Category: Personal Development
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The year of opportunity
At the start of 2023, I made the conscious decision to re-evaluate my life. For the months leading into that reflective experiment, I had been asking the famous Bruno Mars question “Whatchu tryna do?”. I had chosen the path to try and make 24-carrot magic in the air, and ultimately ended up unfulfilled. It took…
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The #1 way to excel as a coach/leader
As part of the attendance to every class I teach, I like to ask a thought-provoking question that students reflect upon. Reflection is one of the most valuable assets a coach can possess, as it allows them to continuously refine and rethink their practices for the better. One of my favourite questions to ask when…
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The impasse
I started cooking for my family at the age of 18. I’d just completed first year at the University of Waterloo, and under the guidance of the expansive menus in residence, I became inspired. As soon as I left residence, finally had a kitchen again, and returned home to my parents, I became obsessed. I…
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How to stay conscious when you drown
I have often found that the end of one year is often the best time to reflect on what you’d like to see change for the following year. At the end of 2022, I found myself in a wintery blue rut, feeling a lack of purpose, and more gravely, a true sense of self. I…
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Essential traits of successful coaches and leaders
Truth be told, there are millions of checklist items that help to form a successful coach, mentor, or leader. But at the bare bones of it all, successful leadership ultimately comes down to a focus on social relationships.
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Visualization and race-specific training
I’ve always had a wild imagination. Growing up, I’d play hockey and soccer in my basement for hours on end. Every single time, I’d visualize being the best in the world. I’d break all the records, score the wildest of goals, and mesmerize the commentators every time. When I quit hockey at age 12 and…
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The power of reframing negative thoughts
As the self-conscious individuals that we are, it’s impossible to go an entire day with zero negative thoughts entering the mind. Despite the difficulty of that task, I used to subscribe to a ‘no-negativity’ mindset. It’s incredibly important to always think on the bright side and come up with the positives in any situation, but…
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How to coach with positive psychology
The days of yelling at players for not making it to first base are over! Or at least, they should be. Coaching has changed dramatically over the past twenty years.
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My method for optimal recovery: POSSM
In my own recovery journey and subsequent battles through injury, I’ve developed my own acronym for how I want to recover in time for the next effort. I call it ‘POSSM’.
Rhys Desmond 