Meet Nick Matta: Emerson’s Chess Coach (Heroic +1 #1830)

Hi, this is Bryan. Welcome back to another heroic one. In our last several plus ones, we've been chatting about Emerson and his chess journey and how we have worked hard to preserve his intrinsic motivation by encouraging him to trust himself as he forges excellence by following his bliss. For the record, once upon a time, early on in Emerson's chess journey, shortly after he got clear on the fact that he wanted to get really good, I made the mistake of trying to get him to create too much externally imposed structure with his chess training. His enthusiasm started to wane and it became very clear that we needed to lighten up and let him create his own unique path to mastery. Note the documentary on Magnus Carlsen, one of the, if not the greatest chess players ever and his awesome dad, an idiosyncratic path to historical greatness was an inspiration at this juncture. It's called. The documentary is called Magnus. It's a great film. I think you'll love it. Check it out. Now, that experience was a really powerful distinction for me and a great example of how important it is to have just the right amount of structure, lest the joy gets squeezed out by the grip of rigidity. Note. See this plus one we've got linked in this one on flexibility. For more on the dynamic balance of structure in spontaneity. So today I want to formally introduce you to Emerson's coach. His name is Nick Mata. He's amazing. Now, I'm going to share a testimonial I wrote for him for a couple reasons. First, I think it's really important that we take the time to support the people who support us and the people we love. I'm going to use this as a little opportunity to demonstrate a way I tried to do that and encourage you to find your own way to do it as well. Second, if you have a kid who is serious about chess, I think you'll love Nick. So let's get to work. Little more context. Nick is moving from Louisiana to the east coast with his fiance, who just got into a premier med school program. On May 20, at 1:08pm Central Time, Nick sent me a text asking if I'd be up to writing him a coaching testimonial to help him get a new gig with a chess academy in New York City. Now, I happened to be online and I immediately replied to his text saying yes and exciting. Then channeling my commitment to one touch. Things that take less than two minutes. Big idea from Roy Baumeister's willpower. Check that out. While putting some speed is a force, wisdom to action two minutes later and I was actually surprised I wrote the blurb that fast. I sent him this note Nick Mata and again, I'm doing this as a demonstration. Think about who you can support in a similar way. Nick Mata, I said, is an extraordinary coach. I've trained over 10,000 heroic coaches from over 100 countries around the world and and I wish they all showed up with the same level of passion, professionalism and love that Nick brings to every single one of his sessions with our 11 year old son Emerson. Chess wise, Nick has coached Emerson through winning the JV Division for the Texas State Chess Championship months after they started working together, and more recently helped him tie for seventh in the National Elementary Chess Championship. After a full year of working together while hitting a 2000/ratingonchest.com I continue by saying Nick has an uncanny ability to know how to connect with and encourage Emerson while giving him exactly the lessons and practices he needs to go to the next level. But what I'm most grateful for is the love and admiration he shows for and the encouragement he gives to our son. We consider Nick a part of our family and will be forever grateful for the role he has played in helping Emerson flourishes. We highly encourage any parents looking for the perfect coach to help bring out the best in their kids on and off the chessboard to consider working with Nick. I literally can't imagine our lives would be like if we hadn't. I got tears in my eyes writing that and rereading that now. And that's today's pas one. Think of one person who has helped one person you love. Maybe that's you, maybe that's a loved one. You got him in mind. Awesome. Now if you feel so inspired, write them a little note of appreciation. Thank them for how important of a role they have played in helping you and your family flourish. Gratitude. It does a hero good. Let's spread some today. P.S. if you want to get in touch with Nick, just let us know. We'll connect you. P.P.S here's our actual text thread with a timestamp showing how fast I replied. I'm still kind of surprised I did it in two minutes. Go me. Check it out. Let's go.