As part of my new web series, The Role Model In You, here is my most recent interview. The Role Model In You series discusses how individuals were influenced as a child to lead a healthy lifestyle. It covers who influenced these individuals, the changes they made in their life to be healthy, and the message they would like to convey to the youth of today. Our guests include doctors, soccer stars, Super Bowl champions, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and just regular people looking to share their story. I hope you enjoy it!
1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?
David Small, Head Coach, 27 Years old – I am a professional Ice Hockey Coach, Author and Public Speaker.
2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?
My childhood ice hockey coach was one person who inspired me. He took our young minds and crafted them to learn about being active, staying in shape, and being accountable for our actions. He was tough, but fair – and later helped me become a Junior hockey player.
3. What did they do to inspire you?
Coach Dan took time off his lunch breaks each week to train with me one-on-one while I was chasing the dream of being an ice hockey player. He didn’t ask for any payment, he explained to me that the odds were against me, but he saw how passionate I was about achieving the goal I had set, and gave up his time and energy to help train me. He came prepared each week with a new lesson and set of exercises to help me get better physically and technically.
4. How did their lesson change your life?
I realized that believing in someone else’s dreams, and helping equip them with the tools they need to achieve it can be just as rewarding as the one who is achieving the dream. Coach Dan helped me become a junior hockey player – but it wasn’t until a few years later I realized how he help shape me into becoming a great coach.
5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?
Absolutely. Coach Dan’s lessons were in believing in a dream or goal – and each time I take on a new team to coach, we have to set a goal. My players need to have dreams of playing at a higher level – I need to instil those values into the players, and give them the permission to dream. Also, I want to be tough, but fair to my players – “hard work” is not the enemy.
6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?
Set a goal – and then don’t stop until you’ve achieved it. My goal was to become a junior hockey player – something only 10% of all kids in my country achieve – the odds were against me, but I didn’t stop until I achieved that goal. I found people who believed in my goal, and surrounded myself with them. If your friends don’t believe in your goals, find new friends. You will be absolutely amazed at how much you can achieve if you just set you mind to something – the amount of confidence you will gain from achieving a goal will stay with you forever.
7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?
Enjoyed!