The Influence of Coach Maloney
While I have known many people who have made a positive impact on my life, from family members to teachers, one individual in particular that stands out as a role model for me was my fourth grade swim coach, Roger Maloney. When I was in the fourth grade, I had the opportunity to take swimming lessons at an aquatic club. My swim coach not only encouraged all of us to succeed, but also challenged his students to be their best.
Coach Maloney talked about his background in the army and how his experiences in the military taught him about self-discipline. I had no idea at the time that my coach would play such an important role in teaching me what it meant to strive to achieve personal goals be a team player.
I have found myself thinking about the lessons I learned from coach Maloney, and I have come to realize that his influence on my life plays out every day. It affects how I approach a many tasks, from tackling tough subjects in school to the responsibilities I have to family and friends.
Too many people give up because they don't succeed at first, or because they see something as difficult. Sometimes this is because of low-self esteem or because they never had anyone in their corner cheering for them, telling them that they could do it.
My coach wasn't a bully or someone that expected more from you than you could give. He simply wanted to see me realize that I had a lot to give, whether in swimming or in life. What I learned was that if my heart is in it, I can achieve whatever goals I set for myself. I have also come to understand that one of the most important things that anyone can do is to give something back to their community and to encourage others the way my coach encouraged me.
