The Power of Coaching: How One Sentence Can Change a Life - S2E14
- Author
- Coach Mikki
- Published
- Wed 13 Aug 2025
- Episode Link
- None
Words have incredible power, especially when they come from authority figures like coaches. A single sentence can completely transform how a young athlete sees themselves and their potential.
Coach Mikki pulls back the curtain on a frustrating pattern she's witnessed throughout her coaching career: the coach with an ego who tears players down rather than building them up. Drawing from current experiences coaching defensive linemen, Coach Mikki shares stories of players who quit after demoralizing comments and others who flourished when given positive support despite being told they "weren't good enough."
The most successful teams don't necessarily have superior talent, they have superior mindsets. She explores how NFL teams can stage remarkable comebacks not because players suddenly become more skilled during halftime, but because their mental approach transforms. This same principle applies whether you're coaching youth football or leading in any capacity. We're not responsible for others' actions, but we are responsible for how we respond to situations and the words we choose in those moments.
What makes this conversation particularly powerful is her 25 years of coaching experience across multiple disciplines. She's observed that the most impactful messages in anyone's life typically come from parents, teachers, coaches, and friends, in that order. This places enormous responsibility on coaches to choose words carefully, understanding that what they say may echo in a young person's mind for decades.
Are you mindful of how your words affect others? Next time you're frustrated or disappointed, take a breath before speaking. Remember that whatever you put out as intention is what you'll get back. Let's make someone's life better today by choosing our words with care and compassion. Start strong, finish strong, and dominate everything in between!
