Tea JURIC | My International Student-Athlete Experience

Tea JURIC | My International Student-Athlete Experience

Tea JURIC | Croatian Volleyball Student-Athlete

“My best experiences in your foreign school?
Learning the language, meeting people and playing sport with all the advantages including gyms, lifting rooms and equipment ”

— Tea JURIC | Croatian Volleyball Student-Athlete

First, a little background on you and the school...

Your full name:
Tea Juric

Your country of origin?
Croatia 

Name of your college/university?
Tulane University 

This school is in...
USA

...your sport?
Volleyball, 

..your jersey # ?
11

...received a scholarship?
Full Athletic

...enter your major(s):
Public Health 

...select your status in school:
Junior

My school profile:
http://www.tulanegreenwave.com/sports/w-volley/mtt/tea_juric_847378.html

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Tell your experience BEFORE you got to your foreign school...

...how difficult was it to decide to go to a foreign school?
8

...What, if any, were the difficulties in choosing to go to a foreign school?
Paperwork and not knowing English 

... and how did you overcome these obstacles to get to a foreign school?
Talking with coaches and having them on my side to help me 

... how helpful were the staff at the school with getting you admitted?
8

What things  helped you get everything done to get to a foreign school?
Sinisa Momic

Lastly, your experience at your foreign school...

...your happiness with international student-athletics?
8

...What, if any, were the difficulties to adjust to life in your school’s country?
Different culture and busy schedule 

... and how did you overcome these obstacles to adjust to school life?
With tutor help and hard work

...What were your best experiences in your foreign school?
Learning the language, meeting people and playing sport with all the advantages including gyms, lifting rooms and equipment 

Would you be interested in an international athlete network?
Yes!

Do you plan to be a PRO in your sport after college?
Yes!

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#33 World Champion At Age 23... What Now? with Trofym ANDERSON

#33 World Champion At Age 23... What Now? with Trofym ANDERSON

Athlete Case Study: Rower for George Washington University; 3 High school National Championships; Winner of 2 Canadian Henleys; 2014 World Champion at coxed four; Under 23 senior Developmental Team for Canada

_________________________________________________

March 12, 2015

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BACKGROUND

On today’s show, Trofym will tell us about his journey from where we was as a young kid, to how he got to where he is now. He will share his experiences as an “obese” young boy who was pushed to the limit at an early age and became an elite rower and received multiple scholarship offers from the United States. He explains WHY he decided to compete and receive and education in the US instead of staying home in Canada. We will get many lessons from today’s episode as Trofym expresses the importance of Never giving up and always making sure you are “10x better.”

BIO

• Born, Trofym Anderson, from Ontario, Canada.

• Trofym grew up as an only child.

• Started rowing in the 9th grade; eventually transferred schools and rowed for the best high school in Canada, E.L Crossley High School; has won a total of 3 high school Championships; has won 2 Canadian Henleys; was 7th in the men’s 8 at the 2010 Junior World Championships.

• Received Scholarship offers from the University of California, British Columbia, and George Washington, which is where he attended and received his bachelor's degree in Business

• Finished 5th in the men's coxed four at the 2013 Under 23 World Championships; Won the 2014 World Championship at coxed four

• He is now preparing to get a shot at the next Olympics with the Canadian Under 23 Senior Development Team

• Currently working on masters degree in Sports Management; has done research at the last 2 Olympics; desires of working with the International Olympic Committee in Switzerland

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Listen ON-THE-GO (00:56:37) NOW -or- mobile via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps!

PERSONAL QUOTE:
“You always gotta make sure you are 10x better than the next guy.”
-John Ruscitti

Key Mentors in his life:

• John Ruscitti: His high-school coach that pushed him through and helped him overcome the adversity of being an undersized rower

• His Uncle Harry (ex-NHL Player): Trofym was obese at an early age and his uncle got him up early in the mornings at 5am and pushed him to the limit

Key Discussion Points:

• When was one of your biggest struggles?

• When was your lightbulb moment?

• When was your proudest moment in life so far?

• Why did you choose to go to a US college over a Canadian College?

Key Lessons:

• You can change if you want to, its all about taking that first step

“My biggest lesson was just never giving up no matter what.” TA @ 16:12

• Nothing ever comes easy, you have to work hard always

• We don’t always know our talents or what we are good at until we branch out and try different things

• Sometimes we need to stop what we are doing, look at our situation and ask ourselves what we are willing to do to get what we truly want

“It was that day that I said...‘I gotta stop what I’m doing. I gotta revamp everything, I gotta look at my training..I gotta get a strict week program..I needed to get serious with my training..it all started there.” TA @ 24:19

• Once we make the decision to make a positive change, we should never look back

• If you’re serious about whatever you’re doing, demand more of yourself, put a plan together, and associate yourself with the best

