Hello my chocolate loving readers! It officially been two years since I posted anything on here! I must say I actually missed writing a lot but life was calling. In the year 2015, a lot of things happened in my life; many being out of my control. In those past few years, so many different opportunities fell in my lap. That year was very difficult for me and I struggled mentally because I felt so alone. At one point in time I didn’t have a job or a place to stay and it seemed like nothing was going right for me. It was then I realized that I had to struggle in order to succeed. I couldn’t feel sorry for myself. I couldn’t sit around and passively wait for something good to happen. I finally decided to take a chance on myself. It was then that things started turning around for me. In 2015, I had a wonderful opportunity to become the volunteer assistant at the University of Illinois and I was going to make the best of it.
I made the decision to become a volunteer assistant coach at an amazing university. 
This was kind of an impulse decision, and I only say that because I didn’t really have a plan, I just knew I had to go and I would figure it out once I got there. Which is pretty scary but I think sometimes you just have to go for it! TAKE A CHANCE! You know? Although I called it an impulse I did spend some time thinking about it but in the back of my mind I thought it was unrealistic for me at the time. Being a volunteer obviously meant I didn’t get paid for it but I knew this would help me develop in ways that I couldn’t even imagine. About a month and a half after arriving in Champaign, IL, I finally got a job, a place to stay, and I had a car! What more could I ask for at the time? I was becoming a softball coach!
I found two things in Champaign IL: my passion to help develop young female athletes and the love of my life. … (cough Justin). I’ll spare you guys and save talking about him for a different time! I really wanted to tell you guys about are these wonderful young ladies that I got to spend two special years with.
The young ladies on the softball team! Omg my heart! I had a chance to impact their lives on a daily basis. It literally brings tears to my eyes because not only did I impact their lives but they impacted mine as well. I will never ever get to repay them but I, for sure, will always hold those two seasons with that program close to my heart. They challenged me, motivated me, and inspired me. They made me a better person inside and out.
There was a perfect balance I had to strike. I knew I always had to carry myself in a way that would kind of make them scared of me but also kind of like me. I wanted to be somebody they could look up to but also somebody that they could come to when they had problems. 
At the time, I was still finding my voice as a coach and still trying to figure out my coaching philosophy. I believe that your coaching philosophy can change and grow just like a person can. I didn’t know which way I wanted to go with it but I knew I wanted to develop a strong relationship with the players. I wanted to challenge them but I also wanted them to know that I cared. The most important thing to me about coaching is the relationship that I develop with the players.
And the relationship that I developed with these girls is something that I will cherish as long as I live. They are the reason why I am so passionate about the game today. I always had passion for softball but after spending two seasons with them, they lit a fire inside of me. This is why I could never repay them. 
They helped me grow as a person, player, and a coach. Everything I did for them and that program was out of love. So as this team is battling in conference play I wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would not be in this position if it wasn’t for them. They made me strong when I felt weak. They made me feel special and welcomed. They made me feel fierce and bold. They made me better and lastly, they called me their coach!
As for the staff! They were my family away from home. They always made sure I was okay and helped me whenever I needed help even if I refused it. I learned so much from handing tough situations, developing athletes, turning a program around, and much more. They definitely left a mark on me as well. They worked so hard that it inspired and motivated me to do the exact same thing. 
They loved me unconditionally and what more could I really want at that moment in my life. They made me feel like one of them even though my title wasn’t the same. I was just as valued as they were and they always made sure they let me know that. We always helped each other and I couldn’t be happier to come across an amazing staff. I remember the last time I was with this group I literally BAWLED my eyes out & I hate crying in front of people! Well I absolutely lost it! I probably embarrassed myself but it really showed me how much the girls, the staff, and the program as a whole had impacted me. I was super excited to move on to start my career but it was really tough to leave behind some really important people in my life.
Nothing was about me. I was a servant to the game, to the team. The game doesn’t owe me anything but to me I owe it everything. It just goes to show that sometimes you need to take a chance, no matter how scary it may seem. 
Because when an opportunity comes along, who knows. It might just be the best decision of your life!
Now on more of the present time! I have been given another opportunity to be a full-time coach at Dartmouth College and I will obviously tell you about this new journey I’m on as well. As you can see I’m already leaving my mark! This team has been more than welcoming and I can’t wait to see what all we can accomplish this year!
“Even if you take a chance and it doesn’t work out, you still win. You still had guts enough to head straight into something that frightened you. That type of bravery will take you places”
Btw I might of cried writing this
#GoTops #GoIllini #GoBigGreen #GoChocolate
olivia dyan 