#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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#38 Pivot When Things Aren't Working with Kalli YOUNGSTROM

#38 Pivot When Things Aren't Working with Kalli Youngstrom

Athlete Case Study: Canada,  Former Wrestler, Degree in Psychology and Marketing,
Current Figure Competitor, KY Fitness and Nutrition Consulting

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June 16, 2015

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:56:32) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

BACKGROUND

On today’s show we will be talking with a very strong woman from a small town in Canada. She will share with us her journey from being a wrestler in her younger years, earning two bachelor degrees to being a Figure Competitor, as well as, a fitness coach. She tells us a bit about how somewhere along the way, marketing wasn’t everything she thought it’d be so she pivoted a decided to go another route to start her own business.

BIO

• Born, Kalli Youngstrom, from Saskatchewan, Canada on February 14, 1991

• Grew up wrestling from the 4th grade up until her senior year of highschool, mostly with the boys as there weren’t many girls competing.

• Received a B.A. in Psychology as well as Marketing

• A fitness coach, KY Fitness and Nutrition Consulting  

• Goal was to be an Olympic wrestler, unfortunately her career was cut short as she suffered multiple concussions during competitions

• She began figure competitions in 2013; achieved first place in her first show; second place the next year at Nationals

• Sponsored by Perfect Nutrition

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Listen ON-THE-GO (00:56:32) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

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PERSONAL QUOTE:

“You Can’t Climb The Ladder Of Success With Your Hands In Your Pockets”

— Arnold Schwarzenegger

MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN HER LIFE:
My Parents for holding me to the highest standard of work ethic and drive & my high school wrestling coach, Russ Fersch, taught me the work ethic that fuels me today and my boyfriend who introduced me to bodybuilding and pushes me daily

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Key Discussion Points:

• When was a time you struggled and what did you take away from it?

• When was your lightbulb moment?

• How did you start building your business?

• What is one of your proudest moment so far?

• What are you most excited about these days?

Key Lessons:

• Have the ability to change gears and focus new energy on new things

• When one door closes, another will always open

• When something is not working you’ve got to pivot

• Once an athlete, always an athlete

• Its important to build your own dream/vision

• You can’t be limited by what you think you don’t have

• It IS possible to be an independent bodybuilding competitor

“A lot of people think you can’t excel in this sport without a coach but I never have used a coach and I’ve just been really independent and I want to know everything there is to know about my physique.” -KY @ 23:52

• It is important to educate ourselves when we want to know something

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:56:32) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

Kalli and Fitness

Typical Day…

• Contest Prep: Double Days; Wake up, straight to the gym for a fasted cardio session, home, breakfast, working from home, back to the gym for a weight session

Cardio…

• Fasted Cardio: Without eating anything prior; steady state, heart rate at 70%, stairmaster, stepmill

Weight Sessions...

• Hit up heavy weight then give the muscle time to recover; heavy squats, deadlifts, pull-ups; All body exhausting showing your strength

KALLI’S TIP JAR

The Best advice you have ever received..
Not to take myself and other things too seriously

One of the first things you do arriving to competition…
Mental preparation, take a minute to step away and center my thoughts

Personal habit that has contributed most to your success?...
My overall work ethic; it’s a habit, something you develop through years of practice

Sleep & Morning ritual..
Four hours of sleep in the night, and a nap before evening gym sessions
Morning Ritual: Wake up, have coffee, mentally prepare for the day, not rushed

One way you would like to improve yourself as a person...
Giving back the knowledge that I have

If you had a do over what would you have done differently?
I wish I would have started sooner and I wish I would have done a better job at balancing my social relationships

Give a tool/habit you love to use to stay healthy...
Constant & continuous goal setting

A useful tool or tip for eating on the go -OR- for traveling in general?
Weigh, pre-packaged, and take with you! 6 pack cooler!
 

A learning resource you love to use…
www.breakingmuscle.com

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INFO

ADDING VALUE
Free fitness and nutrition seminars to teach public about clean eating, healthy lifestyles, training, etc. Public Facebook posts daily with diet/training tips

Business/Work:
KY Fitness and Nutrition Consulting
 

Follow Athlete Here:

Facebook | Instagram | Website

Definition of Being an Athlete?

"Its not just about the competition..its living an athletic lifestyle..your personal characteristics and the drive you have physically and in your training no matter what spot you are training for" -KY

LEAVE A RATING & REVIEW FOR THIS EPISODE ON:

ITUNES -OR- OUR SITE

#36 A 2x Olympian & FSN/NBC Broadcaster Dumb Enough Not To Quit with Kevin BARNETT

#36 A 2x Olympian & FSN/NBC Broadcaster Dumb Enough Not To Quit with Kevin BARNETT

Athlete Case Study: Former Member of the Men’s USA National Volleyball Team,
2x Olympian & Professional Broadcaster

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April 13, 2015

Listen ON-THE-GO (01:04:36) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

BACKGROUND

On today’s episode, we will be talking with one of my so called mentors, even though he may not have been aware of that, many things he did in the sport of volleyball, I shadowed and mimicked throughout my career to get better and create my own game. I’ve also always been inspired by the person he is and his character has encouraged me to be someone who speaks up. Today we will discuss the importance of having the will to show up no matter what and to keep going at it, and we need to give the best we have in that moment, and although we may not always be 100%, we need to give 100% of whatever we have on that day.

