“At the end of the day, if you’re unhappy with where you’re at, that just means you have to get better as an athlete, as a person, as a learner. Self improvement matters. Focus on yourself.”

For J.Y. Aubone, Laurel Springs’ Class of 2006 alumnus, those words reflect the growth mindset that’s fueled his lifelong journey in tennis. Immersed in the sport from birth under his dad’s coaching at their family academy, J.Y. dreamed of playing at the collegiate and professional levels. When online school through Laurel Springs gave him the flexibility to train full-time, it set J.Y.’s course in the right direction and cemented valuable skills that still serve him today.

Discovering Online Schooling, Making the Switch

J.Y. practically grew up on the tennis court. With both parents playing professionally, and his dad coaching, he was surrounded by the sport. Hearing stories of the pro circuit, J.Y.’s goal was set early – to join the ranks of elite players competing at Grand Slams.

By 16, J.Y.’s skills advanced to international junior tournaments that required extensive travel. But a rigid school structure demanded a balance that was hard to keep up with, especially when intensive training was part of the mix. Seeking more flexibility and control, J.Y.’s family enrolled him in Laurel Springs’ accredited online program.

“Laurel Springs was the first school that came across that was very well respected,” J.Y. shared. 

“I remember thinking, ‘This looks like a great school for me to continue my passion and dream of being a pro while still getting a great education at the same time.’ Not many colleges were used to accepting students who came from homeschool programs. We needed something that was accredited and legit. The meetings that we had with Laurel Springs and that my parents had, they felt great about. It was the best option for me by far.”

Self-paced, online school gave J.Y. the freedom during his development years to create his own path – pursuing his academic and athletic passions on his own schedule.

“For an athlete, it’s hard to be stuck in a classroom all day. You need to have your energy ready to train when it comes time to, and you’re just drained by the end of the day. I see it in kids all the time today – they can’t train at the same type of level that somebody who’s homeschooled can.”

The online school experience was pivotal in shaping J.Y.’s growth and potential; and the self-motivation, time management, and independent work habits he gained during his middle and high school years eased his transition into college.

College Athletics and Finding His Purpose

J.Y. went on to compete in NCAA Division 1 Men’s Tennis at Florida State University, where he attributed his time management skills to his years spent at Laurel Springs.

 “I was used to managing my own time, I even traveled to some tournaments alone as a kid. My parents weren’t with me twenty four seven – they couldn’t be because they had to work, right? So, I was doing a lot more on my own, and it was just so easy for me to show up on time wherever I needed to be in college. I was used to doing that already.

“You could tell the difference between me and the other kids on my team who didn’t learn online – it was the first time in their entire life that they were by themselves. They really struggled to get themselves organized.”

Athletics weren’t his only focus, though. J.Y. started trading for fun his Junior year and developed a love for finance – going on to work for a small firm post graduation, and then the big dog, Morgan Stanley.

“I remember thinking, ‘Is this it? Is this what being an adult is like?’” J.Y. had set tennis aside after college to focus on himself and his career, but the lingering thought of playing pro still sat at the forefront of his mind.

“I said to myself, ‘Look, the happiest I ever was in my life was when I was playing tennis. And right now, I just can’t seem to find that same happiness and meaning,’” he shared. “It decided that I wasn’t worried about making money, I was more concerned about doing what brought me joy. So, I quit my job and went back to tennis.”

J.Y. spent the next four years investing in his favorite sport, even being inducted into the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame! After giving the court everything he had left, he pivoted to a coaching career – something he’d always wanted to do, and swore to never sit in an office cubicle again, unless it was on his terms and had something to do with what he loved most.

Paying It Forward: Guiding the Next Generation

Today, J.Y. is the Founder and Lead Executive behind Aubone Tennis Online Coaching, a business he established in hopes of bringing more structure and guidance to the often chaotic nature of junior tennis player development, training and scheduling.

“The game had given me so much, I wanted to pay it forward,” he said. 

Now, J.Y. provides online coaching and guidance for tennis players and their families, with a focus on helping parents navigate their child’s tennis journey. While there are plenty of coaches and training options available, J.Y. fills a critical gap by educating parents on how to properly structure training, tournaments, and coaching decisions to maximize young athletes’ success.

His favorite part? Seeing young athletes make breakthroughs. “There’s nothing better for me than that moment where you’re teaching them something, and they feel what they needed to feel, or they hit the shot they needed to hit. Because I know that feeling…when you’ve worked so hard…and your dreams are so big…and sometimes you want to quit but you keep working. Then, one day, you just finally get it, and you know you just took one step closer to your dreams.”

J.Y. also recently published a Match Journal for competitive tennis players that includes pre- and post-match analysis pages, coaching tips, recommended reading material, and exclusive quotes from some of the best coaches in the world. Any athlete can take advantage of this resource!

Learn more about Aubone Tennis Online Coaching or contact J.Y. for a consultation

Bringing His Own Experience Full Circle

Through Aubone Tennis Online Coaching, J.Y. isn’t just teaching technique, he’s helping parents and players make the right choices when it comes to training, tournaments, and long-term development. He knows that talent alone isn’t enough; success in tennis comes from having the right plan and the right mindset. His goal is to give every player he works with the guidance they need to reach their potential, while also finding joy in the game.

It only makes sense that this personalized approach guides his business; afterall, a personalized approach to education through Laurel Springs is what set him on the right path to begin with! Today, J.Y. continues to stay involved in the LSS community – collaborating with our College Athletic Counselor on a recent webinar for student-athletes and their families, and planning to do so again in the near future.

For the junior athletes trying to ‘balance it all’ at Laurel Springs and elsewhere, J.Y. has this piece of advice for you:

“One day when you look back, it won’t be about the rankings or tournaments won. You’ll remember the experiences, relationships, and personal growth that came from pursuing something you loved. So do that – do what you love, and what makes you happy, no matter what that looks like.”

No matter how far an athlete goes, what matters most is the person they become along the way. So, ask yourself: Who do you want to become, and what path will shape you into that person? If a flexible, online private school like Laurel Springs could help you take control of your journey, join us for a Virtual Open House. It’s the best way to learn more about everything that’s in store!

And, to connect with J.Y., you can follow him on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, or join him on the LSS Alumni Connect network if you’re a fellow LSS alum.

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