What ADHD Taught Me About Coaching and Life – An Interview with Coach Jim Lutz
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
Jim Lutz has coached elite athletes and individuals in many walks of life. Jim is an internationally certified life coach. Jim and Diane have been married for over 37 years and have two adult sons. He has published 11 books, and his children’s book series (8 written) will be released in the summer of 2026. Jim offers practical, relatable insights as we face the challenges of everyday life. He provides
encouragement and a positive influence on your life.
In this interview, “Coach” Jim will relate life situations from his youth that have provided others with a way to deal with adversity, overcome challenges, and build a confidence-based path to success. “I need today to last longer, because my tomorrow is already filled with opportunities.” – Coach Jim Lutz
Jim Lutz, Confidence Coach
What first inspired you to create “Coaches Clips” and focus your work around confidence?
I originally began recording the CCs around 2020, during the COVID period, to bring some positivity to the internet. Too often, “If it bleeds, it leads” was the mantra of the media. During a move to Arizona and other life events, I took a hiatus. In February of 2023, my cancer returned, and I was determined that I would die with it but not from it. So, the best way for me to stay positive was to promote positivity for others as well. When I can coach someone to overcome barriers, I feel better, too. When you fill your mind with positive thoughts and beliefs, there is no room for negative thoughts to take hold. If we aim to remove the worst effects of social media by promoting positive messages, we all win. All of the CC’s are now available in book form.
What did coaching Olympians and elite athletes teach you about confidence under pressure?
Every athlete and client is different. Each has the ability and tendencies to process events in a manner best suited for them. Elite athletes are often perceived as selfish or self-centered. In some cases, that might be true, but in many, it is the casual observer's lack of understanding. The art of coaching is learning which buttons to push, how often, and for how long. There may be two athletes who are similar in talent but will perform dramatically differently in a similar setting. Elite performance in practice is vital to increase the probability of excellence. I’m not saying someone can't perform well if they don't excel in training. However, it does diminish the potential for success. In a team event, like a relay, some athletes were either the leadoff or the anchor, while others needed to be second or third, which helped reduce stress. The elite who set themselves above all others want the pressure on them when they are expected to perform and succeed. They all want success, but few hate losing more than they love winning. Choose the former.
How has your personal experience with ADHD shaped the way you coach others today?
I have dealt with ADHD my entire life. It was not until I was in college that I was finally diagnosed. For years, I could not figure out why others could read something once and understand how to implement it. Ironically, I have now written almost 20 books, but I was required to take remedial English when I started college because my reading comprehension was so low. To this day, I do not enjoy studying because I feel like I am wasting my time due to poor retention. However, I can instantly do math equations in my head. I understand those who employ various methods to improve their academics and performances, athletically or professionally. I offer and present different approaches to addressing issues they are facing and help them structure a logical system to implement the necessary changes for success. When I begin a coaching session, everything is based on the areas they feel need to be addressed. I have no agenda or lesson plan; everything we do is based on their needs at the time. We may work on a specific item for 3-4 weeks or in less than 30 minutes. It is all about them.
Why do you think so many high achievers still struggle with self-worth and limiting beliefs?
Most have never learned to separate what they do from who they are. For example, from day one, I told the swimmers in practice, "You are a (fill in the blank) who happens to excel in swimming." Two things swimmers have to deal with are a stopwatch and a scale. Neither of those cares about emotions or who the person is. They offer a specific piece of information used to measure success or failure. Often, they feel that if I fail, people will think less of me, I’m a bad person, I’m a terrible son, daughter, husband, wife, etc. Every one of those emotions is incorrect and unfair for anyone holding those opinions. It is also true from the position of success. A real situation after the Olympic Games is the “Gold Medal Syndrome.” Initially, people feel they are a celebrity and hold a higher social position because they won a gold medal. When the applause and accolades diminish, they fall into a deep, dark depression to the point where some have done serious harm to themselves and, on rare occasions, have committed suicide. We must remind them that titles are what they do, not who they are.