• Winning at the highest level comes with struggle and obstacles along the way

“It’s not because we won, but its because during the 9 years to get there, there were just so many obstacles and so many miserable days.” TA @ 27:15

• Having a champion like mindset means you know you can always push to be better

• When choosing a school for your sport, it's important to think about what you truly want out of it

“In trying to choose where I wanted to go… ‘ do I want to go to a massive, already established team, and maybe be the guy that helps continue to make the team as good as it is..or do I want to come to a smaller team at George Washington..take them from the absolute bottom, to now finishing 14th in the country last year.” TA @ 36:51

• If we stay in our comfort zone, we will stay where we are; you have to get a little uncomfortable in order to improve

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TROFYM’S TIP JAR

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Nothing is impossible

One thing you like to do when you come to a new arena to compete?
Walk around really slow and look at everything, become comfortable with the area

Sleep & Morning ritual:
In bed by 9 or 10pm, wake up at 5am, stare out the window..check my phone, 2 shots of espresso; 20 minutes to get ready, bike to practice, 20 minutes of core stretching; row for 90min-2hours; get home and have breakfast. “Maximize your day by starting early.” -TA

One way you’d like to improve yourself as a person?
Reading more and further educate myself

One tip on how to live a little bit healthier?
Planning; writing down a weekly plan on Sundays

Knowing everything you know now and having all the resources now available (ESS, Beyond Athletic Podcasts, Mentors), if you had a do over, what would you do differently?
I would have started rowing the single earlier; challenged myself as it was something that I always avoided

INFO

Past/Current Teams:
Current: George Washington University Men’s Rowing; also Under 23 Men’s Canadian Team
Past: Canadian Junior National Rowing Team

Mentioned:
Ontario, Canada
Canada
E.L Crossley High School
Canadian Henleys
2010 Junior World Championships.
University of California
British Columbia
George Washington
2013 Under 23 World Championships
2014 World Championship
Olympics
Under 23 Senior Development Team
Sports Management
International Olympic Committee in Switzerland
John Ruscitti
George Washington University Men’s Rowing
Under 23 Men’s Canadian Team
Canadian Junior National Rowing Team

Resources:
Tim Ferriss; Speed Reading
Audible.com

 

Follow Trofym:
Twitter

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Parting Pieces of Wisdom

"10x better, that’s the way you gotta approach everything, this goes for any sport...even if you’re in a sport that doesn’t require as much cardio or is more technique based..always being able to improve...always FINDING and area you can improve on" -Trofym Anderson

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#27 What Could Be More Important Than Talent? (You'll Never Guess) with Bassam BEIDAS

#27 What Could Be More Important Than Talent? (You'll Never Guess) with Bassam BEIDAS

ATHLETE CASE STUDY | Feb 4, 2015

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:58:31) Now -or- via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps on Smartphones/tablets!

BACKGROUND

Today we will be talking with Bassam BEIDAS of Lebanon. He is a tennis player who played for a college in the United States and is now a professional. He has been rehabilitating his injury that has caused him to be absent from competition and plans to make a comeback. We will get into his story of how he got started, his struggles, light bulb moments, and some of the requirements he had to follow as an athlete while attending Pepperdine University and how proper eating habits translate to better performance. We will also talk about the feeling and emotional aspects of having an injury and the attitude to have when making a comeback,
being RESILIENT and RELENTLESS.

BIO

• Born, Bassam BEIDAS, in London, England on December 26, 1988.

• Grew up in Cairo, Egypt, currently living in Beirut, Lebanon. Bassam is of Lebanese descent, but due to the Civil War in Lebanon, his family resided in Egypt. He has two older brothers and an older sister.

• #20 ITF Juniors Ranking (Under 18)

• Three time NCAA All-American and ranked 11th in singles at Pepperdine University. Graduated from there in the Summer of 2011. Immediately entered the pro tour post graduation. Has a Career High ATP Ranking of 499.

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MOST GRATEFUL TODAY FOR:

"The fact that I am physically capable to continue to pursue my dreams despite my injuries." -BB

PERSONAL QUOTE:

"Fail to Prepare, Prepare to Fail" - Roy Keane (Footballer for Manchester United)

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE: 

"My parents for giving me opportunities in tennis that most people wouldn't get where I grew up. They didn't motivate or push me because I did most of that myself, but they opened doors for me." -BB

Key Discussion Points

• What is an example of a daily diet you followed at Pepperdine University?

• What was one of your biggest failures or struggles that you had?

• When was your light bulb moment?

• When was your proudest moment?

• Being able to attend college in the US, what are some of the things that stood out to you in that made your experience great?

• What’s got you most excited these days?

• What can we see coming from you in the future?

