Strength coaching at the high school level can be an incredibly rewarding experience, as it provides the opportunity to not only teach the fundamentals of athletic performance, but also to have a profound impact on the lives of young athletes. Certain unique benefits come with coaching at this level, from the ability to create a positive and supportive culture in the weight room, to the chance to instill important values such as discipline, teamwork and perseverance in students, to the personal feeling of reward that comes from following your passion.
The relationships that coaches build with their athletes can be some of the most meaningful and lasting of their careers. As they work closely with students during these formative years, coaches have the opportunity to help shape the future of the next generation.
Whether you’re a seasoned coach or just starting out, you can be confident that pursuing your passion will not only make a positive impact on the lives of your athletes but also leave you feeling fulfilled in only the way that doing what you love can make you feel.
Shaping the Future: The Rewards of Coaching High School Athletes
Many coaches find that working at the high school level is particularly rewarding because it provides them with the opportunity to create their own culture in the weight rooms. At this level, coaches have the freedom to develop their own programs and routines that best suit the needs of their students. This autonomy allows them to foster a positive and supportive environment that can help to motivate and inspire young athletes. By tailoring their approach to the specific needs of their students, coaches can create a unique culture that reflects their values and philosophy.
In addition to the ability to create their own culture, coaches also appreciate the significant impact they can have on their students at the high school level. During these formative years, coaches have the opportunity to not only teach students the fundamentals of weightlifting but also to instill important values such as discipline, teamwork and perseverance. The relationships that coaches build with their students can be incredibly meaningful and can have a lasting impact on their lives. By working closely with their students and providing them with the guidance and support they need, coaches can help to shape the future of the next generation.
“I really like being at the high school level. I like the education part of it. I like the buy-in,” says Leo Totten, MS, USAW-5, and founder of Totten Training Systems. “I could do my own thing and really create my own culture in the weight rooms. And we had an awesome thing going at the high school. We had weight training classes that I developed for the physical education curriculum. We had lifting during the day, we had lifting after school, we had lifting before school. We worked with all the high school teams. That was awesome. I mean, I really felt like we had a pretty big impact there.”
Passion Over Paychecks: Finding Fulfillment in Your Career
The key to a fulfilling career is to find something that you are truly passionate about, rather than just focusing on the potential financial rewards. While earning a good income is important, it is equally crucial to find joy and fulfillment in your work. When you are genuinely passionate about what you do, you are more likely to feel motivated and engaged, which can lead to greater satisfaction and success in the long run.
Furthermore, when you follow your passions, financial success often follows naturally. This is because individuals who are passionate about their work are more likely to put in the extra effort and dedication needed to excel in their field. They are also more likely to be innovative and take risks, which can lead to new opportunities and financial rewards. Ultimately, prioritizing your passions and interests when choosing which level to coach is the key to a fulfilling and successful professional life.
“Look, money’s fine. You want to make as much money as you can, obviously,” says Totten. “But whatever you do, choose something that you really like to do, that you love to do, that you don’t have to drag yourself out of bed every day to do. That it’s something you have a passion for. The money will come along.”
“I didn’t get rich as a school teacher, but the money I made was fine,” he says. “And now I’m able to capitalize on that by running a weightlifting business. So you just have to do what you really, really like to do, and if you can do that, you can have a pretty good life.”
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