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Dear Girls,

February 26, 2014Mike SisselBlog4

21I feel extremely blessed to work with tweens and teens as they learn to navigate the many challenges of adolescence.  Aside from the countless benefits of teaching what I love, this journey has rewarded me in countless other ways.  For example, although my daughters are young (six and almost two), my daily interactions with youth have helped to shape who I am as a parent.

When I think of my own girls as tweens and teens, my biggest concern is the limiting self-beliefs that seem to plague adolescents.  It saddens me to see young people who fail to recognize their tremendous beauty and embrace the difference they make in the world.

Below is a letter that I wrote to my daughters, which I will read to them when the time is right.  I encourage you to share it with your tween or teen.

Dear Emerson and Ivy,

I realize that wherever you go you will inundated with messages (direct or indirect) which are designed to tell you who you are.  Whether it’s a text from a friend asking you to do something you know in your heart is wrong, or the billboard on the street that displays an illusionary image of what girls should look like, I want you to feel powerful in each of these moments.  I know from experience that it’s easy to fall prey to the social mirror and do something simply because it’s the thing to do.

I spent a lot of time in my younger years worrying about what other people thought about me and therefore developed a self-image that was completely out of alignment with who I really was.  Even though I loved to sing, I didn’t try out for my high school choir because it wasn’t cool for football players to do something like this.  Even though I was told that I had natural leadership abilities, I placed a lid on my leadership potential because I was concerned with being too bossy.  Even though I was told by countless teachers and coaches that I was an exceptional student and teammate, I always doubted whether I was good enough.  What I failed to recognize is that each of these limited self-beliefs was something that I had learned, and could therefore be unlearned.

So, in the process of learning to embrace who you are, I want you to consider the fact that there are many things you’ve learned about yourself that may need to be unlearned.  I know it sounds strange, but this is the exact approach that Michelangelo took when he sculpted The Statue of David.  When you have an opportunity to uncover, or unlearn certain things that you’ve accepted as the truth, then (and only then) can you truly embrace the tremendous power you have to create positive, sustainable change.

Michelangelo was considered by many to be one of the greatest artists of all time.  Each year, millions of tourists flock to the Italian city of Florence to see Michelangelo’s greatest masterpiece, the Statue of David.  Upon its completion in 1504, this 17 ft. tall statue, sculpted with incredible precision and beauty, generated an immediate buzz amongst the townspeople.  Many were left wondering how Michelangelo was able to create a sculpture of such magnitude and with so much detail, out of what was once a huge slab of marble.  When asked this question, Michelangelo smiled and humbly replied, “Actually, it was quite simple.  I didn’t create David, you see.  David already existed concealed within the stone.  All I had to do was chip away at what wasn’t David.”  His response serves as a perfect metaphor for the process of unlearning.

Just as Michelangelo was able to chip away at the various layers of marble that represented who David wasn’t, you too can chip away, or unlearn, the various layers that prevent you from achieving your true potential.  You are not doubt, fear, guilt, discouragement, or suffering.  These all originated in your mind as a response to outside stimulus; you learned them.  The unlearning process begins with a commitment to self-discovery and a willingness to change a set of beliefs that have been running on auto-pilot for years.

Please know that I’m on this journey with you and continue to unlearn things about myself.  I love you both very much and want nothing more than to help you discover who you really are.

With love,

Daddy

Comments

Georgia Lane Reply
February 26, 2014

Mike,
This letter is beautiful and really special. You are one special Daddy!!

Julie KENTERA Reply
February 26, 2014

I love your posts, Mike. I wish everybody thought like you do

Gina Bendel Reply
July 29, 2014

This is wonderful and right in line with what I help others discover through my emotion – based life coaching. I would have loved to have been taught this as a young girl and my vision is that more and more future generations will be enlightened as young people learn just how amazing they truly are within. Your daughters are blessed to have a daddy like you to guide them.

Mike Sissel Reply
July 29, 2014

Hi Gina. Thank you for your comment. I agree with your sentiments.

Speaking of daughters, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach your sweet daughter. She is blessed to have you.

