From Sidelines to Support:
How NFL Cheerleading prepared me for coaching clients through life's transitions.
As I’m preparing to tune in to Superbowl LVIX with my kids this evening, I’m reminiscing about my 2003 season with the Indianapolis Colts. The roar of 60,000 fans at the RCA Dome still echoes in my memory. As a 2003 Indianapolis Colts cheerleader, I lived for those moments – the energy, the precision, the teamwork. What I didn't realize then was how those experiences would shape my future as a divorce transition coach.
Our 2003 season was electric. Peyton Manning was leading one of the NFL's most dynamic offenses, and every Sunday felt like we were part of something special. As cheerleaders, we weren't just performing; we were athletes and ambassadors, maintaining rigorous training schedules while representing the Colts organization in the community. Every game day required unwavering focus, adaptability, and the ability to perform under pressure – skills that would prove invaluable in my future career.
The 2003 season built towards what seemed like an inevitable Super Bowl appearance. The energy in Indianapolis was palpable as we entered the playoffs. Then came the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots. The dream of cheering at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston slipped away as the final whistle blew. That loss taught me a crucial lesson about resilience and redirecting disappointment into future opportunities – a lesson used in my own divorce, and I now share with my clients at Leah GiaQuinta Coaching.
The parallels between my NFL cheerleading experience and my current role as a divorce transition coach are striking. I’ve experienced the peaks of feeling “chosen,” the valleys of rejection, and the triumph of choosing myself and my own winning team for this new season of life. All of these lessons carried me through my own divorce and in my work helping clients. Just as I once helped elevate the energy of a stadium full of fans, I now help clients navigate their most challenging moments. The discipline required to maintain peak performance on the sidelines translates directly to helping clients maintain their focus during emotional turbulence.
In my own divorce and in founding Leah GiaQuinta Coaching, I drew upon three key lessons from my cheerleading days:
1. The Power of Preparation
In the NFL, game day preparation started long before kickoff. Similarly, I teach my clients that successfully navigating divorce requires strategic planning and emotional readiness. Just as I once prepared for every possible game scenario, I now help clients prepare for the various challenges they'll face during their transition.
2. The Importance of Team Dynamics
NFL cheerleading is the ultimate team sport – one person out of sync can affect the entire routine. In divorce coaching, I emphasize the importance of building a strong support network and working effectively with legal professionals, therapists, and financial advisors.
3. Grace Under Pressure
Performing complex routines in front of thousands taught me to maintain composure in high-stress situations. This experience proves invaluable when helping clients navigate the emotional intensity of divorce proceedings.
The journey from NFL cheerleader to divorce transition coach might seem unexpected, but it makes perfect sense to me. Both roles require empathy, strength, and the ability to help others find their footing when they feel most off-balance. While I may no longer wear the Colts uniform, I carry the lessons of that experience into every coaching session, helping clients choreograph their own comeback stories.
As I reflect on my time with the Colts and my current role helping clients through divorce, I'm reminded that life's most powerful transformations often come from unexpected places. Whether it’s on the sidelines or through major life changes, I know this much is true: sometimes our biggest disappointments lead to our greatest purpose.
Cheering you on, always,
