The Call

The first time I was humbled as a presenter was while teaching Sunday School to middle school students.

I was in my mid-20s and, in my mind, pretty young and hip (which was probably never true). I was given the opportunity to teach Sunday School for the first time – or rather, they found someone brave (or dumb) enough to teach the middle schoolers.

I thought back to my own Sunday School experience, and not once did I have a teacher anywhere near an age I felt I could relate to. Man, how lucky were these kids?

Week after week, I left Sunday School defeated. I tried to relate, inspire conversation, and make class fun. But Sunday after Sunday, I was met with crossed arms, blank stares, and stimulating questions like, "Why is the carpet so ugly?" Yeah, I was crushing it.

As the year went on, I settled in and adjusted my expectations about the kind of energy and engagement I was likely to get. It never turned into kids bounding into class with excitement, but I made the best of it.

What that year taught me – and what has helped me ever since – is that we don't always get to see the impact we have on others. Sometimes we don't hear about it. Sometimes we don't know it until years later.

I would often run into parents of kids from my class, and they would tell me how much their kids loved Sunday School. They would share ideas their children brought home from our conversations.

"Really? Your kid? The silent one who looks like he wants to tackle me?"

As the years went on and I built a career around mentoring, teaching, coaching, and speaking, what I learned from those middle school students stayed with me: don't look for external validation as proof that you're making a difference.

Not easy at all, but valuable nonetheless.

As a speaker, I can see the faces in the audience. I can feel the energy in the room. I get to have conversations with people afterward. But as a mindset coach, feedback can be rare. My job is to help people, not get my ego stroked.

The biggest sign that I'm helping someone is that they want to keep having conversations. They're getting value from our sessions. When I work with youth athletes, parents will often tell me how much their child is enjoying the experience. Those little moments can give me a boost and remind me, "Yes, keep showing up on purpose and doing the work."

As a speaker and coach, I deal with impostor syndrome too.

I love being on stage. I love coaching individuals. But there's always a little voice in the back of my mind asking, "Are you sure you're any good at this?"

Haha, it's always there.

And when I focus on my purpose, I face the opportunity and go for it. External validation be damned!

Which is why, a few weeks ago, I got a call I never expected to receive.

Sebastian Berhalter is a young man I've been working with for more than four years. His dad, Gregg Berhalter, was the Head Coach of the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team and the person who hired me to work with the team for three years.

During my time working with the team is when I met Sebastian.

He was trying to establish himself as a professional soccer player but was struggling, as many young athletes do. We met during his second year in the league, and he asked if he could call me from time to time.

As a performance coach, there is nothing better than a motivated client.

Sebastian was hungry for knowledge, inspiration, and ideas for getting better – not just as a player, but as a person. Honestly, I looked forward to our conversations.

Since then, I've watched him go from being told he probably wouldn't be a starter as a professional to becoming an MLS All-Star.

A year ago, he called to tell me he had been invited to his first National Team camp. That was a huge accomplishment, and he made the most of the opportunity. Even then, making the World Cup roster still felt like a long shot.

But if you know Sebastian, you know he's the kind of person who commits to getting a little better every day while also trying to be a good person every day.

Train hard.

Be a good teammate.

Find the joy!

Keep stacking days.

For me, there is nothing more gratifying than watching someone reach their potential and thrive. And Sebastian has been thriving.

So, a few weeks ago, FOX was airing a special program to announce the final U.S. roster for the World Cup.

Then this happened.

I am so glad I answered the call.

You don't always get to see the impact you have in someone's life, but it sure feels good when you do.

Good luck, Sebastian! Go USA!

—Travis