All my best,
Mike

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“Having been in the coaching profession for many years, I’ve gained the most satisfaction by having the opportunity to help shape the character of my players, ultimately preparing them for life beyond baseball. Mike Sissel is a masterful coach who shares a similar passion for the 'game of life'. His ability to connect with athletes is unmatched. If you have an opportunity for Mike to work with your team, it will truly be the 'gift' that will keep on giving. He has been a blessing to my family.”

Pat Murphy

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2018-05-23T09:46:00-07:00

Pat Murphy

“Having been in the coaching profession for many years, I’ve gained the most satisfaction by having the opportunity to help shape the character of my players, ultimately preparing them for life beyond baseball. Mike Sissel is a masterful coach who shares a similar passion for the 'game of life'. His ability to connect with athletes is unmatched. If you have an opportunity for Mike to work with your team, it will truly be the 'gift' that will keep on giving. He has been a blessing to my family.”
https://kaleidoeye.com/testimonials/pat-murphy/
“Wow! What an amazing person! We are so fortunate to have Mike Sissel in our lives. Having two daughters that compete, I cannot thank him enough for all of valuable lessons learned. He empowers my girls with tools and strategies to become not only better athletes but better people. He helps them to build strong character traits that will benefit them long after their time in completion has come to an end. He's had a positive influence on the mindset of our entire family and for that we are truly blessed.”

Kim Roberts-Johson

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2017-09-14T15:05:04-07:00

Kim Roberts-Johson

“Wow! What an amazing person! We are so fortunate to have Mike Sissel in our lives. Having two daughters that compete, I cannot thank him enough for all of valuable lessons learned. He empowers my girls with tools and strategies to become not only better athletes but better people. He helps them to build strong character traits that will benefit them long after their time in completion has come to an end. He's had a positive influence on the mindset of our entire family and for that we are truly blessed.”
https://kaleidoeye.com/testimonials/kim-roberts-johson/
“Mike Sissel is an amazing man. With a positive force driving his ultimate vision to help the world be a better place, he reminds young and old what it means to be and do good by finding it in within. His practical steps are accessible to children and admired by adults. Whether he facilitates a retreat, in-service, assembly, or consults, positive and tangible results will be the outcome. I highly recommend him!”

Greg Hebert

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2018-05-23T09:48:39-07:00

Greg Hebert

“Mike Sissel is an amazing man. With a positive force driving his ultimate vision to help the world be a better place, he reminds young and old what it means to be and do good by finding it in within. His practical steps are accessible to children and admired by adults. Whether he facilitates a retreat, in-service, assembly, or consults, positive and tangible results will be the outcome. I highly recommend him!”
https://kaleidoeye.com/testimonials/greg-hebert/
"At Nike, I like to say ‘You Own Your Career’, Mike presented to my team and provided them with strategies & tools that inspired them to take ownership of their actions, performance, and careers. It was Motivational Coaching that impacted all attendees – regardless of their roles. All team members learned what behaviors make good leaders, and that all of us can be a leader. Mike was an energetic, passionate and effective presenter. I look forward to seeing my team practicing and implementing these skills into their Personal & Professional Developmental Plans.”

Jeff DuMont

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2018-05-23T09:41:45-07:00

Jeff DuMont

"At Nike, I like to say ‘You Own Your Career’, Mike presented to my team and provided them with strategies & tools that inspired them to take ownership of their actions, performance, and careers. It was Motivational Coaching that impacted all attendees – regardless of their roles. All team members learned what behaviors make good leaders, and that all of us can be a leader. Mike was an energetic, passionate and effective presenter. I look forward to seeing my team practicing and implementing these skills into their Personal & Professional Developmental Plans.”
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“Our school mission has always been to educate the 'whole child', including their social and emotional development. Mike’s contribution to this mission, through the delivery of his meaningful, engaging lessons, has made a lasting impact on our school culture. In addition to the rich content he shares with our students, the energy he brings to each classroom is contagious. He has been an inspiration to our staff and students and truly lives the leadership principles he teaches.”

