108. Rising Above with Olympic Gold Medal Volleyball Player Jon Root
This week, Laura introduces us to the remarkable Jon Root, a volleyball luminary whose journey to success defied expectations at every turn. From an unforeseen introduction to volleyball in West Los Angeles to clinching prestigious All-American accolades at Stanford University to achieving Olympic and international glory, Jon's trajectory epitomizes the indomitable spirit of passion and perseverance in the sporting realm. Through Laura's engaging dialogue with Jon, listeners are immersed not only in Jon’s many spectacular achievements but also in the intricacies of athletes' transitions beyond the competitive sphere, delving into themes of identity, purpose, and personal growth post-athletics.
From his storied collegiate career at Stanford University, where he navigated the rigorous demands of both academics and athletics with aplomb, to his triumphant representation of the United States on the international volleyball stage, Jon's journey is a testament to unwavering determination and dedication. As he candidly shares his experiences, Jon unveils the myriad challenges athletes encounter upon bidding farewell to professional sports, emphasizing the paramount importance of self-discovery, resilience, and adaptability in charting a course through the uncharted waters of post-athletic life. Through their illuminating discourse, Laura and Jon offer invaluable insights and inspiration, urging athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts to embrace change, forge supportive networks, and leave an enduring legacy that transcends the boundaries of the sporting arena. This episode stands as yet another poignant reminder of the transformative power of sports, guiding listeners on a journey of empowerment and self-discovery as they endeavor to realize their fullest potential, both on and off the field.
Episode Highlights:
Jon's unexpected journey from baseball to volleyball
The challenges of California's volleyball scene
Jon’s Stanford University choice
His reflections on his Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame induction
The intense training leading to the 1988 Seoul Olympics
Winning a gold medal and post-competition challenges
Jon's personal transformation
Coaching impact, personal growth, seeking support, and leaving a lasting legacy
Quotes:
"Sports kind of saved me from myself."
"I was a good mess, but I was kind of a mess."
"There's more to this than just the bread and butter."
"You're allowed to have your own journey, and that's what makes it beautiful."
"I think I was just so lost in the humility and the kind of what just happened."
"If you're good at performance but you're not great at change, can you look at change in a different way? In changing, we do perform. In performing, we do change. It's inherently part of the walnut."
"You're going to have to get out there and try a couple of things. The first thing may not be the only thing, and it may not be the best thing."
"We need to let athletes know that we are more than just athletes. There's so much more involved in our stories and in who we are as people."
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88. Hitting New Heights with High Jump Olympian & Pro Volleyball Player Erin Aldrich-Shean
In today's very special episode, Laura is honored to welcome Erin Aldridge-Shean, a true multi-sport athlete extraordinaire whose many achievements include being a 2000 US Olympian in track and field as well as a five-time US National Volleyball Team member. In this riveting conversation, Erin recounts her inspiring journey, shares insights into crucial issues within the NCAA system, and offers valuable guidance to athletes and heartwarming tales of transformation along the way.
Our guest’s remarkable career shines a spotlight on the potency of multidisciplinary athleticism and perseverance in the pursuit of Olympic aspirations. Together, she and Laura uncover the advantages and hurdles of engaging in multiple sports, the significance of setting audacious goals, and the paramount importance of ensuring a safe experience for all involved in sports. Erin's perspectives on the realm of collegiate sports and her dedication to helping individuals unlock their inner Olympian provide invaluable lessons for budding athletes and those in search of inspiration. Join Laura and Erin here today for this thought-provoking discussion on resilience, career transitions, and the importance of addressing misconduct in sports.
Episode Highlights
Erin's remarkable journey balancing collegiate sports
The importance of ambitious goals and pursuit of Olympic excellence in multiple sports
Challenges and rewards of participating in various sports during youth and high school
Erin's insights into crucial NCAA issues and advice for athletes
Heartwarming stories of transformation and resilience
Multidisciplinary athleticism's power in Olympic dreams
Awakening the inner Olympian
The power of resilience, determination, and family support in overcoming challenges and personal growth
Quotes:
"Participating in multiple sports during my youth allowed me to develop exceptional body awareness skills that translated into success in volleyball and track."
