Coaches Corner: That Moment It Clicks

As a coach, there are countless moments that make this job special—but there's one feeling that never gets old: the moment a student finally nails a skill they’ve been working on for weeks, months, or even longer.

It’s not always about the biggest or flashiest move. Sometimes it’s a back handspring, sometimes it’s holding a handstand, and sometimes it’s simply conquering the fear of going upside down. But what makes that moment powerful isn’t just the skill itself—it’s everything behind it. The effort. The frustration. The determination. The tears, the retries, and the tiny wins along the way.

Coach Marie reassures and boosts the confidence of her student before a competition, creating a calming and inspiring presence.

I see it all. I see the self-doubt creeping in. I hear the sighs when something doesn’t go right—for the third, fourth, or fifteenth time. But I also see the quiet grit it takes to come back the next day and try again. That kind of perseverance is what makes progress possible. And when it finally clicks—when their face lights up and they realize, “I just did it!”—that’s the magic.

In that instant, it’s not just about gymnastics. It’s about confidence. It’s about showing them what they’re capable of when they don’t give up. And for me, as a coach, there’s no greater reward than witnessing that transformation—watching a student believe in themselves just a little more than they did yesterday.

That’s why I coach. For those moments that remind us all that hard work pays off, and that growth always begins with courage.

– Coach Marie