Chapter 14
After our mindfulness session, it’s time for lunch.
I can’t get the first taste of mac and cheese out of my head as I follow Noah across the lawn. The warm, gooey cheese still coats my tongue, a delicious distraction from the butterflies in my stomach. For a sports program, they certainly put on an impressive display of food.
I really like how the nutritionists here focus on a balanced approach, taking overall macros and calories into account rather than banning ‘bad’ foods. It’s a far cry from the more restrictive food regimes I’ve heard other clubs subscribe to, and, as a foodie, I’m so grateful this was the club that picked me.
Noah waves over three hulking guys who are tossing a rugby ball back and forth. “Mike, Sione, Hone, come meet Dylan!”
My palms sweat. Will Noah’s teammates like me? I know how cliquey teams can be. But Mike’s smile is as warm as the mac and cheese. “Welcome to the madhouse! How are you liking it so far?”
Sione claps my shoulder. “We heard you’re a hell of a hooker. Can’t wait to see your skills on the pitch.”
“I bet she can drink us all under the table too,” Hone says with a wink. His easy banter sets me at ease, almost as if he’s treating me like one of the guys. Maybe I’ve found my people.
We chat about our favorite teams and playlists until we’re called back to the session.
As we walk, Noah murmurs, “Told you this would change our lives.”
With his team already feeling like family, I’m starting to believe him.
I slide into a seat next to Noah in the auditorium as the day’s guest speaker, Nigel Nesbitt, takes the stage with Cynthia, a handsome, angular woman who manages the club’s leadership program. Her no-nonsense ponytail and sharp blazer contrast with Nigel’s surfer dude vibe.
“Leadership,” Nigel begins. “It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot in sports. But what does it really mean?”
Cynthia clicks to the next slide. “Leadership is influence,” she says crisply. “It’s about inspiring others towards a common goal.”
As they discuss pivoting strategies and overcoming resistance to change, Noah and I exchange glances. It’s like they’re describing our own situation—and maybe, just maybe, this course will teach us how to pivot the way we both so desperately need.