1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:02,160 Speaker 1: At the end of the day, like belief is just 2 00:00:02,440 --> 00:00:05,120 Speaker 1: so strong, And when you believe in yourself, I feel 3 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:07,800 Speaker 1: like you can accomplish more than you ever thought you could. 4 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:10,960 Speaker 1: Always having that even at your lowest points, like you 5 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:12,160 Speaker 1: can still believe in yourself. 6 00:00:26,079 --> 00:00:30,479 Speaker 2: Hey, Emily, here, you are listening to another episode of Hurdle, 7 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 2: a podcast featuring the mindset, secrets, and true stories of 8 00:00:33,720 --> 00:00:37,520 Speaker 2: the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, empowering you 9 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 2: to live a healthier, happier, more motivated. 10 00:00:39,640 --> 00:00:42,840 Speaker 3: Life and of course, conquer your own hurdles. 11 00:00:43,200 --> 00:00:46,920 Speaker 2: For this week's episode, I am sitting down with Lexi Rodriguez. 12 00:00:46,920 --> 00:00:51,720 Speaker 2: She's a professional volleyball player for Love Nebraska. Lexi's journey 13 00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 2: is a masterclass in trusting your intuition. She famously committed 14 00:00:56,520 --> 00:00:59,480 Speaker 2: to the University of Nebraska as an eighth grader and 15 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:04,160 Speaker 2: went on to become an integral part of their legendary program. 16 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:06,880 Speaker 2: So naturally, we talk about what it's like to make 17 00:01:06,959 --> 00:01:10,840 Speaker 2: that kind of decision at fourteen years old. Today, we 18 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:14,759 Speaker 2: also chat about the superpower of quiet leadership and how 19 00:01:14,800 --> 00:01:18,360 Speaker 2: she learned to lead through connection rather than just being vocal. 20 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 2: The mental transition from college to the pros, including how 21 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:25,959 Speaker 2: she managed to navigate the learning curve and initial moments 22 00:01:25,959 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 2: of doubt, plus the realities of the NIL era, managing 23 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:33,480 Speaker 2: what often feels like a second job, and the importance 24 00:01:33,520 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 2: of authenticity over constant content production. We also chat about 25 00:01:39,120 --> 00:01:43,360 Speaker 2: her empowerment app, she sports, and her wellness non negotiables, 26 00:01:43,400 --> 00:01:46,000 Speaker 2: from a slow morning routine to the power of a 27 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:50,040 Speaker 2: long exhale to reset the nervous system mid match. 28 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:51,400 Speaker 3: Love this combo. 29 00:01:51,840 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 2: Amazed by Lexi and her wisdom well beyond for years 30 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:59,040 Speaker 2: and so excited to bring it to you, especially at 31 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:00,240 Speaker 2: the beginning. 32 00:01:59,800 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 3: Of a new League one volleyball season. 33 00:02:03,800 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 2: I myself am so amped to make it out to 34 00:02:06,800 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 2: a match this year. 35 00:02:08,960 --> 00:02:11,320 Speaker 3: Make sure you're following along with Hurdle over on. 36 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:14,160 Speaker 2: Social It's over at Hurdle podcast. You can also check 37 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:17,320 Speaker 2: out I Heart Woman's Sports over at iHeart Women's Sports 38 00:02:17,520 --> 00:02:20,560 Speaker 2: and me over at Emily Abody. Listen to Hurdle with 39 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:24,000 Speaker 2: Emily A Body on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or 40 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,240 Speaker 2: wherever you get your podcasts. 41 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:30,840 Speaker 3: And with that, let's get into it. Let's get to hurdling. 42 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:36,120 Speaker 1: Today. 43 00:02:36,400 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 3: I am sitting down with Lexi Rodriguez. 44 00:02:39,440 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 2: She is a pro volleyball player for Love Nebraska. 45 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 3: LEXI, welcome to Hurdle. How are you? 46 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:48,079 Speaker 1: Yay? Thanks for having me. I'm great. 47 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:51,000 Speaker 3: Oh I'm happy to hear that. I know I said 48 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:51,600 Speaker 3: how are you? 49 00:02:51,680 --> 00:02:54,000 Speaker 2: But I like to level set when we start the 50 00:02:54,040 --> 00:02:57,360 Speaker 2: episode every single time, how are you doing? 51 00:02:58,120 --> 00:03:01,080 Speaker 3: Really like pretty good? 52 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:04,880 Speaker 1: I think I don't know. I was really excited for 53 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:08,399 Speaker 1: this pro season, and so I think, just like overall, 54 00:03:08,520 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 1: it's been good. We just started, so I would say 55 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:14,359 Speaker 1: a little tired, but besides that, really good. 56 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 2: And so when you say a little tired, what does 57 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:21,840 Speaker 2: a typical day look like for you? And is the 58 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:26,680 Speaker 2: tired coming from just an influx of stimulation or are 59 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 2: we having early mornings, late nights. 60 00:03:29,080 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 3: What's going on? 61 00:03:30,480 --> 00:03:33,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, So the past week we had our first two games. 62 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 1: So we had one on Wednesday, I believe, which was 63 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: in Texas, so it's just like the travel can be 64 00:03:40,640 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: a lot. And then we had our first home game 65 00:03:43,160 --> 00:03:46,880 Speaker 1: on Sunday and they were both long games, so I 66 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:50,120 Speaker 1: think just combination of those. And then yeah, a typical 67 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 1: day is we normally start at like nine am and 68 00:03:55,480 --> 00:03:58,400 Speaker 1: we'll do like a little team meeting and then we'll 69 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: head into lifting and do a workout and then go 70 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 1: straight into practice and then either have film or lunch 71 00:04:06,000 --> 00:04:07,720 Speaker 1: or whatever it is, and then we're pretty much free 72 00:04:07,720 --> 00:04:09,600 Speaker 1: for the day. So on a day to day it's 73 00:04:09,640 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 1: not that bad, but when you add in all the 74 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,600 Speaker 1: travel and the matches and everything, it can get a 75 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:15,960 Speaker 1: little exhausting. 76 00:04:15,680 --> 00:04:19,640 Speaker 2: A little exhausting, especially at the kickstart of a new season. 77 00:04:19,800 --> 00:04:21,679 Speaker 2: How are you feeling going into this season? 78 00:04:22,320 --> 00:04:25,039 Speaker 4: Yeah, I think as a team, we're feeling really good. 79 00:04:25,160 --> 00:04:28,600 Speaker 1: We have some new people who joined us, some new 80 00:04:28,760 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 1: like foreigners that have a lot of experience, so it's 81 00:04:31,800 --> 00:04:34,760 Speaker 1: been really cool to see all the dynamics of this team. 82 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:37,320 Speaker 1: But I mean, two games in, we're one and one, 83 00:04:37,520 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 1: so we're in a pretty good spot. 84 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:40,320 Speaker 3: In a pretty good spot. 85 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 2: It's so fun to talk to someone who's such an 86 00:04:43,240 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 2: integral part to a team, because it's one thing to 87 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 2: really perfect your craft and work hard as an individual athlete, 88 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:53,960 Speaker 2: but there's a whole other set of skills that are 89 00:04:54,080 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 2: necessary when we talk about being part of a team. 90 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:00,720 Speaker 2: Talk to me about why you think you play well 91 00:05:00,760 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 2: on a team and what you love about it. 92 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, I think for me personally, like being 93 00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:09,200 Speaker 1: a part of a team is the coolest thing that 94 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:12,719 Speaker 1: like you can do, whether it's in the workforce, in school, 95 00:05:13,040 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 1: in on like a team of like sports, Like, I 96 00:05:16,080 --> 00:05:19,000 Speaker 1: think it's so cool to be able to like bring 97 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:22,239 Speaker 1: all these different personalities together and see like the key 98 00:05:22,279 --> 00:05:24,880 Speaker 1: pieces and how it all just kind of comes together 99 00:05:24,960 --> 00:05:28,159 Speaker 1: and completes the puzzle because really, like especially for Vullable, 100 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 1: you do need every single piece of the puzzle to 101 00:05:31,640 --> 00:05:33,719 Speaker 1: really make it work. And so I think that's the 102 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 1: coolest part. And just getting to learn more about yourself 103 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:39,880 Speaker 1: and more about others is I don't know, and while 104 00:05:40,000 --> 00:05:42,120 Speaker 1: when you're doing something that you love and being able 105 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:44,159 Speaker 1: to do that at the same time, it's just really cool. 106 00:05:44,279 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, to your point, I'm sure being a part of 107 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:50,360 Speaker 2: a team has taught you so much about yourself and 108 00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:53,560 Speaker 2: maybe even a little bit about your leadership style, right. 