“Fool’s” Gold
As an athletic community there is a tendency to succumb to the “feel good” story. We become enthralled with the idea that overnight success is a real possibility, and with the right bounce we could very well be the “next man up.” The truth of the matter is coming from “nowhere” can be a far more complex road than we are led to believe. With the right tools all student-athletes have the potential to strike it rich, both academically and athletically.
The power of positivity
Attitude is a strong determinant in how your story may unfold. There will be moments of both trial and tribulation that will more than likely be out of your hands, but resilience is a personal choice. Failures can lead to future opportunities of growth just based on channeling a positive emotional response. Make your next setback a stronger comeback.
It wasn’t all a dream
Follow your dream, not someone else’s or the one you think you’re supposed to pursue. Do so understanding that outright achievement has no shortcuts preventing any exact timeline or script. Maintain authenticity while focusing on who you want to be opposed to who you want to accept you.
Make your own luck
Success can sometimes be mistaken for good fortune. As a student-athlete, I want you to take a moment to reflect on the countless number of hours you’ve spent training for your sport in an attempt to perfect your craft. Now think back to the many long study sessions you partook in over the years, specifically the type that had you staring at flash cards until your vision became compromised. These moments generally precede success, but when preparation meets opportunity luck is surely to be on your side.
Overnight success and being overlooked are not synonymous. Michael Jefferey Jordan was actually cut from his high school basketball team. Some would say he came from nowhere to lead the Tarheels to a national championship during his freshman campaign, while others might say he came from hard work and perseverance. Either way, “The gold is at the end of the rainbow, not the beginning.”
Coach Dre Nestle has been a member of the Clovis Community College soccer staff for three years, assisting with both the men’s and women’s programs. He is a former NCAA Division I soccer student-athlete at Cal Poly and owner of Dre36 Fitness. Coach Dre holds degrees in Business, Economics, and Nutrition from Cal Poly, as well as a master’s degree in Sports Administration from Fresno Pacific. He is a passionate advocate for student-athlete mental and physical health and wellbeing, and overall personal growth and development.