Key Lessons

• Nutrition is one of the most important aspects of reaching peak performance

• When it is game time, clear your mind before you even get to the courts, and leave all negative thoughts outside of the arena

“..I didn’t leave it in the locker room, so when I walked out to play the singles, I was still in that crappy mindset where I was just in a haze and I lost the singles match.” BB @ 16:49

• If you are one of the older or more experienced on your team, fulfill that role and be the leader, hold others accountable

• As a collegiate athlete, you have to be able to handle constructive criticism

• Injuries have a way of opening our eyes and seeing the bigger picture

• As a competitive person, if you want to achieve the highest levels, compare yourself to the best in the world, and work to reach their level

• The college/athletics system in the United States provide many opportunities to those foreign to the country

“From the moment I set foot there, the way they take care of you, you have people helping you plan your classes, helping you study, helping you get through your classes, the coaches are willing to help if you ask them to, it was kind of a family atmosphere.” BB @ 28:06

• Life is about taking risks and making choices to find your way or path in life

• Getting a degree in college will give you more opportunities after your athletic career is finished

• As an athlete, is it healthy to find some kind of balance between your school, athletic, and social life

• Under 100 people a year make a living from tennis

• Always have a slight idea of what you want to be involved with when your athletic career comes to an end

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:58:31) Now -or- via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps on Smartphones/tablets!

Listen ON-THE-GO (00:58:31) Now -or- via iTunes | Stitcher | TuneIn Apps on Smartphones/tablets!

BASSAM’S TIP JAR

What is the best advice you have ever received?
No matter how bad you think you can be on tour, it's always better than the alternative

Sleep & Morning ritual:
Between 7 and 8 hours of sleep. The first thing I usually do when I wake up is roll  my hips out and doing a couple of light exercises to get my hips moving in the morning.  

What is one of the first things you do when you come to a new arena for competition?
Its usually a new country, I  check out the area, find out where I can get my essentials, restaurants. Check out the courts, meet the trainer, physiotherapists, hits some balls, and sweat it out a bit on your first few days.

What personal habit do you believe contributed most to your success?
My intensity in training

Name one way that you like to improve yourself as a person
I like to read about things all across the spectrum

A learning resource you love to use…
I love using blogs and other such sites to keep up with the latest on strength and conditioning, rehab, and sports nutrition.

Give a tool/habit you love to use to stay healthy:
Well, at the moment I have been doing a lot of rehab for my back so I am in and out of the gym all the time. I also have my exercises I do at home but I spend plenty of time in the gym too.

A useful tool or tip for eating on the go -OR- for traveling in general?
When I was travelling to tournaments I always took a foam roller with me and packets of nuts so I wouldn't have to go around searching for a healthy snack.

If you had a do over for you athletic career, and had all of the resources that are available to you now, what would you do differently so set yourself up for success?
I would have taken better care of my body and eating healthier earlier in life

What book would you give away as a gift and why?
Tuesdays With Morrie, by Mitch Albom, there are a lot of lessons you can take from this book.
 

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?
The last few years I have taken more of an interest in politics (from an Arab perspective mainly). I like to read a lot and transfer what I know and think to open other people's eyes to what really goes on in the world (usually via Facebook). I think my generation is becoming more politically aware than perhaps the one that came immediately before them and this can lead to positive changes in the world. I definitely have plans to contribute even more once I am settled in whatever I am going to do after tennis.

INFO

Past/Current Teams:
Pepperdine Men’s Tennis

Books Mentioned
Relentless by Tim S. Grover
Becoming A Supple Leopard by Kelly Starrett
Ready to Run by Kelly Starrett
Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom
 

Follow Athlete Here:

Facebook | Instagram 

A Piece of Wisdom from Bassam

“The one thing that you can translate into any area of your life is dedication...dedication and discipline will take you places” -Bassam Beidas

Definition of An Athlete

"The term athlete is such a vague term..I would say an athlete is someone playing sport and competing...the desire to push yourself into competition is what separates someone who plays something as a hobby and someone who is an actual athlete"

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#26 How To Trust Yourself In The Moment with Antoine BENNETEAU

 #26 How To Trust Yourself In The Moment with Antoine BENNETEAU

Athlete Case Study: (FRANCE) A University of Florida Grad, NCAA All-American, Was Ranked 370 in ATP Singles  & Journalist @ L'Equipe 21 

January 31, 2015

Listen NOW (00:54:47) -or- ON-THE-GO with iTunes | Stitcher Radio | TuneIn Apps!

BACKGROUND

On today’s show we will talk about some of Antoine’s struggles he went through as an athlete and how he got through them to get to where he is today. We will discuss the importance of trusting in yourself and staying in the moment when times get a little shaky.

BIO

• Born, Antoine BENNETEAU, from Bourg-en-Bresse, France on June 30, 1986.

• Played in the French Open twice at the ages of 16 and 17.

• He is an NCAA All-American; Antoine graduated from the University of Florida on a full scholarship with a business management degree.