109 00:05:54,040 --> 00:05:54,840 Speaker 4: Yeah, for sure. 110 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:59,360 Speaker 1: I think especially through college, trying to navigate like, oh, 111 00:05:59,400 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 1: I want to be a leader, but this isn't really 112 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:03,599 Speaker 1: who I am. And I think that was a big 113 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:06,599 Speaker 1: challenge for me, is I'm not the most like vocal 114 00:06:06,760 --> 00:06:10,359 Speaker 1: person and that's that was never my strength. But I 115 00:06:10,400 --> 00:06:12,760 Speaker 1: feel like I have a really big strength of like 116 00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:15,440 Speaker 1: connecting with people and so it took me a while 117 00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:19,320 Speaker 1: to really like realize that and then use that like 118 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 1: on the court and as my leadership like superpower instead 119 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 1: of like trying to force something that wasn't there. 120 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 2: That's actually quite interesting to draw attention to that you 121 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:32,040 Speaker 2: came to this understanding that you can be a leader, 122 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:35,960 Speaker 2: not because you're the most vocal person in the room, 123 00:06:36,040 --> 00:06:38,719 Speaker 2: but there are other qualities, other attributes that you have 124 00:06:38,839 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 2: that can make you really great in that arena. 125 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,400 Speaker 1: Yeah, for sure. And it's definitely like I feel like 126 00:06:44,440 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 1: everyone kind of in life, like you kind of had 127 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:49,880 Speaker 1: to figure out what your strengths are and what your 128 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:50,640 Speaker 1: weaknesses are. 129 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:53,159 Speaker 4: And so I think that was a big turning point 130 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 4: for me for sure. 131 00:06:54,120 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 2: Did someone talk to you about that or was this 132 00:06:57,720 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 2: a realization that you came to on your own, because 133 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:02,719 Speaker 2: I think that a lot of people listening probably share 134 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:05,839 Speaker 2: that same maybe insecurity if we want to call it that, 135 00:07:06,120 --> 00:07:08,719 Speaker 2: like I am not a super vocal person, can I 136 00:07:08,760 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 2: step into these bigger opportunities? 137 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 1: I would say it was a mix of we obviously 138 00:07:14,160 --> 00:07:16,679 Speaker 1: would talk with like a sports psych as a team 139 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: and kind of figure out like what our team dynamics 140 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:22,600 Speaker 1: were and everything. We would do like the personality testing 141 00:07:22,680 --> 00:07:24,760 Speaker 1: to figure out like where you kind of fit in 142 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:27,040 Speaker 1: and how many people of this we have on our team. 143 00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:30,880 Speaker 1: But I think like from the coaches perspective, like they 144 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:34,559 Speaker 1: really wanted me to be this like vocal, like hold 145 00:07:34,600 --> 00:07:38,280 Speaker 1: people accountable like all of this thing. And I was like, 146 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: this is really like contradicting like what you're trying to 147 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:46,680 Speaker 1: have me be. And so obviously I tried as hard 148 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:49,560 Speaker 1: as I could to still work on that and bring 149 00:07:49,600 --> 00:07:51,600 Speaker 1: that to the team. But I was like, if I 150 00:07:51,760 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 1: know how to do this, like I'm going to do 151 00:07:53,480 --> 00:07:54,880 Speaker 1: this as best as I can. 152 00:07:55,160 --> 00:08:00,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I love what I'm hearing you say that 153 00:08:00,120 --> 00:08:04,160 Speaker 2: you listen to your gut in that that's something else 154 00:08:04,240 --> 00:08:07,720 Speaker 2: being so authentic to yourself that can be so important, 155 00:08:07,880 --> 00:08:11,920 Speaker 2: because if you were to step into this other way, 156 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 2: it wasn't going to resonate. 157 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, probably not. And I think, like I don't know 158 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:19,960 Speaker 1: in life, like you're gonna have to do things that 159 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 1: are uncomfortable. And I'm not saying I never try and 160 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:25,080 Speaker 1: be vocal or anything, but you're gonna have to like 161 00:08:25,160 --> 00:08:30,080 Speaker 1: get comfortable with like something that isn't really like real 162 00:08:30,160 --> 00:08:31,600 Speaker 1: to you, Like you're gonna have to do that at 163 00:08:31,600 --> 00:08:33,840 Speaker 1: some point in your life. But I think at the 164 00:08:33,840 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 1: same time, like staying true to yourself as much as 165 00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 1: you can is going to have a big impact as well. 166 00:08:38,960 --> 00:08:42,160 Speaker 2: Now you mentioned playing in college, you were playing well 167 00:08:42,200 --> 00:08:45,040 Speaker 2: before that. A fun fact about you is that you 168 00:08:45,160 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 2: committed to University of Nebraska in eighth grade. 169 00:08:48,880 --> 00:08:49,080 Speaker 3: Yeah. 170 00:08:49,160 --> 00:08:51,800 Speaker 1: It was like the end of eighth grade going into high. 171 00:08:51,640 --> 00:08:55,360 Speaker 2: School, which is wild for someone who maybe isn't familiar 172 00:08:55,440 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 2: with how volleyball works. So from the outside looking in, 173 00:08:59,720 --> 00:09:03,600 Speaker 2: talk to me about why that is. Why are eighth 174 00:09:03,640 --> 00:09:06,120 Speaker 2: graders committing to universities for volleyball? 175 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:10,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, the rule has changed now, but around my 176 00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 1: time when I was getting recruited, that was like the norm. 177 00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:16,960 Speaker 1: It was like everyone was so young committing to colleges. 178 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:21,200 Speaker 1: And I don't know, I think with volleyball specifically, it's 179 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:25,760 Speaker 1: such a like technically sound sport where that like all 180 00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:29,080 Speaker 1: the technicalities and the fundamentals really matter, and so I 181 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:33,680 Speaker 1: think coaches were finding like the talent that they thought 182 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:37,400 Speaker 1: would kind of carry over into college at a young age. 183 00:09:37,480 --> 00:09:39,800 Speaker 1: And I mean a bunch of the people I got 184 00:09:39,800 --> 00:09:42,960 Speaker 1: recruited with went on to like go to top schools 185 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:45,600 Speaker 1: and compete for national championships. So I mean it did 186 00:09:45,720 --> 00:09:48,200 Speaker 1: work out, But at the same time, like what does 187 00:09:48,200 --> 00:09:51,400 Speaker 1: a fourteen year old know about where they want to 188 00:09:51,440 --> 00:09:54,760 Speaker 1: go to college and spend like a big majority of 189 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:56,120 Speaker 1: their life that Like. 190 00:09:56,240 --> 00:09:59,560 Speaker 2: I can't even imagine what that process looked like for you, 191 00:09:59,600 --> 00:09:59,760 Speaker 2: can you? 192 00:09:59,800 --> 00:10:00,680 Speaker 3: S I'm late on that. 193 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:05,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, So a lot of it for me was I 194 00:10:05,080 --> 00:10:07,120 Speaker 1: was trying to go somewhere that could compete for a 195 00:10:07,240 --> 00:10:10,600 Speaker 1: national title. That was like a big priority for me. 196 00:10:10,800 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 1: But then on the other side of it, it's like, Okay, 197 00:10:13,400 --> 00:10:16,160 Speaker 1: well volleyball might not be your whole life, Like we 198 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:19,679 Speaker 1: had to like the parents' perspective more so, it's like 199 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 1: we have to find a good school that has your program, 200 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 1: Like what do you want to do? And when you're fourteen, 201 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 1: it's like I want to play volleyball and I want 202 00:10:26,600 --> 00:10:29,160 Speaker 1: to win. Like there wasn't much thought behind, oh, this 203 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:33,640 Speaker 1: program and this school has a really good business program 204 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:36,040 Speaker 1: that would be really interesting, Like there was none of that. 205 00:10:36,120 --> 00:10:38,679 Speaker 1: It was just like, oh, this program has a really 206 00:10:38,720 --> 00:10:41,280 Speaker 1: good coach. They're usually in the final four, Like I 207 00:10:41,280 --> 00:10:43,360 Speaker 1: want to go there. And so I think a lot 208 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 1: of people had the same like couple of schools that 209 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 1: it's like, these are dream schools that can compete for 210 00:10:48,600 --> 00:10:52,560 Speaker 1: national titles. And I thankfully just got really lucky that 211 00:10:52,840 --> 00:10:54,079 Speaker 1: one of those schools wanted me. 212 00:10:54,559 --> 00:10:59,480 Speaker 2: So when you are making the decision, I'm assuming your 213 00:10:59,679 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 2: at University of Nebraska. 