We all have paths that we travel in order to obtain our dream careers. We all have certain events that inspire us to travel those paths. Many people have to get an experience shadowing someone who has been in their field of choice for a substantial period of time in order to get a taste of what they aspire to do.

Future teachers have to undergo student teaching. Nurses and most people in the medical field have to complete clinical experiences. The list goes on and on.

However, those of you that are athletes who have an undying, genuine passion for what you do, will have to find several ways to discover how you want to continue in the sport for the rest of your life.

Very few athletes go on to professional or Olympic levels of sports. However, many athletes can excel to the fullest in what they do. Some can excel so much that they can give back and help the next batch of athletes grow and prosper in their craft.

It is easy to say that you can just jump right into this coaching thing and say, "it will be my way or the highway." Although it is great to want to be an intense coach, you will learn quickly that being stuck in one way of doing things is tough because each kid will be different in their style of competing physically, mentally, and emotionally.

This is why it is beyond beneficial for you, the athlete, to be on the sideline or in the corner with your coach to gain a better perspective of what coaching is all about. Any chance you have to sit in on one-on-one individualized practices that your coach may give you...Take it. The amount of knowledge you will gain from that experience is undeniably insightful.

The takeaway you'll get from sitting beside your coach in practice or a competition will be invaluable for the rest of your career and life. This knowledge is not just valuable in the world of sports, but you may also be able to use what you learn in any job or life event where someone else will need guidance.

Whether or not you decide to pursue a coaching career, you may have kids of your own someday. At times, they will need constructive criticism. Just reflect for a moment on how your coach interacted with you when you made a mistake.

The best coaches know how to channel their anger and step back because they know that you're giving your best effort. You too, will have to say what they did positive in a situation, then mention what they can do better the next time in order to improve themselves.

I was a wrestler for 12 years and still love to scrap on the mat, keep myself in great shape, and lend a helping hand to the next batch of talented wrestlers. Throughout my wrestling career, I had a deep love for the sport and what it represents in terms of grit, passion, determination, attitude, and always remaining humble.

I had many coaches who had different styles of getting my attention. My coaches in middle and high school may have had the toughest time with me, seeing as that I have Autism and was kind of out of control. They were not sure that I could even participate in the sport.

My college coaches stick out the most to me and are the ones who gave me the inspiration to want to coach. They were always intense about the sport, but also knew how to have fun with and care for the wrestlers as human beings as well. Never once did they not take the time to point out what I did positive in practice and matches.

After mentioning my positives, they always dialed back and instructed me what I could do the next time in order to give me a better chance at scoring points. Their advice and dedication from the corner and in the wrestling room still carries on in my life today.

My advice to all of you men and women no matter what sport it is, is to listen to your coaches, learn from your coaches, pick their brains of knowledge to improve in your sport.

In other words, approach your coach.