#46 Nicole DAVIS [2x Olympian]: How to Harness Your Competitiveness (& Why You May Need To Pivot)

#46 Nicole DAVIS [2x Olympian]: How to Harness Your Competitiveness (& Why You May Need To Pivot)

October 30, 2016

Listen to hear story below... More show notes and links to come...

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CONTACT INFO

@nicolemdavis6

http://www.nicolemdavis6.com/

MORE INFO

Awards

2014 - FIVB World Championships - Italy (Gold Medal)

2014 - Montreux Volley Masters (Silver)...USA Volleyball Cup vs. Brazil...FIVB World Grand Prix (5th in Preliminary). 

2013 - USA Volleyball Cup. 

2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Olympic Games (Silver). 

2011 – Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)...Pan American Cup (Bronze)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...NORCECA Championship Gold...FIVB World Cup (Silver). 

2010 – Montreux Volley Masters (Silver Medal)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold Medal)...FIVB World Championship (Fourth). 

2009 – Tour of Egypt…Pan American Cup (Fourth)…FIVB World Grand Prix (Ninth)…Final Four Intercontinental Cup (Silver)…NORCECA Continental Championship (Fourth). 

2008 – Tour of China…U.S. Olympic Team Exhibition for Volleyball versus Brazil…FIVB World Grand Prix (Fourth Place)…Olympic Games (Silver Medal). 

2007 – FIVB World Grand Prix (Eighth Place)…NORCECA Championship (Silver Medal)…FIVB World Cup (Bronze Medal).

2006 – World Grand Prix (Seventh Place)…World Championships (Ninth Place). 

2005 – Front Range Tour vs. Brazil…Pan American Cup…World Grand Prix…FIVB World Championship Qualifying Tournament(Gold Medal)…NORCECA Continental Championships (Gold Medal)…World Grand Champions Cup (Silver Medal).

Biography

Position: Libero
Height: 5-4/162 cm
Weight: 145 lbs/66 kg
Hometown: Stockton, Calif.
Current Residence: Newport Beach, Calif.
Birth Date: April 24, 1982
College: University of Southern California
Joined USA National Team: January 2004.

Nicole is a professional indoor volleyball player, graduating from Lincoln High School (Stockton, CA) in 2000. She helped her team to the NorCal championships in 1999 and 2000, as well as a gold medal at the Junior Olympics in 2000, with her local volleyball club, Delta Valley.

While attending and graduating from USC on a full-ride scholarship, she dominated the libero position (a defensive specialist who can substitute freely in the back row) in both her junior and senior seasons, leading USC to two consecutive NCAA National Championships, including an undefeated season. Following her collegiate career, she was invited to join the USA Women’s National Team. Internationally she has won two NORCECA Continental Championships in 2005 and 2011. Davis was also a part of all three World Grand Prix Gold Medal teams, winning back-to-back-to-back championships in 2010, 2011 & 2012, entering the record books as one of only two countries in the history of the tournament to win three-in-a-row. Other international highlights include podium finishes in 2007 and 2011 at the World Cup, earning Olympic births with both efforts. Nicole made her Olympic debut in 2008 in Beijing, winning a silver medal. You saw her wearing her number 6 jersey on television, while the USA team won another silver medal in London Olympic games in 2012. Most recently, she and her team made history winning the 2014 World Championships for the first time. 

Nicole has also played professionally in 8 different countries, including Poland, Turkey, China, Azerbaijan, Italy, Germany, Romania and currently in France. Nicole continues to play and train with the USA National Team, and hopes to make a third Olympic roster for Rio in 2016, and is still chasing an allusive gold medal for the program. 

Her happiest moments in sports include, winning back-to-back National Championships at USC, taking part in the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games, and representing our country on the USA Team.

#31 Learn To Silence Your Ego with Gabi KOEVA

#31 Learn To Silence Your Ego with Gabi KOEVA

Athlete Case Study: Bulgarian Women’s National Volleyball Team, Middle Blocker for Beşiktaş Women's Volleyball (Istanbul Turkey).  Elite Sports Students Mentor  

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February 24, 2015

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BACKGROUND

On today’s episode we will talk about how Gabi got to where she is today. We will discuss how she decided to play volleyball instead of basketball, as both of her parents are former basketball players, but at her age, volleyball was the only option. She explains some of her struggles and decisions she has had to make over the years, as well as some of the mentors she’s had to help her. She also shares how she handled being a bench player while playing for the Bulgarian Women’s National Team and the importance of silencing your ego and continuing to work hard no matter what situation you may face.

BIO

• Born, Gabriela KOEVA, from Pleven, Bulgaria on July 25, 1989.

• 6’2” (188cm) Middle Blocker, Volleyball player

• Grew up in the basketball gym, as parents are former players of the sport.

• Attendended National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski" in Bulgaria

• Has played professionally in Bulgaria, Switzerland, Italy and Turkey.

