Like many people, I’ve set myself some lofty goals for the coming year. But before I ever think about where I want to get to, I stop to think about where I’ve come from.
Looking forward and setting goals for yourself is critical, but it’s reflecting back on what you’ve achieved that gives you the confidence you need to go after your BIG goals.
It took me a long time to learn this. I used to think the grass was always greener on the other side, that what I’ve done so far is nothing compared to what I will achieve in the future, and that celebrating all that I’ve achieved on and off the ice is kind of selfish and dorky.
But now I know that isn’t true. That without the successes of the past year, I would never have the opportunity to dream of all that I want to achieve in 2010 and beyond.
That’s why I wanted to share with you the “Top 8 Moments of 2009” for me and Total Female Hockey, because without YOU, none of this would have ever been possible. Thank you for making this such an amazing year and I can’t wait to help you move closer to your dreams in 2010.
#8 - Tournament & Tryout Travel:
One of my favorite things to do is to speak to players, parents and coaches about what it takes to get to the next level on and off the ice. This past year I was able to speak to over 2000 players at over 20 different tournaments and tryout camps all across North America. To be able to share my experience and expertise with the female hockey world is truly an honor and I look forward to doing even more of it in 2010.
#7 - PEAC Private School Program:
This one really came out of nowhere but it was an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up. If one year ago you told me that I would be the Girls’ Hockey Director at a private school for elite athletes in Toronto, I would have told you you were crazy. But after meeting some great parents, kids and administrators, somehow this became reality. And I am so glad that it did. Now I get to coach a group of girls, who share the same passion and commitment I had to becoming the best, every single day on and off the ice. We’ve already come so far since the school year began - we even beat a team with 2 national team players and 4 provincial players when we only had 10 skaters just before the holiday break. I am truly honored to be able to work with these amazing players every day. I can’t wait to grow the program and take our game to the next level in 2010.
#6 - Quote of the Year:
This actually happened just a few days ago at a huge girls’ hockey tournament here in Toronto. I was sitting with the mom of one of the players I train in the summer after the game and she said that her daughter was upset because she just broke a brand-new $300 stick. I jokingly said that I would gladly lend her one of my wood sticks if she needed it. I said to the mom, “Which way does your daughter shoot?” And her response was classic, “I don’t know - at the net!”
Funny stuff. It was one of those classic moments away from the stress of the game that I will never forget.
#5 - The Total Female Hockey Experience:
Back in April of 2009, I decided that I was going to run my first ever hockey camp with Total Female Hockey. But this wasn’t going to be your typical camp. It was going to be for high school aged players who aspire to play at the college/university level and beyond. We were going to give the girls all the information and inspiration they needed off the ice and all the experience and opportunity they needed on the ice, to allow them to get to the next level.
Only 4 short months later, we had 70 players come to Toronto, from all over North America, to join us at the Experience. And it was absolutely awesome! Everything from the state-of-the-art on-ice testing “lasers”, to 3-time Olympian Sami Jo Small’s speech about following your dreams, to the on-ice sessions with former Team USA player and NCAA coach Brooke Whitney, to the off-ice speed and strength training sessions with me, I couldn’t have asked for anything more. Most importantly, the players had a great time and they learned a lot. I can’t wait for this year’s camp(s)!!!
The registration details are coming soon - the Toronto camp will be on from August 20-22 and there might just be another camp out west earlier in the summer.
In the meantime, you can check out footage from last year’s camp here:
http://totalfemalehockeyclub.com/camps-schools/
#4 - Watching Them Play:
One of my favorite things to do is to watch the girls I’ve trained off the ice - either in person or those who have used my manuals and DVDs - play in games. Knowing how hard they have pushed themselves off the ice, and seeing that translate into their on-ice performance is really awesome. They feel stronger, faster, fitter and more confident out there and it really shows.
#3 - The First Chin-Up:
Along the same lines of #4, I love it when I get to see one of the players I train do their first chin-up. I even tell girls who are using my training program on their own to email me when they do their first chin-up. This is no easy task. Most girls and women will never do one - but they aren’t exactly training for it. Do you need to be able to do 20 chin-ups to be an elite female hockey player? Not exactly. But I guarantee that you could be a lot stronger than you are now and that’s only going to make you a better player. When it comes to chin-ups, you’ve got to start with one. It takes the players I train average of 9 weeks to do their first chin-up - but it’s worth it.
#2 - The Olympic Torch:
Just a few weeks ago, I took 8 of the players I coach into downtown Toronto to watch the Olympic torch relay. I’ve been fortunate to see two other torch relays in person (for Calgary in 1988 and for Salt Lake City in 2002) and words can hardly describe the inspiration and motivation that is ignited inside of you after seeing the flame in person. I was so excited to be able to share this experience with the players I coach as many of them aspire to represent their country at the Olympics in the future. As I stood out there watching the torch go by, I thought back to when I was a player with those same dreams, working hard each and every day to move closer to that BIG goal. That kind of fire and passion never goes out.
#1 - Your Feedback:
But nothing means more to me as a coach and a mentor than hearing back from YOU, the members of the Total Female Hockey community, about how the websites, videos, newsletters, products, camps and workshops have helped you become the best you can be.
I have always said from the beginning of this whole journey with Total Female Hockey, that if I can help just one player gain the confidence, knowledge and ability she needs to fulfill her dreams on and off the ice, it will all be worth it.
That’s why hearing back from you means so much.
Here are just a few comments I received recently from the members of the first-ever Total Female Hockey 12-Week Mentorship Program (the second session starts soon - so stay tuned):
“I don’t know what you said in your videos, but my daughter now believes, without a shadow of a doubt, that she can achieve all her biggest hockey dreams. You have completely transformed how she approaches the game on and off the ice. Thank you!”
“Thanks so much for what you do. Our daughter wants to get to the NCAA and national level. We are grateful that someone like you is helping girls to navigate this daunting and competitive life choice. After this program, I know she’ll be well on her way to getting to the next level.”
“Thanks Coach Kim. Since starting this program, people have been telling me how much faster and stronger I look out on the ice. I’ve been setting my goals and eating well too. But the best thing is that for the first time ever, I know that I am doing the right things to help me reach my dreams.”
I hope you take some time today to reflect back on everything you’ve accomplished in 2009 and use that confidence to catapult you into 2010.
Thanks again for helping me to work hard and dream big.
Your friend and coach,
~ Kim
Kim McCullough, MSc, YCS
Director, Total Female Hockey
Girls Hockey Director, PEAC School For Elite Athletes