Ravi stands at the entrance of the gymnastics studio, shifting nervously. Doubts cloud his mind, What if I’m not strong or flexible enough? With hesitation, he voices his fears to the Coach, hoping for an honest answer.
Ravi hesitantly says, “I’m really nervous. I’m not flexible or strong, and I feel like I’m going to fail at everything.”
His words hang in the air, laced with uncertainty. He isn’t looking for empty reassurance. He wants the truth, even if it’s hard to hear.
The Coach calmly responds, “I hear you, Ravi. Starting something new can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what to expect. But let me ask you this, do you remember learning to ride a bike?”
Ravi’s brows furrow slightly, caught off guard by the question. His mind drifts to his childhood, the wobbly starts, the scraped knees, the moment he finally found balance.
Ravi quietly says, “Yeah… I remember. I was scared of falling.”
The Coach nods and gently asks, “But you kept trying, right?”
Ravi exhales, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. The memory feels distant, yet familiar.
Ravi softly admits, “Yeah, I did. And then one day, I just… got it.”
The Coach warmly says, “Exactly. Gymnastics works the same way. No one starts out strong, flexible or confident. But every little attempt, every shaky movement, it all adds up.”
Ravi looks down at his hands, absorbing the words. A part of him wants to believe it, but doubt still lingers.
Ravi frowns slightly and asks, “But what if I just don’t have what it takes? What if my body doesn’t respond?”
His voice carries a mix of frustration and fear, The kind that comes from wanting something badly but being afraid of failing.
The Coach gently but firmly explains, “Let’s break that down. Right now, your body is simply unused to these movements. That doesn’t mean it can’t learn. It just means it hasn’t had the chance yet.”
Ravi lifts his head slightly, considering this new perspective.
The Coach continues, “Strength and flexibility aren’t things you have or don’t have, they’re things you build. And you don’t have to be great on day one. You just have to be willing to show up and take the next small step.”
A flicker of understanding crosses Ravi’s face. The idea of starting where he is rather than where he thinks he should be feels… possible.
Ravi exhales deeply and nods. “So, instead of thinking about how far I have to go, I should focus on what I can do right now?”
The Coach smiles. “Exactly. Ask yourself, ‘What small thing can I improve today?’ Maybe today, you hold a plank for a second longer. Maybe tomorrow, you stretch just a little deeper. Progress isn’t about huge leaps, it’s about stacking small wins, one on top of the other.”
Ravi straightens his shoulders, a newfound determination settling in. The fear hasn’t disappeared, but now, it feels like something he can walk through instead of something that holds him back.
Ravi firmly says, “Okay. I think I get it. I just need to start and let progress take care of itself.”
The Coach grins. “That’s the spirit. Now, how about we head in and take that first small step?”
Ravi takes a deep breath, then exhales slowly. He glances toward the training area, what once looked intimidating now feels like an invitation. He steps forward, this time with purpose.