#17 Everything Is Possible with Jana MATIASOVSKA

#17 Everything Is Possible with Jana MATIASOVSKA

Athlete Case Study: A Slovakian NCAA All American, Pro & Azerbaijan National Team Volleyball Player 
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Dec 27, 2014

LISTEN TO FULL EPISODE HERE OR ITUNES/STITCHER (49m:48s)

BACKGROUND

I've known of Jana for some time now mostly because I run and agency and she was a top recruit out of college and also because we both played in South Korea. I heard from friends and contact great things and knew of her song performance for Louisville University's Cardinal women's volleyball team. She's a total success on the court and well as soon as I heard her character was spectacular off-the-court too I just had to have her on... 

She's taken some big risks in her life being one of only a history of a few student-atheltes to leave her country of Slovakia to attend college/university in the USA and then she choose to take a new nationality to play for the Azerbaijan team to be challenged and reach higher heights in her sport. True courage and dedication to becoming a great athlete and the intelligence to make what she says was the "best decision of her life" to play for a NCAA school in the USA so that no matter what happened with sports she would be able to have knowledge and a highly respected degree to secure work when she must stop pro sports.

BIO

Jana MATIASOVSKA

Born:        7. 7. 1987 
Height:        199 cm
Weight:        83 kg
Spike reach:    319 cm
Block reach:    300 cm
Position:    Receiving Spiker, Opposite Spiker

Born in Bratislava, Slovakia in 1987. Started playing volleyball at 13 for a local club, Slavia UK Bratislava. Upon high school graduation, went to study at University of Louisville through a volleyball scholarship. In 2009 turned pro, signed with Russian Uralocka Yekaterinburg. After 1.5 seasons in Russia, played two seasons in Azerbaijan, one in Korea, again one season in Azerbaijan, and currently in Poland.

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LISTEN TO FULL EPISODE HERE OR ITUNES/STITCHER (49m:48s)

MOST GRATEFUL TODAY FOR:

 

PERSONAL QUOTE:

Positive anything is better than negative nothing - Elbert Hubbard

MOST INFLUENTIAL MENTOR(S) IN HER LIFE: 

Every step of the way there has been someone. First my parents; then my great mentor at the University, Stan Jonas; and now my fiance, Yigit Kulan. They have provided me with support and motivation.

Key Discussion Points:

• What’s her story and how she got into sports?
• How has she failed?
• Why did she choose her pro teams?
• How did she choose to play for another country's national team?
• What is she most excited about?

Key Lessons:

• MORE COMING SOON!

LISTEN TO FULL EPISODE HERE OR ITUNES/STITCHER (49m:48s)

ATHLETE'S TIP JAR

What was holding her back from becoming better?
Fear of Failure and high expectations

How She gets rid of negative thoughts:
Just blocks them out! Don't keep thinking about them...

Sleep & Morning ritual: 

How does she adjust to a new city and/or team?
Likes to observe everyone and everything for the first few days to see how things and people operate/behave before making initial moves to integrate into team.

Recommended Book:
Freakonomics by  Levitt & Dubner 
Super Freakonomics by Levitt & Dubner

Name THE person you feel has been MOST influential in your life to reach higher and be better?
College Coach

A learning resource you love to use...
 

Give a tool/habit you love to use to stay healthy:
Sleep a lot and eat a healthy diet

A useful tool or tip for eating on the go -OR- for traveling in general?
Always pack a snack - banana, nut mix or at least a sports drink

Most Grateful For:
 

Key Person In Her Life:
 

INFO

Charity/Organizations They Add Value to:
I donate to World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Otherwise, I believe in random signs of kindness and help, so I try to add my part whenever I see an opportunity. Often the teams I played for participated in various charity events.

Business/Work:
Pro Volleyball

Past/Current Teams: 
 Canakkale Belediye Spor (Turkey)

Recommended Guest:
 

Follow Athlete Here:
Facebook | Instagram 

Definition of Beyond Athletic?

"Coming Soon"

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ITUNES -OR- OUR SITE

WE WILL GET YOUR REVIEW TO THE ATHLETE! @BEYONDATHLETIC

14 | Be The Trigger-Point Behind Your Goals with Mari A. Hole

#14 Be The Trigger-Point Behind Your Goals with Mari A. Hole

Athlete Case Study: Norwegian Pro & National Team Volleyball Player 
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Dec 16, 2014

Photo Credit: William Szatkowski

Listen HERE to the full episode (53m:44s)

Getting to know Mari a bit over the last couple weeks has been nothing short of inspiring & educational. When we chatted about the need to get our stories out to athletes trying to do what we do or just to add value in some way she was on board immediately. There's something that always sticks out about selfless people (AKA unselfish).. With Mari before we'd agreed on a time to do the podcast she'd done her research & found out I help kids get to school in the USA & Canada... She asked about it and we started working on it even before the podcast... now her brother is getting some more interest from schools which is exciting. Mari did a lot of hours of work to track down school's info for her brother who is busy with school and volley. SELFLESS I tell you... amazing of her.

