thoughts written by Patti Dienhoffer
Outside of family, we have all had people who have had a serious lasting impact on our lives. Most of the time they don’t even know how much influence they have over you, often they are just doing their job. But they change you, influence you, and sometimes they even change the trajectory of your life altogether. These people are teachers, they’re counselors, they are your neighbors, your bosses, your trainers they are your coaches.
I have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people who have forever changed my life and shaped me into the person I am today.
Mr. Wilson was my high school Criminal Justice teacher. I of course was a typical ‘90s “Teenage dirt bag, baby” (thank you Wheatus) with a pierced tongue and the occasional blue money piece hair, I knew everything! So obviously I was completely lost. Wilson shaped my young mind in the ways of ethics, a warriors mindset and the many ways to survive a life devoted to service and sacrifice to others, all while constantly being Cauterized Ostracized Penalized and Scrutinized. (See what he did there?! BTW that absolutely was one of the many acceptable test answers to “What is the definition of policing”)
“Shit rolls down hill and you’re living in the gutter. So if you’re going to run with the big dogs, you better be ready to piss and shit with them.” – Mr. Wilson
** I realize teachers aren’t allowed to talk like this anymore, lets remember that it was a different in the ‘90s (cough) BETTER (cough) **
I like to think that I taught him I thing or two also – life is better with a little color… (as forever written on the bathroom wall -in sharpie)
Mr. Wilson also made sure that I went to college; he showed up to school with a college application after I told him that I planed to take a year off after high school. He put it down in front of me and said, “Here, you are going to college”. PS Mr. Wilson, I was always going to GO to college- but thank you! Jean Munch- Class of 1998.
The thing about teachers is you know that they are not a permanent figure in your life; you know that once June comes that’s it you move on. I was lucky to see Wilson a couple of times my first year of college because he was an adjunct professor who subbed in from time to time, once after college I stopped down to the ‘old stomping ground” to meet him for lunch. And a couple of summers ago I had the privilege to attend his retirement party… hope you’re living it up old man! Over the years I have had many coaches, my high school color guard instructors Peter and Cindy we will never forget you… if ya’ll have seen the reel of the color guard rifle line, when that poor girl drops her rifle and you hear the blood curdling squeal “P-A-T-R-I-C-I-A… get it together girl, we have a show to do.” It isn’t me; or them (thank god we didn’t have camera phones back in the ‘90s) BUT every time someone from my high school marching band comes across it, they 100% send it to me/tag me. Because MAN, I do I have that memory seared into my brain. The opportunities you gave me- I learned leadership and probably more importantly, how to deal with the hypersensitive generation and their Karen mom’s.
Flash back to the time when I told the freshman not to be nervous before their first show because they were going to love it; “its better then sex” that it will be “the best high you will ever experience”. Oh man, when the Karen’s heard about my “vulgar and explicit language” you would have thought I said it while handing out goodie bags full of condom, drug and vodka shooters!!! (I wasn’t) It’s a saying Carol; calm the F down. I actually had to publicly apologize to the girls and I was never allowed to talk to or throw parties with out supervision again. You know, to ensure that I never use everyday tongue and cheek language that will poison the minds of the innocent children encouraging them to take part in such deviant behavior (that many of them were doing anyway- and without my influence BTW).
A very important life lesson, I might add!!!
Karate instructors, and running coaches who taught me things like Modesty, Courtesy, Integrity, Compassion Gratitude, Self Control Perseverance and Indomitable Spirit. Running coaches, I still hear to this day, whispering in my ears to encourage me as I am struggling to keep going. We will just call these incredible people “The “A” Team” (if you know, you know).
And then there’s Nic…
Nic was my first Crossfit coach. I had no idea just how much of an impact this guy would truly have on my life. There were A LOT of 7am classes that no one else showed up for so I got the privilege of oh so many one on one sessions that he could just stare at me – WATCHING AND JUDGING, no-reping, and sometimes straight up laughing!! And who blames him, at the time I couldn’t string single unders together (regular jump ropes) never mind double unders (I still don’t do double unders). There was months and months of extra programing to get me stronger and fitter, in order to prepare me for my ridiculous plan to ride a road bike across the state of Iowa. Heavy squat after heavy squat after heavy squat and then… Bulgarian split squats (Man, I hate that guy!!)
Nic taught me grit, tenacity, fortitude and that clearly we both have the genes of Viking Warriors! He was always up for breaking down every movement to see just where I was moving ineffectively; we would work on the fundamentals of one lift for an hour. To say he had patients is an understatement even if he was just working for a free massage. With the time we spent you would think I would be amazing at Olympic lifting (I. Am. Not). About a year into working with him, Nic got an incredible opportunity at a different gym. And not knowing exactly how to tell me, he made the public announcement to the class before telling me privately. It was a blow, to put it lightly. Don’t get me wrong; I wanted and still want all amazing things for him and his beautiful family. But selfishly I was rocked. He was leaving in two weeks… what about me?!
There was only one thing to do… (Well, two things) Bring him a dozen bagels with a variety of homemade cream cheese from my favorite bagel shop. (We talked extensively about the FACT that bagels out rank donuts).
The other thing was, work out my feelings on paper. In true 90’s style I wrote out these “10 Things I Hate About You” Nic…
Wasn’t it such a great movie back in the day? I mean where is that paint park? And who want to go with me?!
10 Things I Hate About You
I hate the way you talk to me, so cheery, early in the morning.
I hate the way you stare at me while I’m working out, and Judging me when I double “blunder”
I hate the way you lift so heavy.
I hate the way you squat.
I hate the way push so hard… Run faster, Jump higher, Squat lower,Lift heavier.
I hate the way you’re always right… even when I hope you’re wrong.
I hate how clean you keep your shoes.
I hate that you sometimes wash mine too
I hate that you’ve made me laugh and especially that you have made me cry.
But mostly I hate that you’re leaving even though I know why.
To the best Coach I have ever had — with the Genes of a Viking Warrior
I know that this is not good-bye… so we will just say see ya when I see ya
Since Nic, left the gym I have had the pleasure of working with some other incredible coaches but no one really ever fills his pristine shoes… It is because of Nic I eventually attended the Crossfit Level 1 Certification Course and he actually gave me a job to work along side him. Unfortunately the gym has since closed but Nic was able to get his masters degree and is now a strength and conditioning coach for a branch of the military (I’m so proud) – My life was blessed to have such an influential coach so early in my fitness journey.
To my coaches moving forward- Good luck Jack!! I’m still not going to do double unders! And, my training shoes really could use a good cleaning – wink wink