214 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:04,400 Speaker 3: When you commit, bring me into the room with you. 215 00:11:05,240 --> 00:11:08,720 Speaker 1: Yeah. So it's a kind of a funny story. I 216 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:11,880 Speaker 1: was doing a camp there that summer. It's called like 217 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:14,640 Speaker 1: the Dream Team Camp. They bring in a bunch of 218 00:11:14,640 --> 00:11:17,920 Speaker 1: recruits and you just get to train and see the 219 00:11:17,920 --> 00:11:21,319 Speaker 1: facilities and all that stuff. And so at the end 220 00:11:21,360 --> 00:11:24,800 Speaker 1: of the three days, the coach brought me in and 221 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:27,640 Speaker 1: was like, could you and your mom come to my 222 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:31,120 Speaker 1: office after, like we want to offer you, like a 223 00:11:31,160 --> 00:11:34,640 Speaker 1: scholarship to come here. And I was a fourteen year 224 00:11:34,679 --> 00:11:37,040 Speaker 1: old kid, like I was like, oh my God, like 225 00:11:37,880 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 1: seeing stars and everything. Like I was like, I don't 226 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:44,040 Speaker 1: know what just happened. So the camp ends and my 227 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:45,480 Speaker 1: mom's like all right, like we got to get out. 228 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:47,600 Speaker 1: We got to get out of here, like start driving home. 229 00:11:47,640 --> 00:11:51,920 Speaker 1: And I was like, mom, no, Like he offered me 230 00:11:51,960 --> 00:11:54,400 Speaker 1: a scholarship and she was like she was like what, 231 00:11:54,480 --> 00:11:56,640 Speaker 1: well what he say? What he's say, and I was like, oh, 232 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:58,080 Speaker 1: I don't know. I don't know, like we had to 233 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:01,079 Speaker 1: go to his office and so like I couldn't remember anything. 234 00:12:01,160 --> 00:12:02,960 Speaker 1: So then we ended up me and my mom both 235 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:05,600 Speaker 1: ended up going up to his office. And then that's 236 00:12:05,600 --> 00:12:09,160 Speaker 1: when the parent actually gets the rundown of everything, and 237 00:12:09,800 --> 00:12:13,600 Speaker 1: he ended up offering and so he was like, oh, 238 00:12:13,640 --> 00:12:16,400 Speaker 1: you can take some time to like think about it. 239 00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:18,160 Speaker 1: So my mom and I walk out. We go in 240 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:20,680 Speaker 1: the elevator and then I like looked at her and 241 00:12:20,720 --> 00:12:22,440 Speaker 1: I was like, Mom, I want to go here. She 242 00:12:22,559 --> 00:12:24,720 Speaker 1: was like, why didn't you tell him? And I was like, well, 243 00:12:24,800 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 1: I didn't know if I was allowed to. So then 244 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,160 Speaker 1: we literally get to the bottom of the elevator, go 245 00:12:29,280 --> 00:12:31,679 Speaker 1: back up, and then I come out and I tell 246 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:34,240 Speaker 1: him like I'm I wanted to be a corner husker, And. 247 00:12:34,440 --> 00:12:35,680 Speaker 3: Wow, that was that. 248 00:12:35,679 --> 00:12:36,760 Speaker 1: That was how it happened. 249 00:12:37,480 --> 00:12:40,880 Speaker 4: Literally is so surreal. I can't can't even It's like 250 00:12:40,920 --> 00:12:41,319 Speaker 4: a dream. 251 00:12:41,480 --> 00:12:45,520 Speaker 2: Talk about trusting your intuition from a young age and 252 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:48,120 Speaker 2: learning about your intuition at a young age, like when 253 00:12:48,120 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 2: I think about fourteen, I think about for me aged thirteen, 254 00:12:52,360 --> 00:12:55,680 Speaker 2: like maybe my bot Mitzvah like I don't remember anything 255 00:12:55,720 --> 00:12:58,000 Speaker 2: from thirteen, Like I, oh my god, when I think 256 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 2: about what I wore, like so so many problems. 257 00:13:01,559 --> 00:13:04,520 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's crazy to think about. And I think like 258 00:13:04,600 --> 00:13:07,640 Speaker 1: the coolest part was that my mom was just had 259 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 1: full trust in me and like what I wanted. And 260 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:13,640 Speaker 1: I think she could tell through like the couple of 261 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:16,160 Speaker 1: days I was training there that I was in like 262 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:19,920 Speaker 1: volleyball Heaven, and that's literally like she could see it 263 00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:22,160 Speaker 1: was like a dream coming true. And so I think 264 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:25,559 Speaker 1: when like having that validation of like you could have 265 00:13:25,640 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: told them like let's go tell them, like if you 266 00:13:27,480 --> 00:13:29,320 Speaker 1: really want to, and I was like, okay, well I do, 267 00:13:29,559 --> 00:13:32,480 Speaker 1: Like I just wanted my mom's permission, like I was 268 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:34,680 Speaker 1: like that, And so I think that was also like 269 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:35,880 Speaker 1: a really cool part of it. Too. 270 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:37,120 Speaker 3: Completely understandable. 271 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:40,240 Speaker 2: Again, You're like, a you're like fourteen years old, so 272 00:13:40,600 --> 00:13:43,040 Speaker 2: completely understandable at fourteen years old. 273 00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:44,240 Speaker 1: And I'm so. 274 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:48,760 Speaker 2: Curious, So are there caveats or maybe like stipulations when 275 00:13:48,800 --> 00:13:51,680 Speaker 2: you sign on at that age to go play there 276 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:54,560 Speaker 2: four years later? I would imagine that some people that 277 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:58,040 Speaker 2: sign on at fourteen, life happens in four years. Not 278 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:00,680 Speaker 2: everyone can actually go to where they commit. 279 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:04,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, so technically when you're like when you get offered 280 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:08,480 Speaker 1: at that age, you're only like verbally committed. It's basically 281 00:14:08,600 --> 00:14:12,040 Speaker 1: like a commitment without like the actual like signage and 282 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:16,160 Speaker 1: then signing day where it like is you actually sign 283 00:14:16,160 --> 00:14:20,160 Speaker 1: a piece of paper and submit it is like November 284 00:14:20,760 --> 00:14:23,640 Speaker 1: sometime in the fall of like your senior year. Okay, okay, 285 00:14:23,680 --> 00:14:26,280 Speaker 1: So if you did want to like change your mind 286 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:29,800 Speaker 1: or if life happens and YadA YadA, like you can 287 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 1: decommit and explore other options. Like that's pretty common too, 288 00:14:33,960 --> 00:14:36,280 Speaker 1: or at least it was pretty common when people were 289 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:37,640 Speaker 1: doing it at such a young age. 290 00:14:37,680 --> 00:14:39,840 Speaker 2: And you said that the system has changed now a 291 00:14:39,880 --> 00:14:42,680 Speaker 2: little bit. So what's different now than when you were 292 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:43,760 Speaker 2: going through this process? 293 00:14:44,120 --> 00:14:46,800 Speaker 1: I think now you're not even allowed to be in 294 00:14:46,960 --> 00:14:52,520 Speaker 1: contact with college coaches until like the summer going into 295 00:14:53,640 --> 00:14:57,000 Speaker 1: either your sophomore junior year. I'm I want to say junior, 296 00:14:57,000 --> 00:14:58,480 Speaker 1: but that could be wrong, so one of the two. 297 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:01,880 Speaker 1: So now instead of four, most people are like sixteen 298 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 1: when they can finally start talking to coaches. 299 00:15:04,680 --> 00:15:07,200 Speaker 2: And so when you were younger, you had I on 300 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:10,120 Speaker 2: the prize I want to play volleyball in college I 301 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:12,680 Speaker 2: want to go somewhere where we can win the title. 302 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:17,920 Speaker 2: Right upon graduation, did you still think to yourself, I'm 303 00:15:17,960 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 2: going to stay all in. 304 00:15:18,960 --> 00:15:20,240 Speaker 3: This is what I want to give all of my 305 00:15:20,280 --> 00:15:21,880 Speaker 3: focus to. Yeah. 306 00:15:21,920 --> 00:15:24,200 Speaker 1: I would say from a young age, I've always had 307 00:15:24,240 --> 00:15:27,760 Speaker 1: like really big, long term goals with what I wanted 308 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:30,240 Speaker 1: to do in the sport. So there was never a 309 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:32,440 Speaker 1: doubt in my mind that I wanted to keep playing 310 00:15:32,640 --> 00:15:36,680 Speaker 1: after You obviously learn a lot about yourself through college 311 00:15:36,720 --> 00:15:39,440 Speaker 1: and everything, and so I think some of the things change, 312 00:15:39,480 --> 00:15:41,160 Speaker 1: But at the end of the day, like I still 313 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:45,040 Speaker 1: want to keep kind of building my craft and see 314 00:15:45,320 --> 00:15:46,800 Speaker 1: how good I can get. And at the end of 315 00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:49,400 Speaker 1: the day, like I think everyone's goal is to kind 316 00:15:49,440 --> 00:15:50,920 Speaker 1: of play in the Olympics one day. 317 00:15:50,960 --> 00:15:52,880 Speaker 4: That would be the the top. 318 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:55,160 Speaker 1: Of the mountain. Like that's that would be the coolest thing. 319 00:15:55,360 --> 00:15:57,160 Speaker 2: And I mean, you've got a lot of really great 320 00:15:57,280 --> 00:16:02,160 Speaker 2: inspiration and motivation around you at Nebraska. I recently chatted 321 00:16:02,160 --> 00:16:04,560 Speaker 2: with Jordan Larson. I can't even imagine what it's got 322 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:07,200 Speaker 2: to be like for you to have someone of that 323 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:11,560 Speaker 2: legacy within the sport at your access. 324 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 4: Yeah, for sure. 325 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:15,040 Speaker 1: And I don't know if you know this. She actually 326 00:16:15,080 --> 00:16:17,920 Speaker 1: coached me when I was at Nebraska for two years, 327 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:22,840 Speaker 1: and so being able to have that like wisdom, as 328 00:16:23,040 --> 00:16:25,240 Speaker 1: like having her as like a teacher, like a coach, 329 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 1: and then having that as a teammate has been so incredible. 