#41 Mastering Your Fate & Captaining Your Soul with Carly WOPAT

#41 Mastering Your Fate & Captaining Your Soul with Carly WOPAT

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March 24, 2016

Athlete Case Study: Professional volleyball player who graduated from Stanford University, plays for the USA National Team, and currently plays in Ankara, Turkey

BACKGROUND

In this athlete case study, we focus on what it takes to overcome the most difficult times in our lives. Having people around you to lean on, finding what outlets work best to express yourself, and focusing on doing what is best to accomplish your dreams are just a few of the topics we cover with our infinitely resilient guest: Carly Wopat.  

BIOGRAPHY

• Born, Carly Wopat in Santa Barbara, California on October 13, 1992.

• Parents: Ron and Kathy, younger brothers: Jackson and Eli. twin sister: Sam (passed away in 2012).

• Graduated in 2014 from Stanford University with a degree in Human Biology and a concentration in Human Performance and Behavior.

• Began gymnastics when she was 3 and was a tri-sport athlete in high school.

• Trains with the USA National Team.

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PERSONAL QUOTE

Invictus

“It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.” - William Ernest Henley

Most influential people in their life:

Liz Towne-Gilbert; Club coach, great person that has taught me a lot of life skills

Kerri Walsh; volleyball athlete, spreads light and happiness to everyone

Ron Wopat; father, humble and is a very caring person

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS

• What has been the biggest struggle in your life?

• What can we do to get through these hard times?

• Share a moment that you feel you accomplished something that you have been trying to accomplish for so long.

• What are some non-negotiables you must do to stay on your journey?

• What are the most important things to do to be ready for your next matches?

KEY LESSONS

• The world is a beautiful place but there is also tragedy and loss

• After losing someone very close to you, get to decide how it changes you.

Four years ago, “my family experienced an unexpected suicide. My twin sister Sam had been struggling with depression. She was a beautiful person through and through. We did everything together growing up...losing her was devastating. Everything I knew came crumbling down and a huge piece of me was lost forever. It is a void that can never be filled and she can never be replaced. Accepting this is the most difficult thing; that things will never be as they were. You get to decide whether (in times like these) you cower from life and fight everything uselessly, or embrace it…and attempt to find your footing in life again.” CW @ 14:20

• Finding outlets for our emotions and ways to express ourselves is a major means to get through difficult times in our lives.

“I had a sculpture class that I could go in and just spend hours working on projects and building things; an outlet of self expression through art. I also wrote poetry, taught myself how to play guitar, got into photography. I have just learned how to express myself and get emotions and feelings out through different types of media.” CW @21:00

• There is strength in the people around you and in new ways to find outlets.

• Different mentors bring different things to the table. It is important to go about these mentor-mentee relationships with an open mind and receive advice without judgement.

• Dreams may seem impossible at the early stages of the pursuit, but keeping up the grind is the only way to achieve them.  

“One of my biggest dreams was to play on the national team and play professional volleyball. I would look up to these girls playing the highest level and try to imagine myself in their position. It seems so impossible when being so young. Just kept climbing the ladder.” CW @ 27:00

• Cross training and diversifying activities is a great way to increase mental and physical health.

• Recovery is crucial in performing at your peak

• Search for resources and people that are subject matter experts to learn about staying healthy.

ATHLETE'S TIP JAR

What is one insight you would give to athletes in your position?

“Do not let your performance define you. Even if volleyball is life (or any other sport), it can overtake your mind and everything you do. When we lose or don’t perform as good as we want, we feel bad. Just know that playing bad doesn’t mean you are a bad person! If you make a mistake don’t check yourself out. It is only a mistake in that moment. Don’t let your performance define you.” CW @ 48:00

What advice would you give to your younger self?

“Follow your passions. Don’t worry about going on the route society has set up for youth today. Everyone has opinions on how kids should transition and what the career path should be. Just because yours is different doesn’t mean it is wrong, it’s just your path.” CW @ 51:05

INFORMATION

Resources Mentioned:

The 4 Hour Workweek - Tim Ferris

The 4 Hour Body - Tim Ferris

The Model Health Show - Sean Stevenson

Invictus - Poem

Past/Current Teams:

Stanford University

RC Cannes Volley-Ball

Halkbank Bayan Voleybol Takimi

FOLLOW CARLY HERE:

Instagram | Twitter | Blog

Snapchat: carwo | Email: carwopat@gmail.com

DEFINITION OF BEYOND ATHLETIC?

“It means not just being an amazing athlete but (also) having skills, passions, and hobbies outside of athletics. It is really starting to grow, being beyond athletic. It is amazing to balance and juggle so many things. Being an athlete at this level is a big feat, but having other skills as well is amazing.” - CW

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#34 Why Women Aren't "Smaller Men" & How Both Maximize Performance with Dr. Stacy SIMS

#34 Why Women Aren't "Smaller Men" & How Both Maximize Performance with Dr. Stacy SIMS

Expert Game Plan Session: Triathlete, Graduate of Stanford School of Medicine; PhD from University of Otago New Zealand; Innovative Exercise Physiologist-Nutrition Scientist of Thermoregulation, Hydration, and Performance Nutrition

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March 15, 2015

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:42:59) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

BACKGROUND

On today’s podcast you will receive tons of information regarding hydration, thermoregulation, and what it means to  hydrate properly for different sexes as it is not the same for both. Dr. Sims has studied all over the globe and has been an athlete in multiple sports. Her knowledge will help your overall health and performance as an athlete.

