THE VOLLEYTALK PODCAST: Beach Volleyball Conversations with Tasha Mae

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 🤍 

“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__/

For this final episode of 2021, I decided to do a short recap to share the biggest lesson I learned from making this podcast, and also my goals for 2022! Thank you so much for all your support, I wish you a very happy new year and best of luck! Can't wait for what's in store next year! 🤩 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevolleytalkpodcast__/ 

https://www.instagram.com/tashmae__/ 

“Before you say no to something, ask yourself, “Am I gonna regret this in 10 years?”

Today's guest is Damien Schumann, a Tokyo 2021 Olympian, 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist and is one of the best beach volleyball players in Australia!! Damien announced his retirement after the Olympics this year. In this episode, Damien talks about:-

- How a chance with a random tourist set the path for him to become one of the best beach volleyball players Australia has ever had

- Reflecting on some of the best memories throughout his journey (Winning gold in Commonwealth 2018, Tokyo 2021 Olympics)

- That super close first Olympic match against the Beach Volley Vikings!

- Why admitting to your partner that you are nervous is a way to deal with anxiety

- What his plans are now after retiring and how he deals with not having to play beach volleyball!

- How he maintains his top game despite being a smaller player in the game

- And how his defense game is so strong

- Why he would tell his younger self to serve more aggressively

And as usual, much much more!

Damien is a super nice and chill guy with lots of beach volleyball wisdom and knowledge to share, and I hope that you’ve learned as much from him as I did!

Follow Damien on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damien_schumann/

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

“Know what you want, set your goals and just go for it!”

Today's guest is Stefan Boermans, super tall Dutchie who is achieving quite a bit of success in his beach volleyball journey now!! In this episode, Stefan talks about:-

- How he just started his volleyball journey only at the age of 19 and beach vb at 22, but is now one of the top players in the world!

- How he deals with injuries

- What winning the Gstaad cowbell means to him!

- Why he would want to play a match against his coach during his prime

- How he gets hyped up during games

- The story of how he and Yorick de Groot teamed up!

- His opinion about playing in the wind

- The secret to his rapid improvement just within one year!

- What he enjoys doing besides beach volleyball

- What his go-to food is everyday

And sooo much more!

Stefan is actually a really chill and cool guy who is willing to share a lot and I have definitely learned a lot about his mentality and understand why he is where he is now. I hope that you’ve learned as much from him as I did!

Follow Stefan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stefanboermansbeachvolley/

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

“Do what you love, love what you do!”

Today's guest is Daria Gusarova!! In this episode, Daria talks about:-

- Why she is a self-proclaimed nerd

- How she started beach volleyball because of her brother

- How she balances being a high school student and a beach volleyball player!

- How she committed to Stanford!!

- Why she likes to eat one chocolate bar before games!

- How she calms herself down during tight situations in game

- Why she thinks responsibility is the most important quality as a beach volleyball player

- How her training routine is like as a student-athlete and why it’s important to take at least 1 day of rest!

And sooo much more!

Daria is just such a sweet person and it’s just so nice to speak and learn from her. I hope that you’ve learned as much from her as I did!

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

Follow Daria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dash_g15/

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

“Learn to move on- the world is such a nice place! Live your life to the best and always stay positive. ”

Today's guest is Sarah Schulz, up and coming beach volleyball star from Germany!! In this episode, Sarah talks about:-

- How she first started beach volleyball in Germany

- Why her toughest challenge is getting into the gym and gaining muscles!

- What winning the German Championships means to her

- How she ended up partnering with Chantal Laboureur and how that has changed her game

- The one team that she would love to play against (Hint: the Olympic Gold Medalists 😉)

- Her special pre-competition routine to set her mind right for the game

- How she calms herself down during tight situations in game

- Why she thinks moving on is the most important quality as a beach volleyball player

- How she balances her pro beach career AND studying architecture

- Her amazing experience in Africa during a 2-star tournament in Rwanda!

- Why she would tell her younger self to push harder

And sooo much more! Sarah is just such a sweet person and it’s just so nice to speak and learn from her. I hope that you’ve learned as much from her as I did!

*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 Sarah, and learn a lot from her!

Follow Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahh_schulz/

“Believe in your dreams, believe in yourself, and get something positive out of every day!”

Today's guest is Katja Stam, beach volleyball star from the Netherlands!! In this episode, Katja talks about:-

- Her debut at the Olympics being one of the youngest teams there with Raisa

- Her instant love towards beach volleyball at the age of 12

- How her partnership with Raisa is actually one of the biggest challenges for them as a team, but how they still manage to pull it off

- Why family is so important to her

- Why perseverance is the most important trait of a beach volleyball player to her

- How she balances her blooming volleyball career with her studies

- How she always stays positive no matter what

- Why Dutch directness is so important and useful on court

- How she evolved from such a shy girl to the star she is now

- And sooo much more!

*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 Katja, and learn a lot from her!

Follow Katja on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katjastam/

“Just live in the moment and enjoy it because nothing lasts forever and life is short!”

Today's guest is Michala Kvapilová , beach volleyball player from the Czech Republic!! In this episode, Michala talks about:-

- How she first started beach volleyball (even though she swore she would never play volleyball when she was young! 😱)

- How her father is one of her major inspirations

- How splitting up with her partner taught her to be more open-minded

- Her thoughts on the 2 Czech teams that were tested positive for Covid-19 right before the Olympic Games started!

- Why she loves playing against Agatha and Duda!

- How Michala and her partner turn a bad situation to a funny one!

- Why determination is the most important trait of a beach volleyball player to her

- She found her most recent passion-surfing!! 🏄‍♀️

- Why she thinks her extroverted personality has helped her a lot in court and in life

- Why she would tell her younger self to be more calm…

And sooo much more! Michala is just such a fun person to speak to and I dare you to not smile after you listen to this podcast (hint: it’s impossible) I hope that you’ve learned as much from her as I did!

*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 Michala, and learn a lot from her!

Follow Michala on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misakvapi/

“If you try too hard to solve all future problems, you may miss solving the current problems.”

Today's guest is Grant O’Gorman, beach volleyball player from Canada!! In this episode, Grant talks about:-

- How he first started beach volleyball in Canada

- How his curiosity for beach volleyball motivates him to get better every time

- The multiple challenges he has faced in his life- his parents passing at a young age, breaking up with a beach volleyball partner and of course, surviving cancer!

- His insane journey of surviving cancer and back to playing in just 4 months!

- How his mindset towards beach volleyball has changed after getting cancer

- How he is now partnering with the charity “Movember” to change the face of men’s health

- The secret phrase he says to himself to prepare for games

- His “embracing obstacles” mindset during games

- His future plans to play in the AVP and Brazilian tours!

- The mindset and skillset that has brought him the success he has today

- How he once lived in a van!

And sooo much more! Grant is just so chill and cool and someone who embraces adversities in life and turns them into his advantage. I hope you will learn as much as I did from him!

*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 Grant, and learn a lot from him!

Follow Grant on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/instagrant1234/