They lead. Encourage. Challenge. Believe.
But a great coach does so much more than teach an athlete how to lift, compete, or win.
They teach them how to work hard when things don't come easily. They teach them how to handle disappointment, celebrate progress, keep showing up, and believe in themselves even when they aren't sure they can.
Coach Jarrod has taught, mentored, pushed, believed in, guided, supported, inspired, developed, and encouraged Tim. And through all of that, he has made a huge difference in Tim's life.
Coaches are so much more than coaches.
Their athletes look up to them. They watch how they handle challenges. They listen to their words. They learn from their example. In many ways, coaches become someone their athletes aspire to be like—not just as an athlete, but as a person.
And being a coach in weightlifting certainly isn't an easy job. You're working with such a wide range of athletes, from kids just discovering the sport to adults who have been lifting for years. Every athlete is different. They have different goals, different personalities, different strengths, and different challenges.
A great coach learns how to meet each athlete where they are and help them move forward from there.
I've watched Coach Jarrod do that with Tim.
Tim has been so incredibly happy in the sport of weightlifting. He has found something he loves, a team he enjoys being part of, and a coach who has helped him grow—not only as a lifter, but as a person.
And then came this elbow injury.
Being sidelined is hard for an athlete who loves what he does. Tim has had to put his training on hold in ways he never expected, and I know there have been frustrating days.
But Coach Jarrod has continued to support him through it.
He's even taken the time to load weights for Tim so that, while he can't do his upper-body training right now, he can still work on maintaining and building his lower-body and core strength.
That may seem like a small thing, but to an athlete who wants to be training, it means a lot.
It says, I'm still here. We're still working. This isn't the end of your journey.
And that's what a great coach does.
They don't just coach you when you're winning medals or hitting PRs.
They coach you through the hard stuff, too.
They remind you that one injury, one missed competition, one bad lift, or one setback doesn't define you.
They help you see that there is still progress to be made, even when the path looks different than you expected.
When Tim is finally able to get back to full strength and continue the journey he's started in weightlifting, I know he'll be even more excited to get back to doing what he loves.
And I also know that he'll carry with him everything he's learned along the way.
We are so thankful for coaches who understand that the goal isn't just to create great athletes. It's to help develop great people.
So today, on Coach's Day, I want to say thank you to Coach Jarrod.
Thank you for everything you have poured into Tim.
Thank you for believing in him.
Thank you for challenging him.
Thank you for encouraging him.
Thank you for supporting him through the good days and the difficult ones.
And most of all, thank you for being the kind of coach who understands that you are making an impact far beyond the weight room.
Happy Coach's Day, Coach Jarrod! 🏋️♂️❤️
We are grateful for you and the difference you've made in Tim's life.
