LEAN IN

Excerpt from Foreword by Mary Kate Feit, PhD, CSCS, SCCC As the Program Director of the Strength and Conditioning Graduate Program at Springfield College, my job is to develop strength and conditioning coaches. Throughout my career, I have been driven to understand what makes a successful strength and conditioning coach, how we can intentionally teach these skills, and how we can foster the development of the behaviors and characteristics needed to thrive in the profession. Through this role, I have interacted with hundreds—probably thousands—of strength and conditioning professionals at various stages of their careers. One of those professionals is Becky Bonaventura. I had the privilege of meeting Becky at a National Strength and Conditioning Coaches Conference in January of 2020. I had just finished presenting on how to create and administer a high-quality internship program when Becky approached me and asked if she could buy me a cup of coffee so that we could chat. While I am not a coffee drinker, I was impressed by Becky's willingness to reach out and initiate a conversation, and I was honored to have the opportunity to offer some professional advice. During this initial meeting, Becky showed herself to be a reflective professional looking to improve, develop, and have a positive impact on those around her. Since that moment, I have interacted with Becky on and off for several years, watching her career growinto what it is today. What has always impressed me most about Becky is her genuine care for others, her desire to help those around her succeed, and her persistence in striving for excellence—not only as a strength and conditioning professional, but also as a wife and mother. Over time, I have learned that the most effective strength and conditioning coaches are not defined solely by their ability to design programs or correct exercise technique. Rather, they are distinguished by their ability to connect with athletes, lead through both words and actions, and ultimately create a meaningful and positive impact on the people they serve. I can confidently say that Becky embodies these qualities and they serve as the foundation for this book.