BIO

• Born, Kevin Rees BARNETT, from Lockport, Illinois on May 14, 1974.

• Resided in Southern California in 2006 with wife and twin sons

• There were no volleyball teams at the schools until his junior year of high school, Kevin didn’t join the squad until senior year

• Took one year off of school and just trained for volleyball and worked at the Cheesecake Factory

• Played at Pierce Junior College for two years, transferred and played two years at Pepperdine University

• Played on the USA National Team for 9 years after making the team in 1997; 2x MVP for USA, USA National Team Athlete of the year

• Kevin is a two-time United States Olympian turned professional broadcaster; specializing in ball and motorsports, Kevin has covered a variety of broadcast roles since 2006. Over the past three years his primary focus has been Play by Play and Studio Host. This type of work includes: Volleyball / Basketball / Football and Racing.

• He can be seen regularly on NBC / PAC 12 Network / Fox Sports West / ESPNU and elsewhere throughout the television universe.

LEAVE A REVIEW & Subscribe to #BeyondAthletic in iTunes so other can find us too! Share this with one person you think could benefit the most…

Listen ON-THE-GO (01:04:36) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

PERSONAL QUOTE:

“Get busy livin' or get busy dyin”
- Red  (Shawshank Redemption)

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN HER LIFE:
Ken Stanley; Junior College Coach, good man and great coach
Marv Dunphy; contributed to making me into a better person
 

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Key Discussion Points:

• When was one of your biggest struggles and what did you learn from it?

• How did you bounce back from being on the bench and injuries?

• When was your lightbulb moment?

• When was one of your proudest moments in life so far?

• What was your plan to be successful in life, other than just your sport?

Key Lessons:

• The key is to just keep showing up no matter what and never giving up

“ I’m just dumb enough not quit...there’s no genius to doing what we do, its just a willingness to show up every week no matter what happens.” KB @ 17:03

• Its important to learn how to deal with structures of a team, and be in the good graces of your coaches

“They knew I would show up every single day in practice, and would give everything I had that day..it didn’t matter what had happened before, it didn’t matter what happened after, it didn’t matter how practice went..if practice started poorly for me its not like I’d quit..” KB @ 17:48

• Give the best that you have at that moment and over time you will acquire skills

• Its important to pay attention to others and learn from them

• There can be great satisfaction with the team effort even after a tough loss

“..disappointed that we hadn’t won but very satisfied and very happy with the whole experience..I was satisfied with the play of the team and the way we had performed and fought and done our best.” KB @ 25:22

• The key is to just keep showing up no matter what and never giving up

• Strive to finish satisfied with what you’ve done

• Don’t put EVERYTHING into getting the medal, embrace the actual experience of competing at the highest level

• The big things you want won’t happen unless you put all of your eggs in that one basket

“...‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket’....well you better or you’re not gonna make it….you’re not gonna get in a National Team gym, you’re not gonna get in a professional league, you’re not gonna get yourself on a roster..its just not gonna happen unless you’re all in.” KB @ 30:50

• Don’t be discouraged by failures

“You can’t let failing at something then discourage you from trying something else.” KB @ 37:16

Listen ON-THE-GO (01:04:36) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

KEVIN’S TIP JAR

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“You gotta be early to be on time.” -Ken Stanley

What personal habit do you believe contributed most to your success?
Blind Stupidity

What is the one thing you would like to improve about yourself?
I would to not get so aggravated with stuff so quickly

One resource you use to improve yourself as a person?
People around you that tell you the truth and don’t be afraid of it

Knowing everything you know now with the same resources you had starting out and the new ones you have now (Beyond Athletic Podcasts, ESS, etc.), if you had a do-over what would you have done differently to reach success?
Following someone that you respect that you think is doing right that you view is successful and forge a relationship with them.

A book or learning resource you love to use?
Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson

What is a tool/habit you love to use to stay healthy?

Going to the gym 4-5 days a week. Riding Motocross

A useful tool or tip for eating on the go -OR- for traveling in general?

Isagenix/Try and avoid eating in airports. / Always treat yourself to a good meal on the road. It's already no fun to be traveling a long distance. Good food makes it more enjoyable.

What's a cause or thing/action you like to do to add value to other peoples lives that you either know or don't know at all?

My kids! That's where my time goes.