"The NCAA system has its challenges, but it's essential to raise awareness about issues like grooming and abuse, and I'm committed to helping athletes navigate these challenges."
"I just remember being so relieved that someone from my family was there. I just felt the love."
"Seize the moment, seize the day, because you never know if you're going to get another shot."
"I was never going to be 6’3”. I was going to be stuck at 6’1”, and that's something that you can't coach."
"I think that is actually my calling. I completely quit my career in commercial real estate and I launched Ascension Coaching."
"I believe that everyone has an Olympian within them. Whatever that looks like, you just have to find it and tap into it."
"Grooming, obviously, because it hits so close to home for me, is such a scary thing because you start to trust these people."
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36. Always be Learning Your Craft with Volleyball Olympic Medalist Rachael Adams
Having had to postpone today’s interview due to the recent winter storm in Texas, Laura is absolutely delighted to finally welcome Rachael Adams to the podcast. After getting off to a relatively late start in the game of volleyball, Rachael has gone on to great success in the sport including being a member of the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team, a professional player overseas, and an Olympic medalist. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a desire to keep learning and to persevere through any challenge, which has served her incredibly well, and which is also clearly evident in her conversation with Laura here today.
Rachael begins by sharing her somewhat unique introduction to volleyball, the rapid progress she made, and how her parents’ approach to her career has helped her immensely throughout. She then discusses her experience with recruitment, college, getting to the Olympic squad, and playing professionally overseas. Rachael then finishes up by detailing her return to playing since her surgery, the sense of inner trust and determination which has helped her through it, her definition of success, and the website that she has created to offer support and inspiration to other athletes. A model of authenticity, Rachael Adams is a true champion in life as well as sport, and we are all truly blessed to be able to soak up the words of wisdom and inspiration which she shares here today.
Episode Highlights:
· How Rachael found volleyball
· Her rapid progress in the sport
· Rachael’s parents and their approach to her career
· Her recruiting process
· Rachael’s college experience
· The process of getting to the Olympic volleyball squad in the past and for Tokyo
· Making the 2016 Olympic squad
· Maintaining her mindset
· How the pandemic and the Tokyo postponement have affected Rachael
· Transitioning from college to professional volleyball
· Rachael’s experience playing overseas
· Her favorite country to play in
· Coming back after surgery
· Rachael’s inner trust and inner determination
· Her definition of success at this point in her career
· Rachael’s most memorable tournament
· journeystrength.com
Quotes:
“Thank you for being such a great social media person.”
“Why have the crazy journey if you aren’t going to share and inspire others along the way, you know?”
“I became addicted to that learning process…my Dad always told me to be a sponge, and that’s what I became.”
“It’s been a kind of a crazy long journey, but I’ve learned a lot about myself through so many ups and downs.”
“I still feel like there’s so much left to learn.”
“So much a part of my career was self-driven.”
“They let me fail, they let me succeed, and didn’t try to sugarcoat everything.”
“Would I want to go to this college even if there was no volleyball?”
“You see more experienced players, more older players, more seasoned players, making Olympic squads than, like, younger players.”
"‘All you can do is, like, be your best, show up, put your best skills in front, be a good teammate, and hope that the body of work that you’re building is what the coaches want for the team.”
“It’s so much out of your control.”
“I’m literally just focusing on, like, one day at a time, one rep at a time, one accomplishment at a time, one practice, and just building little things from there.”
“You think you know everything, but you don’t, and you’re just very humbled.”
“You can’t be mindless in a foreign country.”
“The lonely grind…that’s what I’m in right now.”
“I totally feel you on so many levels.”
“It kind of feels like a little bit of your mission is to make sure other people know that they’re more than they might think they are.”
Links:
5 Smart Strategies to Confidence
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