In this episode of Beach Secrets, DJ Klasnic welcomes Olympian Andy Benesh — one of the most dominant blockers in U.S. beach volleyball and half of the No. 1 ranked American team.

Andy shares his unconventional path from a successful professional indoor volleyball career to stepping away from the sport, working a 9–5 job, and ultimately making the bold decision to bet on himself. That leap of faith led him back to the sand, where he rose to become one of the best blockers in the country, a consistent AVP contender, and an Olympic Games qualifier alongside Miles Partain — another former guest of the podcast.

In this powerful conversation, Andy breaks down the mindset required to start over, the discipline behind elite blocking, and what separates good teams from great ones on the AVP and World Tour. He also opens up about life off the court, including marrying fellow USA professional Deahna Kraft, navigating two elite careers, and finding balance while chasing Olympic-level performance.

This episode delivers high-level insight, honesty, and inspiration for athletes, competitors, and anyone willing to take a calculated risk on themselves.

🎧 Topics include:

Transitioning from pro indoor volleyball to the beach

📍 Watch or listen now and discover the mindset behind Andy Benesh’s Olympic rise.

🎧 Listen anywhere → https://linktr.ee/djklasnic

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⚡ Supported by Bravo Health

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In this episode of Beach Secrets, DJ Klasnic welcomes Molly Shaw, one of the fastest-rising athletes on the international stage — AVP standout, World Tour medalist, and now World Championship competitor. Molly shares her remarkable path from being cut from rosters and struggling without a consistent partner to climbing her way to the top of the sport, winning Future, Challenger, and Elite16 gold, and keeping her sights firmly on her Olympic dream.

In this powerful conversation, Molly opens up about what kept her grinding when she felt alone, how she rebuilt confidence after setbacks, and the partnership lessons that helped her break through. Off the court, she speaks candidly about balance, mental health, faith, routines, and her marriage to fellow pro athlete James Shaw, who also competes on the World Tour and AVP.

This episode is packed with inspiration, honesty, and high-level strategy for anyone striving to reach the next level — in sport or in life.

Navigating partnerships and finding alignment

Grinding alone and staying committed without a locked-in partner

Rebounding after being cut from rosters and teams

Winning across the World Tour: Future, Challenger & Elite16

Competing at the 2025 World Championships

The mindset behind rising from setbacks to medals

Marriage, balance, and life with pro athlete James Shaw

Her long-term goal: the Olympic Games

📍 Watch or listen now and discover the mindset behind Molly Shaw’s rise to the world stage.

🎧 Listen anywhere → https://linktr.ee/djklasnic

🌿 Sponsored by Polar Gold Extracts

👉 Try them today and support the show: https://shop.polargoldcbd.com/DJ

Subscribe / Follow for weekly episodes with top AVP, World Tour, and Olympic athletes.

In this episode of Beach Secrets, DJ Klasnic welcomes Geena Urango, one of the most accomplished athletes on the AVP Tour — and the first-ever female athlete guest on the podcast.

Geena made history as the first female beach volleyball player to earn a collegiate scholarship, and she continues to inspire as an AVP League Champion. In this conversation, she shares her journey through the highs and challenges of professional beach volleyball, her daily routine, and the mindset required to perform at the top level.

This episode is filled with insights on discipline, confidence, and what it takes to achieve long-term success both on and off the sand.

🎧 Topics include:

Breaking barriers as a scholarship pioneer

The mentality behind winning on the AVP

Daily habits and recovery routines

Managing pressure and staying motivated

Lessons from years of elite competition

📍Listen now and uncover the secrets behind Geena Urango’s success.

Link to Geenas Partnership Optimizing Book: https://www.amazon.com/Pillars-Program-Volleyball-Partner-Integration/dp/B0D5WPQ1HZ

👉 Listen anywhere → https://linktr.ee/djklasnic

🌿 Sponsored by Polar Gold Extracts

A huge thank-you to our partner Polar Gold Extracts, proud sponsor of the Beach Secrets Podcast. Their premium CBD products are crafted for natural relief from chronic pain, muscle recovery, and everyday wellness — trusted by athletes and active lifestyles alike.

