Well, after a long strange trip, we have arrived at my final week at CATZ Sports Austin. Friday, April 15th will be my final day as a coach at the place where I feel my strength and conditioning career took flight just over 5 years ago.
I've been blessed to work with so many fantastic people over the years. While it was very difficult at times to work with him, learning and training with my brother Bill was very influential on the career that I will continue pursuing. He always taught me to think outside the box and try to harness the creativity that he believes I have. We had many a heated conversation over the years, but I am happy to say that we are better friends for it now.
I've also had the pleasure to train some wonderful athletes, both young and old-er. :) Some names that immediately spring to mind are Sophie Taylor, Carson Sharp, Jeremy Calahan, and the Austin Aztex Football Club.
Sophie was my first ever training client under the CATZ name, even though I taught her soccer skills at Avila Soccer. She is an absolutely wonderful girl who happens to be a fantastic soccer player as well. I've had the privilege of watching her grow up over the years and become even closer with her parents Tim and Suzanne and I am a better coach and person for it.
I think it's fair to say that Carson came to CATZ as a very awkward, yet determined athlete, intent on improving her game. Over many training sessions, it has become obvious that she is a fantastic athlete. However, her greatest strength is her amazing personality which allows her to be fantastic at just about everything. Even acting on the stage, which I was privileged to see her do and I still talk about it with my wife to this day.
Jeremy was a professional football player who had injured his knee playing for the St. Louis Rams and been released on waivers. I'll never forget his first training session as he was so exhausted that he couldn't leave for 45 minutes after it was finished. At that moment, I gained his professional respect and realized I could train pro athletes. We became friends after and I was very proud to be able to watch him play football again the very next season.
When the Austin Aztex came to town, there was never any doubt in my mind that I would work for them. Everyone knows that training high level soccer players is a career dream of mine, so having that opportunity for 2 years was an absolute pleasure, even if it ended prematurely. It once again gave me the reinforcement that I could train and work in a professional sports team and I am happy to say that some of those players still ask for my advice.
I have to thank CATZ, more specifically Brad, Marcy, and CP, for allowing me to keep a training job that I truly loved for as long as they could. They kept me on much longer than they probably needed to and I am grateful for the support and consideration of my position. I wish them all the best in future and realize that is was simply time for things to take a new direction.
That being said, I am off to start my own little training venture, inspired once again by my brother who is doing the same in Virginia. I'll be training adults and youth athletes just as I always have, but with the knowledge that I don't need a big name behind me to succeed. I think my name sounds big enough.
Thank you to all of you who have supported and believed in me as a coach over the years and I am looking forward to a new beginning here in Austin.
Tim - thank you for the words about Carson. Your guidance, energy, and constantly positive reinforcement, combined with always challenging her to do more, be better, dig deeper - have everything to do with the athlete she has become, the athlete she will continue to be. The Sharps are Forever Fans.
ReplyDeleteA fantastic coach you are Tim, they will miss you greatly, however, as they say, as one door closes, another one will open as I found out last year. This will be a fantastic year for you I feel, as you will continue to influence the lives of the athletically gifted people that you surround yourself with.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up brother!! So very proud of you for thinking and acting outside the box!