The Life Coach (Short Story)
- Jules Robinson
- Aug 9, 2018
- 2 min read
I find solace at the gym since the move. The lifting, the squatting, the pulling and whatnot. But, not even all the physical stuff either. There’s something about just standing in the changing rooms before getting in the pool, swimmers on, freshly wet from the obligatory pre-shower, breathing it all in. Me and the other dudes. Just enjoying the ambience. Hey, that’s quite good, ‘just enjoying the ambience’. Maybe I could work that into one of my mantras. Once I’m teaching professionally that is.
I had my first session last Tuesday. Six of us there was, all sat there in those plastic chairs that make your bum hurt after a few minutes. The teacher fella, Mike his name was, was a bit of an interesting guy. He seemed to have it all together, all figured out. At the start of the seminar he said ‘How can we coach others when we haven’t coached ourselves?’ which is so bloody true. He then took us through mini coaching sessions, took about ten minutes each but he didn’t seem to know how to handle me, bless him.
‘I’m sensing a lot of eagerness, Adam.’ He said and too bloody right he was. I was sat forward in my seat, hands clasped all positive body language like I’d seen in that TedTalk video. ‘But how much have you delved into the self, I wonder?’ Mike asked and then I answered, which I don’t thnk he wanted me to. ‘Well, I watch a lot of videos, read a few books when I get the chance on coaching and mindfulness and-‘ and then he cuts me off, which I get, maybe I was rambling. ‘But how much of the inner self have you read about Adam? How many ‘videos’ have you watched to do with your personal therapy?’ He used those bunny ear fingers as he talked. ‘I don’t think there’s a video for that.’ I answered and he said, ‘You’re damn right’ and he started nodding so I nodded too.
‘Ultimately Adam, we can’t begin to teach others, to really know others until we have delved into ourselves and actualised our own issues and ineptitudes.’ Mike smiled afterwards but I was still thinking so he said, ‘Am I right or am I right?’ And I said ‘You’d have to be right I suppose, when there’s no other option.’ He nods again. I was glad he seemed pleased with my answers. An that I seemed eager.
I’m looking in good shape, reflected here, not bad at all. My arms are getting big, must remember leg day though. Oh, that girl is smiling at me, I forgot that this is a window and not just a mirror. Huh, I need if she needs a life coach?
Do I really need to analyse myself? What is there to analyse? I’m not about to dig deep with a therapist and talk about, what? My Dad? Pff, Not much to chat about there. My Mum? Saint. Kevin? Old Kev? Wonder where he is now.
Mike doesn’t know all there is to know about life coaching. Maybe one day I’ll be teaching the classes myself! I’m thirsty- I might go back to that café and get a coffee. Maybe I’ll get my first client?
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