What are people getting wrong when they rely on motivation instead of building confidence?
Motivation is based on emotions: fear, excitement, joy, and pain. All are beneficial, to a point, but you just cannot stay in any of those for an extended period. Confidence is an ongoing work in progress. No one trips to the summit of Mt Everest. That journey takes years of preparation, with no guarantee they will complete the ascent. Too many variables are present, like the weather or personal injury. A climber could have done everything exactly as their program was laid out, only for a storm to come through and close the window of opportunity. In a situation where disappointment or even devastation is the end result, the coach must help them focus on the journey and consistent training to enable them to take the next steps. Their starting point has been forever changing, never to return to its original location. “Building confidence” in the term itself describes building, not buying or wishing. When competing on any stage, hope is no longer part of the process. You cannot hope you prepared properly or hope someone else makes a mistake. You must take on a ‘god-like” complex while competing and have faith in the decisions you make in that setting. The mindset must be developed over the entirety of the journey.
What is one practical way someone can start challenging limiting beliefs in everyday life?
We have all heard the term ‘baby steps.” There is no point in the development process where ‘leaps’ are encouraged. Jumping too soon causes you to miss or overlook key items that are vital and have a place. Look at the desired final product and break the process into smaller parts. Practice the steps until they become mundane and no thought is needed to perform them. Then you take the next step. If you do not experience failure along the way, you are wasting time. Failure happens when you go beyond your current abilities or lack preparation. If you have perfected the steps through repetition, then a lack of preparation is not the reason for failure. You may have tried to advance too far, too fast. No worries. Adjust, Adapt, and Advance. Adjustments are part of the process and should never be viewed as failure. Keep building on the small steps, and your confidence will become a formidable foundation on which you continue to stand and rise above.
How can people with ADHD turn traits that feel chaotic into real strengths?
People with ADHD have an amazing skill that others do not possess, nor can they comprehend. In my experience, people with ADHD function on multiple levels most of the time. Their minds wander, which can be an incredible benefit when an impasse has been reached. They have the ability to think outside of the box, because that is their comfort zone. Staying in one lane causes them to lose focus and creates problems in their current situation. When the person with ADHD realizes they are looking at the same situation as the others, but they find multiple options for completing the task(s). The response is not, “How can you be so stupid,” to “How did you think of that, so quickly. That’s amazing.” This type of event often leads to greater confidence and a willingness to engage with others, rather than to avoid them for fear of ridicule.
What role has adversity played in shaping your philosophy around resilience and personal growth?
Being raised by a solo mother after the unexpected death of my 33-year-old father, we faced hardships that others did not see. Money was always tight and often short, but my mother never accepted any government handouts. We were taught that if you want something beyond necessities, you have to work for it and pay for it yourself. My mother was awesome and lived to 97. She instilled in us a work ethic, which has been my greatest strength throughout my life. I was not a gifted athlete and felt that if I outworked others, I would have a greater chance for success. As the saying goes, “Hard work outperforms talent; when talent does not work hard.” Academically, I had to create a way to learn and retain the information beyond memorization. ADHA individuals often reach for the shiny object. When you must create the object, it is not shiny but useful, and you will place more value on it.
What is the one message you hope people carry with them after working with you or hearing your story?
I want them to welcome setbacks and remove the opportunity for devastation. I am not a miracle worker; I simply adjust the tools in their mental toolbox. Every person possesses amazing talents, skills, and qualities that are unique to them. That is the starting point for them to start creating an amazing future for themselves. I can honestly say I have not met an athlete or client where I have said, “There is nothing this person offers that can create something amazing.” Every person is the driver of their own car, steering towards their future. If they can accelerate, brake, and steer clear of adversity, then they can control the outcomes and their future. For a coach, the greatest feeling I have ever achieved is seeing the look of satisfaction and achievement when the barrier has been removed, and they are moving towards a great future. They are the ones responsible, and they will earn that sense of entitlement. I just extend my hand when they fall, brush them off, and give them a push to keep moving. The best opportunity anyone could be offered.
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