June Gloom

It is no joke when I say- June was a tough month for this household! Nebraska Huskers reported back for workouts the first of June... Nebraska coaches hosted Friday Night Lights every Friday eve which had coaches at the school until 10-11pm... Then it was right back to campus first thing Saturday morning for them to host recruits and how em' how the Huskers roll. It was a rough one on the Hubs... which translated to a rough one for myself and my LO.

We were only able to enjoy breakfast together as a family on Sunday mornings. When the Hubs got off from work, baby would be showered and in bed majority of the time. Yes, we've had minimal time with Coach Hubs in the midst of the season and well after, but June felt like a super long month without him around much.

Though being a coach has many rewards, there are also quite a bit of substantial sacrifices that come with the job. One of which is the lack of time available to be a family. This is a HUGE one for us, as it may be with other coach's wives! I miss having the Hubs around the house, or just going to dinner with him to catch up on life. I especially miss him when I witness so many different milestones and moments I am SO blessed to have with baby.

As I embrace these rough patches as a coach's wife and mommy, I can't help but think about how it must be to be a coach working towards work-life balance... working hard (and some!) for the love of the game, but also spending some good QT with the family and oneself. This article that was posted on Football Scoop put it into perspective in such a clear cut way for me. [It could have been because they compared the coach's life to a consultant's life- my kinda' language!]. They discussed a study that was conducted comparing the number of hours of work and actual productivity. Turns out that you don't have to put in 23482734 hours of work just to be productive... you can work less hours IF you learn to manage your time and utilize the minutes in a day to accomplish meaningful tasks. High pressure (indeed)... high rewards!

Needless to say, June is over and we're working on life in July. I refuse to let this month be as rough, especially since we have the weekends with Hubs around! These sacrifices that WE make helps us become stronger and closer. I, myself, definitely feel even more blessed to be where I am and be who I'm with. I appreciate our time together even more, and cherish all the memories we make together as if time is at a standstill.

My Gift to You

:: C O A C H I N G ::  Such a powerful, skillful and patient process to adhere to... whether you are the coach or the coachee. Coaching can take on many different meanings and define various relationships:

// Athletic coaches help enhance skills and perfect a craft at any given sport, while building endurance and strength.

// Life coaches help focus on achieving goals throughout all facets of life.

// Professional coaches utilize a thought-provoking process to help maximize personal and professional potential.

// Career coaches assist candidates in strengthening skills in resume-writing, interviewing, networking, and anything else that may endure a sustainable and enjoyable career.

Although I've been exposed to much of athletic coaching, I've also spent quite some time on the latter... career coaching. I find it quite fascinating helping people discover their passion... their motivation... their desire to work in certain roles for specific organizations.

And so I wanted to utilize this social platform of blogging to offer the gift of coaching to YOU!

Maybe you're a student [or student-athlete], asking:

- What's going to happen after graduation?

- Are my classes relevant to my future career?

- How can I balance practice and workouts with my school work?

- Will I be able to incorporate my athletic career [or education] with my professional career?

Maybe you're re-entering the workforce after "sitting out" for awhile, asking:

- Will my skills and expertise be relevant after not working for this long?

- How do I even begin writing my resume?

- Where can I meet people that speak the same business language as I do?

Or perhaps you are on a quest to start something anew, asking:

- How can I justify leaving my career I invested so many years into?

- Where do I even start?

- How do I really know if I want to explore this vs. that?

Whichever scenario describes your situation best, having a career coach can absolutely help you reach some of your goals and help discover answers to some of those questions you might have. First thing is first... EMAIL me any questions you might have about career coaching. I would be more than happy to discuss what my coaching process entails, and how it might benefit your quest for accomplishing career goals!

What are some areas of your life you think coaching might help?

He Cares for You

As we face one of the hardest football seasons we've had since the Hubs has been on a coaching staff, we do our best to stay positive and uplifting. The Cornhuskers are 3-5 thus far, and those 5 losses have been by a TOTAL of 13 points. We tend to do great throughout the game against our opponents, but it's towards the end of the game that we tend to give up those very few points... which makes the losses that much tougher.

There's only so much we can do or say as coaches wives, as fans, as football lovers. But this verse says it all... and even better... it's from the most reliable source mankind has - the Word of God. If we cast our anxiety and cares on God, we need to trust that the anxiety and worry we carry will be taken care of by our God because he cares for us. Having such worries in life does nothing for us... it doesn't make us stronger... it doesn't change us for the better... in fact, most of the things we worry about do not even surface in reality meaning it's SUCH a waste of time!

This is such an important message I have to meditate on quite frequently in life. Although I can't stop myself from worrying about many things, I can definitely remind myself to trust in my God and cast my cares upon him, for He cares for me.

This week as we prepare to face Purdue, I will pray for our coaches and players, and leave my worries behind me (as should you!).

Fight On!