330 00:16:29,680 --> 00:16:32,880 Speaker 1: Like she has taught me so much, whether it's literally 331 00:16:32,960 --> 00:16:36,160 Speaker 1: just watching her do something or just the conversations we have. 332 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:38,720 Speaker 1: And it's really cool when someone that. 333 00:16:38,800 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 4: Like decorated and accomplished. 334 00:16:41,640 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 1: In life in volleyball, like just so much experience and everything, 335 00:16:46,360 --> 00:16:49,520 Speaker 1: and having that as a teammate and a friend, It's 336 00:16:49,600 --> 00:16:51,840 Speaker 1: it's the coolest thing in the world, honestly. And he 337 00:16:51,840 --> 00:16:53,840 Speaker 1: would have told the fourteen year old girl that she 338 00:16:53,880 --> 00:16:56,720 Speaker 1: would be playing professional volleyball with Jordan Larson, like she 339 00:16:56,760 --> 00:16:57,560 Speaker 1: never would have believed. 340 00:16:57,600 --> 00:16:58,520 Speaker 3: Me, never believed. 341 00:16:58,760 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 4: Also, like such a special thing about volleyball nowadays. 342 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:05,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, so cool. And to see the longevity within sport. 343 00:17:05,680 --> 00:17:08,760 Speaker 2: I mean, if we're thinking about you having even half 344 00:17:08,760 --> 00:17:11,320 Speaker 2: of the longevity that Jordan has had, you have ten 345 00:17:11,840 --> 00:17:14,080 Speaker 2: fifteen more years of playing ahead of you at the 346 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:14,760 Speaker 2: very least. 347 00:17:15,800 --> 00:17:18,560 Speaker 1: It's crazy. I don't know. She is a different breed. 348 00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:22,600 Speaker 1: She amazes I think everyone every single day. 349 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:42,159 Speaker 2: Still, I was listening to a podcast earlier, and the 350 00:17:42,200 --> 00:17:44,560 Speaker 2: person on the podcast was sharing the best piece of 351 00:17:44,560 --> 00:17:47,480 Speaker 2: advice that they've ever been offered, and the advice was, 352 00:17:47,560 --> 00:17:50,240 Speaker 2: if it won't matter in five years, then it doesn't 353 00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:53,320 Speaker 2: really matter that much right now. If you think about 354 00:17:53,359 --> 00:17:56,480 Speaker 2: some of the advice you've received, the best advice you've received, 355 00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:00,080 Speaker 2: whether it comes from Jordan or otherwise leveling up as 356 00:18:00,119 --> 00:18:02,359 Speaker 2: a professional yourself, what comes to mind. 357 00:18:03,119 --> 00:18:06,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, speaking of Jordan, I would say, like, 358 00:18:06,600 --> 00:18:08,479 Speaker 1: like I said, she has a lot of wisdom, and 359 00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:12,040 Speaker 1: she kind of always talks about I'm really big on 360 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:15,720 Speaker 1: like impact and everything like that, and she has said 361 00:18:15,760 --> 00:18:18,840 Speaker 1: more than once like leaving things better than you found it, 362 00:18:18,880 --> 00:18:21,240 Speaker 1: and like kind of that kind of goes along with 363 00:18:21,320 --> 00:18:25,359 Speaker 1: impact and kind of with this league and everything, like 364 00:18:25,400 --> 00:18:28,879 Speaker 1: we're trying to build something and with volleyball, we're trying 365 00:18:28,880 --> 00:18:30,919 Speaker 1: to like raise it to the next level. And so 366 00:18:31,000 --> 00:18:34,000 Speaker 1: I think, yeah, like leaving everything better than you found 367 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:37,359 Speaker 1: it is a great life motto. I would say. Another 368 00:18:37,400 --> 00:18:40,960 Speaker 1: one I've heard her say a little bit is just 369 00:18:41,040 --> 00:18:43,480 Speaker 1: showing up every day, and like you can control like 370 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,520 Speaker 1: how you show up, whether it's with your attitude or 371 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:50,440 Speaker 1: your mindset, like yeah, maybe you're sick or maybe your 372 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 1: body's sore, but like how you show up mentally can 373 00:18:54,400 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 1: have a big impact in like how successful you are. 374 00:18:57,680 --> 00:19:01,000 Speaker 2: How do you show up when you're not really feeling it, 375 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:03,560 Speaker 2: maybe when you are sore, when you have these back 376 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:07,000 Speaker 2: to back games? What is your why? And how does 377 00:19:07,040 --> 00:19:09,640 Speaker 2: that help you show up when it's difficult. 378 00:19:09,880 --> 00:19:12,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, I would say my wife is definitely changed a 379 00:19:12,359 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 1: little over the years I ask to me about that. Yeah, 380 00:19:15,080 --> 00:19:17,919 Speaker 1: I think when I was younger, like I was very 381 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:22,160 Speaker 1: much a like volleyball like meathead, Like I was like, win, 382 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:25,600 Speaker 1: win when that's all that matters. And like, obviously I'm 383 00:19:25,600 --> 00:19:27,680 Speaker 1: a competitor at heart, like I do want to win, 384 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:31,200 Speaker 1: but I think the big thing for me now is 385 00:19:31,280 --> 00:19:34,640 Speaker 1: like the connection and impact piece of it. So whether 386 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:38,119 Speaker 1: it's like the connection with my teammates, like I'm so 387 00:19:38,320 --> 00:19:41,760 Speaker 1: big on that. I think it's so cool that we 388 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:44,920 Speaker 1: are like in the middle of Nebraska and there's people 389 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,639 Speaker 1: from literally all over the world that are here to 390 00:19:47,760 --> 00:19:50,439 Speaker 1: like play a sport that we all grew up loving, 391 00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:53,480 Speaker 1: and I just think that's so crazy, And so I 392 00:19:53,520 --> 00:19:56,320 Speaker 1: think connection is huge for me. And then I also 393 00:19:56,359 --> 00:20:00,040 Speaker 1: think like impact and I don't know. I Nebraska, it 394 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:03,000 Speaker 1: kind of teaches you a lot about that, just with 395 00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:08,480 Speaker 1: how crazy of a fan base they have. But I think, however, 396 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:12,680 Speaker 1: we can impact the next generation and try and continue 397 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:16,480 Speaker 1: to uplift those around us and female athletes, Like I 398 00:20:16,520 --> 00:20:18,359 Speaker 1: don't know, I think that's that's going to be a 399 00:20:18,359 --> 00:20:21,359 Speaker 1: big deal for how we move the sport forward. So 400 00:20:21,400 --> 00:20:23,679 Speaker 1: I would say those those two things are like my 401 00:20:23,760 --> 00:20:26,400 Speaker 1: why it's it's I'm a people person, So. 402 00:20:26,640 --> 00:20:29,719 Speaker 3: I'm a people person. I love that. And when you 403 00:20:29,800 --> 00:20:31,280 Speaker 3: say Nebraska having a. 404 00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:34,879 Speaker 2: Crazy fan base, paint a picture for me, give me 405 00:20:34,920 --> 00:20:38,440 Speaker 2: an example of the craziness of the Nebraska fan base. 406 00:20:38,920 --> 00:20:40,800 Speaker 4: I just I want to say crazy in a bad way, 407 00:20:41,520 --> 00:20:42,120 Speaker 4: a good way. 408 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:46,080 Speaker 1: I just think like the best picture is just they 409 00:20:46,320 --> 00:20:49,600 Speaker 1: we set a world record for like an attendance, like 410 00:20:49,640 --> 00:20:52,720 Speaker 1: an attendance record, and I don't I don't know how 411 00:20:52,800 --> 00:20:57,920 Speaker 1: much crazier it can get. Like whenever, like whenever women's 412 00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:02,359 Speaker 1: sports needs fans and needs anything like Nebraska shows up 413 00:21:02,359 --> 00:21:04,639 Speaker 1: and I think that's it's so cool to be a 414 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:06,720 Speaker 1: part of. But it never fails to amaze me, like 415 00:21:06,760 --> 00:21:10,080 Speaker 1: what they do and how much they care about like 416 00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:11,000 Speaker 1: female sports. 417 00:21:11,160 --> 00:21:14,879 Speaker 2: Here of course, and so a lot of fans means 418 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 2: also a lot of eyes. A lot of eyes can 419 00:21:18,680 --> 00:21:23,120 Speaker 2: contribute to what is often a high pressure situation for 420 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:27,159 Speaker 2: you in the middle of your games. Talk to me 421 00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:31,000 Speaker 2: a little bit about how you navigate pressure. And you 422 00:21:31,080 --> 00:21:35,240 Speaker 2: mentioned your sports psychologist earlier, so maybe how that's helped 423 00:21:35,280 --> 00:21:36,760 Speaker 2: you kind of figure out how to manage that. 424 00:21:37,680 --> 00:21:41,760 Speaker 1: Yeah, I think being at Nebraska definitely teaches you to 425 00:21:43,040 --> 00:21:46,520 Speaker 1: deal with pressure, and I would say there it was 426 00:21:47,160 --> 00:21:51,040 Speaker 1: particularly tough just because of the amount of eyes and 427 00:21:51,080 --> 00:21:54,320 Speaker 1: attention that are always on you. But yeah, I think 428 00:21:54,720 --> 00:21:57,640 Speaker 1: over the years, like I've learned what helps me get 429 00:21:57,640 --> 00:22:00,919 Speaker 1: through it and what makes it work. And so for me, 430 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:04,560 Speaker 1: like I said, like I'm big on like the connection 431 00:22:04,680 --> 00:22:08,840 Speaker 1: piece and so having like people, not even I don't 432 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:11,800 Speaker 1: need someone specifically, but I'm someone who just needs to 433 00:22:11,920 --> 00:22:15,800 Speaker 1: like talk and laugh and maybe sing a song that's 434 00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:18,560 Speaker 1: on or hit a dance move something just to like 435 00:22:18,680 --> 00:22:22,320 Speaker 1: keep me present in the moment. And I've found that 436 00:22:22,440 --> 00:22:24,959 Speaker 1: like if I'm quiet and I'm not talking, then like 437 00:22:25,000 --> 00:22:28,840 Speaker 1: that's when the thoughts kind of show up and you 438 00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,880 Speaker 1: start