• Was invited to join the Bulgarian Senior National Team at 17 years old. Has been a member est. 2007, received the Bronze medal in 2011 for the European Volleyball League, and the SILVER in 2012.

• Business Administration Major

• One of Elite Sport Students founding Mentors

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PERSONAL QUOTE:
“Remember that talent is only 1% of an athlete’s life, and the other 99% is hard work, hard work, and more hard work.” -Gabi’s Father

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN HER LIFE:

Dragan Nesic, the first coach to send Gabi an invitation for the Senior National Team, whom she learned the most from volleyball wise; Svetlana Ilic, Gabi learned a lot from her while playing in Switzerland, was one of the only coaches she had to emphasize importance of mental preparation.

Key Discussion Points:

• When was a time you struggled in your sport or life in general?

• How did you mentally handle being one of the bench players?

• When was a time during a match that you made a mistake, and what did you do to move on from it?

• When was your lightbulb moment?

• When was one of your proudest moments?

• What lead you to your studies that you’ve recently completed?

• What is your current plan to be successful in your life and sport?

Key Lessons:

• Accept failure!

“We all fail on a daily basis. I think its important that we learn from our failures.” GK @ 10:22

• We need to learn to silence our egos and look objectively at the situation we are in

“After all, its the National Team and all the best players from your country are playing there..you have to give them respect..good players, they are not just random people on the court.” GK @ 13:16

• Focus on your skills, getting better, and proving yourself at every practice

• Competition within the team is what helps evolve players

• Egos can be good and bad in some ways

• Find a way to compete and add value to your teammates, make them better

• Do your best to move on quickly from the mistakes you make while competing

“I talked to myself.. ‘the set is gone, it was just one point, you made a mistake, it was not your fault, focus on the next set, start over, do your thing, try to keep in mind the goals you have, focus on the small things, FORGET about it.” GK @ 17:28

• The whole team loses/wins a game, not just one individual

• If you dwell on the last mistake, you are most likely to keep making more

• Sometimes you have to change your scenery or location to be closer to your success

• The most successful people are those who challenge themselves, looking outside the box

• Have your OWN vision for what you want in the future and create small goals to achieve that vision

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ATHLETE'S TIP JAR

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Always see the positive in every situation; things are how they are, its in our power to understand them how we want.

What is the first thing you do when arriving to a new team or arena?
Team: I look forward to the first couple of practices so I can see how the coach is working with the team, so I can understand their perspective.
Arena: I check out the lights, they can be disturbing sometimes

What personal habit do you believe has contributed most to your success?
When I start something, I really want to finish it.

Sleep & Morning ritual:
I sleep between 8-10 hours; I have breakfast, coffee/tea, I am up a few hours before practice, on the court half an hour before doing warm up/ mobility exercises.

What is one way you’d like to improve yourself?
Always try to learn something new, reading books

How do you cross-train to stay fit when you aren’t playing your sport?
I go swimming a few times a week

What is one book you would give away as a gift and why?
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday; I would give this book to anyone who is struggling with something in life, sports, business, etc.

If you had a do-over, knowing everything you know now with all of the new resources (Beyond Athletic Podcasts, ESS Mentors, etc.) ,what would you have done differently and why?
I think things would have happened quicker for me, after listening to other’s experiences on a podcast, I would have learned a lot quicker.

INFO

Charity/Organizations They Add Value to:
Elite Sports Students; Mentor
Possibly a summer camp, 2015,  in Braham, Minnesota, run by Noah Dahlman

Past/Current Teams:
Past: VC CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria; Voléro Zürich,Switzerland; Minerva Volley Pavia, Italy
Current: Beşiktaş Women's Volleyball; Bulgaria Women's National Volleyball Team

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Contact GABI

Gabi's Blog | Facebook | Twitter | ASK GABI Q's Here

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Definition of Being An Athlete?

"Very important in our society; sports are famous, entertainment; people feel a direct impact from sports. If you have a role model, you are interested in all aspects of their professional and personal life. We as athletes should be giving a good example to the young kids. We are influential and
should take it seriously" -Gabi Koeva

RESOURCES

Books Mentioned:
The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Relentless: The Ultimate Mind & Body Challenge by Tim Grover

Also Mentioned:

Vlado Jaksic; Basketball Peace Ambassadors; Video

Braham, Minnesota
Noah Dahlman
VC CSKA Sofia,
Voléro Zürich
Minerva Volley Pavia
Beşiktaş Women's Volleyball
Bulgaria Women's National Volleyball Team
Elite Sports Students; Mentor
Beyond Athletic Podcasts
European Volleyball League
Pleven, Bulgaria
National Sports Academy "Vasil Levski"
Bulgaria,
Switzerland,
Italy
Turkey
 

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-Ryan (Owner @ EliteVolley.com)
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