If you're submerged in the football world like I am, you have probably heard the news about USC's head coach, Coach Sarkisian. For those of you who aren't familiar with Coach Sark's latest, let me update you in the short version way (don't worry... I have a point coming!). He's had some things happen in his personal life that has caused him to turn to what most of us like to numb our sorrows in... alcohol. There is a lot of speculation out there saying that he has shown up to practices and perhaps a few games under the influence. Whether or not it's true... who knows.

BUT, one fact that I do know is that unfortunately, he was fired as USC's head coach. Yes... during the middle of the season, Athletic Director, Pat Haden, decided that it was best for the players and the University to part ways with Coach Sark. Since then, Coach Sark has been seeking help for himself to get well which is the point of my post today...

When you take a coaching job at a University (or with the NFL), you are basically signing up for your professional AND personal life to be out in the public. These men go through the good, bad and ugly with fans, the press, and anyone else who might read up on their business. It's just the name of the game. I've been thinking a lot about Coach Sark and how brave it is for him to go through these things publicly. Not only is he going through a rough start of a season, but his issues are being aired out there for everyone to criticize. Instead, I choose to celebrate his journey because if it weren't for being in this situation, he wouldn't be in the shoes he's in now seeking out the professional help and getting stronger by the day. Furthermore, he is setting a great example for those who need inspiration to get through some dark moments in life. Whether it be with the use of alcohol, a bad season, kids who just aren't 'getting it', or whatever troubles you may have. There are brighter days ahead of you, so long as you choose to love yourself, take care of yourself, and prioritize your well-being over ANYTHING else. If you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of others!

Do you know anyone who is need of help? A boost of morale support? Offer some words of encouragement... stay positive... and never be too ashamed to share your story!

Cornhusker Season Opener

So our first kick off for the season was against BYU last Saturday. It was an amazing (sold out) game that was HEATED... in the actual game AND the weather! I was happy to catch a game before baby arrives, so I can't complain too much.

In the end, it came to the very last second on the game clock... like it literally read :01 on the clock. We were up 28-24 all the way to this last second... when suddenly BYU throws a hail mary which was actually caught in the end zone. THE END. BYU took the victory 33-28 and we had officially lost our 2015 season opener.

I must say that these Husker players kept their composure and their heads were held high all the way to the locker room. I was certainly proud of them all... AND the coaching staff!

That made me think of how many teams suffer a loss (since there is one team who loses every single game), and how many fellas have to deal with that loss in and out of the locker room. They may be having thoughts of self-doubt... of weakness... or even lack of confidence in their coaches or players. That's where we (as parents... as a society... as fellow athletes) can play a crucial role in how these student-athletes proceed to work hard for the next game.

We MUST remind these players that every game is an opportunity to get better. Every time they suffer a loss (or even a win!) is an opportunity to course correct and fail FORWARD. Some of the most strongest times I've had in my own performance have been after a failing moment. You can't get better if you don't know what to work on... and you must be willing to take the feedback!

So here's to another great game tomorrow for the Huskers. Let us stay positive for teams... and celebrate each moment throughout all four quarters and be proud of our guys!

Sports in Numbers

I'm not the type of person to memorize numbers or stats when speaking on any topic. BUT there are some numbers that are just mind-boggling when I do read about them. Even further, it's astonishing to interpret the stats into an actual real life stories, some in which I want to share with you all today:

FOOTBALL
Did you know...
     There are +1 million high school football players?
     Of these high school players, only 6.5% will play in college?
     Of these college players, less than 2% are drafted by the NFL?

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Did you know...
     There are +430,000 high school basketball players?
     Only 3.8% of these high school players will play in college?
     Less than 1% of these college players will be drafted in the WNBA?

BASEBALL
Did you know...
     There are +480,000 high school baseball players?
     Only 6.9% of these high school players will play in college?
     8.6% of these college players will be drafted by the MLB?

Ultimately, this means that majority of our kids that are playing the game from high school (some even earlier on) through college are NOT going to make it to the pros to play ball (which is no surprise based on this post). The call to action here is simple... we need to put more focus on preparing our student-athletes as best as we can to rely on their education and networking resources to pursue another type of career!

This can mean... sprucing up the resume  //  creating or updating a LinkedIn profile  //  being productive during the summer breaks  //  benefit from some professional coaching (more to come on this offering soon!)  //  conducting informational interviews with professionals and/or coaches.

If you're a student-athlete yourself, or are a parent to a student-athlete (or any parent!.. you never know what sport your little one may be playing), or maybe a coach or a friend or a relative... don't wait until after graduation to address these concerns. There are so many resources to take advantage of during school and even in preparation for college. You're always more than welcome to email me if you're interested in learning more about these offerings!

*Stats cited from NCAA website

One-on-One: M. Philipp

One thing that I find fascinating with this blog is the ability to share some storytelling with you all (at least, for all those who have been reading J&BT thus far!). I want to take it beyond my storytelling, and actually hear from others and their life perspectives. On J&BT, I'll call these storytelling sessions (aka interviews) One-on-Ones. Get it? Football analogy... gotta love it!

