Overall complacency. Depression creeping in, and a lack of self-worth and confidence. That’s where I started. When Michele decides to pour into you, she doesn’t go halfway. It’s worth it, and as hard as it is to be vulnerable, now I have confidence in my decision-making and in a handful of other aspects of my life — and the capability to be the captain of my own ship.
I was left feeling like an imposter, unsure of how to present myself or move forward. Everyone was looking to me for leadership and direction, and the margin for error was smaller than ever. I just couldn’t let my anxiety take over. So I leaned into what I’d learned in coaching with Michele – exercising discipline over my mind and not letting negative thoughts take over – and became more decisive, more confident, and a better listener and leader.
My best description was that I was a Ferrari only running on 2 cylinders, and I didn’t know how to repair it. It finally came to a head when I thought about how my wife and kids saw me, and I knew I wasn’t showing up the way I could to be the leader of my family. What I have now is the ability to ask for help for myself – a gift I hope never to lose. Michele’s no-nonsense, direct approach expedites the solution to your problems.
What nobody saw was how much I was struggling internally as an athlete – jealous, and carrying a grudge toward the person ahead of me on the depth chart. Michele challenged my thoughts, my assumptions, and the way I interpreted situations – the jealousy and resentment I carried slowly disappeared, and today, he’s genuinely one of my best friends. Now I have confidence that’s built on who I am, not on external validation.
Behind the scenes, I constantly felt like I was playing catch-up and never quite feeling complete in myself. Michele and I talked through it, and together we came up with a simple reset – a note on a sticky pad in my car, read out loud before I step out. Before working with Michele, it felt like my mind was running the show; now I have a real sense of control over my daily thoughts and direction.
Originally, I thought coaching was a scam; coaches online bragging about transforming people, promising to unlock your “highest potential.” One conversation with Michele changed my mind. She listened, and she built me a plan. It wasn’t just nice words of encouragement; it was an actual plan. Now I’m calmer and more strategic, and the tools don’t stop with me; I use them to help the people around me too.
When I moved from president to chairman, I didn’t handle it well. I felt guilty for not working as much, and I couldn’t stay out of the new team’s way. A year into the work, the guilt turned into a grin. This was what I’d been working my whole life to achieve. I’ve had coaches and mentors my entire career; this is the one I cherish.
