The Power of Reflection on a Pivotal Choice

“I am both the author and the reader of a fascinating story”

-Jedidiah Jenkins

I still happily coach or hold a volleyball whenever I can!

The more I work with coaching clients, the more I see how transformative it is when we take time to reflect on the choices we’ve made—and how those choices shape the stories we tell about our lives.

One of my own pivotal moments came at the kitchen table, with my parents and a university volleyball coach.  She looked at me and said: "We want you—but you’ll need to choose two: academics, sport, or social life. You can’t have all three."

As painful as it was, I chose social life and academics.

Volleyball—my first big love, my identity, my path—faded into the background.

I often wonder: What would have happened if I’d chosen differently? Would I still be living in Winnipeg? Working in a different field? 

Volleyball helped shape how I lead today: collaborative, attuned to energy, a champion of others, and a relentless hard worker. Upon reflection, many of my leadership foundations come from my years in sport—even if I didn’t pursue it the way I once imagined.

What about you? Can you pinpoint a pivot in your life? What path did you choose, and how has it shaped who you are today?

Let your story teach you something new. Sometimes distance helps us find meaning in moments we once struggled to understand.