Anyhoot, I thought who best to kick off these series than the one and only, my fave coach of all time, the Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Cornhuskers... my HUBS!

Name: MARK PHILIPP

Career: HEAD STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH, UNL

Sport Played: FOOTBALL

Q // While you were in high school and college, did you ever imagine that you would be a Head Strength and Conditioning Coach?

Never in my wildest dreams! I thought I was going to be a football coach, but not in the Strength and Conditioning department. There were some complications and life situations that changed up my path in life. I ended up going back home, and felt a bit lost. I worked in construction and eventually started coaching my brother's team in high school. I started participating in the weight training activities with their after school workouts, and during PE period, which I really enjoyed. In hindsight, when I played ball in high school, I think there was a trend in joining the after school programs just so we can lift weights. I guess I've always been interested in weight lifting, but didn't explore it until the opportunity arose.

Q // How did you get started?

Coaching high school football lead me to meet up with one of my old strength coaches in college who was working at Oregon State University at the time. He asked if I would be interested in an internship opportunity and of course I took him up on that offer. I guess you can say it's good karma… from there I interned at OSU and tried to learn from everyone there… I just jumped into it ASAP. I wasn't scared to be vocal or ask and learn about anything or try something new.

From there, I was fortunate to land a full-time Assistant Strength Coach position at OSU, then moved back home to LA where I soon became an Assistant Strength Coach at USC. Which lead me to my current career as the Head Strength Coach for Husker Nation!

Q // Is there any other profession that you would be interested in?

One day, I would like to be an Athletic Director in the future. I'd like to see things ADs do to help the kids out, and seeing things work from the ground level and what's needed on a daily basis.

Q // What's the secret recipe to being a good coach?

Building relationships with the student athletes…. Not just about football or training. I want to know how they're doing on a daily basis, how their classwork is going, get their input on the program and be an advocate for them. Building trust is important for me so they're not afraid to voice opinions. I want them to feel empowered and confident in what they do and have them realize that we're doing this together.

Q // What's the ONE thing you would recommend for college graduates to find their passion after playing ball?

I always recommend coaching to everyone.. not just with football. These kids have always been a role model, always been through adversity… and I think if they pursue a career where they can influence people is a great thing. They've been playing since pop-warner through high school and college. There's always someone looking up to you as a football player, and you always have to set a good example, which ultimately can be done through coaching.

Hope you enjoyed this one-on-one session as much as I did (I may be biased!). 

Team Spirit

I just can't tell you how excited I am to finally have launched J&BT for me to SPEAK ON IT! Since we're still getting to know each other, I thought I would share some background to where the hubs and I have been in our little athletic adventure thus far...

We started our official career (yes, I say we because it was a total TEAM effort) at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR. My hubs had an amazing opportunity to intern in the Strength & Conditioning department, which he worked hard at and eventually landed an actual position as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach. Meanwhile, I was fortunate to land a job in the football office working at the front desk, assisting with recruits, camps, football games and much more!

We became Beaver Believers, and surely it didn't hurt that my brother-in-law played for OSU as well. It was here at Oregon State that my interest in the game of football grew immensely... the passion, the motivation, the dedication, but most importantly... the WELL-BEING of these student-athletes!

I graduated from a Doctorate program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Organizational Development), and soon landed a job at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. It was an amazing feeling to move back home with the family after being away in Corvallis for 4 years, and also to finally begin a career with my education that I long awaited for! What totally put the cherry on the cake was while we were driving from Oregon to move back home to LA, my hubs got a phone call to interview for an Assistant Strength Coach at USC... BOOM! We were back as a dynamic duo at a prestigious university as Trojans!

Although my focus at work is primarily with USC staff, my passion and interest for student-athletes progressed even more at USC. I completed a professional coaching certification at USC which got me thinking... how amazing would this type of coaching opportunity be for our student-athletes?! To provide some assistance and self-realization about athletic goals, academic goals, CAREER goals post-graduation would be such a gift to these hard working individuals who give blood, sweat and tears their entire 4-5 years as a student-athlete [more to come on that topic along this blogging journey with J&BT]!

After 2 years of being with USC, my hubs got a call that lead to an opportunity of a lifetime. He was blessed with a shot at being the Head Strength Coach for the University of Nebraska! As hard as it was for me to leave the PAC-12, it was the start of yet another athletic chapter in our lives together in the BIG TEN conference!

I was even fortunate to keep my job with USC to work remotely... so our house is now split between Trojans and Cornhuskers (predominately Cornhuskers though since we are in Husker Nation!).

There you have it... a snippet of how we got to where we currently are. My plans are to utilize J&BT to continue to reveal my passions little by little. After all... By taking care of myself I'm able to take care of others!