I was recently interviewed for a head coach job at a swim club. I surprised myself when I was asked the question.

What makes you different/better than the next person that we bring in?

My response, “Nothing.”

What the @#$^% are you thinking?

How am I supposed to know what makes me different from people I’ve never met? For all I know they could be 30 years old and have coached for 15 years, am I better than them? No.

What truly sets me apart, in my mind, is that I’ve found what I’m passionate about. Swimming was my first love when it came to athletics. It brought about some of the best times in my life and created the tightest bond with a great group of friends that I will always have by my side.