I was homeless as a teen. The survival skills I learned now help me coach Aryna Sabalenka.

Jason Stacy is a performance coach who works with tennis player Aryna Sabalenka. Stacy, a father of four, shared his own difficult past in an as-told-to essay for Business Insider. When he was 11, his father died in his arms after a motorcycle accident. Stacy then became homeless from ages 12 to 15, facing violence and hardship.

He learned the importance of staying true to his values and reading people's intentions, skills that later helped him survive and thrive. Stacy found solace at a martial arts dojo, where he formed an adoptive family that continues to influence him today. As a coach, Stacy helps Sabalenka recognize what she needs in the moment and surround herself with supportive people.

Small consistent steps, rather than traumatic experiences, can lead to significant change. Stacy emphasizes the importance of loyalty to oneself in overcoming life's challenges, both in sports and other areas. He hopes to impart these lessons to his children and clients, fostering resilience and awareness through experiences rather than trauma.