Imagine you write 20 people and tell them you've got a project to help others & you'd like their help (Read: TIME & EFFORT)... Welp, usually about half the people write back and only half of those might actually do something about it. This time it was even less...Well, Mari was one of those I wrote during the launch of Beyond Athletic a few weeks back and she was one of the 1st two responses and the 2nd person to schedule a time to record! I remind you she's in the middle of a time of year where they are playing sometimes 2 matches per week and traveling intercontinentally! Some people make reasons to help others... not why they can't. So grateful for Mari doing this...

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BIO

Born, Mari Aase Hole, in Miritz, Switzerland on August 3rd, 1990.

Moved to Olso, Norway to start school. She has a young sister and brother.

She was raised to participate in many actives like hiking, skiing, soccer, volleyball, biking, etc. She played soccer mainly until high school when volleyball took over..

She won/accomplished just about everything possible in volleyball at the highest level, by the end of high school, in Norway and chose to attend UCLA in the USA where she played for 2 years and then moved to Ohio State University for her final two years of college eligibility becoming an AVCA All American!

Her first pro team was in 2013-14 in Istres, France, where she was the Best Scorer & Attacker of the LNV PRO-A league! (French Top Division)

.Now she plays volleyball for Team Norway and pro for the Bezier Angels in France. 

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Listen HERE to the full episode (53m:44s)

MOST GRATEFUL FOR:

Family!

PERSONAL QUOTE:

"Selv i motbakker vokser det blomster"

Translation: "Even in the hills the flowers are growing"

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN HER LIFE: 

Her first coach.. who happens to be her mother also! :)

Key Discussion Points:

• What’s her story and how she got into sports?
• What is her biggest fear?
• What has she learned from her life until now?
• What was her biggest obstacle?
• Why was it important that she go to a school in the USA?
• What is she most excited about?

Key Lessons:

• You cannot specialize in one sport too young

• Challenges help you improve

"I was just looking for a challenge. I wanted to see how much better i could get."

• Being away from family can be tough

• Even in tough times there are positive things & lessons

"It's been a big transition...schools were really great...but it was really tough... But I had a really good time, I had a lot of really good people around me."

• Things will not always go as planned

• Hard work pays off

"If you want to get somewhere you have to put in a lot of the hours yourself...Don't expect anyone to do it for you."

• You must set goals

"YOU have to be the TRIGGER POINT behind it..."

• Can't compete at a high level and learn at a high level in Norway simultaneously

"Volleyball is so much bigger in the States...There's a huge economic aspect behind it...So there's just expectations in volleyball are different. The coaches...I've never had had that big of a staff around me before... "

• Fears of failing but also of success can hold you back if you let them

"You do not get to go inwards."

• Be appreciative!

"Engage yourself in your surroundings!"

Listen HERE to the full episode (53m:44s)

ATHLETE'S TIP JAR

What was holding her back from becoming better?
1. Fear of failure & success
2. Didn't want to "stick out" AKA been seen as a star/leader

How She gets rid of negative thoughts:
Just let it go... Block it out...Zone in on next action!
Take a deep breath & Keep her action simple not overcomplicated.
Smile & let people in so she doesn't close herself off to her teammates.

Tool To Improve As A Human Being:
Engage other people to get to know them a bit.

Sleep & Morning ritual: 
7-8 hours of sleep. Wake 1 hr before training. Get dressed. Eat breakfast. Read Norwegian News. Head to training 30 minutes before it starts.

How does she adjust to a new city and/or team?
Explore's the new city with her teammates so she get's to know the city and her teammates make memories.

A Healthy Habit:
I am a huge fan of smoothies, so often when I want something to "snack" on I make myself a thick smoothie. But generally my thought for staying healthy is everything in moderation. I have too much of a sweet tooth to stay away from ice-cream etc.

Travel Tip:
Make your own trail mix and bring fruit or other snack you enjoy to eat. It is good to always have something to eat in your backpack. That way you avoid buying unnecessary food on the go. And bring a water bottle.

Recommended Book:
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Most Grateful For:
Family.

Key Mentor In Her Life:
Her Mother (She was also her first coach)

INFO

Charity/Organizations They Add Value to:
I enjoy to help people. In Norway coaching is done on a volunteer basis so when I am home I help out when I can and try to share my experiences when asked. Previously I have had talks/presentations to young volleyball players and teams about my experiences and what it takes to get better.