to spiral a little bit. Like I'm someone who 439 00:22:31,920 --> 00:22:35,560 Speaker 1: needs to be like vocal about it. And that's even 440 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:39,760 Speaker 1: like admitting like telling someone, hey, I'm really nervous right now, 441 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:42,400 Speaker 1: like I'm I'm kind of freaking out, and like even 442 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:45,080 Speaker 1: just like vocalizing it can help a lot. But I 443 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:48,200 Speaker 1: would say the biggest thing that I'm like still trying 444 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:51,080 Speaker 1: to work on is the self talk, and I don't know, 445 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:54,639 Speaker 1: just giving yourself more grace and finding keywords that can 446 00:22:54,960 --> 00:22:55,880 Speaker 1: kind of snap. 447 00:22:55,600 --> 00:22:58,280 Speaker 4: You out of the rough patches for sure. 448 00:22:58,440 --> 00:23:01,199 Speaker 2: And so when you say finding the key words, do 449 00:23:01,280 --> 00:23:02,680 Speaker 2: you have any that come to mind? 450 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:05,320 Speaker 1: I would say A big one for me is like 451 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:08,560 Speaker 1: I've earned the right to be here, and I've earned 452 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:11,399 Speaker 1: the right to be confident, just because when you like 453 00:23:11,480 --> 00:23:14,720 Speaker 1: put it in perspective of all the work that you've 454 00:23:14,720 --> 00:23:18,119 Speaker 1: put in, how many reps you've actually done at the skill, 455 00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:20,440 Speaker 1: like it just kind of puts your mind at ease 456 00:23:20,480 --> 00:23:22,600 Speaker 1: of like, oh, yeah, like I can I can show 457 00:23:22,640 --> 00:23:24,879 Speaker 1: up in this moment like I've showed up a thousand 458 00:23:24,960 --> 00:23:25,679 Speaker 1: times before this. 459 00:23:25,960 --> 00:23:30,280 Speaker 2: It's always so valuable to use your past experience as 460 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:33,520 Speaker 2: the example, right, And so to your point saying I've 461 00:23:33,520 --> 00:23:37,359 Speaker 2: put in the reps, like you committed to playing volleyball 462 00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:40,920 Speaker 2: at age fourteen in college, like you have been doing 463 00:23:40,920 --> 00:23:43,800 Speaker 2: this for a long time and long committed because you 464 00:23:43,840 --> 00:23:44,480 Speaker 2: were good at it. 465 00:23:45,640 --> 00:23:49,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, exactly, and it's it's so it's crazy, like how 466 00:23:49,440 --> 00:23:51,879 Speaker 1: powerful like your own thoughts can be. And so I 467 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:55,119 Speaker 1: think just I mean, Jordan talks about it. Our team 468 00:23:55,160 --> 00:23:57,680 Speaker 1: always talks about it, like what are we telling ourselves? 469 00:23:57,920 --> 00:24:00,000 Speaker 1: And it goes back to like how are you showing up? 470 00:24:00,119 --> 00:24:02,720 Speaker 1: Like are you coming in with a bad mindset coming 471 00:24:02,720 --> 00:24:05,560 Speaker 1: into practice? Like, oh, like I don't want to be here. 472 00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:08,800 Speaker 1: I suck at this. It doesn't start like after you 473 00:24:08,840 --> 00:24:10,680 Speaker 1: shank a ball, Like it starts in the morning when 474 00:24:10,680 --> 00:24:13,119 Speaker 1: you wake up. I think, Yeah, that's also something that 475 00:24:13,160 --> 00:24:17,600 Speaker 1: I've learned as I've gotten more into the professional world too. 476 00:24:17,840 --> 00:24:19,840 Speaker 2: I want to talk a little bit about what happens 477 00:24:19,880 --> 00:24:22,080 Speaker 2: after you shank a ball. But before we do that, 478 00:24:22,160 --> 00:24:24,760 Speaker 2: you mentioned your morning. What have you set up for 479 00:24:24,800 --> 00:24:27,440 Speaker 2: yourself in terms of a framework that helps you show 480 00:24:27,520 --> 00:24:30,080 Speaker 2: up and put your best foot forward after you get up? 481 00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:34,119 Speaker 1: Yeah, one thing is I'm not big on like just 482 00:24:34,200 --> 00:24:36,440 Speaker 1: waking up and going out the door, because I think 483 00:24:36,480 --> 00:24:39,439 Speaker 1: it's just like I like having a slow morning to 484 00:24:39,560 --> 00:24:43,240 Speaker 1: kind of have the mind like at ease, and so 485 00:24:43,920 --> 00:24:46,160 Speaker 1: I don't if we start at nine, Like I'll wake 486 00:24:46,240 --> 00:24:51,360 Speaker 1: up at like seven and just have coffee, breakfast or whatever. 487 00:24:51,520 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 1: And then I usually try and journal every morning and 488 00:24:54,680 --> 00:24:57,280 Speaker 1: just jot some things down that like I'm grateful for 489 00:24:57,600 --> 00:25:00,840 Speaker 1: and some like intentions of the day. And then I 490 00:25:00,920 --> 00:25:03,359 Speaker 1: try and like do that at night as well. And 491 00:25:03,400 --> 00:25:07,560 Speaker 1: then besides that, I think, just yeah, trying to put 492 00:25:07,560 --> 00:25:10,240 Speaker 1: myself in a position where I can like show up 493 00:25:10,840 --> 00:25:14,400 Speaker 1: positively and just like feel good about myself. 494 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:19,959 Speaker 2: It's so interesting because when I was twenty two, I 495 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:24,800 Speaker 2: didn't know the first thing about gratitude or really much 496 00:25:24,800 --> 00:25:27,440 Speaker 2: about like I had a journal. But it's so different now, 497 00:25:27,480 --> 00:25:31,480 Speaker 2: like the exposure that we've had to understanding how these 498 00:25:31,520 --> 00:25:35,640 Speaker 2: tools can really help us. Have you had a journaling 499 00:25:35,680 --> 00:25:37,840 Speaker 2: practice for some time or is this something that you 500 00:25:38,160 --> 00:25:39,280 Speaker 2: adopted more recently. 501 00:25:40,240 --> 00:25:42,920 Speaker 1: I would say in college we did a little bit 502 00:25:42,960 --> 00:25:48,080 Speaker 1: with journaling. We would have different prompts or different exercises 503 00:25:48,240 --> 00:25:51,399 Speaker 1: to get used to it. But some people are big 504 00:25:51,560 --> 00:25:57,160 Speaker 1: on more meditation or visualizing, and for me, the thing 505 00:25:57,200 --> 00:26:00,280 Speaker 1: that's always helped has been journaling. So I I think 506 00:26:00,320 --> 00:26:03,240 Speaker 1: I've gotten a little more creative with it to try 507 00:26:03,280 --> 00:26:06,119 Speaker 1: and bring out what's going to help the best. 508 00:26:06,560 --> 00:26:09,440 Speaker 4: But the foundation was definitely laid in college for sure. 509 00:26:09,520 --> 00:26:14,159 Speaker 2: For sure, now you use this really great morning routine 510 00:26:14,280 --> 00:26:17,080 Speaker 2: to set you up for what can happen at practice 511 00:26:17,119 --> 00:26:20,359 Speaker 2: and then obviously in play. Talk to me a little 512 00:26:20,440 --> 00:26:24,840 Speaker 2: bit about what can be the mental reset that's required 513 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:28,320 Speaker 2: in between points. You said before you understand that it 514 00:26:28,359 --> 00:26:31,960 Speaker 2: can't always be about winning, but obviously each and every 515 00:26:32,000 --> 00:26:34,920 Speaker 2: time you step in between the white lines, you want 516 00:26:34,920 --> 00:26:37,159 Speaker 2: to be putting your best foot forward. So how do 517 00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:40,600 Speaker 2: you reset mid play when something's not going as you 518 00:26:40,680 --> 00:26:41,080 Speaker 2: had hoped? 519 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:45,960 Speaker 1: I would say another thing for me is like breathing 520 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:50,480 Speaker 1: and trying to like slow everything down and just be 521 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:53,400 Speaker 1: where your feet are. So I think, I mean, volleyball 522 00:26:53,480 --> 00:26:56,080 Speaker 1: is great because there's a lot of pauses between every 523 00:26:56,080 --> 00:26:59,720 Speaker 1: single point. You have at least like fifteen sometimes twenty 524 00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:02,880 Speaker 1: sometime longer like in between each play, so there's that 525 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:06,480 Speaker 1: time to kind of take some real deep breaths and 526 00:27:06,800 --> 00:27:10,400 Speaker 1: slow your nervous system down so it can really focus 527 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:12,520 Speaker 1: on the task at hand. And I feel like that's 528 00:27:12,920 --> 00:27:15,600 Speaker 1: probably the biggest thing that helps me right now. 529 00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:18,600 Speaker 2: And do you literally feel like when you take those 530 00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:21,679 Speaker 2: deep breaths, like the feeling shift within your body. 531 00:27:22,480 --> 00:27:25,080 Speaker 1: When I'm really intentional about it and I'm like, Okay, 532 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:30,440 Speaker 1: take a deep breath inhale for four, exhale for like six. Yes, 533 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:34,120 Speaker 1: I can actually feel like Okay, my shoulders go back 534 00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:38,159 Speaker 1: a little bit, like I am just like more clear headed. 535 00:27:38,600 --> 00:27:41,680 Speaker 1: But if I don't intentionally like tell myself to take 536 00:27:41,680 --> 00:27:44,600 Speaker 1: a deep breath, then I just go on like then No, 537 00:27:44,720 --> 00:27:45,560 Speaker 1: it usually doesn't. 538 00:27:46,400 --> 00:27:49,200 Speaker 2: She knows about those longer exhales. She knows about how 539 00:27:49,240 --> 00:27:52,879 Speaker 2: to use them to her advantage. We're talking about you 540 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:55,000 Speaker 2: playing in the pros right now, but there had to 541 00:27:55,040 --> 00:27:59,440 Speaker 2: be a transitionary period from playing at Nebraska to now 542 00:27:59,520 --> 00:28:03,359 Speaker 2: playing in the pros. What was the biggest hurdle in 543 00:28:03,440 --> 00:28:04,560 Speaker 2: making that transition? 544 00:28:05,359 --> 00:28:09,760 Speaker 1: Oh? Boy, I would say in volleyball, there's always just 545 00:28:09,840 --> 00:28:13,080 Speaker 1: such a big gap when you go from level to level. 