In Spring 2020, I was writhing on the ground in adamant displeasure of my circumstances — penned in and uncertain of the future of beach volleyball due to the pandemic. Compound that with the EDD’s failure to process my unemployment request, and I was in trouble. How would I work? What could I do? My livelihood was stripped from me, and I would have to dig deep. I had big dreams, but it wasn’t a time for them. It was a time to face reality.
I recognized how close to the cut line I was, how narrowly dependent I was, paycheck-to paycheck. After 5-6 years in beach volleyball, I knew it was time for a change in mentality. For years, the athlete community has bemoaned the lack of opportunities for people coming up in the sport. I had been of the same victim mentality until it all started to click. There is opportunity out there. So much.
Am I going to sit around and wait for the EDD to give me my binky? I wasted energy for a long time doing so. Am I going to bank on the AVP handing out care packages? Or am I going to earn it? Blood, sweat, tears. What do I personally have to contribute? What can I offer? Other than regurgitated quotes on Instagram. I had to dig deep to see my impact.
I’m a little guy, simply average in a world full of tall trees. But it puts a huge smile on my face when a scrappy defender from Virginia says I give them hope. That’s cool. It helps me with the confidence and purpose to move forward.
How could I build a life around volleyball that was sustainable outside of results? A big question for my individual balance. To support this career and grow the sport. More joy on the court, more freedom off of the court. Balance, floating, weightless. Self-care, kindness, and killing it.
So many athletes have already maximized this balance. We have a rich spectrum of personalities who excel in many dynamic arenas of life. For those coming up, it’s just about plotting the course and believing it’s possible. We can have it all, once we realize we don’t need it all. What do we want to make of it? First off, I wanted to make a ham sandwich without stressing about the extra slice. Maple glazed…? What is this, BEVERLY HILLS??!!
I started reaching out to beach volleyball clubs nationwide. Making connections with places on the radar, off the radar. My first targets were clubs less affected by mandate regulations. Luckily, a vast majority of my targets tickled my wandering traveler’s heart. The sweet spot of work and play, at once. It all started to flow so effortlessly. I was excited. The dream was beginning to come alive.
I have always dreamt of traveling, seeing the world, and sharing heartfelt stories and connections. I love new cultures, flavors, sounds, sights, and sensations. I feel quite blessed that despite the hardship of the past couple of years, I have landed exactly where I’m meant to be. Like a cat falling off eight floors and landing on a comfy recliner when he thought his life was over.
On the freefall, I worked about ten different jobs to stay afloat. You name it: manual labor, copywriting, massage therapy. During my time away from the sport, I searched desperately for something to give me stability. But it was here all along.
I feel so grateful that my dreams have gratuitously aligned alongside the sport of volleyball. I just had to look a bit harder to see how blessed I really am. Being locked inside with a mirror hurts so bad it helps.
So here I am, back in the sport that has shaped my 30 years of existence. I have gotten the privilege to travel to 10 different states in the past 3-4 months coaching clinics. Connecticut provided fall colors. North Carolina showed me a lush and fertile lifestyle. Colorado enticed me with its typical winter wonderland. We even ran a clinic in Mexico, where I learned to surf and swallow water.
I’ve been blessed with the adventures beach volleyball brought and the people I’ve met along the way. “Strangers” have become great friends. I’ve been picked up by this volleyball community time and again. A recognition that I am not alone, even when the road gets dark. Flashlights beaming from a friendly heart will guide the way or teach us how to use our own again.
What all has come of this? What is in my heart? Well, once I removed the cobwebs and spiderwebs from the chest, I realized the dream was already flying. My new company is called FLIGHT SCHOOL. Inspired by my childhood love of birds, it is built around the prayer to see dreams fly.
Taking flight is to achieve a new level of growth and spread our wings to our highest potential and purpose. I had discounted the importance of flying together, so it feels good to return to the flock.
FLIGHT SCHOOL is a traveling band of volleyball professionals intending to share our unique experience and wisdom with athletes of the next generation. We offer a holistic lens to the sport, intending to open the minds of young athletes, giving them the tools to take care of themselves in a balanced fashion. We guide our athletes to be aware of their bodies in space to create a fluid and explosive athlete who flows effortlessly through the sand. We aim to fortify a healthy competitive mindset and encourage a balanced color palette within.
Working with and supporting kids is our core philosophy. Still, we are equally excited to bring events to communities at volleyball facilities nationwide. These events are sponsored by the beloved SLUNKS, and have something for all ages! Andy Benesh joined our recent clinic in Houston, TX. Future events include Salt Lake City, UT (at the Sandbar) with some of the coolest pros around, and Wilmington, NC at the infamous and beautiful Capt’n Bills.
The opportunity to travel, play, and call it work is the ultimate blessing. To be able to give back to these communities. To connect to these athletes in shared experience is near to my heart. Moving forward, we are grateful for any opportunities to work with sponsors and/or non-profit organizations in the cities that we visit. If interested, reach out for more details. We are excited to run events parallel to AVP tour stops in a city near you in 2022! We are excited about all of the wonderful things to come. It’s time to #takeflight!