Back when I was working as a personal trainer, I had a client who used to tell me that she liked training with me because I was really tough, but I definitely wasn’t “nice”.

She meant it in the nicest possible way of course and she is right. I am definitely not a “cheerleader” when it comes to coaching. I have very high expectations of all the athletes I work with and I don’t just hand out “Good Jobs” and compliments easily.  And the truth is that in the 10+ years that I’ve been training and coaching, I’ve found that it’s the players who don’t need constant feedback, encouragement and “hand-holding” who make it the furthest.

Don’t get me wrong – there are times when you need to be a little softer and kinder with your players as a coach, but the players who aspire to play at the next level want to be – and need to be – pushed and pushed hard. And sometimes that means a little “tough love”.

If you asked my players at the PEAC School about my coaching style, they would most likely say that I am extremely passionate about helping them succeed and have incredibly high expectations of myself and them.  They would say that I run a very “tight ship”, but I also have a lot of FUN.   That’s the main reason I coach, and hopefully, it’s also why my players play.

BUT, if they don’t bring the level of commitment, passion, desire, dedication, focus and effort that it takes to get to the next level to the rink, gym and classroom every day, they will see a “harder” side of me as a coach.

I rarely scream and yell – but when I do, they know they’re in for it.  My expectations of them are very clear from the very first day and they know that I won’t tolerate less than the best effort that they can give on that day.

Because that’s what it takes to get to the next level.

You can’t take a day off from moving towards your dream.  That doesn’t mean that every day is filled with blood, sweat and tears…
….it means that you always have your eye on the prize, and no one or nothing is going to keep you from achieving your ultimate goal.

My players know that I’ve been in their shoes.  I was a teenage girl who desperately wanted to play college hockey and was willing to do whatever it took to get there. I had my fair share of serious injuries, major setbacks, and big frustrations when I didn’t make the team I wanted to make.   I wanted to be the best athlete and student possible, and I also wanted to have a social life.  I was constantly on the go, trying to squeeze in all the homework and time with friends that I could between practices and games. Just like them, I wanted it all and I put so much time and energy into making it happen that my focus might have bordered on obsession at times.  I really had no idea how I was going to get to my final goal – but there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that I had  the desire and dedication it took to make my dreams a reality.

The reality is that I can give my players all the information I was missing and inspiration they need to get to the next level – but that’s still not enough to guarantee they’ll succeed.

The kids I coach at PEAC train on and off the ice with me from September to June. That comes out to 138 practice and training sessions a season – and that’s over and above what they are doing with their club teams.  (Don’t worry – I make sure to manage their energy and time demands – which is a critical skill to learn as an elite athlete).  They also get all the nutrition, mental and college hockey information that I’ve created as part of Total Female Hockey.  In fact, I always joke that going to PEAC is like having Total Female Hockey on steroids.  But even though they have this incredible opportunity to improve every single day and access to all the resources they need to reach their goals – it’s not enough.

They need to couple this unique opportunity with an uncommon drive to succeed.
Your coaches can teach you all the skills, your teachers can give you all the knowledge and your parents can give you all the support you want…

But YOU are the one who has to walk through the door.

You are the one who has to take consistent and constant action towards your dreams.

You’ve got to want it more and be willing to do more.

We can give you all the tools you need to build your future.

But you’re the one who has to do the work to put it all together.

Just a little tough love for you as we get closer to the season.

So before the craziness of hockey season is back into full swing,  ask yourself whether you are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed and are going to walk through that door?

No one else can do it for you. It’s your future – go out and create it.

Work Hard. Dream BIG. Take Action.

Your friend and coach,

Kim

Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS
CEO, Total Female Hockey
Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes
To learn more about PEAC, visit:  www.peacgirlshockey.com