Every now and then, we’re reminded just how powerful a single person’s influence can be.  

This year, my old ice hockey coach, Dušan Bosko, will turn 80. I plan to visit him on his birthday – not just to congratulate him, but to thank him. Because the truth is, I would not be the person I am today without him. 

Back in the 1980s, when I was a young player, he saw something in me. More importantly, he knew how to develop it. Long before talent pathways and structured athlete development programmes became the norm, he already had a system.  

But what he really gave us went far beyond drills and tactics. 

He taught discipline. Focus. Determination. The importance of building strength, both physically and mentally. He insisted we stay motivated, sleep well, eat properly and take recovery seriously. He told us to keep moving, to listen to our bodies, to stretch and look after ourselves. 

And when things went wrong, as they inevitably do, he taught us something even more valuable: if you fall, get back up… and keep doing it. Regroup and rebuild. 

His lessons carried weight because of his own story. As a young man, he had to flee Czechoslovakia and rebuild his life alone in Sweden, without family or support. He showed how we each have the power to shape the person we want to be. 

Looking back, I realise those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life and my career. Which brings me to the fitness industry and to the instructors who lead classes every day. 

When I think about what my coach gave to me, I see the same thing happening in studios and gyms all over the world. Instructors are doing far more than curating music or cueing choreography. They are building confidence. Instilling discipline. Helping people discover strength they didn’t know they had. 

Most participants may not realise it in the moment, but years later, many of them will. 

So to every fitness coach and instructor dedicating their time and energy to improving other people’s lives, we owe you respect. Your guidance, encouragement and belief help people become better versions of themselves. 

That is a legacy worth celebrating. 

Uffe A. Olesen
CEO, Body Bike International A/S