Being a parent and being the chair & founder of two sports clubs simultaneously is not something I’d recommend.
Running a sports club is often as intense as running a small business. When I found out I was going to be a dad, stepping down was something I really didn’t want to do. We’d come so far, and I wanted to see it through.
Fast forward to January. My mental health took a nosedive, and suddenly juggling parenthood and two clubs felt like trying to herd cats… while blindfolded… on a unicycle with my hands tied..
Here’s the worst part: as a chair, your harshest critic is often yourself. That little voice saying you’re not doing enough? Yeah, it gets LOUD.
One wise friend told me: “Run these voluntary orgs as long as you’re getting something out of it.” Not financially (the Climbing Clan and Caving Crew have never given me money), but emotionally, personally, professionally.
I realized the benefits I’d been getting from the Climbing Clan were dwindling. So, I made the tough call to step down and focus on the Caving Crew, parenting, and maybe even start my own programming business.
Is running one sports club as a parent still stressful? Absolutely. It’s drain-your-soul levels of exhausting some days. But the Caving Crew feels different. My son’s been caving with me, it’s becoming a family thing. It fits better with this new chapter of life.
So here we are, taking the Caving Crew into its fifth year.
To the Climbing Clan: may your days be dry, sunny, and full of great climbs.
To fellow parents juggling too many hats: it’s okay to put a few down.
Remember, it’s not about doing it all. It’s about doing what matters most to you.
Originally posted on this post on Instagram
