RUN TO THE ROAR
Tuesday night, author Paul Assainante spoke to my book club about his book, “Run To The Roar: Coaching To Overcome Fear.” He has coached the men’s squash team at Trinity College since 1994. He is also the coach of the U.S. national squash team. He told us that the last time Trinity lost, Monica Lewinsky was in the news! He spoke with great wisdom, insight, and humor about his ideology of creating a winning team.
The title of the book says it all. In Africa, when the lions hunt, they place the oldest, most feeble lioness in the center of a field, hidden in the grasses. The younger and stronger lionesses stand out on the periphery. The old lioness roars, and the gazelles run away from her ferocious sound, straight into the mouths of the waiting younger lionesses. BUT, if they ran TO THE ROAR, they would escape death. Coach teaches his players to RUN TO THE ROAR. Face their fears, worries, and anxieties. A great metaphor for life. He doesn’t set goals. He asks his players what they fear and teaches them how to conquer them by NOT CARING if they fail. Lessons come with failure. Confidence comes with enjoying what you do, doing your best, and by NOT expecting perfection. And, of course, with the freedom to fail, excellence can be achieved. I was impressed by his understanding of human nature, motivation, love, and fear. He is a natural sports psychologist, and that has made all the difference.
LIFE GOES ON©
Kathleen Cairns, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in West Hartford, Connecticut. She works with adults, adolescents, and couples. You may call her at 860-236-5555 to make an appointment. She is the author of “The Psychotherapy Workbook.” You may email her at kathleen.cairns@mac.com and she will try to answer as many of your questions as possible.
www.kathleencairns.com
Life goes on… and every day matters…