👉 Try them today and support the show: https://shop.polargoldcbd.com/DJ

📌 If you enjoyed this episode: Subscribe / Follow for weekly episodes with top AVP, World Tour, and Olympic athletes

In this third episode of the Beach Secrets Podcast, host DJ Klasnic sits down with Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, the most accomplished beach volleyball player France has ever produced. A European medalist, World Tour medalist, and Paris 2024 Olympian, Arnaud continues to write history for French beach volleyball — both on and off the sand.

This conversation takes you deep inside his story — how he discovered volleyball, transitioned from indoor to the beach, and climbed the global ranks to become one of the world’s top defenders. Arnaud opens up about his journey through the CEV and FIVB World Tour, the emotional highs of winning international medals, and the challenges of representing France on the biggest stages.

We also unpack one of the most talked-about moments leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympics — when the French federation faced the difficult decision of choosing which team would represent the host nation. Arnaud reveals what that moment felt like, how he handled the pressure, and what it means to compete in the Games on home soil.

Finally, Arnaud shares his thoughts on the future of the sport, his own ambitions beyond Paris 2024, and the mindset and technical precision that have defined his career. From hard work and humility to strategic mastery, this episode captures the essence of an athlete still chasing greatness.

🎧 Listen or watch now on:

A huge thank-you to our partner Polar Gold Extracts, proud sponsor of the Beach Secrets Podcast. Their premium CBD products are crafted for natural relief from chronic pain, muscle recovery, and everyday wellness — trusted by athletes and active lifestyles alike.

👉 Try them today and support the show: https://shop.polargoldcbd.com/DJ

In the second episode of Beach Secrets Podcast, host DJ Klasnic sits down with American beach volleyball legend Theo Brunner to uncover his journey from indoor star to one of the most respected players — and now coaches — in the sport.

Theo shares how he first discovered volleyball, his rise as a standout in college indoor volleyball, and his professional indoor career overseas before making the bold transition to beach volleyball. The conversation dives into the grind of life on the World Tour, including his two 4th-place finishes at the FIVB World Championships, and the highs and lows of competing against the best teams in the world.

We then explore the defining moment of his career — winning the Manhattan Beach Open and cementing his legacy with a plaque on the iconic pier, a symbol of greatness in U.S. beach volleyball. Theo reflects on what it means to join the ranks of the best American players ever to play the game.

Today, Theo is channeling his experience into coaching, taking on the challenge of guiding Miles Partain and Andy Benesh, the #1 U.S. men’s team. He reveals his unique way of understanding the game, his philosophy on technique, and the “secrets” that shaped his success on the sand.

Whether you’re a beach volleyball fan, an aspiring AVP or World Tour player, or simply someone inspired by the pursuit of excellence, this episode delivers rare insights into the mindset, work ethic, and technical knowledge of one of the sport’s greats.

🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and Podbean.

📌 Don’t forget to subscribe for more exclusive interviews with the world’s best beach volleyball players, and leave a comment with your favorite Theo Brunner moment or who you’d like to see next on the show!

Sponsored by Polar Gold Extracts 🌿

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#TheoBrunner #BeachVolleyball #AVP #MilesPartain #AndyBenesh #ManhattanBeachOpen #USAVolleyball #BeachSecretsPodcast #DJKlasnic

In this very first episode of Beach Secrets, host DJ Klasnic sits down with Olympic beach volleyball star Miles Partain as he shares his secrets to success — from growing up on the local courts of Hermosa Beach to making the bold decision to leave UCLA’s indoor team to pursue his Olympic journey. A big part of the conversation dives into the Olympics, the mindset shifts that helped him rise to the world stage, his unique approach to training and focus, and his plans for the future as he continues to push the limits of the sport. Whether you’re an athlete, a fan of the game, or simply looking for inspiration, this episode uncovers valuable secrets about what it takes to succeed in beach volleyball at the highest level.