How I Tune-Up Tuesdays
I Asked ChatGPT to Interview Me. Here’s How It Went
How I Tune-Up Tuesdays
Welcome to the inaugural Tune-Up Tuesday! My hope is that this space will act as an extension of The Monday Morning Coach motivational newsletter. Soon you’ll be reading the perspectives of coaches, athletes, former athletes, and everyday people, like you, about what keeps them motivated, and how music plays a role in keeping them competitive and focused.
But before I ask the questions to other people, I figured it’d be best to share my experiences and see what the experiences would be like for other interviewees. As a coach, I try my best not ask athletes to put forth effort or try something new if I haven’t attempted to do so myself. So in the same way, I didn’t want to ask anyone questions I wouldn’t be willing to answer myself.
But I had a problem: who’s going to interview me for my newsletter? So, I asked ChatGPT.
Below is my interview with ChatGPT from the prompt, “Conduct a fun but insightful interview with me, Coach Thomas, a head girls track and field coach, covering topics about competition and the motivation of music I incorporate into my everyday life.
Here’s the result. Enjoy!
Interview with Coach Thomas:
ChatGPT: Coach Thomas, it’s a pleasure to chat with you today! As the head coach of a girls’ track and field team, you’ve surely seen your share of competitive moments. How do you define competition, especially in a sport as individual yet team-oriented as track and field?
Coach Thomas: Competition is a battle with the mind first, body second, and others last. If you don’t think you’re capable of getting better day by day, you won’t. When your body starts to hurt and you have a choice to either throttle down or push through, the competition with your mind and how you see yourself will take over and either push you through or tell you to pull back. Once you’ve developed mental toughness, competition against others is a a gauge to help you push yourself harder. Doing it together as a team in a sport that, from the outside, seems individualistic makes the experience all the more enriching.
ChatGPT: That’s a fantastic perspective. Now, I’ve heard you have a passion for music and even incorporate it into your daily routine and coaching. Can you tell us more about how music plays a role in your life?
Coach Thomas: Music is the soundtrack of our lives. It helps us find a rhythm in life, encourages us to move, think, and engage with our emotions. In track, it’s the same thing. Runners, throwers, vaulters, and jumpers must think about what they’re doing and also find a rhythm that helps them develop consistency. I listen to music every day to find inspiration, motivation, or to just focus during my personal workouts. Sometimes it’s vibey artists, like Leon Bridges, Khrungabin, or Kacey Musgraves, other times it’s hard-hitting lyricists like Derek Minor, Propaganda, or KB. Music always provides a soundtrack for my vibe.
ChatGPT: That’s awesome! Do you have any specific songs or genres that are must-haves for your training sessions?
CT: No “must-haves.” But, when we’re in the weight room I usually will put on what the kids enjoy. Other times, I put on something I enjoy or something that sounds motivational with its lyrics. Usually it’s hip hop, but other times pop, seldomly country or rock.
ChatGPT: I can imagine that really amps up the energy. Do you think there’s a connection between the rhythm of music and the rhythm of running?
CT: Absolutely, like I said before, everything we do in track and field requires rhythm. So when I see kids dancing or mouthing the words to lyrics I see it as a good thing. They’re moving, thinking, energetic, and comfortable—all attributes you want those apex competitors to have to varying degrees.
ChatGPT: That’s such a powerful way to use music. Now, on those tough days when motivation is hard to find, how do you personally use music to push through and keep going?
CT: I will usually put on some Lecrae, KB, Kendrick Lamar, or J. Cole. I like to listen to music that has wisdom embedded in it. Other times I try to find a new album outside of the genre I usually listen to just to hear the perspectives from someone else’s life. Sometimes just hearing other people voice their emotions helps me remember that I’m not alone on this journey of life.
ChatGPT: That’s such a powerful way to use music. How do your athletes respond to this musical approach?
CT: I’m not sure this part about me. Maybe I should share this with them? But when it comes to their workouts, they seem to enjoy the opportunity to move and listen to their own music upon request. Sometimes I’ll indulge them. Other times I won’t because of what kind of focus I feel like the day’s workout requires.
ChatGPT: It sounds like you’ve created an incredible environment for your team. If you had to pick one song that embodies your coaching philosophy, what would it be and why?
CT: "Love Yours," by J. Cole. It’s a reminder that regardless of our outcomes (which we can’t always control), we have a good life so we should love it. In our sport it’s easy to compare yourself to others and find a reason to be disappointed. But when you learn to appreciate the life you have, you slowly start to realize that your life is worth loving. In return, this appreciation for your life can fuel you to give every practice, rep, effort, or event your absolute best focus and intention.
ChatGPT: A perfect choice! Thank you so much, Coach Thomas, for sharing your insights today. Your blend of competition, music, and motivation is truly inspiring.
CT: Thank you ChatGPT! I enjoyed the questions as it helps me better understand my own connections with music, coaching, and competition.