Client Story: Time, Patience and Put in the Work

This is a different kind of client story, but I couldn't help but share it because my heart is buzzing right now for Trennt Michaud and his mom, Lisa. Trennt is a Canadian pairs figure skater who is heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy; a goal he has worked towards his entire 29-years.

I was a tiny part of this journey when he was in his early teens (13-14yrs old) for short time. In our time working together, he left a lasting impression. I spent 11-years working with amateur to elite athletes (from 2007-2018) and there are a few who stand out in memory because they were the WHOLE PACKAGE; Hard working, dedicated to their sport, loved their sport and were a good human both in and outside of their sport. Trennt was a competitive figure skater at the time I had the pleasure of getting to work with him and little did I know, there was a former Olympian in our midst.

I think this became WAY more apparent over the years, when his mom, Lisa (another wonderful human) worked with me as a client, as I got to hear the background information and stories behind Trennt's continued HARD WORK to get to the Olympics in his sport. Trust me, it was mind-blowing to hear how he spent his days, time, energy and focus. So many people are blind to just how good elite athletes are in their sport.

Last week (as of writing this), it popped up in my Google feed that Trennt and his partner had done it and are heading to the Olympics in a month's time! I immediately text his mom, "Holy shit!! Did I just read that your boy is heading to the Olympics!?!?". She replies, "Yes yes you did! National champion and on the Canadian Olympic team!" I could feel the buzz and energy from her through her reply in knowing her and the support, passion and dedication that she's given Trennt throughout his nearly 30 years. I asked her to please pass along my congrats, to which she said she would (as I'm sure SO MANY others are asking as well - that's what happens when GOOD things happen to GOOD people). 🥰

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If you'd like, check out the article from our local paper here. If you're reading this before the 2026 Winter Olympics, please consider donating to the GoFundMe (link is in the article) to help send Lisa to Italy to be able to watch her son live out his well deserved dream.

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Time, Patience and Hard Work

I feel so priviledged to have been able to work with some awesome humans and amazing athletes who have accomplished some great things in their careers. Just being a small step in some of these journeys are memories that I carry with me without question. However, that's not why I'm sharing this post. I'm sharing this because Trennt's story is THE kind of story many of us NEED to hear and meditate on. I'm sharing this story because it speaks to these three things; Time, patience and hard work. Not "instant results". Not giving up after a week or two because something "isn't working" or "it's hard". Time, patience and hard work bring GREAT things!! This man and his mom are living proof.

I know for a fact that Trennt has had ups and downs over the decades in his sport. A sport where making millions of dollars in the sport isn't a reality either. This is one of the few passion sports left in our modern world that is NOT a business or an all out career path. We ALL have had our ups and downs, in sport and in life, yet we approach health as if we should be "immune" to challenging times, "dips" or "speed bumps" on the way to our goals. That's 100% UNREALISTIC and it's HOLDING SO MANY OF US BACK!

Here's the wonderful part for us "common folks"; you know, the general population (i.e. MOST of us)...

WE DON'T have to work as hard as elite athletes (or as specific),

AND

WE DON'T have remotely the same pressures and timelines as Olympians, like Trennt.

Athletes, like Trennt, only have so long to make it and only so long to achieve their goals in their sport. The reality of sports is that we can't do it forever at the level that is required to be elite.

Us "everyday folk", we have the REST OF OUR LIFE to do ALL KINDS OF AWESOME THINGS, however we want to do them. We CREATE pressure within ourselves due to societal pressures and comparisons when it comes to our healthy lifestyle practices and how we should live each day. The reality is THERE IS NO PRESSURE. You have your whole life ahead of you! I'm not saying we should procrastinate, but I am definitely saying we NEED TO STOP RUSHING to "make things happen". Time, patience and hard work MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. (Hey - where have I heard that before? 🤔) I'm also not saying "don't work hard", but I am certainly saying it doesn't have to be so hard that we sacrifice a balanced lifestyle or are miserable because of our efforts.

Trennt's decades of dedication to something he loves and wants speaks volumes. Think about this; Here's a man, once a young man, who just kept putting in the work to reach his dream and his goals. Through the ups and downs he just kept working. In everyday life...

🫣 ...when we have a day where we just feel "meh", we feel like all our efforts vanish and "mean nothing". "I'm starting from zero" is what runs through our head.

🫣...when we see the number on the scale or the weight not move higher on the bar, we dwell on it like this is "a sign" of things to come. "I'm failing at reaching my goal" says the inner voice.

🫣...when things don't instantly fall into place such as a new habit in our health, "it must not work for me" is our go-to thought.

There's such a disconnect from reality that is holding so many of us back from living healthier and happier.

Let's take a moment to remind ourselves that EVERY SINGLE HUMAN has his/her OWN individual journey and story. There is no right or wrong. There is no quick and easy path to something great. We DESPERATELY need to move AWAY from that mentality. It's such a disconnect and arguably more so in our world of constant comparison and information. Look at these quick examples of some of the top people in their craft and how long it took them to get there. 👇

• Michael Phelps took 9-years to reach the Olympics (which is quick for most Olympians).

• Connor McDavid took 18-years to make the NHL (which is quick for most hockey players).

• Vincent Van Gogh had a decade long career, creating most of his 2100 artworks in the last 2-years of his life. His work only was just becoming known before he died at age 37.

• J.R.R Tolkien was 38-39 years old when he wrote "The Hobbit".

Some of us get down on ourselves when we don't achieve something in a week or two. 🫣

I was chatting about this topic of time and patience with a client recently as we compared our own experiences, when I surprised even myself when I thought about them out loud...

• I began to move to a higher level of play in soccer when I was 15yrs old, which was 11-years after starting

• I was a "late bloomer" in hockey in terms of my play overall, which really took shape when I was in Midget (17-18yrs old) which was 11-12 years after starting.

• I was 6-7 years into my career in this industry before I began working with athletes full time and experiencing all the things I wanted to coming into this field.

• It was 2-decades into my career where I truly began to find myself as a professional and the path I continue to walk on.

I repeat: Time, patience and hard work.

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If you're still here, I hope this sinks in for you to meditate on in regards to how you approach health, hobbies, activities and life in general. Don't just say "ya, I know progress isn't linear. I know there will be tough times" - ACTUALLY LIVE THAT MINDSET. ACTUALLY prove "you know this" by sticking with it and not getting caught up in your own head (or in comparison mode) when times get tough. When things don't go "perfectly" or how you "thought they should", don't give up or stop. Especially in your health! Time, patience and hard work are your three factors that will help you reach your goals. Your job, is to continue to LEARN, SHOW UP and take ACTION - just like Trennt.

The proud mom and her son. (From Intelligencer article. Photo by GOFUNDME)