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Biggest Takeaways from Grad School
Eric Belliveau • May 14, 2018

This past weekend I walked across the stage and accepted my master’s degree in exercise science at Springfield College. Even though I completed my coursework in May of 2017 and defended my thesis this past November I wanted the closure of walking across the stage. Along with expanding my knowledge in strength and conditioning, I learned a lot about life while in graduate school.My three biggest take aways from attending graduate school at Springfield College are to always have a life and work balance, to always ask questions and to make time to read as often as you can.

My program director Dr. Thompson instilled in us that a positive work and life balance is one of the most important things you should have in life. Each time he lectured Dr. Thompson would always mention having balance to avoid burning out in our profession. This really hit home for me and when I felt myself getting caught up in school work or during one of my internships I would close my books, laptop and take a step back. I believe having a life work balance can aid in reducing your stress levels as well as maintaining healthy relationships with ones that mean the most to you.

As a strength and condition coach, you must always know your “why”. There will be curious athletes and younger coaches who want to learn as well.

To always ask questions is something that every one of my mentors preached to me. You can never stop learning if you ask questions. Just a simple “why” can go a long way and spark a great conversation. I learned the most about strength and conditioning by asking questions about why certain exercises were programmed and why each coach wanted things done a certain way. This allowed me to grow into having my own coaching style by taking things from everyone that I have learned from. As a strength and condition coach, you must always know your “why”. There will be curious athletes and younger coaches who want to learn as well.

I read more books while in graduate school than I had in a very long time. This was another aspect that my program director Dr. Thompson believed strongly about.He would always say if you read 5 pages a night that is 35 pages a week. Starting and finishing books became easier and easier. Reading helped me relax and unwind from the day especially if it was a long one. Reading books such as ones about leadership has helped me learn a lot about myself and how I can become a better coach. I used to think reading was a punishment especially when I had to read certain books for school when I was younger. Now I enjoy reading and always have one or two books going.

These takeaways have molded me into the coach that I currently am and who I strive to be. Take advantage of every opportunity you are presented with to make yourself a better you!

The Meat Hangover

By Eric Belliveau • October 7, 2020
When it comes to taking meat out of your diet, some people have the idea that they will only see positive changes immediately following this choice. While those positive changes are definitely part of the deal, so is an adjustment period for your body.

We're Trying

By Eric Belliveau • September 23, 2020
We were all thrown on this crazy ride together. Emotions were running high but so were patience, empathy, inclusion, and respect. Most of us could rally behind the #WeAreInThisTogether manta. We wanted to do right by each other - donate to charities, lend a hand, check-in on one another. Do our part. As the days turn to weeks and the weeks into months these dispositions decayed rapidly. I know that this Quarantine order has been going on for a long time. I know that a great number of us do not agree on the why. I know an even greater number of us are “over it”. I am painfully aware of the difference of opinions surrounding the pandemic. It is impossible to NOT be aware of this. This leads us all to frustration, anger, resentment, and the feeling that you are not being heard. Very real and very human emotions! It is okay to feel this way. I am not only writing this from the perspective of a fellow struggling human. I do find myself struggling with everything I mentioned above. Not just daily but multiple times a day. My ability to focus has been challenged by my worry. My ability to create time for myself and focus on self-care has been derailed for fear of other things becoming more pressing. I work on this every day. I am not only writing this from the perspective of one of the business owners who were never given a playbook for this. For weeks on end I thought WTF happened to the business and how would our model need to change and remain viable, how each business owner had to either weather a period in which we were completely shut down or allowed to operate under capacity restrictions, etc. The unknown of what the timeline would bring and whether we would be able to continue our dreams or make an extremely difficult decision of not continuing. This still haunts every one of us daily. I AM very much writing this as a service provider! I am writing this as an impassioned human who genuinely loves what I do for a living. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to have built a career surrounding something I get excited about every day. I am making a stand for all of us that make their living in the service industry. To the receptionist, hostess, waiter, cook, dry cleaner, teacher, technician, barista, utility worker, automobile service technician… It is truly impossible to be inclusive of everyone here.  No one human mentioned above asked for this ‘situation’ we are in. We are sure as hell trying to provide a level of normalcy, service, care, and happiness to the lives in which we choose to serve. With added restrictions, added expense decreased capacity and the fear of being fined or shut down for doing it incorrectly, everyday.

The Meat Hangover

By Eric Belliveau • October 7, 2020
When it comes to taking meat out of your diet, some people have the idea that they will only see positive changes immediately following this choice. While those positive changes are definitely part of the deal, so is an adjustment period for your body.

We're Trying

By Eric Belliveau • September 23, 2020
We were all thrown on this crazy ride together. Emotions were running high but so were patience, empathy, inclusion, and respect. Most of us could rally behind the #WeAreInThisTogether manta. We wanted to do right by each other - donate to charities, lend a hand, check-in on one another. Do our part. As the days turn to weeks and the weeks into months these dispositions decayed rapidly. I know that this Quarantine order has been going on for a long time. I know that a great number of us do not agree on the why. I know an even greater number of us are “over it”. I am painfully aware of the difference of opinions surrounding the pandemic. It is impossible to NOT be aware of this. This leads us all to frustration, anger, resentment, and the feeling that you are not being heard. Very real and very human emotions! It is okay to feel this way. I am not only writing this from the perspective of a fellow struggling human. I do find myself struggling with everything I mentioned above. Not just daily but multiple times a day. My ability to focus has been challenged by my worry. My ability to create time for myself and focus on self-care has been derailed for fear of other things becoming more pressing. I work on this every day. I am not only writing this from the perspective of one of the business owners who were never given a playbook for this. For weeks on end I thought WTF happened to the business and how would our model need to change and remain viable, how each business owner had to either weather a period in which we were completely shut down or allowed to operate under capacity restrictions, etc. The unknown of what the timeline would bring and whether we would be able to continue our dreams or make an extremely difficult decision of not continuing. This still haunts every one of us daily. I AM very much writing this as a service provider! I am writing this as an impassioned human who genuinely loves what I do for a living. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to have built a career surrounding something I get excited about every day. I am making a stand for all of us that make their living in the service industry. To the receptionist, hostess, waiter, cook, dry cleaner, teacher, technician, barista, utility worker, automobile service technician… It is truly impossible to be inclusive of everyone here.  No one human mentioned above asked for this ‘situation’ we are in. We are sure as hell trying to provide a level of normalcy, service, care, and happiness to the lives in which we choose to serve. With added restrictions, added expense decreased capacity and the fear of being fined or shut down for doing it incorrectly, everyday.
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