546 00:28:13,160 --> 00:28:16,200 Speaker 1: So going from high school to college was a big jump, 547 00:28:16,320 --> 00:28:20,080 Speaker 1: just because the speed is faster, the girls are more physical, 548 00:28:20,440 --> 00:28:22,760 Speaker 1: everything like that. Like when you're in high school, you're 549 00:28:22,800 --> 00:28:26,879 Speaker 1: playing against fifteen, sixteen, seventeen year olds, and then you 550 00:28:26,880 --> 00:28:29,520 Speaker 1: go to college and you're playing against like twenty two 551 00:28:29,600 --> 00:28:32,000 Speaker 1: year olds and you're like seventeen and it's like, Wow, 552 00:28:32,080 --> 00:28:35,560 Speaker 1: I've didn't know girl could hit that hard. So I 553 00:28:35,560 --> 00:28:38,000 Speaker 1: think it goes kind of the same, like you go 554 00:28:38,080 --> 00:28:40,360 Speaker 1: from college to pro and you're playing against people who 555 00:28:40,440 --> 00:28:44,880 Speaker 1: have been playing for fifteen years in different countries, and 556 00:28:44,920 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 1: it's like there's this whole new level of the game 557 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:51,239 Speaker 1: that you kind of unlock. And so I think just 558 00:28:51,520 --> 00:28:55,840 Speaker 1: getting used to that and kind of training like your eyes, 559 00:28:56,000 --> 00:28:58,320 Speaker 1: I think is a big thing of the speed and 560 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:01,840 Speaker 1: the level and just what the different style of play. 561 00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:04,840 Speaker 3: I would say, how did you handle that? At first? 562 00:29:05,280 --> 00:29:06,000 Speaker 1: I would say it was. 563 00:29:05,960 --> 00:29:08,040 Speaker 4: Really tough for me specifically. 564 00:29:08,120 --> 00:29:11,040 Speaker 1: I know a lot of people go through learning curves, 565 00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:15,280 Speaker 1: but last year when I went from college to Love 566 00:29:15,360 --> 00:29:19,280 Speaker 1: Nebraska or love Omaha, at the time, it was it 567 00:29:19,320 --> 00:29:21,680 Speaker 1: was pretty difficult. Like I was like there were definitely 568 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:24,520 Speaker 1: times where I would question, like if I was going 569 00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:26,800 Speaker 1: to be able to make this work, or if I 570 00:29:26,840 --> 00:29:29,640 Speaker 1: was going to be able to kind of transition into 571 00:29:29,680 --> 00:29:32,040 Speaker 1: this new level of volleyball, Like I didn't know if 572 00:29:33,000 --> 00:29:35,840 Speaker 1: my skill level was gonna be enough, and that like, 573 00:29:35,920 --> 00:29:39,000 Speaker 1: obviously you have to give yourself grace and give yourself 574 00:29:39,040 --> 00:29:42,239 Speaker 1: time to adjust, which I did, and it ended up 575 00:29:42,280 --> 00:29:45,440 Speaker 1: working out, but there was definitely a month month and 576 00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:48,840 Speaker 1: a half where it was like, definitely the doubt was 577 00:29:48,880 --> 00:29:50,000 Speaker 1: creeping in a little bit. 578 00:29:50,160 --> 00:29:53,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, and you talked earlier about the reps that you've 579 00:29:53,600 --> 00:29:56,360 Speaker 2: put in to be able to say the sentence I 580 00:29:56,360 --> 00:29:59,560 Speaker 2: I am confident that I should be here, right and 581 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:02,440 Speaker 2: so so to put in those reps at the beginning 582 00:30:02,560 --> 00:30:07,680 Speaker 2: of this big shift, it's quite an uncomfortable situation, yeah. 583 00:30:07,320 --> 00:30:11,720 Speaker 1: For sure. And yeah, you're playing next to Olympians and 584 00:30:11,760 --> 00:30:14,080 Speaker 1: you're fresh out of college and you're like, oh, I 585 00:30:14,200 --> 00:30:18,400 Speaker 1: don't belong here. What am I doing? And then like 586 00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:21,160 Speaker 1: you get the reps down and you're like, Okay, it's 587 00:30:21,400 --> 00:30:23,560 Speaker 1: at the end of the day, it's the same ball. 588 00:30:23,680 --> 00:30:25,640 Speaker 1: Well it was a different ball, but at the end 589 00:30:25,640 --> 00:30:28,480 Speaker 1: of the day, you're playing volleyball, the sport that you've 590 00:30:28,480 --> 00:30:33,000 Speaker 1: been playing for literally like eighteen sixteen, whatever it is years, 591 00:30:33,480 --> 00:30:36,880 Speaker 1: and so it just takes time. But yeah, there's always 592 00:30:36,920 --> 00:30:38,400 Speaker 1: going to be adjustments that you have to make. 593 00:30:38,560 --> 00:30:42,080 Speaker 2: Do you find that you have to really compartmentalize what's 594 00:30:42,120 --> 00:30:45,760 Speaker 2: going on within your life off of the court versus 595 00:30:45,840 --> 00:30:48,080 Speaker 2: what's happening on the court. 596 00:30:48,600 --> 00:30:52,320 Speaker 1: Being at Nebraska that is also something that you learn 597 00:30:52,520 --> 00:30:57,160 Speaker 1: very quickly, just with especially when NIL became a thing, 598 00:30:57,280 --> 00:31:00,000 Speaker 1: like you really had to learn how to time in 599 00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:03,240 Speaker 1: and really like leave things that were off the court, 600 00:31:03,320 --> 00:31:06,960 Speaker 1: like off the court, make time for you know, your 601 00:31:07,000 --> 00:31:10,640 Speaker 1: individual needs, and then also like prioritize the volleyball part. 602 00:31:10,760 --> 00:31:14,400 Speaker 1: So I would say, now like I've I've learned, Okay, 603 00:31:14,400 --> 00:31:16,040 Speaker 1: this is what I need to do, this is what 604 00:31:16,120 --> 00:31:18,800 Speaker 1: I have time for. But when you're in college and 605 00:31:18,840 --> 00:31:21,600 Speaker 1: you're young and you just want to say yes to everything, 606 00:31:21,640 --> 00:31:23,280 Speaker 1: like it can be a little difficult for sure. 607 00:31:23,400 --> 00:31:25,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, let's talk a little bit about NIL because I 608 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:29,240 Speaker 2: feel like people we talk about it, and people think like, oh, 609 00:31:29,240 --> 00:31:31,840 Speaker 2: I'm just supposed to understand like what all of this means. 610 00:31:31,840 --> 00:31:36,200 Speaker 2: So like when you started to become integrated into this, 611 00:31:36,360 --> 00:31:40,120 Speaker 2: when NIL really became a thing for you, how did 612 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:43,080 Speaker 2: that change your day to day? 613 00:31:43,280 --> 00:31:46,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean at first, so my freshman year was 614 00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:49,719 Speaker 1: the first year that it like got past. So at 615 00:31:49,760 --> 00:31:52,520 Speaker 1: first I think it was like, oh, we get a 616 00:31:52,560 --> 00:31:56,080 Speaker 1: free meal, or we get people are sending us free clothes, 617 00:31:56,120 --> 00:31:58,400 Speaker 1: Like it was like no one really knew what to expect. 618 00:31:58,440 --> 00:32:02,280 Speaker 1: And then obviously through my four years it grew tremendously 619 00:32:02,400 --> 00:32:06,000 Speaker 1: and there's billboards and commercials like you see all like 620 00:32:06,360 --> 00:32:09,920 Speaker 1: Caitlin Clark and just everything like that. Like it obviously 621 00:32:10,000 --> 00:32:13,880 Speaker 1: grew and people understood like how to utilize it more. 622 00:32:14,560 --> 00:32:17,920 Speaker 1: But yeah, like it became me and my mom would 623 00:32:17,920 --> 00:32:21,040 Speaker 1: always joke that, like I was a full time volleyball 624 00:32:21,080 --> 00:32:23,760 Speaker 1: player and like I had a part time job, Like 625 00:32:24,160 --> 00:32:26,600 Speaker 1: it was you really had to look at your calendar 626 00:32:26,760 --> 00:32:30,760 Speaker 1: and try and schedule it in, especially when you're in season. 627 00:32:30,840 --> 00:32:34,520 Speaker 1: It can make things really difficult. But you I think 628 00:32:34,560 --> 00:32:37,400 Speaker 1: that came along with like learning how much you could 629 00:32:37,400 --> 00:32:40,720 Speaker 1: handle and how much time you needed to put a 630 00:32:40,760 --> 00:32:42,280 Speaker 1: side like for yourself too. 631 00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:43,920 Speaker 3: How much you can handle. 632 00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:47,800 Speaker 2: This is an interesting concept as well, because we're now 633 00:32:48,280 --> 00:32:50,400 Speaker 2: addressing the fact that there are so. 634 00:32:50,760 --> 00:32:52,959 Speaker 3: Many people that have eyes on you. 635 00:32:53,000 --> 00:32:56,800 Speaker 2: And we're not just talking about during gameplay now right, 636 00:32:56,840 --> 00:33:00,400 Speaker 2: we're talking about a social media following. What would you 637 00:33:00,440 --> 00:33:04,560 Speaker 2: say has been the biggest blessing of that and also 638 00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:06,000 Speaker 2: perhaps the hardest part. 639 00:33:06,840 --> 00:33:10,840 Speaker 1: The biggest blessing is like the impact piece of things, 640 00:33:10,920 --> 00:33:14,800 Speaker 1: And I've been able to now channel that a little 641 00:33:14,840 --> 00:33:18,200 Speaker 1: more and try and give back to like the kids 642 00:33:18,240 --> 00:33:21,320 Speaker 1: specifically that want to play volleyball at the next level, 643 00:33:21,360 --> 00:33:26,080 Speaker 1: Like we just have this amazing platform to I don't know, 644 00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:29,200 Speaker 1: to kind of tell our story but also give the 645 00:33:29,280 --> 00:33:31,640 Speaker 1: kids or give these young girls like what they need 646 00:33:31,800 --> 00:33:34,120 Speaker 1: or what I don't know, just a little bit of 647 00:33:34,160 --> 00:33:37,320 Speaker 1: advice that we think would be useful for them to 648 00:33:37,360 --> 00:33:39,320 Speaker 1: get to the next level. And it's like we didn't 649 00:33:39,640 --> 00:33:43,120 Speaker 1: always have that resource when we were younger to those 650 00:33:43,160 --> 00:33:45,920 Speaker 1: like professional or college athletes, like it was like, oh, 651 00:33:45,960 --> 00:33:49,440 Speaker 1: you watch them on TV twice a week and that 652 00:33:49,560 --> 00:33:51,920 Speaker 1: was pretty much it. So I think that part is 653 00:33:51,920 --> 00:33:54,920 Speaker 1: a really cool blessing. And then obviously I think the 654 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:59,000 Speaker 1: big not so great part of it is that there's 655 00:33:59,160 --> 00:34:03,760 Speaker 1: going to be the judgment and the criticism and everything 656 00:34:03,840 --> 00:34:06,320 Speaker 1: like that, which you got to try your best to 657 00:34:06,360 --> 00:34:09,759 Speaker 1: ignore it. But everyone sees the comments at the end 658 00:34:09,760 --> 00:34:11,960 Speaker 1: of the day, like you might it might just be 659 00:34:12,040 --> 00:34:14,200 Speaker 1: a really bad day you're having and this comment sets 660 00:34:14,239 --> 00:34:17,560 Speaker 1: you over the edge, like it's they're there. And as 661 00:34:17,680 --> 00:34:19,680 Speaker 1: much as like people will say like, oh, you just 662 00:34:19,800 --> 00:34:22,960 Speaker 1: ignore it, it's definitely easier said than done. 663 00:34:23,120 --> 00:34:27,400 Speaker 2: I think as a public figure, everyone has a story 664 00:34:27,560 --> 00:34:31,040 Speaker 2: about the first time that they saw some sort of 665 00:34:31,080 --> 00:34:35,040 Speaker 2: a comment or feedback that really just sucker punched them 666 00:34:35,080 --> 00:34:35,640 Speaker 2: in the face. 667 00:34:35,760 --> 00:34:36,880 Speaker 3: Do you remember yours? 