Several years ago, I decided I wanted to learn to do a freestanding handstand. With no gymnastics background, I had no idea how to get started, so I did what most people do when they want to learn something new: I turned to YouTube. I found some tutorials from people who seemed like they knew what they were doing and then started practicing their techniques.
I made some early progress and soon became pretty good at holding myself against the wall. Still, transitioning to a freestanding handstand felt hopeless. Lacking personalized feedback and adequate knowledge to assess my technique, my progress quickly stalled. My flailing handstands were not getting any better.
Many people face similar obstacles when learning a new skill, be it a language, an instrument, or, indeed, a handstand. They start enthusiastically and make some initial headway. But once they reach the extent of their initial resources or knowledge, they get stuck. Unfortunately, this is also where most people give up, assuming that they just don't have what it takes to keep making progress.
But I refused to give up. I recognized the limitations of one-size-fits-all tutorials and realized I needed tailored guidance: a coach. When I first started, I didn't know if specialized handstand coaches were even a thing. But, as it turns out, the digital age has experts for nearly anything. Before long, with the help of my new coach, I broke out of my plateau and made real progress toward my handstand aspirations.
Most of us inherently understand the value of a good coach or mentor. Athletes swear by them, kids have all sorts of tutors, and top performers across nearly any field have an expert to guide them. So why do adults often hesitate to seek out coaches for personal skill development?
Coaches and mentors serve several crucial roles. They can pass on knowledge and wisdom from their own experience. They can provide feedback we can't get from watching YouTube videos, scrolling TikTok, or reading books. They can help us troubleshoot when our progress stalls or we reach some kind of setback. Maybe most importantly, they can see our potential even when we doubt ourselves.
Still, finding a great coach or mentor isn't easy, especially for adults. A subpar one can be detrimental, creating a negative experience, instilling bad habits, or shaking our confidence. So, how do you find the right one for whatever skill you're pursuing? Here are three strategies I've used to find great coaches:
1. Start with a Sampling Phase
When I first got it in my head that I wanted to learn to do a handstand and then wanted a coach, I was clueless. I began what David Epstein, in his book Range, calls a Sampling Phase. I tried out different coaches without committing to any immediately. The aim is to find someone you mesh with. But remember, don't get caught in the allure of endless exploration. At some point, to make progress, you must decide on a route and a teacher.
2. Observe their Students
Before committing to a coach, gauge their students' experiences and progress. Ask them: Do they like working with the coach? Have they been training with them for a long time? Have they made progress? Their feedback can be invaluable.
This approach led me to my circus coach, a match that worked wonders for me. Look at the students' performance, their improvement, and the overall atmosphere. Observation is key.
3. Evaluate their Teaching Skills
The best performers aren't always the best teachers. Prior to my current coach, I trained with phenomenal handstand experts who didn't know how to teach what they knew. A good coach is often a lifelong learner who is passionate and genuinely invested in your progress.
Some signs that a coach is great at coaching (aside from their students making progress) are their own interest in continued learning: are they always looking for ways to expand their knowledge? Do they have any standout students? Are they often distracted, or are they passionate and absorbed in what they do?
Finding a great coach can be the difference between staying in a plateau forever and making progress beyond what we thought we were capable of. It can take time, effort, and, yes, money, but if you want to make progress, there's no better investment than knowledge and wisdom from someone great who has come before us.
My quest to master a handstand became so much more than just a physical achievement. It became a testament to the value of personal coaching and the profound difference it can make in our pursuit of any goal.
Whatever your 'handstand' challenge is, remember: many goals are just one mentor or coach away from becoming achievable. The process of finding that mentor, as challenging as it may be, is part of the journey itself. It can be the difference between staying on a plateau forever — and making progress beyond what you thought you were capable of.