Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Colin Speer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Colin, thanks for sitting with us today to chat about topics that are relevant to so many. One of those topics is communication skills, because we live in an age where our ability to communicate effectively can be like a superpower. Can you share how you developed your ability to communicate well?
Since I was a young boy my father always ensured that I communicated respectfully. He would always harp on me making eye contact and being attentive. Over the years it has turned into him teaching me how to market myself and not being afraid of putting myself out in the business world. He always tells me, “The worst thing someone can say to you is no”. He has been in sales his whole life and he had a very positive impact on me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Sports has always been a factor in my life to help me overcome tribulations. These tribulations were the result of loss, mental illness and failure. Sports has changed my life in the most unique way! It all started freshman year of high school when I tragically didn’t make the JV basketball team at my high school. I didn’t know what to do, but I knew I had to stay active. After meeting a lacrosse player in the hall, who was carrying around his equipment, I asked him about the team and if I could come try it. The rest is history. I began to work extremely hard, making All-Conference within a year of starting lacrosse. By the end of my high school career I was All-State, Team MVP, Team Captain and committed to play division two lacrosse.
I spent two years fighting addiction and struggling with severe mental illness. The game of lacrosse wasn’t fun anymore. I had no desire to be pushing my body to its limits everyday. I had lost my passion for the game. I was filling my time with other things that were hurting my body instead of helping it. This led me to transfer to UNC Chapel Hill in hopes of a fresh start and the possibility of walking on to the team in the fall of 2022. During this transition period I decided to step away from drinking and turned to a sober lifestyle.
Chapel Hill immediately came with some unexpected news. There was to be no walk-on tryouts for the 2022-23 season, which left me with the decision to volunteer with the team. This definitely put a hole in my confidence and left me with the question of what to do since I’m not playing anymore.
Back in 2020 when my senior year lacrosse season was canceled due to COVID-19, I began the journey of coaching and private training sessions. Soon after I was offered a small role with True Lacrosse North Carolina where I began my coaching journey. After a year, I wanted to be doing more and had started to develop a love for coaching. I had realized that there is a lack of premier lacrosse coaching in the Raleigh area. Through a summer internship with RJ Ancona, who was the Director of True NC at the time, I began to gain more responsibilities and learn more about the business side of travel lacrosse. I completely fell in love with the grind of being a coach. I started asking more questions than ever and becoming hungry for each and every opportunity.
In the past 6-8 months I have created my own business by the name of Phoenix Private Training. We offer clinics, group lessons and private lessons
for boys and girls lacrosse players of all ages in the Raleigh area. Due to the love and support by many, the company has been able to thrive, raising the level of training in the Raleigh area. Additionally, the company now stands at 6 trainers instead of just myself.
In recent months, RJ Ancona and I have branched out and started a new program called 3 Point Lacrosse which is a travel lacrosse program based out of Raleigh. Now I am currently a director for the program, as well as the head coach of a private school, volunteer with UNC men’s lacrosse and student.
I have come to the realization that lacrosse is my way of changing and touching the lives of the next generation. Not only am I a coach, but I pride myself on being a positive role model and truly caring for my players. Phoenix Private Training allows me to do this in a larger capacity. Private lessons and group lessons have been an environment where individual learning and confidence-building thrive. Coaching is my ultimate passion and I have given up a lot of opportunities to pursue a future in coaching lacrosse. Through Phoenix Private Training and 3 Point Lacrosse my goal is to change the game of girls and boys lacrosse in the Raleigh area. Please join me in my efforts to grow the game of lacrosse in North Carolina!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. You are never too young to be successful or chase your dreams
2. Be the example you preach to the younger generation. If you think of yourself as a role model, act that way!
3. Take it one day at a time and be organized. These two things have helped me stay on track especially during busy and stressful times.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
I am extremely blessed to be in the position I am right now; however, it gets extremely stressful and tiring. At the age of 21 it is difficult to manage all of the responsibilities that come with working full-time, living on my own and finishing college. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like there is enough time in the day, but taking each day one at a time is my solution.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.phoenixprivatetraining.com/
- Instagram: @phoenixprivatetraining
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-speer-300925236
Image Credits
Brent Hammer Alivia Salvagni
