JMP
About
I care about each student more than I do myself.
I coach the only way I know how: As my coach taught me. He created me from scratch, 8 years too late and in just 6 months time. An absolutely mind-blowing achievement to say the least. Also, a brilliant story to tell...just not at all relevant to my coaching. The second he became my coach, I became this coach. Naturally I have it in me, yes...but don't a lot of people? Through his eyes, his words and his genius mentality I obsessively watched hundreds of kids transform on and off the court because of my coach. I didn't know this for quite some time but when I wasn't playing, I was studying. Studying him, studying my competiton, studying the parents....you name it I studied the heck out of it. So much so, it drove most everyone around me crazy.
At some point, a bit after my tennis career ended I realized the majority of my wins on the court were because I was more coach than player.
That's a secret, and a story only my students are privy to.
Watching a student's face the second they realize they just conquered what they determined to be an "impossible" skill.
Conquering anything is monumental, recognizing impossible does not have to exist in life... Priceless
Highlights
Photos and videos
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
If typical is desired I am not the coach for you.
Each student is specifically coached to their individuality.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Became an USTA Nationally Ranked Junior Player at 12 after just 6 months of training. Starting 7-8 years later than most juniors had it's challenges. Singled out by peers, intense and immediate expectations from family, coach, spectaculars and even strangers, immediate success and instantaneous skill(s) achieved and much more lead to a resentful, scared and extremely confused 16 year old girl no longer in love, nor in charge of her career or life. A once in a lifetime passion lost just 4 years after the man whom became my coach begged my parents to send me his way....Fun Fact#1: I did not even serve into the correct box at that time; had zero knowledge of game and that incredible man built me from scratch.
It's he who created Julie Penn the tennis "champion"; more importantly It's he I learned the actual 5 "W's" that separate a coach from a teacher. That's my greatest achievement: Knowing I can coach, mentor and make better any student, regardless of ability, personality, external/internal factors, and so on and so on....whether it's tennis greatness, new found confidence or learning to love and look forward to something again.
Needless to say that 16 year old lost girl became her most determined and resourceful self as an immediately injured collegiate competitor; shockingly playing at less than 50% made her ALL passion and fight on the xourt, more than ever known possible. In April 2003, and attached by New Orlean's exceptionally awful heat stroke, she hit an overhead to win the determining match for an ACC third place team finish. My career ended the second that overhead went untouched. It was the most magical, fairytale ending to a devastating reality.... Julie Penn the tennis player was no longer; a renewed passion prohibited and a lifelong back injury she finally had to acknowledge.
ESPN named that year's team "The Biggest Turnaround in NCAA History". Goes to show no challenge or hardship overrides the rewards....the secret is in noticing what exactly it is that's rewarding. Trophies? No. ESPN saying your teams name? No. An overhead? Not even close. When one finally realizes how much more they are, and always have been simply as a person....well that's life's greatest joy right there.
Tennis is a sport. Teaching is technical. Coaching is personal. All three together make for some unexpected joy, to be defined by YOU.
Quick "Qualification" Rundown:
Division 1 Full Ride Scholarship Recipient for a top 75 ranked tennis team at University of Louisville from 2000 - 2004. #1 Singles and Doubles, Two Time MVP/Captain, Three Time Student Athlete of the Week, Dean's List Honors, etc.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Discussed and agreed upon with each student and/or family.
What types of students have you worked with?
Age 5 & up; individual and group lessons
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced/Highly Competitive, Disabled Juniors & Adults
From uninterested kids and arrogant adults to highly passionate, eager to learn students - I've seen it all.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Listen to your gut.