Business/Work:
Pro Volleyball

Past/Current Teams: 
Beziers Angels (FRANCE)

Recommended Guest:
 

Follow Athlete Here:
Blog | Instagram

Definition of Beyond Athletic?

"Be aware that people look up to you. Be aware of your actions as well as behavior... Because people will copy it whether you notice it or not. You have to be bigger than yourself and your sport...See past just your sport. There is more to you than just your sport."

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13 | The Only Way To Make Yourself Happy with Ning "Nikki" Zhao

Listen to the FULL EPISODE NOW (32m:19s)

Ning Zhao doesn't mess around when it comes to strangers approaching her online but after a thorough background check on who I am (Ryan Jay Owens) with her former NCAA D1 coach, Chris POOLE, and a big thumbs up that I was not some crazy person she agreed to this interview with a lot of excitement!

She's been waiting a long time to tell someone her story to hopefully inspire other athletes to be goal oriented and not just think sports can offer them everything. Sometimes you must also drastically change your surroundings, like she did moving from China as an 18 year old to the USA, to play at a strong school so her education would be strong as well as volleyball.

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BIO

Ning Zhao or "NIkki" as many refer to her was born Aug 20, 1976 in Beijing, China. 
She started to play volleyball as a nine (9) year old (!!!!)...

She made the Chinese junior national team which was only 12 of the best young players in China (1.39 Billion people populate China! 4x more than the USA) before quickly deciding at 18 years old to not pursue the Olympics...

She decided to pursue making sure her future after volleyball would be happy, healthy and full of opportunity and accepted a full scholarship to study & play in the USA.

She started at Central Connecticut State university but quickly changed to Barton Community College for 2 years where she was a 2x All American. In her final 2 years of school at U of Arkansas -Fayetteville they were ranked 15th & 8th in the nation as a team.. making the Sweet 16 the 2nd Round of the NCAA tournament.

She was ranked the 9th best setter in NCAA D1 volleyball her senior year & is one of only 3 players to hold the record of 3000 assists. She was honored with SEC 1st Team & AVCA All American,

Now she's "a full time mommy" of a 9yr old boy and 2year old daughter after benign off and on assistant coach for a few years after her collegiate volleyball career. She plans on possibly coaching in the future and/or assisting young Chinese players to get to USA schools to play sports.

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 to the FULL EPISODE NOW (32m:19s)

Most Grateful For:

The chance to study & play in the USA!

Personal Motto:

"Smile! I don't own all the problems in the world!"
Read: The 7 Rules Of Life

Most Influential Person In Her Life: 

Former Syracuse Coach Jing Ju. He scouted & brought her to the USA but left her 3 months later to switch schools... "Without him I wouldn't be the strong person I am today!"

Key Discussion Points:

• What’s her story and how she got into sports?
• Who is she today after her volleyball career?
• What was her biggest failure?
• Why was it important that she go to a school in the USA?
• What's her proudest moment?
• What are her future goals?
• What was the moment she decided to study in the USA?
• How does she add value to people?
• What's her next goal?

Key Lessons:

• She must think about her future

"What am I going to do after I retire from volleyball? We needed to get some education...I needed other life skills other than volleyball."

• Studying and playing volleyball in the USA is a huge opportunity.

"I saw the opportunities getting a good education besides volleyball... so I decided to come."

• How graduating from a USA college is why she is a happily married mother of two.
• Failing can make you stronger.

"First you have to have a strong mind. You have to believe in yourself and be strong. I don't need (the coach). I don't need anyone (to do it for me)."

"Just believe in yourself and there's always nice people around you."

• Do what you love on a daily basis to be happy

"Cooking is AWESOME but so is volleyball!"

• She is interested in coaching and also helping young players come the study & play in the USA.
• Some little things can make people feel much better
• She should be more goal oriented.

Listen to the FULL EPISODE NOW (32m:19s)

ATHLETE'S TIP JAR

Sleep & Morning ritual: 
Drinking a glass of water every morning & SMILE!

One personal habit to contributes to athlete's health:
Cooking and playing volleyball

Athlete's Learning Resource:
Pinterest

Most grateful for:
The opportunity to study & play for a USA school.

How athlete add's value to others:
Smiling. Tapping them on the shoulder and just giving them a high five when they are stressed.
Believes something little can make someone feel "much better"

Athlete's travel tools:
Phone & Passport

Advice to 16yr old self:
"Be MORE goal oriented!"

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INFO

Charity/Organizations They Add Value to:
Helping young student athletes come to study in the USA

Business/Work:
Full time mom

Past/Current Teams: 
Central Connecticut State University
Barton Community College
University of Arkansas - Fayetteville 

Recommended Guest:
None

Follow Athlete Here:
Facebook | E-mail Ryan | Pinterest

Definition of Beyond Athletic?

