NU #41 - The May Rewind (Something A Little Different From Me)

Welcome to the May Rewind — a little behind-the-scenes look at what's been going on over here.

May & early June were full. Really full. And honestly? I loved every minute of it.

Here's the highlight reel.

〰️ The Greco Summit

This was such a good one.

I had the privilege of joining five other experts on a panel at The Complete Player Summit with Tony Greco, held at Orchard View Reception Centre. The room was full of parents, coaches, and athletes — the exact kind of people I love being around.

I spoke about mindset and mental performance — what it actually takes to show up consistently, handle pressure, and build the mental habits that support long-term success. The conversation was real and the questions were great.

But truthfully? The highlight was the families.

Meeting so many parents who are genuinely invested in doing right by their kids — not just their game, but their whole kid — reminded me exactly why I do this work. That energy is contagious.

〰️ May & June — Crunch Time

If there's one thing I know after 25+ years working with kids and families, it's that this stretch of the school year is anything but quiet. It can be total chaos if you're not strategic.

Some of my clients are wrapping up — finishing strong, consolidating the gains they've made, and heading into summer with real momentum. Others are just getting started, arriving with a fresh set of challenges and a timeline that feels urgent. And every single one of them needs something different.

That's what makes May and June so critical. There's no one-size-fits-all in this work — not in how we approach it, and certainly not in how we close it out. The demands on each kid or athlete are completely individual, and meeting them where they are right now takes focus and intention.

It's my favorite kind of busy.

〰️ What I'm Building

A few things are quietly taking shape behind the scenes, and I'm excited about all of them.

First — Kidbuilderz is slowly getting off the ground. This is a snail mail club for kids who think differently, and it's been on my mind for a while. You'll see more about this in my stuff soon.

Second — I'm formalizing the two distinct segments of my coaching business:

• Coaching & Learning skills for kids with deficits — executive function, ADHD support, school reluctance, the kids who need a different approach

• Coaching & Learning skills for high performers — the mental game, mindset, cognitive performance. This work is for athletes and students who are already doing well and want to go further.

  🎯Both are things I've always done. Now they'll have a proper home and the messaging is much clearer to my audience.

And third — a learning opportunity for education workers: a half-day strategy session for educators who want to learn how I built my business. Here's the thing — heading into summer vacation, you'll finally have the space to think about what else might be possible. If you've been curious about shifting your focus, exploring a new direction, or building something of your own, a half-day session in July or August might be just what the doctor ordered. If you're ready to seriously look at alternatives and this is already speaking to you, feel free to reach out now.

〰️ Travel — Ireland with Todd

Todd and I just got back from Ireland, and I'm still smiling about it.

We made a deliberate choice to stay out of Dublin entirely — we wanted the smaller communities, the countryside, and the real Ireland. We drove the whole western coast — Cobh, Tralee, Killarney, Westport, Dungloe, Letterkenny — and finished at Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort in Co. Donegal for a two-person golf tournament.

Todd adapted to driving on the wrong side of the road like an absolute pro. I, on the other hand, was a very supportive passenger. ( "keep left and look right"!) The roads through the countryside were narrow, winding, and at times genuinely dramatic — if you're someone who gets carsick, factor that in before you book. It's part of the adventure, but it's worth knowing going in.

The golf was breathtaking and brutally difficult — in the best possible way. The kind of courses that make you forget your score about halfway through because the views have completely taken over.

If you're going to Ireland expecting sunny and warm, this is not your trip. It rained every single day we were there — and we knew that going in and planned for it. It didn't dampen a thing.

We were joined by six friends who all made their way there independently, and we all played together in the Rosapenna two-person tournament. Having that crew there definitely added to the whole trip. The people we met along the way were warm and wonderful, and the food was genuinely fantastic. Ireland delivered. 🤍 The vistas were incredible and the pubs were a blast! And spending that time with Todd — my very own travel expert, chef, forever date, and official caddy advisor — made each and every tee time worth it. 🤍

〰️ What's Next — Summer 2026

We're staying close to home this summer, and it's just what the doctor ordered. No big plane travel. (Sidebar: airports are not my thing. Not one bit.) Perhaps a few road trips by car, nothing too extensive or pre-planned. Just the way we like it.

The plan: golf, clients, friends + family and building my business. I'll be working with my families through the summer — the work doesn't stop just because school lets out, and honestly, summer is prime time for this kind of progress. I'll also be working toward a formal coaching certification that I'm pursuing. More to come on that when the time is right.

Simple. Intentional. My kind of summer.

〰️ How to Reach Me

If you've been sitting on a question, or you're wondering whether coaching might be a fit for your child or student or athlete — just reach out. The best place to start is always a conversation.

📩hello@jenshirley.com

That's all I have for now.

Thanks for reading.

Bring on summer 2026!

Coach Jen

PS - If you would like to have the precise route & itinerary of our Ireland trip, let me know by email and I'll send you all the hotel info, etc...