BIO

• Born, Stacy Teresa Sims on July 24, 1973.

• Ran track in high school, competed on the crew team for Purdue University; was an ultra runner, triathlete. She retired as a pro elite roadbike racer when she was pregnant with her 2 year old daughter, Jera

• She graduated from Stanford’s School of Medicine and also received her PhD from the University of Otago in New Zealand

• She is an Innovative Exercise Physiologist-Nutrition Scientist of Thermoregulation, Hydration, and Performance Nutrition; The key researcher officer and co-founder of Osmo Nutrition, who has products designed to address different needs for both sexes; consults for elite individual athletes; has worked with Lance Armstrong.

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Listen ON-THE-GO (00:42:59) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

PERSONAL BELIEF:
“Women are not small men.”

“taking a broad view of the world and having a lot of tolerance and patience and making myself grow in whatever environment I’m in”

Key Discussion Points:

• How did you get into your field of work/research?

• What has you most excited these days?

• Why can’t both sexes hydrate the same way?

• What hydration sources out there being pushed commercially actually cause dehydration?

• When are the best times to hydrate? Is there a wrong time?

• How does dehydration play into injuries?

• How should athletes hydrate properly while traveling by plane?

• What eating habits should athletes have on 2-3 hour practice days?

Key Lessons:

• If you start with good habits, you will further your career down the road

• Most sports drinks are designed to replace carbohydrates first, and then provide some fluid second

“A standard sports drink has between 6-8% carbohydrate solution..when you look at that was a chemical..physiological standpoint...that concentration of carbohydrates are too concentrated to flow into the body easily.” SS @ 13:03

• You can remove stress by watching what you are eating and drinking

• Optimal hydration will better your overall performance

• There is NO pure water in the body; plain water isn’t the main solution for hydration

“If you are just drinking plain water, you’re not really maximizing what your body recognizes as the solution..so just a little bit of sodium in plain water..that will allow the body to pull that fluid in.” SS @ 18:28

• Hydrate throughout the day with MORE than just water

“...its eating watery fruits and veggies, its drinking mineral water that has the sodium in it or its making you own sports drink with 500 ml of water (16oz), dash of salt and a little bit of maple syrup (tsp.)..you’ll get some glucose..sodium, and then you’re going to get your fluid and its going to be absorbed.” SS @ 18:48

• When dehydrated, you are prone to tissue tears, cramping, ACL injuries,etc.

• Compression tights during travel help with getting up and walking around as much as you can to prevent swelling in the ankles

• Have your products to make your protein drinks WITH you on your flights

“12-13 hour flight...having two protein base drinks on the flight...the protein helps with the hydration aspect and the amino acids counteract some of the jet lag.” SS @ 24:37

• You want to maximize the food before you have practice

“..at least 90 minutes before you start and you can top up with  snack..a 150 calorie snack, about 30 minutes before you start training, so you’re going to be well fueled.” SS @ 26:56

• Stay hydrated all the way through practice with “functional hydration drinks” (glucose, sodium, potassium)

• HYDRATE and FUEL for whatever you are doing

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:42:59) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

STACY’S TIP JAR

What is your recommended breakfast for an athlete?

Having a good balance of carbohydrates and protein
-Not eating animal products (vegan): quinoa w/berries, nuts, seeds; sprouted bread w/almond butter

-Eats animal products: Oatmeal w/almond milk, yogurt, nuts, berries; egg whites/yolk scrambles and veggies over toast; avocados, smoked fish, omega 3’s, flax seed oil, coconut oil, other nut oils

Your travel buddy:
Ipod

Your recipe for a healthy life:
Being Happy

Favorite Healthy Habit:
Sleep and training; “Without good sleep, you can’t train well.”

The first 3 healthy food items that make you smile
Coffee, blueberries, and raspberries

What is a book that you would give away as a gift?
Becoming a Supple Leopard and Ready to Run, both by Kelly Starrett
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Importance of Thermoregulation
The way your body deals with stress after exercise or extreme conditions is through thermoregulation; through changing constriction of vessels, through sweating, respiration; without thermoregulation there is no human.

INFO

Business/Work:
Osmo Nutrition - Co Founder, Chief Research Officer
Recommended Guest:
Selene Yeager; Freelance athletic journalist
Hannah Grant; professional chef for Tinkoff Saxo professional cycling team/ wellness-foodie consultant to corporations and athletes, cookbook author

Recommended Books:
Becoming a Supple Leopard by Kelly Starrett
Ready to Run by Kelly Starrett
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Mentioned:

Osmo Nutrition
thermoregulation
Lance Armstrong
glucose
sodium
potassium
Stanford’s School of Medicine
PhD
University of Otago in New Zealand
protein
amino acids
Purdue University

Follow Expert Here:

Facebook | Twitter | Website

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Definition of Being an Athlete?

"A combination of mind, body, and spirit. There is not one without the other. You can’t be a complete athlete if you aren’t mentally strong and also aware of what you’re doing and how your body fits in space and time. Physically you can’t be an athlete without all the training components and nutrition components and spiritually, without that inner drive and the awareness of how you give and take from others, you can’t really be a complete person or a complete athlete. " -Dr. Stacy Sims

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