INFO

Business/Work:
Broadcaster for the Pac-12 Networks and FOX Sports
TheNetLive Podcast/Show Host

Past/Current Teams:
Pierce College Men’s Volleyball
Pepperdine Men’s Volleyball
USA Men’s National Volleyball Team

Follow Kevin

Facebook | Website | Twitter

Pieces of Wisdom
“You’ve gotta be comfortable with yourself and know that you’ve done
right by yourself.” -KB

“Don’t say you want it and not be willing to put out the effort to get the thing and then be disappointed when you didn’t get it.” -KB
 

Definition of Being An Athlete?

"..its just another person, its like famous people, the more you meet famous people ..you realize they’re just people too and when it comes to the role model aspect of things..you gotta pick the right role model, not just the one who’s the glossiest" -KB

LEAVE A REVIEW FOR THIS EPISODE ON: ITUNES -OR- OUR SITE

WE WILL GET YOUR REVIEW TO THE ATHLETE! @BEYONDATHLETIC

Recommended Books:
Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson

Mentioned:
Lockport, Illinois
Southern California
NBC
PAC 12 Network
Fox Sports West
ESPNU
Ken Stanley
Marv Dunphy
Shawshank Redemption
Pierce College Men’s Volleyball
Pepperdine Men’s Volleyball
USA Men’s National Volleyball Team

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#35 A Top 16 Freestyler In The World Gives Back with Nikola "DJOTA" MILOSEVIC

#35 A Top 16 Freestyler In The World Gives Back with Nikola "DJOTA" MILOSEVIC

Athlete Case Study | March 19, 2015
A 20 year old professional football freestyler and student of College of Tourism in Belgrade. Performed over 300 times at various events. The winner of bronze medal from European Championship in Budapest (2013) and top 16 in the World in Challenge.

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:47:49) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

BACKGROUND

Today we will be talking with an extremely talented professional fútbol freestyler. After playing fútbol for several years he decided to take his skills and pursue in a similar yet very different craft. “Djota” will share with us some of his strengths, as well as some of his weaknesses and what he does as well as what he can do better to achieve his goals of being the best at his craft. Not only is Djota very talented, but he is a generous individual that doesn’t only add value by showing off his gift, but he gives away his money to those
living out on the streets.

BIO

• Born, Nikola Milosevic, from Smederevo, Serbia.

• Grew up playing soccer for 7 years; eventually quit and began freestyling
  He was a little more fortunate than other kids while growing up and had the opportunity to travel to different parts of the world.

• Was a student at the College of Tourism in Belgrade, Serbia

• After 4 years of practicing, Nikola learned that he could do this as a profession, travel, and make money

PERSONAL QUOTE

“Just play, have fun, enjoy the game.” -Michael Jordan

 

Key Mentors 
“I learned on my own...parents and friends were very supportive.”

 

Key Discussion Points:

• What was one of your struggles and how did you overcome it?

• When was one of your biggest failures?

• When was your light bulb moment?

• When was one of your proudest moment in life so far?

• What are you most excited about these days?

Key Lessons

• Always find ways to keep a positive mind despite any family struggles you may have

• Don’t let outside influences get you off track

• You have to accept struggles during the process of trying to achieve goals

“..that feeling when you feel really tired and all you want is to go home and get some sleep, but your mind doesn’t let you do that because you want to achieve your goals and the only way to do that is to struggle.” NM @ 12:36

• You might not achieve a goal in one day, it may take 3 years but you have to trust the process

• If you want something, do everything you necessary to get it

“All I have to do is practice really hard, because I think I have what it takes to be one of the best..I know I have something and I know I won’t stop until I achieve that.” NM @ 19:07

• It’s important to visualize/see yourself achieving the goal you have made for yourself

“If you can imagine that in your head, and if that goal is in your head it will push your body to your limit.” NM @ 20:46

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:47:49) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

DJOTA’S TIP JAR

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
You can do it, just believe.

When do you go through self doubt and how do you get passed those thoughts?
When it gets lonely during training..telling myself to keep working and not to give up.

A personal habit that has contributed most to your success so far?
Self evaluation/self criticism

One thing you would like to improve about yourself?
Being more emotional

Biggest strength?
Being positive and having extreme focus

Biggest weakness?
My mind; sometimes it is a strength, sometimes it is a weakness

If you had a do over, having learned everything you know now, with all of the your current resources (ESS, Beyond Athletic Podcasts, Mentors, etc.), what would you do differently?
Practice not only hard, but practicing smart

Adding Value to Others?
I make money on the street for the people on the street; I give the money I make on the street to the homeless

Recommended
BEYOND ATHLETIC's (ELITE² ) CHALLENGES

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All Photos of Nikola Courtesy of Miloš Jaksić © 2015

FOLLOW GUEST HERE:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Definition of an Athlete?

"Being healthy, physically and mentally prepared for things to come...being a good person and knowing the differences throughout the word"