Wicked

One of the most frequent issues parents ask me about is how to navigate the "mean girl" or "guy". A and I were on a long road trip and listening to the music from the recently released "Wicked" movie. I've seen this movie in theater version years ago and absolutely love the songs in it. One song I absolutely love is "Popular" and a favorite section of course is

" Popular!

I'll help you be popular!

You'll hang with the right cohorts

You'll be good at sports

Know the slang you've got to know

So let's start

'Cause you've got an awfully long way to go!."

That's what we might call a "backhanded compliment". While "Wicked" is primarily a musical about friendship, ambition, and the struggles of its main characters, there are some valuable lessons young athletes can draw parallels from. Here are a few:

1. Resilience and Perseverance: Just as Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) faces numerous challenges and setbacks in her journey, young athletes learn the importance of resilience. Overcoming obstacles, whether in training or competition, is crucial for success in sports.

2. Teamwork and Collaboration: The relationships and dynamics between characters like Elphaba and Glinda highlight the significance of teamwork. In sports, collaboration with teammates is essential for achieving common goals and supporting one another.

3. Embracing Individuality: Elphaba's journey emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself, even when faced with criticism. Young athletes can learn to embrace their unique skills and strengths, making them stand out and contributing to their team's success.

4. Facing Adversity: Both Elphaba and Glinda deal with societal expectations and personal struggles. Athletes often encounter pressure and setbacks; learning to face these challenges head-on is a vital skill that can lead to personal growth and development.

5. Leadership and Influence: Characters in "Wicked" display various forms of leadership. Young athletes can learn about the impact of being a positive influence on their teammates, whether through encouragement, motivation, or setting a good example.

6. Passion and Dedication: The drive each character has to pursue their dreams can inspire athletes to commit to their sport with passion and dedication, understanding that hard work is necessary to achieve their goals.

By reflecting on these themes from "Wicked," young athletes can enhance their mindset and approach to sports, fostering both personal and athletic growth. In my team program we play games that bring out these unique attributes of sports. Raising awareness of differences, leadership styles, individuality etc in a fun and age appropriate way. Engaging youth early (like 5th grade) in this type of play/learning helps young athletes with a foundation of social emotional awareness and how to not only be a better teammate, but also a better friend and human.

My program helps balance the understanding of teammates individually andhow different individuals can't make up a great team. In turn it reduces the impact of bad attitudes or the "Wicked" ways of some and builds trust and empathy.