I thought he wanted to fire me.

Hindsight is a funny thing.

The summer I was 17, I thought I had hit the jackpot. I was running the sports program at camp, which meant I didn’t have a cabin full of campers to supervise. My main responsibilities were during program activities, with just a little extra support given to the cabin leaders some evenings. The rest of the time? Mine to do as I pleased.

On top of that, I had a girl I liked who seemingly liked me too, and we got to spend a lot of time together. Life was good.

But that summer took an unexpected turn when I was convinced the Program Coordinator wanted to fire me. Every conversation we had felt like an interrogation. He kept asking about my program development, how I was incorporating intentional learning opportunities, and other things I honestly didn’t understand at the time.

I vividly remember one moment: I was walking down the main path of camp with my "friend" when he pulled me aside to talk. I was furious—he was cutting into my time with her!

It took me years to realize he wasn’t trying to get rid of me. He was trying to help me.

He was pushing me. Challenging me. Not just to create a solid program but to make it intentional. And more than that, he was trying to develop me as a leader—because he saw something in me that I hadn’t seen in myself yet.

A leader. Someone with potential to do good things and make a difference.

Looking back, I appreciate his effort, even though my 17-year-old self was too distracted to recognize it. That summer serves as a powerful reminder of how vital mentorship is. Having someone who pushes you, challenges you, and believes in you—even when you don’t—is invaluable.

So, my challenge to you, no matter your age or field of work: Find a mentor. Someone who will stretch you, hold you accountable, and help you grow.

Because sometimes, the people who challenge us the most are the ones who see our potential before we do.