It’s hard to believe that a little over ten years ago, I was sitting in a small hotel conference room in Orlando with no idea that what I was about to learn would shape the person I am today. Who knew that only three days at Spring Training would have such an impact on me as a high schooler. Today, I still practice some of the daily winning habits that I discovered behind the scenes with Major and Minor Leaguers in their element as they prepared before the big lights came on and the crowds started roaring.
Now, I’ll be the first to admit, I wasn’t the happiest camper going across the country to this event training. At the time, I was a “know-it-all” high school football player who was certain I had all the answers already. When your father is a mental performance coach and you grow up learning mindset development principles that the top athletes in the world are using, it’s easy to assume you aren’t going to learn anything new. Boy was I wrong! I found out that I was only scratching the surface.
Approaching success in all areas of my life. I uncovered a new attitude towards life on and off the field that I never realized I had within. One of the most impactful moments I had was going into the batting cages with one of MLB’s hottest hitters at the time, Luke Scott. You would think the insight I had on how a major-leaguer prepares to play both physically and mentally would be impactful enough on how I wanted to approach success in all areas of my life.
However, the golden nugget I discovered during those three days was when we were talking to the security guards who allowed us access to go behind the scenes. They told us how great of a person Luke Scott was and how he made an extra effort to make everyone, including the security guards, feel like they were just as important as the most famous athlete in that facility.
“That was a game changer for me.”
I was approaching my senior season with no college scholarships in sight. I immediately had a new perspective on the player and person I needed to become in order to achieve these high goals I had set. I made a commitment to myself during those three days in Orlando to treat each and every person with encouragement and support.
Who did I need to become to advance myself. I started to focus less on “Me, me, me,” and more on how can I be of service to others. I didn’t demand the respect of my teammates, I earned it by leading by example. I never asked a player to do something I was not willing to do myself. Little did I know, by transforming who I needed to become not only dramatically changed my results on the field, but to this day, my results in my personal life and relationships continue to grow stronger because I still focus on some of the core principles I learned at Spring Training years ago.
Certainly an “eye-opening” experience for me. I am so grateful that my parents made me go to this workshop even if I may have been kicking and screaming in protest. And I am ecstatic that now I have the opportunity to help facilitate that eye-opening experience for others now that we have decided to host these camps once again. I encourage anyone who is on the fence about coming to Spring Training with us to think of the impact a few days can have on the rest of your life and the person you can become. I’m confident everyone who joins us will have their own “Ah-ha” moment that is unique to what he or she needs at that time. For me, it was exactly what I needed at that moment. I know I will always cherish my “Ah-ah” moment and I look forward to more inspiring moments in the years to come.
Shane Austin
Extreme Focus Certified Coach
Facebook.com/qbshaneaustin10, Twitter/Instagram: @shaneaustin10, qbshaneaustin.com
