“Quién demonios soy?”/“who the hell am I?” an autoethnographic study surrounding the formation and transformation of coaching identity

This study explores the (trans)formation of a coaching identity through an autoethnographic account of the challenges and inherent nuances of (coaching) identity construction. Through a series of interviews with a critical other, coupled with personal diary extracts, the data comprises personal accounts of events which have played a crucial part in the formation of Evan’s coaching identity. We present three stories that highlight three different moments in time and place: 1) Spain as a young tennis player and coach, 2) beginning higher education in the UK and 3) the here and now, to highlight Evan’s coaching identity (trans)formation. In doing so, we highlight the emotional labour and existential angst that accompany this (trans)formation, while also emphasising the freedom one has in pursuing their own journey and identity creation. We conclude by emphasising the impact this could have for coach education, coach development and personal growth.