Key Points, Top Takeaways, and Memorable Quotes

“I kinda want to make a team and a support system to kind of help athletes in these areas that don’t have beaches, that don’t really have support, get the support that they need because I thought I had to move to California to pursue this dream.” 8:40

“My partner, Tamber, she is a mom of two, and she says that, ‘Beach volleyball, playing every day makes me a better mother.’  Because she can go and take out her frustrations in practice or have a different outlet to look at and has things to pursue, she wants to be a good athlete, dedicated person for her children.” 17:04

“That’s to me, what I would want to communicate to the next generation: whatever you are putting up there, make sure it’s really you.” - Wendy @ 25:43

“I had a little bit of a problem in my career, like mixing up the final goal with the journey. You really put it into perspective when you don’t play anymore.” 28:35

“You gotta find the things that matter within that journey.  The journey ends up being the final destination because we can’t really control the outcome, we can’t really control the end goal, but we can control small things throughout and we can control what we’re paying attention to.” 29:20

“I do come from more humble beginnings so I do have to kinda have to work harder to accomplish my goals.  Putting in that work gives me confidence to succeed.  Kinda like I can do that.  I’ve proven myself wrong many times, so I can continue doing it.”  42:34

“One thing that I’ve learned and one thing I would go back and tell my younger self to do and my younger athletes: you can be confident without being cocky in the sense that you believe you are good and you’re not comparing yourself to anyone else.” 43:35

“Compete with yourself, collaborate with your community.” - Wendy @ 45:40

Guest Bio - Melissa Fuchs Powell played D1 indoor volleyball for Central Michigan and Houston Baptist University. She started playing beach volleyball during her Sophomore year of college and took her Fifth year at the University of Utah. After graduating with her Masters Melissa moved to California to pursue Professional beach volleyball after making the P1440 Developmental Team. Since then she has earned her AAA rating numerous times in the CBVA, Taken 3rd place in an AVPNext Big Money Tour Event, placed 5th place 2 times on the FIVB World Tour representing Team USA, and 5th place twice in the NORCECA continental tour, along with other notable finishes in Women’s Open Tournaments. She is currently ranked number 42 in the USA national beach rankings and is currently ranked 180th in the World Rankings with her Partner Tambre. 

On the side, Melissa loves to make TikTok videos and create volleyball-related content. She also is the CEO and Founder of Project Beach Utah, a professional beach volleyball organization focused on the growth of the sport locally.

Show Notes

0:00 - What I Meant to Say Podcast Intro

0:18 - Introducing Melissa Fuchs Powell

0:42 - Welcome to Melissa

1:54 - Just Got Back from Brazil

5:29 - My Partner is Tamber Nobles

6:23 - Project Beach Utah Story

9:52 - Tryouts for the Developmental Team 

11:18 - 70 Athletes in One Year

13:32 - Community of Friends

14:39 - Finding a Purpose and Identity as an Athlete

17:03 - Playing Volleyball Makes Tamber a Better Mother

18:20 - Have You Watched ‘Being Serena?’

18:54 - Tell Us About Your Instagram and TikTok Creativity

20:09 - Vine Came Out When I Was in High School

21:16 - I Used Musically When I Was Student Teaching 5th Graders

21:46 - One Funny Video

22:42 - Trying TikTok

24:12 - Take a Look At the Middle and Setter Clip

24:52 - Turning Your Feed Into the Real You

26:01 - That Clip Had 624,000+ Views and ‘The Crowd’ Clip

26:56 - Authenticity on Video

28:00 - She’s Funny, but Growth Mindset Posts Matter too

28:31 - Covid Gave Me Perspective

30:25 - When Did You Graduate College and Start Playing Beach Volleyball?

31:45 - TCU and NCAA Beach Volleyball Chatter

32:45 - 1st Year Programs for Collegiate Beach Volleyball

33:45 - Be Better Commercial

33:54 - Jason Has a Question: Volleyball As Escapism?

34:19 - My Escapism When Volleyball Became My Profession

35:45 - Enjoyment of the Coaching Aspect

36:15 - Opening a Mom Group with Babysitting

37:42 - Volleyball Goals for the Next Year

39:18 - Confident, Energetic, and Approachable

40:07 - We Are a Volleyball Family

40:48 - Passionate, but Relaxed Style of Play

42:58 - Confident Not Cocky

44:35 - Staying Hungry/Humble/Happy, but Confident

45:59 - Humble in My Family’s Household

47:02 - Sibling Talk: Youngest Always the Best!

48:26 - Lesson in Flow

49:02 - The Story Deeper than Volleyball

50:30 - What Role Do You See Yourself Playing in the Beach Volleyball Community?

52:03 - You Are So Approachable

54:00 - Feeling Like An Outsider

55:29 - One of My Reasons for Starting PBU 

56:04 - Where Can We Find You?

56:33 - Where Are You Going Next for Volleyball?

56:50 - Thank You

57:30 - What I Meant to Say Podcast Closing

Links & Where to Find Melissa

ProjectBeachUtah.com

IG - @melissalessa

TikTok - @BeachVolleyMel