It Starts with You

Think back to your childhood.

How many adults did you meet along the way? Teachers, neighbors, coaches, family friends. As we grow, we’re surrounded by a sea of adults. Most fade into the blur of memory, but a few leave a mark that stays with us for life.

I never thought I’d be the kind of person who makes a difference in a child’s life, mostly because I never considered myself much of a “kid person” to begin with.

So, when I somehow found myself coaching tennis and golf to kids as young as three, with no prior experience working with kids, I had no idea what I was getting into.

I showed up with some borrowed knowledge, a hopeful attitude and the sense that these kids probably know more than me.

Here’s what I’ve learned: kids are refreshingly honest. They don’t hold back. If they don’t like something, or someone, they’ll let you know. No sugarcoating. I’ve had three-year-olds flat-out tell me I’m not funny. I’ve earned plenty of side-eyes, been called silly names and had arms crossed and feet stomped when a game didn’t hit the mark. Sometimes, they even forget my name, but they’re quick to give me a new one, usually something goofy to make everyone laugh.

But beneath all that honesty is something beautiful.

Week by week, I watch them grow, not in just how they grip a tennis racket or swing a golf club, but in how they carry themselves. From shy and unsure on week one, to confident leaders by week six. They start helping each other, taking turns, and beam with pride when a friend does well.

No one starts out perfectly and that’s part of the journey. Watching them stumble, try again and grow is a reminder that progress isn’t about what they can do, it’s about who they’re becoming.

Making a difference in a child’s life doesn’t take grand speeches or heroic acts. It happens in the small, consistent moments, the everyday interactions that shape how a kid feels about themselves and the world.

The truth is, kids won’t remember every game or every drill. Most won’t remember my name. And that’s okay. Because it’s not about being unforgettable. It’s about how they felt in those moments. Safe. Seen. Capable.

I know I’m just one of many adults they’ll meet on the long journey of growing up. One of the many coaches, teachers, neighbors and mentors who will walk beside them for a little while. I may only get a few weeks or months, but in that time, my role is to create a space where they feel proud to grow.

The month of July is dedicated to making a difference in a child. Every kid has their own story, challenges and moments of brilliance waiting to shine. There is no such thing as a “standard” child.

Making a difference in a child’s life doesn’t mean changing the whole world, it means changing their world. And that changes everything.

Before we became who we are, we were once kids, learning, growing, figuring things out. Along the way, someone made a difference to us. Now it’s your turn.

We invite you to keep sparking change every day because creating positive impact isn’t limited to July. Making a difference doesn’t wait for a date; it lives in every choice you make.