The 148th running of the Kentucky Derby took place on May 7, 2022. If you missed the race, you missed learning and watching what happens when a late addition entry named Rich Strike, an 80-1 longshot, roars past the competition and claims victory.
While the race was exhilarating, the interviews afterward were where the lessons were found. As I sat mesmerized, listening to the trainers, the rider, and the horse owner, I could not help but apply it to my life.
What the Kentucky Derby Taught us About Coaching
My mission in life is to educate, equip, and empower parents with the tools they need to assist their smart but struggling kids. If you ask the kids I work with, they would tell you that they relate to that 80-1 long-shot horse. They have to rely on the team around them to navigate the race of life.
But, like the horse, they don’t have a voice.
After the race, the reporters all asked the same question to the team, “Did you believe that you could win this race?” They all replied with the same answer, “Yes!”
In the post-race interview, Eric R.Reed, the trainer, was asked: “How did this happen?” He said that the horse was surrounded by the best; he trained to win.
He learned from his mentor, which allowed him to know how to prepare. Sonny Leon, the horse rider, knew the horse and taught him the process of navigating around and through the other horses.
Next, Sonny was asked how he thought he won; I loved his simple answer,
“I know my horse! I visualized this race, and I kept my eye on the finish line.”
The owner of the horse, Rick Dawson, also added two other critical ingredients for the win, courage and fearlessness on the part of the rider.
Working With a Parent Coach
How does this relate to parenting and the importance of working with a parent coach?
Here are the takeaways:
- When the odds are against your child, find a team that believes in them
- You need to know your kids. How they learn and how to navigate the obstacles blocking the finish line.
- Find specialists who understand your child and take the time to educate, equip, and empower you.
- Be willing and open to learning.
- Be courageous during the race, trust the process, and visualize the finish.
Parent coaching is when any primary caregiver meets with a professional coach to cultivate goal achievement related to parenting.
In this non-judgmental setting, I use cognitive skill assessments and evidence-based strategies to navigate everyday issues pertaining to your child and their learning.
The goal is to provide support and practical tools specific to your child’s needs and give you the confidence you need to navigate life.
If you would like to learn more about parent coaching and how I can help, I encourage you to sign up for a free 10-minute consultation.