In 2023, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the French Open with a group of 30 international tennis coaches. Among them was a coach from Denmark, known affectionately as Coach J. From the first day, Coach J stood out—not just for his humor and warmth, but for his resilience. He openly shared his health struggles, yet you’d never know the extent of his pain just by looking at him. He was always smiling, always making others laugh, and always bringing positive energy to the room.
Over the years, Coach J has been living with peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes him constant, unrelenting pain. For over 20 years, he’s dealt with each step on court as a challenge, yet he’s never once let it dampen his love for the game or his dedication to his students. Every lesson he’s given has been filled with joy and enthusiasm. But last year, his condition took a severe turn, and the situation has become incredibly difficult for him and his family.
Coach J began to lose muscle in his hands, with numbness spreading through his fingers. Despite numerous medical tests, doctors have been unable to find a clear diagnosis. They’ve ruled out cancer and major neurological disorders, but the mystery remains, adding to the frustration and uncertainty of his situation. Unfortunately, this also led to him losing his coaching job in February of this year, leaving him without a stable income and facing significant health challenges.
The Impact of Coach J’s Condition
Coach J is now dealing with severe polyneuropathy, muscular atrophy in his hands and legs, and extreme fatigue. His condition has been classified as a permanent disability, making it even more challenging for him to find work or maintain stability. To make matters more difficult, the bureaucratic process of obtaining disability support is slow and complex. While Coach J expects his disability claim to be processed by January 2025, he and his family urgently need support until then.
Their immediate needs include covering essential expenses like food, rent, insulin, and other crucial medications. Coach J, his wife of 18 years, their two children, and their loyal dog, Russell, are all depending on this support. The goal of our campaign is to raise €11,675, which will cover these essentials for the next few months.
How We Can Help Coach J
Coach J has spent his life giving to others. He’s been there for his students through every step, every swing, every challenge. Now, it’s our turn to be there for him. Here’s how you can help:
- Purchase My Digital Books
For the entire month of November, I’m donating all profits from my digital book sales directly to Coach J and his family. Every purchase you make contributes to their immediate needs and helps provide a lifeline. You can browse and purchase the books here: https://mytenniscoaching.com/ecological-dynamics-tennis-coaching-books/ - Donate Directly to Coach J’s Fundraiser
If you’d like to read more about Coach J’s journey or make a direct contribution, you can visit the donation page here. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to our goal of helping Coach J and his family stay afloat during these difficult months. https://whydonate.com/en/fundraising/keep-coach-in-the-game - Share the Campaign on Social Media
Even if you’re unable to donate, spreading the word about Coach J’s story can have an incredible impact. By sharing the campaign on social media, you’re helping us reach more people who may want to contribute or support in their own way.
Why This Matters
Coaching can often be a lonely profession. We’re on court for long hours, guiding our players, but rarely do we have a support system of our own. That’s why it’s so important to come together as a community and support one another in times of need. Coach J’s story isn’t just about one person—it’s a reminder that we all need a strong network to lean on. By helping Coach J, we’re strengthening the bonds that make our coaching community so unique.
Coach J has always been a role model, not only for his resilience but for his kindness, passion, and commitment to his players. He’s the coach who shows up, even when it’s painful, even when it’s hard. Now, he needs us to show up for him.
Let’s Stand Together
Let’s make sure Coach J has the support he needs to get through this tough time. By purchasing a digital book, making a donation, or sharing this campaign, you’re contributing to something truly meaningful—a chance to give back to someone who’s dedicated his life to the game we all love.
Thank you for being part of this community and for showing Coach J that he’s not alone. Together, we can make a real difference.
Warm regards,
Steve Whelan
My Tennis Coach Academy
