Beyond the Court: A LOVB Podcast

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In this episode of Beyond the Court, hosted by Olympic medalist Courtney Thompson, we’re joined by Brian Keefe, Head Coach of the Washington Wizards. Brian shares insights from the highest levels of professional sports on what it takes to develop athletes and build sustainable success. From designing training environments to building habits that last, this conversation explores the mindset behind...

Season 2, Episode 4 of the Beyond the Court podcast with host Courtney Thompson brings in big volleyball names to chat about volleyball over time, the hopes for youth volleyball moving forward, and navigating parenthood as a former athlete turned coach. In this episode: ➡️Troy Tanner (Former Olympian & Tstreet Club Director) speaks on what youth athletes overlook in training, a little history on m...

Beyond the Court podcast host Courtney Thompson chats with some of the top leaders, coaches, and influencers in volleyball. In this episode: ➡️Janis Tupelos (Global Health Institute ER Advisor & LOVB Foundation Advisor) shares where the club volleyball model is excelling and could improve ➡️Kaitlyn Gao (LOVB Founder) talks on the growth juniors gain from club volleyball on and off the court ➡️Kevi...

In this episode of Beyond the Court, Courtney Thompson sits down with Malia and Peter Hirschman, Paula Weishoff, and Kate and Kenny Hairrell to explore the deeper impact of volleyball: from leadership and belonging to resilience and family support. In this episode: ➡️ Malia (LOVB Foundation President) and Peter Hirschman (LOVB Founder) share their vision for LOVB, diving into what it means to fost...

Season 2 of Beyond the Court kicks off with the LOVB Foundation guests, Kathy DeBoer, Sarah Pavan and Adam Schulze, and Melissa Boice. Hosted by Olympic medalist Courtney Thompson season 2 is going to deep into the heart of the youth volleyball community. 🏐✨ In this episode: ➡️ Kathy DeBoer (former AVCA Executive Director & current LOVB Foundation Chair) shares honest insights on the state of cl...

Both former guests individually, Jason Watson and Tom Black return to Beyond the Court and discuss their coaching philosophies with each other and host Courtney Thompson. Despite coaching in the same conference, Jason and Tom are quite friendly with one another and frequently talk through their teams with one another. Among the topics discussed are structuring an offense, serving approach, timeout...

As someone who’s held head coaching positions at three very different institutions, Jason Watson is very familiar with building new cultures. He’s coached and found success at BYU, Arizona State and now Arkansas, where he led the Razorbacks to the Regional finals of the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Jason works very intentionally to shift culture and establish trust with his athletes by being transparent...

Whether on the volleyball court or in life, fear is often the biggest limiter to success, not lack of ability. Fear can prevent wholehearted engagement and commitment; it is a limiter to what people can achieve. Tom Black knows that, and he makes it a point to address those fears head-on with athletes. Whether through conversation, drill or writing activity, he strives to teach his athletes to ack...

Coach and leadership teacher Don Bartel knows that internal work is key to external success. Outcome-aware but purpose- and process-driven, he has focused on building skills and actions in athletes from middle school all the way to college. Regardless of location, he weaves the lessons he wishes to teach into an athlete’s daily activities and stresses the importance of giving athletes ownership ov...

USC Associate Head Coach Tyler Hildebrand has coached a lot of volleyball and a lot of different types of volleyball. One thing that’s followed him at each stop is the leadership and vision he brings to each position. Women or men, indoor or beach, the technical skills aren’t nearly as important as the vision he helps athletes apply to their practice. With all of his athletes, Tyler stresses the a...

Having made the postseason each year of her 27-year career as head coach at Emory University, Jenny McDowell knows all about competition. Under her tutelage, the Eagles never missed an NCAA Division III tournament, winning two national titles and making seven trips to the national semifinals. She proved her commitment to competition to hundreds of Emory’s volleyball athletes by never being outwork...

Suzie Fritz has been around coaches her entire life. Her mother was a coach, as were her father and brother. She even married a coach. It should be no surprise that she herself went into the family business and has spent 30 years coaching volleyball. During her illustrious career, Suzie has developed a mantra: do less, and do it better. One cannot coach everything at once – she’ll be the first to...

After years of out-hustling people on the court – proven by leading USC to back-to-back titles – Nicole Davis realized she needed more once she entered the Team USA gym. She needed an edge, and training her mental skills just like she did her physical skills lifted her to the Olympics and two silver medals. During the latest episode of Beyond the Court, she talks with longtime friend and former U....

As a long-time athletic trainer, Katherine Henry knows the importance of taking proper care of athletes’ bodies and minds. Whether it’s proper warmups and cooldowns, entering a certain mindset for matches and tournaments, or staying involved with a team while injured – safely, of course – there are countless ways proper health and wellness habits impact an athlete’s on-court performance and enjoym...

In the latest episode of Beyond the Court, Courtney and former Navy SEAL Trevor Thompson – Courtney’s brother – talk about sport, military service and how teamwork and leadership plays a critical role in each. While the outcomes may be different, both sport and service require adaptability, a team-first mentality, and the presence of an overarching goal to work toward. A collegiate baseball player...

Newly returned from Paris, two-time Olympic medalist and LOVB Salt Lake setter Jordyn Poulter rehashes her experiences at the 2024 Olympic Games. Jordyn set Team USA to second place, earning an unexpected medal after a shortened quad full of injuries and tough matches. If there’s one thing to take away from Team USA’s silver medal, it's the importance of team roles and cohesiveness. Whether they s...

After buying the club in 2009, brothers Matt and Reed Carlson have transformed Club V (Salt Lake City, Utah) from a two-court club with no air conditioning into one of the top programs in the country. It’s not the technical prowess that’s sent over 400 athletes into college volleyball, but the culture in the gym. Matt and Reed have put people and relationships first at Club V and use those as keys...

Coaching shouldn’t involve transactions, it should involve transformations. Longtime UCLA softball coach and current U.S. Women’s National Team Culture Coach Sue Enquist is all in on transforming athletes. Communication, transparency, collaboration, trust, accountability: these all help coaches become the transformational leader athletes need them to be. She and former U.S. National Team setter Co...

Follow Dr. Gervais on at findingmastery.com , on Instagram and on LinkedIn . Also, listen to his podcast, Finding Mastery, wherever you get your podcasts. 2:33: From surfing ocean waves to surfing brain waves 8:34: Michael’s beginning with the U.S. National Team 10:53: Resources for mental training 13:16: On presence, time and growth 23:10: Invest in yourself what you want to give others 27:43: Su...

Three-time Olympic medalist April Ross is coming to the end of her storied volleyball career, but the mental acumen and internal processes that drove her to excel on the court are still as sharp as ever. She talks about how these developed throughout her career, how she found joy on and off the court, and how her priorities have changed from when she just started as a professional athlete.   Topic...