December 14, 2020

QUICK FIRE: #21 Kelsey Engman: Lessons for Counseling from Coaching Squash...

34 minutes

INTRODUCING THE ‘QUICK FIRE’ SEGMENTS:

This is where we ask each guest the same kind of questions broken into two sections. First, their thoughts on major areas of the sport of squash. And then two other areas that we learn more about their life. I love this section because I never know what people were going to say. And I've learned so much about the guests and new ways to try and do things.

So we're going to try and do more interviews based on this shorter format, because we're always up for experiments and try new things. We're already full steam ahead on prepping for 2021 and looking to do even more. Thank you for all your support we've been getting and your emails mean the world to me and the rest of the team as always thanks for tuning in, and we hope you enjoy.

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ProSportLED is also a Sponsor of Squash Radio and we both aligned about the importance of sharing the stories of people involved in our Sport. We cover a lot of ground on this episode and launch a new addition to our “Quick Fire” segment with a 90-second take on the major areas of the Sport.

We hope you enjoy our conversation!

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Episode 21: Show Notes. FROM FULL EPISODE

Today we are very happy to welcome Kelsey Engman to Squash Radio! Kelsey is currently a counselor working in a school in Philadelphia, and we get to hear all about her current work as well as the important part that coaching squash has played in her life. Early on in our conversation, Kelsey underlines her feminist outlook, situating it in a broader fight against oppression and discrimination.

This motif runs through the episode, as Kelsey talks about the difficulties she encountered as a coach and the types of discrimination that still occurs in sport. We discuss the impact of the introduction of Title IX regulations, Kelsey's reflections on coaching male and female teams, and how she made a change into her current line of work. Kelsey also unpacks some of her thoughts on education and the ways that teachers are undervalued, especially financially.

From there we get to hear from our guest about the support she offers the students of her school, the forms this takes, and some examples of the types of situations she deals with. The episode ends with Kelsey responding to our quick-fire questions, dealing with squash, and beyond! Listeners can expect to hear about Kelsey's favorite movies, podcasts, tips for better sleep, and much more!

Make sure to join us for this illuminating and inspiring chat!

Key Points From This Episode:

Kelsey's professional life as a counselor and her roles in the squash community.

The different universities and clubs at which Kelsey has held positions.

Kelsey's coaching style and its relation to her general philosophy and feminism.

Differences in coaching men and women and the assumptions about these dynamics.

The impact that the introduction of Title IX regulations have had on coaching and women's teams.

Reflections on early days coaching and the challenges that Kelsey faced.

Discrimination that Kelsey has experienced and lessons she takes forward from this.

Kelsey's 90-second advice for dealing with difficult circumstances.

The somewhat unplanned transition that Kelsey made into counseling.

Kelsey's work at a school in Philadelphia, and the full-time counseling she performs.

Thoughts on the ways that society value teachers and how this could be improved.

Implementing initiatives and the positive side of working at a small school.

An example of the kind of support that Kelsey is able to provide to students.

Conversations around access and funding — providing what is necessary to those in need.

Kelsey's preparation and precautions for showing up in the best way.

Tips for finding the right person to speak to; helpful resources and avenues to explore.

The 90-second quick-fire round with Kelsey about different levels of squash, the future of the sport, and more!

Movie and podcast recommendations, fueling the fire, sleep tips, and Kelsey's other interests.

Tweetables:

“There is a part of me that would rather be effective than angry, even though I think anger is appropriate in some of those moments.” — Kelsey Engman [0:17:12]

“Everyone has struggles in their life, if you haven't had them yet you probably will have them and you will get through them most likely, but we need to have supports in place to make sure that happens.” — Kelsey Engman [0:41:26]

“You don't need to wait until you are in a crisis moment or where you are crying or where it feels really dire. I think preventative work is one of the tenets of our profession.” — Kelsey Engman [0:51:41]

“I think there is opportunity to learn to be impartial under the hardest of circumstances.” — Kelsey Engman [1:04:16]

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This episode of Squash Radio sponsored by ProSportLED – the most advanced lighting technology for sports.

Music for Squash Radio by Bensound.

If you have an interesting story you think our audience needs to hear, feel free to reach out to us on social media or email [email protected]. As always, thanks for listening!

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By Conor O‘Malley (SQR Squash Radio)

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