Kismet is a word derived from Turkish and Hindi-Urdu, meaning Fate or Destiny, a predetermined course of events evolved from Persian qesmat, from Arabic qisma
This past weekend, Renato Canova and Shaun Martin were two of the title speakers at the ADP distance running summit. Both have accomplished things in coaching you would find superhuman. Listening to their stories, it was clear to all of us that both were destined to become coaches…And as coaches, destined for greatness.
Through his thick Italian accent, Renato waxed intense and philosophical when speaking about coaching. He raised his voice and filled the room ” COACHING IS A PASSION, NOT A JOB. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE PASSION, GET OUT OF COACHING. GO DO SOMETHING ELSE!”
Shaun Martin expressed his passion for coaching differently. He and his runners in Arizona consider running an expression of faith, of passion for life and Eastward- facing devotion to their deities. And in many cases with life on the Indian reservation, running lends a hand in shaping their destiny. Running becomes a passage to the rest of their lives, a ticket off the reservation and out of poverty, into college, life, etc.
All of us left this summit thinking about how to become better coaches, if we were destined for the likes of their amazing success stories and how we can become students of our athletes. We are not simply teachers.
Does your coach have that passion that inspires you? Was he or she destined to coach as a lifestyle, a calling?
I joke all the time with my athletes that I don’t want their money; I want their souls. Does your coach have yours?
Shaun Martin – Chinle High School, Chinle, AZ / Wings of America
Renato Canova (Former Italian & Qatari National Team Coach)
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I just started working with a coach and have been feeling lately that I am so blessed to have her. She is awesome, gives me 110% and she's on line. she's patient and passionate and I think she rocks!! thanks for your blog. I was just cruisin thru the net and found it. I'll book mark it and be back!!