Handshake Coach: Jonathan Christie

High School: Roswell (Ga)

College/University: Harvard University

Will Troutman pictured on the right next to his former coach, Jonathan Christie (left), and Handshake America Chairman & Founder, Doug Probst (middle) is the subject of our Alumni Spotlight. Will answered several questions about his program experience, managing his demanding schedule as a student-athlete, and his view on the importance of effective coaching relationships.

1. How would you summarize your experience as a Harvard student-athlete thus far?

Despite the Covid-19 restrictions in place while on campus during my freshman year, being a student-athlete at Harvard has been an amazing and humbling experience. Every day I am pushed to be the best student and the best athlete I can be. I’m excited for my senior year and this year’s football season!

2. How do you effectively manage the rigorous academics of an ivy league school and the intense demands of a division 1 football player?

I learned very quickly that time management is key. Having a full class schedule and multiple workouts throughout the day is quite the balancing act, but with a little time and a few adjustments, it’s not too difficult.

“Being a Division 1 college athlete takes a lot of perseverance and passion…”

3. Have you applied the tools and lessons from the Handshake America program to your current endeavors - school, collegiate athletics, etc?

I have applied many of the tools and lessons learned from the Handshake America program, including the 5 P’s, to both my academic and athletic life. For example, being a Division 1 college athlete takes a lot of perseverance and passion with all of the long days and hundreds of hours of work. When it comes to academics, people, presence, and positivity are the most important to me. I have found that building relationships are important to academic life. I meet new people all the time at school. I use the skills around people, presence, and positivity that I learned at Handshake America to build relationships and to help me succeed. The Handshake America experience has definitely made my college experience a lot more manageable.

4. As a dedicated collegiate athlete and former Handshake participant, you have years of experience working with different coaches. In your view, why is effective coaching so important to leadership development?

Effective coaching is important to leadership development because without coaching you don’t know how to best apply those skills. When it comes to being an athlete, you might be the most naturally athletic person on the field, but without effective coaching, it is just raw talent that is not being used to its full potential. The same can be said in the college and the business world. Being exceptionally smart or a natural leader can take you far, but coaching and guidance will enable you to apply your talents to their fullest.

“they have top-tier coaches who approach coaching in a very personalized way…”

5. Why was your Handshake coaching experience/relationship unique?

I have been blessed to have some amazing coaches throughout my life, but my Handshake America coaching experience was unique because it truly prepared me for adult/work life. No other program prepared me for college and truly taught me how to navigate the professional world. One of the things that make Handshake America so unique is that they have top-tier coaches who approach coaching in a very personalized way to their students. You felt like you were being taught by a friend and mentor rather than a coach. I continually stay in touch with my coach, Jonathan Christie, Handshake America is truly a one-of-a-kind program.

The alumni spotlight is a forum to showcase our vast pool of talented alumni - many of whom remain actively involved in the Handshake America program. To follow along with more spotlights like Will’s, follow us on social media where we will post a link to each alumni spotlight.