Christie Winkelmann

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2018-05-23T09:49:19-07:00

Christie Winkelmann

“Our school mission has always been to educate the 'whole child', including their social and emotional development. Mike’s contribution to this mission, through the delivery of his meaningful, engaging lessons, has made a lasting impact on our school culture. In addition to the rich content he shares with our students, the energy he brings to each classroom is contagious. He has been an inspiration to our staff and students and truly lives the leadership principles he teaches.”
https://kaleidoeye.com/testimonials/christie-winkelmann/
“The power of positivity is infectious and Mr. Sissel has a real gift of helping others believe that they have the mental strength within themselves to get past whatever they might be struggling with. We were introduced to Mike through Gold Medal Gymnastics and seeing the impact he has made on the lives of so many including our daughter is astounding. He helped her to overcome the feelings of insecurity, feeling bullied and showed her how to focus and 'change her lens' so that she could perform successfully.”

 

Fred Sanchez

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2017-09-14T15:02:28-07:00

Fred Sanchez

“The power of positivity is infectious and Mr. Sissel has a real gift of helping others believe that they have the mental strength within themselves to get past whatever they might be struggling with. We were introduced to Mike through Gold Medal Gymnastics and seeing the impact he has made on the lives of so many including our daughter is astounding. He helped her to overcome the feelings of insecurity, feeling bullied and showed her how to focus and 'change her lens' so that she could perform successfully.”  
https://kaleidoeye.com/testimonials/fred-sanchez/
“Mike has an amazing ability to reach our children and to challenge their thinking. His positive outlook and desire to help every child be the best they can be is inspiring. My daughter comes home from her time with him with a smile on her face and new words of wisdom to share with me.  My 13 year old son watches his motivational videos and every time turns to me and says "He is so right. Everything he is saying is so true".  So thankful to have him in my children's lives.”

 

Sally Moore

KaleidoEye
2017-09-14T15:01:56-07:00

Sally Moore

“Mike has an amazing ability to reach our children and to challenge their thinking. His positive outlook and desire to help every child be the best they can be is inspiring. My daughter comes home from her time with him with a smile on her face and new words of wisdom to share with me.  My 13 year old son watches his motivational videos and every time turns to me and says "He is so right. Everything he is saying is so true".  So thankful to have him in my children's lives.”  
https://kaleidoeye.com/testimonials/sally-moore/
“Mr Sissel has been such an unbelievably positive presence both at Gold Medal Gymnastics and at our daughter's school, CEE. There is always enthusiasm and excitement when she knows that they will be having a session with him. The topics that he addresses are so important and he helps the kids see not only life's big picture, but also how individually they can make a real difference for themselves and those around them with their choices. We are thankful and look forward to more work with him in the future.”

 

Margo Ingram

KaleidoEye
2017-09-14T15:04:38-07:00

Margo Ingram

“Mr Sissel has been such an unbelievably positive presence both at Gold Medal Gymnastics and at our daughter's school, CEE. There is always enthusiasm and excitement when she knows that they will be having a session with him. The topics that he addresses are so important and he helps the kids see not only life's big picture, but also how individually they can make a real difference for themselves and those around them with their choices. We are thankful and look forward to more work with him in the future.”  
https://kaleidoeye.com/testimonials/margo-ingram/
“Mr. Sissel has been an incredible positive influence for my kids! Every time he goes to their school they look forward to learning something new from him! I have a teen and preteen and they have had him for the last several years and have quoted his lessons to us at home. Mr. Sissel has a special gift of teaching ALL ages with passion and dedication and truly knows how to connect with his audience, which makes it fun. I have also recommended him as one on one coaching for my dear friend’s son after she went through a divorce and her son was acting out and his insight truly helped her.”

Judy Salinas

KaleidoEye
2017-09-14T14:39:25-07:00

Judy Salinas

“Mr. Sissel has been an incredible positive influence for my kids! Every time he goes to their school they look forward to learning something new from him! I have a teen and preteen and they have had him for the last several years and have quoted his lessons to us at home. Mr. Sissel has a special gift of teaching ALL ages with passion and dedication and truly knows how to connect with his audience, which makes it fun. I have also recommended him as one on one coaching for my dear friend’s son after she went through a divorce and her son was acting out and his insight truly helped her.”
https://kaleidoeye.com/testimonials/3596/
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