An unexpected new journey
👋 Hey, Madhur here! Welcome to my Newsletter. I write about technology and lifestyle. Subscribe to my newsletter to receive all my posts directly in your inbox. Happy reading
There are moments in life when you find yourself doing things you never imagined you would. Suddenly, someone presents you with an opportunity, and you decide to take that leap of faith. Only then do you realize the challenge is far greater than you initially thought, but sticking with it leads to growth and improvement.
A similar scenario unfolded for me at the beginning of this year. One day, my CrossFit coach approached me during class and said, “Hey, we think you'd make a good CrossFit coach. Would you like to try it?” Despite having trained consistently at my gym for almost four years, this thought had never crossed my mind. I was taken aback and told my coach I'd need time to think about it. After discussions with other coaches, my wife, and friends, I decided to give it a try.
This decision opened up an entirely new world for me. Before coaching independently, I had to complete a seven-day internship where I trained in one class, then coached the next class while the head coach observed and collected the feedback.
What happened during those seven days was transformative—I discovered things about myself I never knew before.
Growing up, I had never experienced anything quite like this.
Additionally, teaching in a language other than your native tongue presents its own unique challenges. Although I grew up speaking English in school and college and have lived in the United States since 2014, English remains my second language. Coaching a diverse group in my second language added another layer of complexity and personal growth.
Now, having coached for nearly two months, I'm continually learning and improving. Here are a few lessons I've learned that apply broadly to many fields:
Maintain Eye Contact: When you're nervous, it's natural to avoid eye contact. Consciously making direct eye contact boosts your confidence and strengthens connections.
Minimize Filler Words: Words like “umm” and “aaaa” slip out unconsciously. Being mindful and deliberate when speaking significantly reduces their frequency and improves clarity.
Keep Explanations Concise: One valuable piece of feedback I received was to be concise. People often lose interest if explanations become too lengthy. Clear and crisp communication is far more engaging.
Find Your Coaching Voice: Everyone has a unique voice that reflects their personality and confidence. Many experienced coaches advised me to discover and embrace mine, and I'm still in the process of doing so.
Observe Actively: Observation is key. The more attentive you are to others, the better you understand their needs, allowing you to coach effectively.
These past two months have been incredibly enriching, and I'm confident that the future holds even more growth. I am genuinely glad I took that leap of faith.
Super !!!