From Fear to Breakthrough: How Coaching Unlocks the Success You Deserve

As a child, I was determined to master the elusive back handspring. Day in and day out, I practiced. I watched videos, read books, and observed cheerleaders perform the move in real time. I was dedicated to perfecting the skill. My hard work paid off, and I mastered the back walkover, which was an achievement, but it wasn’t the back handspring. I was stuck—so close, but something was still missing. Then, I got lucky: a coach entered my life, and everything changed. That coach was my cousin, and her support made all the difference. Here's a breakdown of how this experience mirrors what happens in coaching and why coaching speeds up personal growth.

Stage 1: The Self-Motivated Start

When I first set out to learn the back handspring, I had raw determination. I was motivated, driven, and ready to put in the work. I did my own research, read books, and analyzed every angle of how to achieve it. This is where many of us start when we set big goals for ourselves. We have a vision, and we’re willing to work for it.

But, as time went on, I realized that despite all my efforts, I still couldn’t quite nail the back handspring. My progress was real—I had even achieved the back walkover—but something was missing. This is the part where we often feel the frustration of plateauing. We’re working hard, but we’re still not getting the results we want.

Mentally:

• Confidence was still present, but doubt was creeping in. I had some success, but I was frustrated that my main goal seemed just out of reach. I started to wonder: Why can’t I figure this out?

Stage 2: Hitting a Mental Roadblock

I kept practicing. I was so close. But despite getting better at the moves leading up to the back handspring, fear began to settle in. The fear of failure was blocking me from going all the way. My mind kept asking: What if I fall? What if I get hurt? Suddenly, I wasn’t just fighting to execute the skill—I was battling my own thoughts.

This is where many people, despite their hard work, begin to falter. You’ve hit a wall, and now the mental game is holding you back. You might have the skills or the knowledge, but fear is slowing your progress.

Mentally:

• Fear started taking control. I knew what to do in theory, but fear kept me from fully trusting myself. I wanted to push forward, but the idea of falling or failing stopped me.

Stage 3: The Game-Changer: Enter the Coach

That’s when my cousin stepped in. She had just learned the back handspring herself, so she knew exactly what I was going through. Her guidance made all the difference. Suddenly, I had someone who could point out the little things I was missing—things I couldn't see on my own. She had been in my shoes recently and understood the mental and physical obstacles that come with learning something new.

Her coaching sped up my progress because she provided real-time feedback, reassurance, and adjustments I hadn’t thought of. She had just overcome the exact same barriers, and her insights were invaluable. She also didn’t let me sit in my frustration alone. Instead, she showed me what to tweak and encouraged me to keep going.

Mentally:

• I felt supported and less alone in the process. My cousin’s help gave me new energy and a clearer sense of direction. Fear was still there, but it was shrinking because I knew I had someone in my corner.

Stage 4: Fear Still Holding Me Back

Even with my cousin’s help, I still wasn’t quite there. Fear had dug in its heels. No matter how close I got, I couldn’t shake that last bit of anxiety. I knew the steps, and I had support, but something about going at it alone still felt overwhelming.

This is where coaching becomes even more critical. When fear or mental blocks set in, having a coach there to guide you and reassure you makes all the difference. They help you see that the fear is often just that—a fear. It isn’t rooted in reality.

Mentally:

• Fear was still lurking, but my confidence was slowly building. I trusted that I was close, but the fear of doing it alone still held me back.

Stage 5: The Power of Seeing Someone Else Succeed

Then came the moment that shifted everything: my younger cousin, who had just started practicing, learned the back handspring in just a few days. At first, this could’ve been discouraging. Here I was, weeks into my own struggle, and she was already nailing it. But instead of feeling defeated, I felt inspired.

Seeing someone so close to me succeed gave me a new wave of belief. Suddenly, my cousin wasn’t just my coach—she became my example. If she could do it, so could I. Her quick success shattered the mental barriers I had built around myself. That’s the power of having someone you relate to achieve what you want. It turns doubt into belief.

Mentally:

• A mental shift took place: If she can do it, I can do it too. The fear that once seemed overwhelming shrank as my belief in myself grew stronger. It was no longer a question of “Can I do it?” but a matter of “When will I do it?”

How Coaching Speeds Up the Process

This experience is a direct reflection of how coaching can help us overcome fear and achieve our goals faster. Coaching isn’t just about learning new skills—it’s about navigating the mental and emotional obstacles that can hold us back. Here’s why it works:

1. External Perspective: Like my cousin, a coach offers an outside perspective. They can see the small things you can’t, whether it’s a technical error or a mental block, and guide you through the necessary adjustments. You stop wasting time spinning your wheels and start making targeted progress.
2. Addressing Fear and Self-Doubt: Fear is a major hurdle in almost every personal and professional challenge. A coach recognizes when fear is holding you back and helps you break it down. They remind you that what you’re afraid of isn’t as big as it seems and give you the confidence to move forward.
3. Accountability and Support: A coach doesn’t just help you with strategy—they also keep you accountable. My cousin was there with me every day, keeping me committed to my goal. In life coaching, accountability is critical. When you know someone is tracking your progress and believes in your potential, you’re less likely to give up.
4. Faster Progress: The real benefit of coaching is that it accelerates your journey. My cousin learned the back handspring in just a few days, and watching her achieve it made me believe I could do it too. Coaching shows you the shortcut to success by guiding you past the roadblocks that typically slow people down.

Final Thoughts: Breaking Through Fear and Achieving Success

The story of my back handspring journey shows just how powerful coaching can be. It’s not just about technical guidance—it’s about overcoming the mental barriers that hold us back. Whether it’s fear, self-doubt, or frustration, having someone who’s been there before and knows how to navigate those challenges can fast-track your growth.

Coaching helps you replace fear with belief, frustration with focus, and doubt with determination. With the right coach by your side, the question is no longer “Can I do this?” but “How soon can I get there?”

Kindly,

Coach MT

www.simplythebestcoach.com