668 00:34:38,120 --> 00:34:43,040 Speaker 1: Man, I don't know if I remember the first one 669 00:34:43,160 --> 00:34:45,680 Speaker 1: or not. I don't. I want to say there was 670 00:34:45,719 --> 00:34:50,799 Speaker 1: everyone that like like sucker punched me, but I would 671 00:34:50,800 --> 00:34:54,200 Speaker 1: say just like everyone has the time when it's like 672 00:34:54,280 --> 00:34:56,319 Speaker 1: after a bad game or like you feel like it's 673 00:34:56,360 --> 00:34:59,279 Speaker 1: the worst game you've ever had, and then like you 674 00:34:59,360 --> 00:35:04,279 Speaker 1: go online and someone just says something like it could 675 00:35:04,360 --> 00:35:08,960 Speaker 1: be so like oh, she couldn't do this today, whatever 676 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:11,839 Speaker 1: it is, and it's like it just validates it. And 677 00:35:11,920 --> 00:35:14,640 Speaker 1: so I don't know, I don't have one specific one 678 00:35:14,680 --> 00:35:17,719 Speaker 1: that was like oh, but yeah, there's definitely been some 679 00:35:18,040 --> 00:35:18,799 Speaker 1: there always is. 680 00:35:18,960 --> 00:35:22,960 Speaker 2: Now, you mentioned impact being something that you're super passionate about, 681 00:35:23,080 --> 00:35:26,759 Speaker 2: which brings me to talking about she Sports for those 682 00:35:26,840 --> 00:35:30,000 Speaker 2: that aren't familiar, give us some insight into what that is. 683 00:35:30,640 --> 00:35:35,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, So myself and my other co founder we built 684 00:35:35,160 --> 00:35:38,879 Speaker 1: an app called she Sports and it's basically just an 685 00:35:38,880 --> 00:35:44,160 Speaker 1: empowerment app where we have female college athletes on it 686 00:35:44,280 --> 00:35:48,640 Speaker 1: and then they're able to kind of produce content or 687 00:35:48,719 --> 00:35:53,000 Speaker 1: answer questions, and then there's obviously like the user part 688 00:35:53,000 --> 00:35:54,839 Speaker 1: of it where they can go on they can ask 689 00:35:54,920 --> 00:35:59,520 Speaker 1: all these athletes different questions about like mental fitness, like 690 00:35:59,600 --> 00:36:03,120 Speaker 1: behind the scene, skilled training, literally like you name it, 691 00:36:03,160 --> 00:36:06,799 Speaker 1: you can ask usually anything and then so it kind 692 00:36:06,840 --> 00:36:11,320 Speaker 1: of just gives that back and forth loop of I 693 00:36:11,360 --> 00:36:16,080 Speaker 1: don't know, like the realness and also like the connection that, 694 00:36:16,680 --> 00:36:19,359 Speaker 1: like I was saying earlier, didn't always exist, Like there 695 00:36:19,400 --> 00:36:21,760 Speaker 1: was never this place where I could go and ask 696 00:36:22,120 --> 00:36:24,759 Speaker 1: Jordan Larson when I was younger, like hey, like, how 697 00:36:24,800 --> 00:36:27,600 Speaker 1: are you such a good passer? Like there was never that, 698 00:36:27,719 --> 00:36:30,160 Speaker 1: And so I think this gives a space for these 699 00:36:30,160 --> 00:36:32,640 Speaker 1: young girls to really connect with kind of the older 700 00:36:32,680 --> 00:36:35,839 Speaker 1: girls in the sport that they want to play one day. 701 00:36:35,960 --> 00:36:38,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, So what I'm hearing you say is you really 702 00:36:38,880 --> 00:36:43,000 Speaker 2: were passionate about creating something that you yourself wish you 703 00:36:43,040 --> 00:36:44,040 Speaker 2: had when you were younger. 704 00:36:44,560 --> 00:36:45,360 Speaker 4: Yeah, for sure. 705 00:36:45,440 --> 00:36:48,760 Speaker 1: And I think I've said it before, like talking about 706 00:36:48,760 --> 00:36:53,040 Speaker 1: she sports, But all throughout college I was like I 707 00:36:53,120 --> 00:36:57,239 Speaker 1: have an amazing platform and I have no idea like 708 00:36:57,320 --> 00:36:59,560 Speaker 1: how to use it for good, and so I think 709 00:36:59,640 --> 00:37:02,839 Speaker 1: I was like searching for how I could kind of 710 00:37:03,040 --> 00:37:07,480 Speaker 1: give back to younger girls specifically and just a a 711 00:37:07,520 --> 00:37:09,919 Speaker 1: big thank you. And I feel like this is kind 712 00:37:09,960 --> 00:37:13,080 Speaker 1: of connects to what means the most to me, and 713 00:37:13,120 --> 00:37:17,000 Speaker 1: that's like authenticity part and the impact part. So I 714 00:37:17,040 --> 00:37:19,239 Speaker 1: was like, it's the best of both worlds. 715 00:37:19,080 --> 00:37:23,080 Speaker 2: The best of both worlds. Now, you mentioned a big following. 716 00:37:23,200 --> 00:37:26,759 Speaker 2: How do you balance being an elite competitor with the 717 00:37:26,800 --> 00:37:30,040 Speaker 2: demands of being so public facing. You talked about it 718 00:37:30,080 --> 00:37:32,480 Speaker 2: also being a little bit of a second job. 719 00:37:33,520 --> 00:37:36,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, it definitely is kind of like a second job. 720 00:37:36,440 --> 00:37:40,239 Speaker 1: Some days are easier and some days are definitely a 721 00:37:40,320 --> 00:37:44,359 Speaker 1: lot harder. I think like the biggest thing is like 722 00:37:45,080 --> 00:37:48,279 Speaker 1: on social media, it's all about, oh, like be consistent 723 00:37:48,320 --> 00:37:50,200 Speaker 1: with how much you post, and I think, like for me, 724 00:37:50,320 --> 00:37:53,360 Speaker 1: that's really hard because like I don't I want to 725 00:37:53,480 --> 00:37:57,520 Speaker 1: produce something that's like authentic and that really like showcases 726 00:37:58,200 --> 00:38:01,880 Speaker 1: my personality and me, like my story and everything, and 727 00:38:01,920 --> 00:38:04,879 Speaker 1: so it's really hard for me to like just go 728 00:38:04,960 --> 00:38:09,600 Speaker 1: produce content every day because it doesn't feel very like natural, 729 00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:12,080 Speaker 1: and so I think that would be like the hardest 730 00:38:12,080 --> 00:38:14,799 Speaker 1: part is like I know that this is part of 731 00:38:14,920 --> 00:38:18,000 Speaker 1: like my brand, but it's like at the same time, 732 00:38:18,160 --> 00:38:20,440 Speaker 1: like I don't even know what I want to like post, 733 00:38:20,640 --> 00:38:23,439 Speaker 1: So it does get a little tricky sometimes, but most 734 00:38:23,440 --> 00:38:25,560 Speaker 1: of the time. It's it's fun. It's fun to make 735 00:38:25,680 --> 00:38:29,360 Speaker 1: dances or too. It's a good way also to like 736 00:38:29,440 --> 00:38:33,719 Speaker 1: connect with teammates in my opinion, and especially people like 737 00:38:33,800 --> 00:38:36,560 Speaker 1: Jordan Larsen. She's like, what what is TikTok? Like I 738 00:38:36,600 --> 00:38:38,799 Speaker 1: don't and then she and and now she's like doing 739 00:38:38,880 --> 00:38:40,319 Speaker 1: dances in the airport with us. 740 00:38:40,360 --> 00:38:42,480 Speaker 4: So it's like, it's really cool to kind of see 741 00:38:42,520 --> 00:38:43,400 Speaker 4: all the dynamics. 742 00:38:43,520 --> 00:38:45,560 Speaker 3: You were a marketing major in college. 743 00:38:46,560 --> 00:38:47,799 Speaker 1: I was ad pr. 744 00:38:47,680 --> 00:38:51,640 Speaker 2: Ad pr okay, yeah, do you feel like you're using 745 00:38:51,680 --> 00:38:52,479 Speaker 2: any of that now? 746 00:38:53,239 --> 00:38:54,600 Speaker 1: I honestly yes. 747 00:38:54,680 --> 00:38:57,360 Speaker 4: Like when I first did it, I was like, what 748 00:38:57,480 --> 00:38:58,560 Speaker 4: am I gonna do with this? 749 00:38:58,680 --> 00:39:02,160 Speaker 1: And then Nil kindkind of took off and I was like, huh, 750 00:39:02,160 --> 00:39:05,840 Speaker 1: I might be able to sneak this in in some places. 751 00:39:05,960 --> 00:39:06,120 Speaker 1: You know. 752 00:39:06,160 --> 00:39:09,640 Speaker 2: It's interesting as well, because we talk about the big 753 00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:12,240 Speaker 2: decision you made at fourteen to commit to a school, 754 00:39:12,600 --> 00:39:15,880 Speaker 2: and then you're also dealing with like just such big 755 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:19,840 Speaker 2: things that so many individuals don't deal with until later 756 00:39:19,920 --> 00:39:23,600 Speaker 2: in life. We're talking contracts with Nil, we're talking about 757 00:39:23,880 --> 00:39:26,560 Speaker 2: I mean, the way that you're speaking is so impressive, right, 758 00:39:26,600 --> 00:39:29,080 Speaker 2: You've had to learn so many skills to be able 759 00:39:29,120 --> 00:39:33,000 Speaker 2: to show up in this way at some point or another. 760 00:39:33,640 --> 00:39:38,319 Speaker 2: Does the expectation ever frustrate you to be able to 761 00:39:38,440 --> 00:39:39,560 Speaker 2: do everything already? 762 00:39:40,719 --> 00:39:44,919 Speaker 1: Obviously on the core expectations are different. But I would 763 00:39:44,960 --> 00:39:48,080 Speaker 1: say I don't know if like expectation is the right word. 764 00:39:48,120 --> 00:39:52,960 Speaker 1: I think sometimes I do get a little frustrated with like, oh, 765 00:39:53,000 --> 00:39:54,719 Speaker 1: I just feel like I had to do like all 766 00:39:54,760 --> 00:39:57,680 Speaker 1: of this and I'm literally just a twenty two year 767 00:39:57,680 --> 00:40:00,960 Speaker 1: old girl, like I just want to go home to 768 00:40:01,080 --> 00:40:04,160 Speaker 1: my family. Like it's just I don't know. Sometimes you 769 00:40:04,320 --> 00:40:06,799 Speaker 1: just you get it's a little overwhelming, I would say, 770 00:40:06,880 --> 00:40:10,280 Speaker 1: of course, And so I would say, like that's been 771 00:40:10,960 --> 00:40:14,040 Speaker 1: the big thing that I've been trying to I would say, 772 00:40:14,080 --> 00:40:18,000 Speaker 1: manage more is like how can I kind of keep 773 00:40:18,040 --> 00:40:20,359 Speaker 1: it steady to where it doesn't get to a point 774 00:40:20,360 --> 00:40:24,040 Speaker 1: where I'm like overwhelmed with everything? And so I think 775 00:40:24,080 --> 00:40:27,040 Speaker 1: that's always like a internal battle I have. 776 00:40:27,239 --> 00:40:29,799 Speaker 2: And that goes back to our conversation about self talk 777 00:40:29,840 --> 00:40:32,920 Speaker 2: and putting in the reps, like right, like, this is 778 00:40:33,000 --> 00:40:35,840 Speaker 2: the first time you've ever done this, and you shouldn't 779 00:40:35,920 --> 00:40:38,440 Speaker 2: know how to do it yet you're living your life 780 00:40:38,440 --> 00:40:40,720 Speaker 2: for the first time, just like everybody else. 781 00:40:41,480 --> 00:40:43,520 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's all it's just all connected. 