THE VOLLEYTALK PODCAST: Beach Volleyball Conversations with Tasha Mae

“Keep that feeling of truth inside you and do what you feel like you want to do!”

Today's guest is Tina Graudina- a proud Latvian superstar who just recently won “Athlete of the Year” in her country! She is the first NCAA athlete to qualify for an Olympic tournament and has had many amazing comebacks and wins under her belt. In this episode, Tina talks about:-

How she felt when she was receiving the “Athlete of the Year” award in Latvia!

Did you know that she did high jump before she switched to beach vb?

How she’s starting her master’s program in Political Science now

The toughest challenge she has had to face in her career

How she and her partner, Anastasija Kravcenoka coordinated their training despite her being in USA and Anastasija in Latvia

Her journey to USC!!

How she is finally going to be a professional player and her transition towards that

And as usual, much much more!

It was such a pleasure to speak with Tina. She is so down-to-earth and humble, and genuinely sharing from the bottom of her heart. I really hope that you enjoy it and that you’ve learned as much from her as I did!

Follow Tina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graudinatina/

Follow The VolleyTalk Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thevolleytalkpodcast__/

Hi everyone! In today's episode, I'm going to share some of the biggest lessons that I learned through injuring my foot last year. Injuries are tough, but they teach us a lot about ourselves. I hope that these lessons can help someone who needs it! Just know that whatever you're going through, you are not alone and we have a beautiful community that can help us all out 🤍

“You don’t have to overthink it- you just gotta have fun with what you’re doing and enjoy the process!”

[Catch the LIVE replay on Instagram or Youtube to watch behind the scenes!]

Today’s episode will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s my first ever face-to-face interview, and also the fact that we recorded it on Olympic Day- and who else better to represent the value of the Olympic Games besides three-time gold medalist Misty May-Treanor?! I’m truly so lucky to be able to sit down and have a chat with Misty about her journey from the moment she stepped onto a volleyball court, to the accomplished athlete that she is today. In this episode, Misty talks about:-

How she started beach volleyball and played in her first tournament with her dad, Butch

Why she thinks she has never had the “perfect” game

Why the Brazilians were always her toughest opponents

How her training regimen has shifted throughout multiple years (in season & off season)

Why every athlete should start a food journal!

Her mentality when facing injuries (this one is really good!)

How to develop the ability to be a step or two ahead of your opponents

The main difference that separated she and Kerri with the other teams

Why being vulnerable is actually so important in our lives

And as usual, much much more!

This episode with Misty is a very special episode that I will cherish forever. I really hope that you enjoy it and that you’ve learned as much from her as I did!

Follow Misty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mistymayvb/

Follow The VolleyTalk Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thevolleytalkpodcast__/

“Live your life today as if you would want to live it a 1000 times over!”

Today's guest is Audrius Knasas- beach volleyball player from Lithuania who is currently playing professional indoor volleyball in Austria! A literal “walking quote book”, Audrius dives deep into his personal headspace and shares many experiences that he has had in life through a philosophical lens. In this episode, Audrius talks about:-

How he first started beach volleyball in Lithuania but is currently playing pro indoor volleyball in Austria

What being “more than an athlete” means to him

How he began the process of “searching” and finding ways to cope mentally with the strenuous schedule

Why “alone time” is so necessary for him

How playing in Austria has been like for him (this one is really funny!)

What being an Olympian means to him

How he would still like to be in the sports scene in different ways even after he is retired

Why being a “self-learner” is his greatest strength

How anxiousness actually affects him in many ways, but how he has learned to have a “friendly relationship” with himself

How volleyball has taught him self-love on and off the court

And as usual, much much more!

Speaking with Aurdrius has opened my eyes and mind to a lot of things that I never gave much thought about before. I really hope that you enjoy it and that you’ve learned as much from him as I did!

Follow Audrius on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audriusknasas/

Follow The VolleyTalk Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/thevolleytalkpodcast__/

Check out “When Nietzsche Wept”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21031.When_Nietzsche_Wept

"Trust in the process- no matter how bad it gets."

Today's guest is the one and only Ronja Klinger, a young beach volleyball star from Austria! In this episode, Ronja talks about:-

her life and experiences as a beach volleyball player

the trick she uses when she's in a tight situation during competition

-how she overcame her challenges with her shoulder injury AND finding out she had covid-19

-how is it like being partners with her sister

-her visualization techniques

and sooo much more! You definitely won't want to miss this one out!

*Please note that this is not an actual podcast with fancy equipment, so please forgive the mediocre audio quality and excessive laughing :')

NONETHELESS, I hope that you enjoy this casual chat with Ronja, and learn a lot from her!

Follow Ronja on Instagram :

https://www.instagram.com/ronja_klinger/

https://www.instagram.com/theklingers/