From Struggle Bus to the Winner’s Circle and the Importance of Another Set of (trusted) Eyes

Today (11.19.22) I’m in my home pro shop doing some work on my own gear and reflecting on the events of the day.  Mac won the November Inland Empire Junior Bowlers Tournament at North Bowl.  He averaged 226 in the stepladder and ran the table to take home the win!

After winning two medals at the SYC in March of 2022, we were both riding high. But Mac has been struggling the last couple of months,... Much of it is due to his massive growth spurt (6” in 7 months). As adults, we sometimes forget about how hard that is on our younger athletes.  We’ve put in many hours of work to improve and restore his mechanics over the last several weeks.  I think we both expected today to be full of ups and downs. But deep down I just hoped we would see signs of progress.  I was extremely nervous headed into the title match. His performance throughout the finals helped boost his and my confidence that we were resolving his physical game woes.

But let's jump back two years,... Ed (Mac’s Dad) and I were discussing this journey and how to help Mac as much as possible.  It just so happened that Coach Mike Jasnau was coming to our local center to perform coaching sessions.  I suggested that Ed coordinate a lesson for Mac because I needed a fresh set of eyes and I felt a fresh perspective would benefit Mac. We were in the weeds of multiple lessons each week and competitions on the weekends, all while building his physical and mental game, drilling his equipment and building his arsenal. I needed a trusted source to “check” me as well as check Mac.  

Coach Jasnau came to town again this past week before the tournament and Ed signed up Mac for a lesson.  Coach Jasnau provided the validation Mac and I needed to ensure we're working on the proper fundamentals. I am confident this relationship will continue every Fall when he comes to Spokane.  It is the best thing for Mac, for me, and for achieving our goals.  

You see I have an ego.  We all do.  While I want nothing but success for anyone I coach and mentor, sometimes I have to remind myself that I can't do it alone. I must set aside my ego and seek a second opinion occasionally to ensure that I am growing as a coach and Mac is growing as an athlete.  I am on my own personal journey after being diagnosed with PTSD 361 days ago. I wake up everyday and strive to be a better father, husband, friend, coach and human. Learning to ask for outside help is hard for me, but at the end of the day, it is my responsibility to do what's best for my athlete, not what is best for my ego.

We can't allow our ego, either as an athlete, a coach, or as a parent, get in the way of our own progress or the progress of our athlete.  I set aside my ego to ensure that “Team Mac” was gathering as much information as possible.  Those lessons help me grow as a coach just as much as they help Mac as a competitive bowler.  I learn new ways of explaining the same technique as well as new language that more easily resonates. These lessons are critical to achieving our goals. Thanks Coach Jasnau!

In the end, this is a journey towards the goal of seeing Mac bowl collegiately.  Don’t let something as foolish as your ego get in the way of achieving your goals or the goals of your athlete.

Until next time. – Coach Andrew