782 00:40:43,560 --> 00:40:46,840 Speaker 1: Everything is always connected when you look at it. And so, 783 00:40:47,080 --> 00:40:49,440 Speaker 1: like you said, with like the contracts, like my mom 784 00:40:49,480 --> 00:40:52,799 Speaker 1: always stand up for like what you want, like what 785 00:40:52,840 --> 00:40:55,479 Speaker 1: you deserve, and I was like, I mean that's pretty cool, 786 00:40:55,520 --> 00:40:58,279 Speaker 1: though I don't know, I don't really care. And she's like, no, 787 00:40:58,440 --> 00:41:01,520 Speaker 1: it's not like how the this world works. And I 788 00:41:01,560 --> 00:41:04,560 Speaker 1: was like, well, I'm not I don't know. Like so, yeah, 789 00:41:04,560 --> 00:41:07,560 Speaker 1: there's definitely some moments of frustration. For sure. 790 00:41:07,640 --> 00:41:09,839 Speaker 2: You got to get your feet wet somewhere, right, and 791 00:41:09,880 --> 00:41:12,560 Speaker 2: you've got to go through something to experience it to 792 00:41:12,680 --> 00:41:15,440 Speaker 2: learn from it. Whether or not the experience goes how 793 00:41:15,480 --> 00:41:19,000 Speaker 2: you want it to go, it's always the learning opportunity, Yes, exactly, 794 00:41:19,239 --> 00:41:22,520 Speaker 2: entirely so so for you right now, you talked a 795 00:41:22,560 --> 00:41:25,560 Speaker 2: bit about how awesome it is through the work that 796 00:41:25,640 --> 00:41:28,280 Speaker 2: you're doing with she Sports and then obviously your team 797 00:41:28,760 --> 00:41:33,480 Speaker 2: experience to have the opportunity to foster these connections, to communicate, 798 00:41:33,760 --> 00:41:37,280 Speaker 2: let's say, between the generations. Right when you think about 799 00:41:37,600 --> 00:41:40,560 Speaker 2: the lasting impact that you want to have on the 800 00:41:40,640 --> 00:41:43,480 Speaker 2: sport of volleyball, what comes to mind. 801 00:41:44,480 --> 00:41:49,279 Speaker 1: The authenticity part of it. And I would say big 802 00:41:49,280 --> 00:41:52,360 Speaker 1: thing for me is like the joyfulness. I am a 803 00:41:52,520 --> 00:41:56,759 Speaker 1: very happy person most of the time, and even when 804 00:41:56,800 --> 00:42:01,560 Speaker 1: I play, like, yes, I'm very competitive and and like I, 805 00:42:01,640 --> 00:42:03,440 Speaker 1: like I said before, I want to win, But I 806 00:42:03,480 --> 00:42:06,360 Speaker 1: think you don't have to be for me. It's like 807 00:42:06,440 --> 00:42:08,160 Speaker 1: I don't have to be angry. I don't have to 808 00:42:08,160 --> 00:42:12,960 Speaker 1: be like mean mugging. People like to be competitive, like 809 00:42:13,000 --> 00:42:15,200 Speaker 1: I just have a different way of showing it. And 810 00:42:15,280 --> 00:42:18,040 Speaker 1: so I think, yeah, just being true to yourself and 811 00:42:18,160 --> 00:42:21,040 Speaker 1: just trying to bring and spread as much joy as you. 812 00:42:21,000 --> 00:42:26,440 Speaker 3: Can beyond volleyball. Right now, what's exciting you, Like. 813 00:42:26,360 --> 00:42:29,560 Speaker 1: You said, she's sports. It's very new, Like we just 814 00:42:29,680 --> 00:42:32,680 Speaker 1: launched a couple months ago, and so I think, still 815 00:42:32,840 --> 00:42:35,640 Speaker 1: contributing as much as I can even though I am 816 00:42:35,760 --> 00:42:39,480 Speaker 1: in season, and trying to continue to build that so 817 00:42:39,520 --> 00:42:42,640 Speaker 1: it can kind of take off to even more places 818 00:42:42,680 --> 00:42:44,920 Speaker 1: because right now we're just kind of focusing on the 819 00:42:44,920 --> 00:42:48,440 Speaker 1: state of Nebraska. So i'd say that's the main priority. 820 00:42:48,960 --> 00:42:53,240 Speaker 1: But besides that, I don't know, just trying to stay 821 00:42:53,280 --> 00:42:54,480 Speaker 1: consistent with everything. 822 00:42:54,520 --> 00:43:14,279 Speaker 2: Honestly, I mentioned health and well being. What would you 823 00:43:14,400 --> 00:43:18,240 Speaker 2: say is the most important aspect of your personal wellness? 824 00:43:18,320 --> 00:43:20,480 Speaker 3: Routine right now that helps you feel like you. 825 00:43:21,760 --> 00:43:25,160 Speaker 1: Oh boy, that's such a such a big question. 826 00:43:25,480 --> 00:43:28,400 Speaker 4: I feel like there's so many things. 827 00:43:29,600 --> 00:43:32,759 Speaker 1: I think right now, Like I'm living on my own, 828 00:43:32,880 --> 00:43:36,279 Speaker 1: Like it's different from college. You're a professional athlete. You 829 00:43:36,360 --> 00:43:39,160 Speaker 1: have to really take care of yourself. And so I 830 00:43:39,200 --> 00:43:43,000 Speaker 1: think just having routines and everything is like really big 831 00:43:43,040 --> 00:43:47,080 Speaker 1: for me. And so like a big routine in like 832 00:43:47,239 --> 00:43:50,640 Speaker 1: what I eat and like everything like that, My food schedule, 833 00:43:51,000 --> 00:43:54,160 Speaker 1: I would say, is like really helpful for me, just 834 00:43:54,200 --> 00:43:56,560 Speaker 1: because I feel like when I eat clean, like I 835 00:43:56,680 --> 00:43:57,879 Speaker 1: can perform a lot better. 836 00:43:58,000 --> 00:44:00,400 Speaker 4: So I would say that's a big thing for me. 837 00:44:00,960 --> 00:44:04,719 Speaker 3: I was not eating clean at twenty two, and. 838 00:44:04,640 --> 00:44:07,520 Speaker 4: I think that's yeah, I got to give myself grace too. 839 00:44:07,719 --> 00:44:11,080 Speaker 1: But I'm around all these like athletes who have done 840 00:44:11,120 --> 00:44:14,680 Speaker 1: it for so long, and they're like they're diets under control. 841 00:44:14,719 --> 00:44:17,640 Speaker 1: I'm like, man, I know I'm younger, but like I 842 00:44:17,680 --> 00:44:19,080 Speaker 1: feel like I should be doing. 843 00:44:18,840 --> 00:44:20,160 Speaker 3: This now right now. 844 00:44:20,239 --> 00:44:23,719 Speaker 2: Someone comes to your Instagram page, maybe they're one of 845 00:44:23,920 --> 00:44:28,240 Speaker 2: your two hundred and fifty thousand plus followers. They see 846 00:44:28,320 --> 00:44:31,600 Speaker 2: a volleyball player, someone that really knows how to get 847 00:44:31,640 --> 00:44:34,160 Speaker 2: after it on the court, but when you look in 848 00:44:34,200 --> 00:44:36,399 Speaker 2: the mirror, a LEXI, what is it that you see 849 00:44:36,560 --> 00:44:37,400 Speaker 2: looking back at you? 850 00:44:38,080 --> 00:44:42,120 Speaker 1: Oh, I would say, like, again, I'm very big on 851 00:44:42,880 --> 00:44:48,120 Speaker 1: connecting with people, and very big on my friendships, my relationships, 852 00:44:48,640 --> 00:44:52,320 Speaker 1: my just connections with everyone and how I interact with everyone, 853 00:44:52,360 --> 00:44:54,680 Speaker 1: And so I would want to be known as like 854 00:44:54,800 --> 00:44:58,560 Speaker 1: a good friend, a good daughter, a good sister. I'm 855 00:44:58,640 --> 00:45:01,960 Speaker 1: an aunt now, so good aunt, like just all of 856 00:45:01,960 --> 00:45:05,560 Speaker 1: those things. I'm Yeah, I just love being around my people. 857 00:45:05,800 --> 00:45:08,959 Speaker 2: Yeah, and what a special opportunity that it is. I mean, 858 00:45:09,200 --> 00:45:13,239 Speaker 2: your people being pretty local, being that you're still in Nebraska. 859 00:45:13,239 --> 00:45:16,880 Speaker 1: Yes, exactly, Like that's one of the biggest blessings that 860 00:45:17,320 --> 00:45:20,920 Speaker 1: I never could have imagined coming, especially growing up when 861 00:45:21,000 --> 00:45:25,120 Speaker 1: you kind of were expected to go overseas after college. 862 00:45:25,200 --> 00:45:27,920 Speaker 1: So yeah, being able to play pro and have my 863 00:45:28,040 --> 00:45:31,799 Speaker 1: parents and grandparents and everyone come watch me is like 864 00:45:31,840 --> 00:45:32,720 Speaker 1: a dream come true. 865 00:45:32,840 --> 00:45:35,520 Speaker 3: Do you ever wish that you had left? 866 00:45:35,960 --> 00:45:36,800 Speaker 1: Not right now? 867 00:45:36,960 --> 00:45:40,759 Speaker 4: I think when you think about all the things. 868 00:45:40,520 --> 00:45:43,160 Speaker 1: That I've been doing and I'm only twenty two, Like 869 00:45:43,560 --> 00:45:48,320 Speaker 1: thinking about moving across the world and having to manage 870 00:45:48,320 --> 00:45:51,239 Speaker 1: all of that, and then also be away from my 871 00:45:51,360 --> 00:45:53,480 Speaker 1: family and the people I love, like I think it 872 00:45:53,520 --> 00:45:56,319 Speaker 1: would have been really difficult for me. I do think 873 00:45:56,360 --> 00:45:58,799 Speaker 1: it will be really cool to do one day and 874 00:45:58,880 --> 00:46:03,400 Speaker 1: to have that experience. But right now I'm really glad 875 00:46:03,400 --> 00:46:04,120 Speaker 1: to be in the US. 876 00:46:04,400 --> 00:46:05,880 Speaker 3: I love it. I love it well. 877 00:46:06,239 --> 00:46:09,320 Speaker 2: Right now, Lexi, you have an opportunity to offer yourself 878 00:46:09,400 --> 00:46:12,320 Speaker 2: a piece of advice. Let's talk about that really difficult 879 00:46:12,320 --> 00:46:15,920 Speaker 2: transition that you mentioned, going from college to playing in 880 00:46:16,000 --> 00:46:19,040 Speaker 2: pro leveling up playing against. 881 00:46:18,680 --> 00:46:21,240 Speaker 3: Competitors from all over the world. 882 00:46:20,880 --> 00:46:24,120 Speaker 2: That have a fine tuned skill set. 883 00:46:24,239 --> 00:46:27,439 Speaker 3: That reminds you how intense the sport can really be. 884 00:46:27,600 --> 00:46:31,080 Speaker 2: Knowing what you know, now, what advice would you offer 885 00:46:31,160 --> 00:46:32,960 Speaker 2: yourself going through that Hurtle moment. 886 00:46:33,960 --> 00:46:38,600 Speaker 1: I would just say, trust the process and at the 887 00:46:38,680 --> 00:46:42,200 Speaker 1: end of the day, like just always believe in your capabilities, 888 00:46:42,440 --> 00:46:45,480 Speaker 1: just because those were two things that kind of broke 889 00:46:45,520 --> 00:46:49,960 Speaker 1: down for me, Like I was questioning if I was 890 00:46:50,000 --> 00:46:52,640 Speaker 1: ever going to get there, and I was maybe at 891 00:46:52,680 --> 00:46:56,359 Speaker 1: the lower end of the curve whatever it is, and 892 00:46:56,960 --> 00:46:58,880 Speaker 1: it did never feel like there was light at the 893 00:46:58,960 --> 00:47:00,920 Speaker 1: end of the tunnel. So I would definitely say, like, 894 00:47:01,239 --> 00:47:03,600 Speaker 1: trusting that it's all going to work out, like you're 895 00:47:04,320 --> 00:47:07,160 Speaker 1: gonna adjust to everything, and then at the end of 896 00:47:07,200 --> 00:47:09,799 Speaker 1: the day, like belief is just so strong. And when 897 00:47:09,840 --> 00:47:12,200 Speaker 1: you believe in yourself, like I feel like you can 898 00:47:12,360 --> 00:47:15,360 Speaker 1: accomplish more than you ever thought you could. So just 899 00:47:16,040 --> 00:47:18,880 Speaker 1: always having that, even at your lowest points, like you 900 00:47:18,920 --> 00:47:20,120 Speaker 1: can still believe in yourself. 901 00:47:20,440 --> 00:47:22,600 Speaker 3: What do you want your competitors to see when you 902 00:47:22,680 --> 00:47:23,879 Speaker 3: step on the court? 903 00:47:24,280 --> 00:47:27,640 Speaker 1: Oh, I would just say, Oh, this is a tough one. 904 00:47:27,840 --> 00:47:30,200 Speaker 1: I would say, just someone with a lot of grit 905 00:47:30,480 --> 00:47:33,200 Speaker 1: and at the end of the day, like a like 906 00:47:33,360 --> 00:47:37,319 Speaker 1: hardcore competitor, because I think sometimes like yeah, maybe he's 907 00:47:37,320 --> 00:47:40,879 Speaker 1: smiling a lot and YadA, YadA, YadA, but like I'm 908 00:47:41,239 --> 00:47:42,920 Speaker 1: I want to win and I'm going to do everything 909 00:47:42,920 --> 00:47:44,640 Speaker 1: I can to win. So I would just say, like 910 00:47:44,680 --> 00:47:46,560 Speaker 1: someone who who always brings it. 911 00:47:46,560 --> 00:47:49,360 Speaker 2: Who always brings it, Lexia Rodriguez. So glad that we 912 00:47:49,400 --> 00:47:51,239 Speaker 2: were able to sit down today for hurdle. For those 913 00:47:51,280 --> 00:47:55,000 Speaker 2: that aren't following along with you, just yet give us 914 00:47:55,000 --> 00:47:55,600 Speaker 2: your details. 915 00:47:55,600 --> 00:47:56,480 Speaker 3: Where can we find you? 916 00:47:57,160 --> 00:48:00,680 Speaker 1: Oh gosh, I don't even know. I think my Instagram 917 00:48:00,840 --> 00:48:04,080 Speaker 1: is like Lexi dot Rodriguez, and then I think my 918 00:48:04,200 --> 00:48:08,920 Speaker 1: TikTok is just Lexi Rodriguez. I think Lexi has like 919 00:48:09,080 --> 00:48:11,759 Speaker 1: three eyes. Maybe I should probably I should probably know 920 00:48:11,920 --> 00:48:12,960 Speaker 1: my handles better. 921 00:48:13,040 --> 00:48:15,120 Speaker 3: It will it will be in the show notes. So 922 00:48:15,200 --> 00:48:17,080 Speaker 3: that's all you need to speak. 923 00:48:17,760 --> 00:48:20,360 Speaker 2: I'm over at Emily a Body and at Hurdle Podcast 924 00:48:20,480 --> 00:48:21,960 Speaker 2: Another hurdle conquered. 925 00:48:22,280 --> 00:48:23,359 Speaker 3: Catch you guys next time.