The Weeds, The Water and The Sunlight
This week marked the beginning of a new chapter. Or a return to an old one. I guess it depends on how you look at it.
After closing my gym in 2021 I spent the next four years working in a trade of some sort. Roofing, landscape maintenance, carpentry and the like.
In November of 2024 I began a new role as the Head of Strength and Conditioning for the Cronulla Sharks U/19’s pathways team. An opportunity to dip my toes back into the waters of coaching. A part of me knew that this was also a chance to see how I would respond internally to being back in a coaching role and if there was enough of a spark to return to coaching on a gym floor.
Through a number of strangely aligned people, conversations and circumstances over the past 2 months, I commenced coaching full time back on a gym floor on Monday of this week, April 2025.
It feels like I am back where I belong and happy with the choice I’ve made to once again pursue my passion.
On the day I commenced my new role, I received a text from a very close friend of mine reaching out for help. He had been in a very dark place and felt there were very few people he could turn to for assistance. I am glad he chose me.
Hearing what he was going through on the phone I invited him to come and stay with me for a few days so we can spend some quality time and he could get everything he had been carrying out of his backpack.
I also introduced him to a friend of mine who had experienced similar circumstances some time ago and in the midst of our conversations the topic turned to your circle of influence. The people you spend most of your time with.
The weeds, the water and the sunlight.
The weeds are the enablers. They might look harmless at first, but if left unchecked will choke or completely halt your growth. They’ll suffocate you.
The water is the person or people that speak life into you. When you’re around them, you feel invigorated, motivated and inspired. They help fuel growth from the root of your being.
The sunlight leads by example. They don’t say much, but their actions light the way and growth is inevitable just by being in their presence.
The weeds, the water and the sunlight.
This conversation had me reflecting on times in my life that I’d removed myself from circles that I had felt were pulling me in the wrong direction.
It’s a really difficult decision because sometimes these people are those that you’ve grown up with or gone through some major life events with.
Some people never get to a point of enough pain where they have the courage to make those hard decisions. Others that do often say it completely changes the trajectory of their life. I know it has for me.
When I look around at my circle today I see very few weeds. I see plenty of water and plenty of sunlight.
My immediate friendship group is only water and sunlight. They inspire and motivate me through our conversations, their actions and I always feel supported in my decisions.
I wonder how many people are consciously aware of their weeds and have the courage to step away. Or maybe find an opportunity to be their water and sunlight!