Two Questions That Changed Everything
This week, we want to share a powerful story from early in the coaching journey of Dustin Galyon, co-founder of the Impactful Coaching Project. It’s a story about perspective, pride, and the kind of mentorship that can shape a career—and maybe even save it. At the time, Dustin was a young head coach trying to live out his stated purpose: to lead, love, and disciple young men. But the reality of the job wasn’t lining up with the dream. His team was losing alot of games. The locker room was tense. And despite his good intentions, it was spiraling on him.
His players were pushing back. He wasn’t reaching them the way he had hoped. Though his heart was in the right place, he wasn’t yet the kind of coach he wanted to be. The weight of unmet expectations, coupled with a relentless losing streak, began to crush his spirit.
Then came the breaking point.
Heading into Christmas break after yet another loss, Dustin found himself emotionally spent and spiritually empty. He pulled into a Walmart parking lot as the snow came down. Alone in his car, he made a phone call that would change his perspective. On the other end was a seasoned coaching friend—an older mentor who had been there for him.
Dustin vented. He blamed players. He blamed circumstances. He talked about how the culture was wrong and how the guys just didn’t get it. He told his friend he was going to quit.
The response he got wasn’t soft or sentimental. It was honest. And it was exactly what he needed.
His mentor told him plainly:
“If you’re going to quit, make sure to write a really good resignation letter. Shake every hand on your way out, clean out your office, and maybe you’ll get a good job reference down the road.”
Then came two questions.
“Do your players know you love them?”
Dustin paused. “I think so,” he said.
His friend didn’t let that slide. “If they don’t know you love them, that’s on you. That’s your fault.” The words hit hard—but they hit home.“Are you guys having any fun?”
Dustin answered quickly: “No. Because winning is fun. And we’re not winning.”
What came next stuck with him for the rest of his career.
“Young man,” the coach said with fire in his voice, “the process of winning is fun. The journey is fun. The relationships, the growth, the day-to-day—that’s the fun part. You’ll win some and lose some. But if you don’t enjoy the journey, you’re in the wrong profession.”
That conversation didn’t just change Dustin’s approach—in some ways it changed his life. It re-centered his purpose. It reminded him why he started. And it solidified a lifelong mentorship that still influences him today.
Looking back, Dustin says without that call, he might’ve emotionally quit right then and walked away from coaching for good.
This story reminds us that every coach hits a breaking point—but it’s the people who speak truth in love, who ask the right questions at the right time, who help us become who we’re meant to be.
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Found this courtesy of . Podcast interview with Master’s Champion Rory McIlroy. Some great perspective and insight.
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