Day by Day

Being a coach is a very exciting and non-traditional job. It's not so much a job as a way of life. I have an office, but I don't have to sit at a desk 24/7. I get to work in many different settings, all over Canada and around the world. It's an emotionally charged lifestyle that keeps me on my toes and challenges me to be creative.

Now I would usually continue my writing to expand on something skating related. But this post isn't really about what I do, or how I do it. Nor is it about my skaters. It's about how I get through each day. More importantly it's about who gets me through each day.

My number one supporter is Véronick. (We were married 4 years ago today). She's the one person that keeps me going during the tough times and celebrates with me on all of my little victories and major accomplishments.

She has more faith in me and my abilities than anyone else close to me. She is my biggest "high five" when things go well and also the timely foot kicking my butt when she knows I can do better. She helps me focus on what's important and challenges me to be better at what I do. She has become a true fan of my skaters and lives their victories and defeats as personally as I do.

As is often par for the course in this lifestyle, we're spending this occasion in different cities. Véronick travelled to Ottawa 2 days ago for work and she returns the day after I leave for a world cup in Salt Lake City. I've missed holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and many events with friends and family. I was even in Romania of all places while Véronick celebrated her birthday & New Year's day, then she went home to find the basement flooded a foot deep!

So really, my journey as a coach is actually our journey. Day by day Véronick keeps me grounded and enables me to do what I do.

JC