Before I even begin, let me just say that I do not resent you.

At least not anymore.

But if someone were to ask me about you a year ago, I likely would not have very many good things to say.

I generally view coaches as role models, and they are there to help build their athletes' confidence.

But you ripped mine away from me.

Constructive criticism is one thing, and it is something I take well and listen to.

Criticism with the intentions to insult and hurt someone is another. And it is something that should never come from a coach to one of their athletes.

I asked you what I was doing wrong, and what I could improve on. I was answered with a list a mile long of things I was doing wrong, and these things were "just skills I lost, and would be very difficult to get back."

And this was not the first time this had happened. It always seemed as if I was never good enough for you.

Over the two years I knew you, my confidence got smaller and smaller, until it was practically nonexistent.

And it didn't just magically come back after I turned my back to you, and pom.

Shortly after I gave up pom, I would think of you telling me I wasn't good enough almost constantly.

It took me a year to learn that you were wrong.

I learned to do things for myself, and stop seeking approval from others.

It took you taking every ounce of my confidence away, and me hitting such a low point that I had no desire to do anything but sleep to learn that you were wrong.

I am good enough. I have proven that to myself, and that is all that matters.