Brian Johnson reflects on supporting his son Emerson’s chess journey, recounting how Emerson chose between two coaches and how that choice—guided by trusting himself—kept his motivation and progress alive. Johnson extracts three lessons: encourage self-trust, coaches should arrive prepared and enthusiastic, and continually "trust thyself;" he closes with a call-to-action inviting listeners to the Heroic Coach cohort.
Chapters
Hi, this is Brian. Welcome back to another heroic one. In our last couple ones, we spent some time with Rick Rubin, Joseph Campbell, and Emerson Aurelius Johnson. Yes, Emerson's middle name is Aurelius. Technically, he doesn't have a middle name on his birth certificate, but he loves Aurelius, and that's effectively his middle name until we make it legally official. Now, as you may recall, we chatted about Rick Rubin's adage that the best work is the work you're most exc about. And then we connected that wisdom to Joseph Campbell's adaptation of ancient Sanskrit wisdom to follow your bliss. Then we applied that wisdom to Emerson's modern chess life. Today, I want to spend another minute or three talking about how deliberate Alexander and I have been about helping Emerson keep his motivation for chess high by encouraging him to trust himself and do what he feels most inspired to do. I want to share a couple of what I find to be really interesting data points that might be helpful for other parents. Now, as we've discussed, when Emerson first got into chess, he got really into chesskid.com then he got to a point where he was ready to get a coach. I found a local guy who seemed great. Then I saw that Chesskid.com also offered coaches, so I signed up for that as well. I figured we'd let Emerson decide which coach to go with. And I got goosebumps as I typed that because had he made a different decision and or had we not encouraged him to trust himself with his decision and or had we not gotten so lucky to find such a great coach, I think he would have given up chess a long time ago and never achieved what he's achieved. So the first coach was a by the book kind of guy. He showed up and did his job, but wasn't that fired up about his sessions and Emerson's potential and all that. And perhaps most importantly, for our purposes of trusting ourselves and following one's bliss excitement. He basically told Emerson he couldn't play the opening he liked because it was too advanced and that he should do a different opening that Emerson didn't like. Now, on the other hand, the coach we found through Chesskid.com showed up to his first session and I got tears in my eyes typing this and had already studied Emerson's games and already appreciated the gifts and Emerson clearly had. So Emerson works with both guys for a few sessions, then he needs to decide which one he'll continue working with. And as I type that, it makes it sound like the decision was super obvious. And although the decision was obvious in hindsight, at the time, it wasn't quite so clear cut. But Emerson was clear that he just didn't like the one coach that much, but did really like the other coach. So he decided to go with him. And I'll repeat, had he made a different decision and or had we not been so blessed to find such a great coach, I don't think Emerson would be playing chess right now. And I'm certain he wouldn't be playing at the level he's at now. Today's plus one has a few facets. First, we named Emerson after one of my favorite American heroes and teachers, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Every morning when I go to him for wisdom, he tells me the same thing. He tells me trust thyself. That's what I told Emerson when he made that decision about his coach and when he needs to make other decisions. Note that's also what I tell Michael whenever we're chatting about something on which he needs to make a strategic decision for heroic Trust thyself. Second, if you are a coach and you are in whatever facet you show up, show up prepared, show up with enthusiasm, and show up seeing the best in those you're blessed to support. And third, most importantly, trust thyself. Always, in all ways, all day, every day, especially today. P.S. want to become a Heroic coach and use these same ideas to help yourself and others forge excellence, activate their potential, and fulfill their destinies. Learn more and join us in our next Heroic Coach cohort. Check out Heroic Us Coach.