"Sports is NOT the only way to make a person happy! You can't play forever, you must find other passions. There's a whole other world besides the sport you're in..." For example "Family.. Cooking.. Traveling..."

LEAVE A 5 STAR REVIEW FOR Ning'S EPISODE ON:
ITUNES
-OR-
OUR SITE
WE WILL TWEET YOUR REVIEW TO THE ATHLETE! @BEYONDATHLETIC

12 | Why You Should Get Out Of Bed To Fail Everyday with Mia JERKOV

Athlete Case Study: Croatian Pro & National Team Volleyball Player 
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Dec 5, 2014

Listen Now (1h:01m:21s)

Back in 2011 we met in South Korea as players in their V-League. While in Croatia on a mini-vacay with two puppies three young girls & a husband/wife staying in a cute village near Split named the Kaštela's.

She invited me to check out the city a few times during my mnth stay and we got to know eachother a bit better. She got that stern look but she a softie for sure!

Brief Bio 
________

She grew up in Split, Croatia (one of the most beautiful areas of th southern Croatian coast....) as a daughter of a mother whose rules are never broken, a famous basketball player father and two brothers the focus was on being a complete person & well educated. Worked a bit at the family pizzeria as a kid. Learned to respect money and keep herself & her home tidy.

Was a really skinny and weak kid but fast... picked up tennis & swimming.... through constant boring & lonely without friends travel with her parents a change had to made...

A coach wouldn' t stop calling her even though she had reservations and relaly no idea of what volleyball was like...

She had to live 12hrs away from her family to pursue volleyball and that was the toughest decision of her life at 15yrs old.

• Played for Split, Kastela then OK Istarska Banka, Pula Croatia ending in 2nd or 3rd every year for 4 years...
• University in USA @ UC Berkeley for 3 years.
• Russia half season 1st place in championship & cup…& ¼ finals of CL
• A1 Italy a couple seasons.
• UC Berkeley for last year & degree. Couldn’t play… WHY?
• Italy w/ 2nd place in A2 trophy, Korea (picking up a cup title & 2nd place in championship) & Turkey for 2 seasons selected Best Scorer 2x of Turkish league… Now Japan! 
• National team since 1995 w/ Multiple European  & World Championship & World Cup experiences…

Listen Now (1h:01m:21s)

Guest's Quote: 
"Believe in your dreams" -Her Mother

RJO's Quote:
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” -Anatole France

Most Influential Person in Life:  

Mother.. not because she pushed her to reach higher... Mia pushed herself.  It's because she made her have courage to pursue her dreams, so she would always have strength to reach higher and do better. 

TOPICS DISCUSSED

• WHAT IS MIA JERKOV’S STORY?
• DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CROATIA & USA?
• WHO IS MIA JERKOV TODAY?
• WHAT WAS HOLDING YOU BACK FROM BECOMING A GREAT ATHLETE?
• WHAT WAS AN OBSTACLE IN HER LIFE? 
• WHAT PERSONAL HABITS YOU BELIEVE CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR SUCCESS?
• WHAT WAS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT?
• WHAT YOUR PLAN FOR THE FUTURE…. IN LIFE, BUSINESS AND SPORT?

Listen Now (1h:01m:21s)

THE BEYOND ATHLETIC TIPJAR

✓    How long to do sleep & What’s your morning ritual? 

• 7hrs minimum but tries for 8!
• Brush teeth, coffee, stretch, eat & arrive to training 40 minutes early.

✓    A book or learning resource you love to use to learn new things
Flipboard News App, books & the Bible.

✓    A tool (item/product or action) you love to use to stay healthy or improve yourself in someway:
Foam Roller & Stretching

✓    Something you must take when traveling?

1. travel roller 
2. laptop /phone
3. books

✓    What book would you give away to an athlete as a gift & why?
Zlatanov Ibrahimovic Biography

✓    A cause or thing/action you like to do to add value to other peoples lives that you either know or dont know at all:
Always be kind & polite regardless of people's behavior. "Can move mountains!"

✓    What advice would you give to your 15 year old self? Your 20 year old self?
15yr: "Have courage & go in direction of your heart!"
20yr: "Have confidence!"

✓    Your social media accounts @username on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, etc) 
Twitter:  @miaj55 | Instagram: @miaj5 | Facebook: Mia Jerkov

Definition of Beyond Athletic?

"Day by Day be a better person & athlete while maintaining moral values... Build something of quality and maintain it!"

“People who put excellence in the first place have the patience to end up with success. An additional burden for the victim of the success mentality is that he is threatened by the success of others and he resents real excellence. In contrast, the person that is fascinated by quality is excited when he sees it in others.”

— Joe Paterno (Penn St. Nittany Lions Football)