05/22/2026
In sports, coaches are often seen as strategists, motivators, and leaders. They design plays, organize practices, and guide athletes toward victory. But beyond the scoreboard, coaching plays a deeper role—shaping not only how players perform, but how they think, feel, and handle pressure. As a multi-sport athlete who has played both soccer and volleyball for most of my life, I’ve experienced a wide range of coaching styles. Those experiences have shown me just how powerful a coach’s influence can be on both performance and mental health.
Growing up playing soccer, I had coaches who approached the game in very different ways. Some focused on encouragement and development, while others emphasized discipline and winning above all else. When I entered high school, I made the decision to stop playing soccer and fully commit to volleyball. That shift not only changed the sport I played, but also exposed me to a new level of intensity and a different coaching environment. Across both