A Summer of Risk and Reward: Grass, Gravity, and Growing Teams

Aug 2
4 min read

By Coach Michele Yates

If you had told me at the start of this year that my summer would involve jumping off of inflatable obstacles on a Kentucky lake and sliding for balls on a soccer pitch for the first time in two decades, I might have laughed—and then immediately started training for it.

This summer has been a "nonstop" whirlwind, a beautiful collision of my roles as a professional athlete, a business owner, and a coach. It’s been a season defined by taking risks, pushing personal boundaries, and pouring every ounce of energy into the next generation of athletes.

Taking the Leap: From College Fields to Adult Tournaments

One of the biggest personal risks I took this summer was stepping back onto the soccer field as a player. It’s been 24 years since my collegiate days at Northern Michigan University. While I’ve kept my competitive edge sharp through professional ultra running and mountain biking, there is a specific kind of "soccer fitness" and spatial awareness that only comes from being in the game.

Returning to adult soccer wasn't just about "kicking the ball around"; it was about remembering the joy of the sport that built my foundation. It was a reminder to my athletes—and myself—that you are never too old to be a student of the game or to take a risk on something that makes your heart race.

Alabama is quickly becoming one of my favorite states to visit. From soccer tournaments, XC meets, rugged mini mountain trails, and lakes... I'm grateful for all the new friends and memories I've made there.

Gravity and Grit in Kentucky

In the middle of the coaching chaos, I found myself in Kentucky, standing on the edge of a Wibit—a massive inflatable obstacle course floating on a lake. Jumping off those structures into the water was a literal leap of faith. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated fun that reminded me why we do what we do. Movement should be joyful. Risk should be exhilarating. Whether it’s a 100-mile trail race or a 15-foot drop into a lake, the growth happens when you decide to let go. This is just 1 year post hip replacement, experiencing how God works in our everyday lives.

MMXC: Building Holistic Athletes

Back home in Rockford, our MMXC Sports Performance Course was in full swing at the "YATES" training studio. We welcomed kids from ages 5 to 17, focusing on a holistic approach that goes far beyond just "running drills."

Our daily schedule was packed with:

Agility and Speed: Utilizing ladders, hurdles, and parachutes to build explosive power.
Nutrition Education: Creating fruit rolls and power oats to teach these young athletes how to fuel their bodies.
Mindset and Confidence: Building vision boards and discussing "Grit" to ensure their mental game is as strong as their physical one.

It’s about recognizing players as complex individuals. Seeing the growth in confidence from these kids—some as young as 7—reminds me why I founded Mountain Movers.

Pouring into ECCA: The Next Chapter

Perhaps the most rewarding part of this summer has been my new journey as the Head Coach for the ECCA Middle School Girls Soccer team. From our initial interest meetings in May to the high-energy voluntary summer practices, the commitment from these girls has been inspiring.

We just wrapped up our tryouts on July 20th and 21st, and the talent level was incredible. My goal is to build a program rooted in "The 4 R's" (Respect) and "The 5 C's" (Coachability, Camaraderie, Commitment, Communication, and Confidence).

We are moving forward with two teams this year—a Varsity "A" team and a Junior Varsity "B" team. This "feeder program" approach ensures that every girl, regardless of her current skill level, has a place to grow, develop her footwork, and feel empowered.

The Foundation for the Fall

As the summer sun begins to set and we head into the official school season, I’m reflecting on the "race pace" of the last few months. Between running my businesses, competing personally, and coaching multiple teams, it would be easy to feel burned out. Instead, I feel fueled.

Pouring into these athletes at ECCA and MMXC isn't just a job; it's a passion for building a strong foundation of health, fitness, and character.

Truth be told, it wasn’t all glitter cupcakes and rainbows. I’m nursing a bummed knee from my adventures but I have FULL FAITH that God has a plan and a hand it all of it.

I’m looking forward to taking another risk in November with the USATF Masters XC Championships in Alabama and the USATF 24 Hour National Championships in Arizona. For the 24 hour, instead of my typical rugged, technical trails, I’m utilizing the training I have around me here in TN to execute a flat, 1 mile loop to go for personal records at various distances. A mentally demanding challenge I have not yet tried.