not feeling motivated, what’s one small thing you can still do to get a little better?

“When you’re not getting the results you want, you have to look at what you can do better — not what others are doing wrong.” - Jeff Gordon One of the best abilities is accountability — taking ownership of your actions, decisions, and results — and following through on what you said you would do. Jeff Gordon is a legendary NASCAR driver who won four Cup Series championships and is considered one of the greatest racers in history. He once said, “When you’re not getting the results you want, you have to look at what you can do better — not what others are doing wrong.” True growth and improvement start with self-reflection — instead of blaming others or outside circumstances, focus on what you can control and how you can get better. Accountable people don’t make excuses — they make adjustments. When you own your effort, attitude, and outcomes, you build trust, earn respect, and put yourself in position to win. Question of the Day: When things don’t go the way you hoped, how do you shi...

“Winning is important, but the process of becoming stronger is even more valuable.” - Lang Ping Winning makes everything more fun and worth it, but you don’t always win. So, what do you get out of it if you don’t? Lang Ping is one of the most respected figures in international volleyball — both as a legendary player and a world-class coach. She led the Chinese women’s national team to its first World Cup (1981) and Olympic gold medal (1984), helping establish China as a global volleyball powerhouse. Ping once said, “Winning is important, but the process of becoming stronger is even more valuable.” At some point, we all become retired athletes, and all we are left with are the memories gained and lessons learned. Winning matters, but so does the person you become in the pursuit of winning. So focus on winning, but prioritize and celebrate your growth as well. Question of the Day: When things don’t go your way, how do you make sure you still come away stronger from the experience?

“Play every game like it’s your last, and there is always someone out there who wants what you want. ” - Allen Iverson Allen Iverson is not only one of the best basketball players ever, but also a cultural icon. At just 6 feet tall, he became the shortest MVP in NBA history — proof that heart can beat height. When asked to give advice to one of the top players in the country, he shared two lessons that stood out: Play every game like it’s your last, and remember there’s always someone out there who wants what you want. Iverson said no matter how well you play, always play as hard as you can. And when you’re at home watching TV or playing video games, remember — someone out there is working for the same dream. When you’re tired or tempted to ease up, remind yourself what you’re chasing and what it takes to get there. When it’s time to work, put in the work like your dreams depend on it — because they do. Question of the Day: How do you remind yourself to give full effort, especially wh...

“A fighter’s mentality isn’t about being better than someone else. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.” - Holly Holm Holly Holm is a mixed martial artist and multiple-time world boxing champion, known for her discipline, humility, and work ethic. She once said, “A fighter’s mentality isn’t about being better than someone else. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.” Your journey is your journey, and it's about you, your progress, and your growth — no one else’s. Don’t get caught up in the comparison game. Be so focused on you and your journey that you don’t get lost in anyone else’s. This requires discipline. Holly said this about discipline: “Discipline is doing what you don’t want to do when you don’t want to do it.” Know who you want to be, know what you have to do, and have the discipline to do it — no matter what is going on around you. Question of the Day: When is it hardest for you to stay disciplined, and how do you push through it?

“If you can put aside your sensitivities and your ego, and focus on regrouping, a no can be one of the best things that ever happens to you.” - Will Packer Will Packer is one of the most successful producers and filmmakers in the world, with ten #1 box-office hits and over $1 billion in ticket sales. Will once said, “Every no has value, but in order to find it, you gotta get past the fact that you were told no.” A no doesn’t mean you’re not good enough — it means there’s something you can learn or get better at. Will said Beyoncé once turned down a movie he wanted her to star in five times, but  didn’t quit. Every time, he asked her why, made adjustments, and kept improving until she finally said yes. Each no made the project better. Packer says, “If you can put aside your sensitivities and your ego, and focus on regrouping, a no can be one of the best things that ever happens to you.” Instead of letting rejection pull you down, let it refine you. Every no can move you one step clo...

“First, find your passion, find what it is that interests you. [Then] you need people in your circles and organizations that show you and tell you that you can do it, you can be it.” - Tamika Catchings Who is on your team? Tamika Catchings is a WNBA legend, Olympic gold medalist, and Basketball Hall of Famer known for her time with the Indiana Fever. She once said, “First, find your passion, find what it is that interests you. [Then] you need people in your circles and organizations that show you and tell you that you can do it, you can be it.” Find your passion — something you care strongly about. Then, surround yourself with belief-builders — people who see potential in you, especially when you doubt yourself. They help you grow into what you might not yet believe you can become. Community fuels confidence. Achievement isn’t a solo journey; encouragement, mentorship, and representation help turn dreams into reality. Question of the Day: Who are the people in your circle who push you...

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” - Vince Lombardi If perfection isn’t possible, why do great teams and leaders still chase it? Vince Lombardi was a legendary American football coach best known for leading the Green Bay Packers to multiple championships and for his enduring legacy as a symbol of discipline, leadership, and excellence. He once said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” While no one is or can be perfect, striving for perfection pushes us to perform at our highest level and achieve excellence along the way. We do this by setting high standards and committing to give our best effort every day, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s about focusing on growth and improvement, not flawless results. When we consistently aim higher, excellence becomes the natural outcome of our effort and discipline. Question of the Day: How can we raise our standards and give our best effort, even wh...

“A part of what gets a swimmer to the elite level is an ability to face challenges head-on, to defy improbability.” - Jenny Thompson How do you approach difficult situations — do you attack or avoid them? Jenny Thompson was an elite competitive swimmer for the U.S. who won 12 Olympic medals from 1992 to 2004. She later became an anesthesiologist. Jenny once said, “A part of what gets a swimmer to the elite level is an ability to face challenges head-on, to defy improbability.” This quote means that reaching an elite level in swimming—or in anything—requires more than talent or training. It takes the courage to face tough situations directly instead of avoiding them. Elite swimmers don’t back down from hard workouts, setbacks, or tough competition; they meet challenges with determination and belief that they can improve.  “Defying improbability” means pushing through moments when success seems unlikely or the odds are against you. True growth happens when you confront difficulty, no...

"Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.” - Venus Williams Who do you want to become? Venus Williams a tennis champion, entrepreneur, and trailblazer who transformed women’s tennis with her power, poise, and advocacy for equality on and off the court. She once said, “Just believe in yourself. Even if you don’t, pretend that you do and, at some point, you will.” Confidence often follows action — even if you don’t feel confident at first, acting as if you do can help you build real belief over time. Think about the person you want to become and act like them. When you “act as if” — behaving like the confident, capable version of yourself even when you don’t fully feel that way — your brain begins to form new neural pathways that link those actions with positive outcomes. Each time you take action despite doubt, your brain records evidence that you can do hard things. Over time, that evidence rewires your mindset: what once f...

“Be where your feet are. And really serve the people around you. Serve them in a way they need to be served, not just how you want to serve.” - Kelsey Plum Do you focus more on yesterday, today, or tomorrow? Kelsey Plum played basketball for the University of Washington. She had a record-breaking career, ending her career as the all-time NCAA Division 1 women’s scoring leader, and set the record for most points in a single season. She once said, “Be where your feet are. And really serve the people around you. Serve them in a way they need to be served, not just how you want to serve. So often we look anxiously for what’s next instead of focusing on what’s right in front of us. Find ways to make today the best day, and find ways to serve other people. The key to performing your best is staying present, focusing on what you can control right now, and helping the people around you. By doing that, you not only push through your own fatigue but also lift up others along the way. Question of...

“You can’t think about it. This is the Finals. No one cares if you’re tired. ” - Napheesa Collier How do you play when you get tired? Napheesa Collier is one of the best female basketball players ever. She won multiple national championships at the University of Connecticut, and she has won multiple WNBA championships with the Minnesota Lynx, so she knows how to overcome obstacles to win championships. In the middle of a finals run, Napheesa once said, “You can’t think about it. This is the Finals. No one cares if you’re tired. ” Nobody cares about how you feel — just what you do. The history books only list the winners and losers — not who got tired or hurt in the process. So do what you can to eliminate all excuses — especially conditioning — so you can keep going, and keep getting stronger, while everyone else is getting tired. Question of the Day: How do you respond when you start to get tired — do you push through or pull back?

“I think competing is more important than winning. There have been a lot of times when I’ve teed it up and I didn’t win but I felt like I competed. I felt like this was not my day, but I never gave up, and I tried on every shot, and then next week I’d go get them.” - Juli Inkster Can you show up and compete when you don’t think you can win? Juli Inkster is a Hall of Fame golfer. S he once said, “I think competing is more important than winning. There have been a lot of times when I’ve teed it up and I didn’t win but I felt like I competed. I felt like this was not my day, but I never gave up, and I tried on every shot, and then next week I’d go get them.” What matters most isn’t always the final score — it’s the effort, mindset, and resilience you bring to the competition. Every time I show up, I’m going to compete — win or lose. If I win, great! If I lose, I’ll make sure they have to earn it, and I’ll learn and get better in the process. Question of the Day: How do you keep showing u...

“Be loud. Communicate. Play with great effort. Have a great attitude. You’re going to miss shots. You’re going to make shots. You’re going to make mistakes, but if you do those things, you’re going to fulfill your potential.” - Klay Thompson How do you make an impact outside of your talent or ability? Klay Thompson is one of the best shooters of all time. When he was asked what advice he has for rookies, Klay said, “Be loud. Communicate. Play with great effort. Have a great attitude. You’re going to miss shots. You’re going to make shots. You’re going to make mistakes, but if you do those things, you’re going to fulfill your potential.” Talent isn’t everything — communication, effort, and attitude are what separate good players from great ones. When you stay positive, work hard, and stay connected to your team even through mistakes, you give yourself the best chance to grow and reach your full potential. Question of the Day: When things aren’t going your way how can you still make a p...

“People who deserve success through hard work, merit, and personal responsibility are not quite sure they deserve it, and the people who don’t deserve it are often the people who are most sure that they do.” - Daniel Goleman  Do you ever suffer from imposter syndrome — the feeling your success isn’t earned and that you’ll be exposed as a fraud, even when you’re fully capable? Daniel Goleman is a psychologist best known for popularizing emotional intelligence. He once said, “People who deserve success through hard work, merit, and personal responsibility are not quite sure they deserve it, and the people who don’t deserve it are often most sure they do.” He said healthy people see both what they are good at and not good at, while the world mostly focuses on their strengths. You have full visibility; the rest of the world doesn’t. So, do the same. Recognize and improve weaknesses, but do more of what you do best — because that’s what the world wants from you. Question of the Day: Wh...

“Greatness is boring.” - Anthony Edwards Are you willing to do the same thing over and over again, until it gets boring, then keep doing it over and over again until it becomes second nature? Anthony Edwards, nicknamed “Ant-Man,” is a rising NBA superstar and the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Drafted first overall in 2020, he’s known for his explosive scoring, highlight-reel dunks, and competitive fire that has made him one of the league’s brightest young leaders. But he also knows the importance of routine. He once said, “Greatness is boring. There was a lot of boring days in the gym just working on my one dribble pull ups.” Greatness requires doing something over and over again until it becomes boring, then being willing to keep doing it over and over again until it becomes 2nd nature. Question of the Day: What is one thing you can or need to do over and over until it gets boring, and when it does, how do you stay motivated to keep going?