I’m not typically one to watch talent shows. I’ve never seen American Idol. And aside from accompanying a friend to an audition for America’s Got Talent, I’ve never watched that either.

Until last week.

Sometimes there’s nothing like just crashing and gathering around the tube with some popcorn on a beach vacation with family. My sister and I had heard about this little girl who sings opera, so we decided to watch America’s Got Talent. Actually, it was more like she decided and I just happened to be in the room flipping through Vogue.

Since the phenomenally talented 10-year-old opera singer, Jackie Evancho, had been a YouTube sensation after her performance the previous week, she was last in a long lineup. As each story unfolded, the life coach in me sat up and started paying attention. What struck me was not just the array of talent, but the context given for each contestant in mini-features prior to his or her performance.

Indeed, America’s Got Talent, America’s Got Dreams, America’s Got Journeys. The show was like a collection of snapshots of Americans out there making things happen. It made me think of a question we as coaches often ask our clients – What are you willing to do to make your dream happen?

There was the delightful Debra Romer, a 20-something singer who ran away from home at age 16 after being in foster care. Now here she was, with no family support, a semifinalist on America’s Got Talent. While she didn’t make the cut to the top 10, this part of her journey had already gotten her enough exposure to get paying gigs that had eluded her before. Perhaps because so many people who find themselves in tough circumstances let it hold them back instead of fuel them, it really touched me when she described herself as “strong.”

On the flip side, magician Michael Grasso has been spurred on by family support in the extreme. He has had three kidney transplants, one from his mother and two more from cousins. They remain steadfast in their joy for his success as he struts his gifts in dazzling fashion. His journey has led him to an appreciation for each day.

While bicycle stunts would not normally get my blood racing, hats off to Jeremy VanSchoonhoven for doing his stunt before a rapt audience after getting battered and bloody enough in rehearsal to have to go to the hospital. It was a classic get-back-on-the-horse moment as he jumped his bike down cascading boulders and the spectators got in touch with their own fear. The applause was as much relief as anything to see another human being try, try again and land with a smile. Win or no win, he will be pointing to that as a pivotal point in his journey for a long, long time.

As for the magical voice in the tiny body, also known as Jackie Evancho, well, what a gift. Kudos to her family and support system for recognizing and nurturing it. Clearly her journey is just beginning. When she broke out in the beautiful “Time to Say Goodbye” I had instant goosebumps. I’m not even a little bit amazed that she’s slated to sing at Carnegie Hall in December.

I know some people watch these shows to get a laugh or to be entertained, but I was riveted because I was inspired. The very cheesiness that had me avoiding these kinds of programs completely lured me in.

It was journey as continuum, a microcosm of what is possible.

In life coaching circles you often hear the saying that a goal is a dream with deadlines. Perhaps sometimes, but there are some ingredients missing there. Things like desire, courage, determination. Some do it with support. Others lack support and do it in spite of that. Some are just too broken to push through.

The whole experience made me want to get behind more clients and push them over the brink to where they can’t NOT make their dream happen. You might say it pushed part of my journey into high gear.

Love that.

Nancy Colasurdo is a practicing life coach and freelance writer. Her Web site is www.nancola.com. Please direct all questions/comments to FOXGamePlan@gmail.com.