Fundación River Plate and BBVA present a new episode of the virtual Trainer School to share experiences and discuss the importance of the person behind the athlete. This second edition featured Juan Pedro “Pipa” Gutiérrez, former Argentine National Basketball Team player, commentator, and sports management professional, along with Lucía de la Vega, Executive Director of Fundación River Plate, as the host. These sessions aim to train trainers and promote social integration by educating sports and social leaders who face the daily challenge of motivating and mentoring children, youth, and adults.
At the start, Lucía de la Vega asked the former player: “You were part of a golden generation. What does it mean for an athlete to know that today many girls and boys choose basketball because they see you as a role model? And what does it mean to you to know you’re a basketball icon?”
Pipa Gutiérrez explained, “It’s a beautiful responsibility. For me, this is the true success in sports—beyond the medals. Looking at it from the perspective of someone who has finished their active career, true success is inspiring others to take up sports.”
During the talk, Pipa Gutiérrez recalled key moments in his career: “There are two moments when I was very happy: the 2008 Olympic Games, not just because of the medal but because I experienced it very fully, and the other was when I played for Obras. I felt complete, like I was on cloud nine—everything just flowed.”
He also shared his perspective on the importance of support from one’s environment: “I was very lucky. My family didn’t come from a sports background, so for them, it was all a learning experience, and they handled it in a very healthy way. They kept just the right distance, were there when I needed them, and their support was excellent—not just from my parents but also from my entire circle: my sisters and friends.
Today, we’re at a point where, as adults, we often struggle with managing the frustrations of younger generations. In an effort to shield them from frustration, sometimes the best thing we can do is simply support them as they go through it. By trying to prevent it, we sometimes overstep our boundaries, which can end up being harmful.”
He concluded by sharing a piece of advice he often gives: “The best thing we adults can do is help kids develop self-awareness. Self-awareness means asking the right questions; the answers will come from each individual. What do I want? Do I want to be a professional player, or do I just want to play at a club and make friends? By asking those questions, the answers will emerge, and new questions will follow, helping us navigate life. I tell kids to ask themselves questions, set temporary goals, and think about how to pursue them.”
For her part, Lucía de la Vega concluded by adding, “At Fundación, whenever we travel across the country training coaches and sports leaders, we talk about this: starting to ask ourselves questions in order to find their own definitions, and from there, set concrete goals.”
Full episode available at: https://youtu.be/xZ3FnuGriwk