• After college he went Pro. His Best ATP ranking in singles was 370 in the world. He has won 3 ATP futures tournaments

• Now a TV journalist for a French Sports Channel called L'Equipe 21.

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Listen NOW (00:54:47) -or- ON-THE-GO with iTunes | Stitcher Radio | TuneIn Apps!

MOST GRATEFUL TODAY FOR:

The luck to go through all of the experiences I’ve gone through, where I am today, and the people I have met along the way

PERSONAL QUOTE:

“Impose your good fortune, stay close to your happiness and walk towards (your) risk. Watching you they will get used to it.”

-René Char (French poet & rugby player)

MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN YOUR LIFE:

My brother, Julien Benneteau, and my coach when I was a young teen.

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Key Discussion Points

• What was one of your biggest struggles or failures and what did you learn?

• When was an important time (i.e. match point) you took a chance, or you DIDN’T take a chance, and you made a mistake and what did you learn from this experience?

• When was the moment in your life you had a “lightbulb” moment?

• What is one of your proudest moments?

• What made you decide to go to school in the US and what did you take away from being there?

• What are some of the differences between the opportunity in the US and in France?

• Do you think your degree from Univ. of Florida has helped you so far in life and will in the future more than if you didn’t get it?

• What has you most excited these days and what direction are you headed?

• Why do you have interests in writing a book?

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Key Lessons

• Every athlete goes through some type of injury where they miss a little bit or A LOT of competition

• Take care of your body, don’t let the pressure of the game or team counting on you prolong a possible serious injury or cause you to ignore it

• When injured, find out what you need to do to rehabilitate, do everything you need to do to come back stronger and better

“I took some days off spent the holidays in France, but I shortened them and  I went to Philadelphia and got surgery...I worked hard everyday with my rehab to come back stronger, which I did.” -AB @ 13:32

• When in the moment of a match or game and you have to make BIG decisions in a short amount of time, remember to stay calm, and fight through

• Keep trusting yourself and follow your heart and instincts, especially if things have been going well for you thus far

• Take it one match/game at a time, stay in the moment

“I was in Guadalajara, and that’s when I won my first tournament in the ATP Future and..all the matches, all 5 of them were tough, but I was in a building process and I was taking each step at a time, each match at a time, and it led me to the title.” -AB @  21:08

• Life is about taking risks and making choices to find your way or path in life

• Getting a degree in college will give you more opportunities after your athletic career is finished

“If I didn’t have my degree from Univ. of Florida, I wouldn’t be able to be in my journalism school….and I wouldn’t do the job I love right now.” -AB @ 27:04

• Always have a plan for after the ending of your athletic career

• Whatever it is what you are doing, career wise, it’s important that you enjoy it

Listen NOW (00:54:47) -or- ON-THE-GO with iTunes | Stitcher Radio | TuneIn Apps!

ANTOINE’S TIP JAR

What’s the best advice you have ever received?
A coach once told me, “do today, what will make you better today.”

When you were playing, what was one of the first things you would do when you came to a new arena?
Take time to see the courts, feel out the atmosphere, recognize my favorite spots.

What personal habits contributed most to your success?
The night before a match, I always take time to visualize what I wanted to happen.

Sleep & Morning ritual:
I would sleep for 8 hours, and first thing in the morning I have some water

Name one way you’d like to improve yourself as a person?
I’d like to be more effective in whatever I do and be a bit more patient

A learning resource you love to use…
A Book called: "The stranger" by Albert Camus

Give a tool/habit you love to use to stay healthy:
Playing in a soccer game every week

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

How do you add value to others?
I coach and give advice to some players that have come to me that are going through what I went through

What are some tips you can give to people on how to make a plan to use sport and also do more with their lives and putting that plan into action?
Keep yourself interested in things other than JUST your sport, (i.e. instruments, reading, marketing, entrepreneurship)

With all of the resources and new things you know now, if you could go back, what would you do differently to set yourself up for success?
I would do everything the same with more patience, less stress, and I would have more confidence and trust myself more.

INFO

Charity/Organizations They Add Value to:
I give the clothes that I don't use anymore to the Red Cross Organization

Business/Work:
TV Journalist for a French Sports Channel, L’Equipe 21

Past/Current Teams:
University of Florida Tennis

Recommended Guest:

Alexis Musialek, current tennis player on ATP tour and former member of the University of Kentucky.

Follow Athlete Here:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Email

Piece of Wisdom from Antoine

“We are athletes that love sports and sports is our passion, but we are also human beings with feelings and things can go wrong, and its ok. We also have to remember that being an athlete can be a solution in life when you have personal problems, being on a team can be very helpful, you learn so much being an athlete.”

Definition of An Athlete?

"I think an athlete is someone that has the chance to live his passion and to earn his life with it and is able to know that and to be humble about it and to enjoy it, not someone that is beyond that."

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