Episodes

  • EP #116: From Injury to AVP Rookie of the Year, Megan Rice’s Inspiring Journey

    EP #116: From Injury to AVP Rookie of the Year, Megan Rice’s Inspiring Journey
    Nov 12 2024

    In this episode of the Better Beach Podcast, Megan Rice shares her inspiring journey from being an indoor volleyball player to becoming the AVP Rookie of the Year. She discusses her experiences at UC Santa Barbara and Loyola Marymount University, the challenges of overcoming a significant knee injury, and her transition to beach volleyball. Megan reflects on her memorable moments in beach volleyball, the importance of balancing academics and athletics, and her first season on the AVP tour, culminating in her recognition as Rookie of the Year. In this conversation, Marine Kinna discusses the pressures of performance in professional sports, the dynamics of partnerships, and the challenges of training and recovery. He reflects on his recent season, including the impact of injuries and the importance of offseason preparation. Megan emphasizes the significance of nutrition and strength training, setting personal goals, and finding motivation amidst uncertainty. He also shares insights on self-assessment, learning from others, and the importance of commitment in professional sports, concluding with advice to his younger self about enjoying the journey.

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    https://www.betteratbeach.com/virtualtrainingpodcast

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction to Megan Rice's Journey
    04:19 Overcoming Injury and Recovery
    10:05 Transitioning to Beach Volleyball
    14:19 Memorable Moments in Beach Volleyball
    18:04 Navigating Life as a Student-Athlete
    20:01 First Season on the AVP Tour
    27:49 Rookie of the Year and Future Aspirations
    28:47 The Pressure of Performance
    30:44 Partnership Dynamics and Training Challenges
    32:11 Injury and Recovery: A Season's Setback
    34:28 Offseason Preparation and Mental Breaks
    35:56 Nutrition and Strength Training for Athletes
    37:51 Setting Goals: Physical and Mental Growth
    40:14 Finding Motivation Amid Uncertainty
    43:05 Self-Assessment and Learning from Others
    46:53 Commitment and Partnership in Professional Sports
    48:48 Advice to My Younger Self
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    56 mins
  • EP #115 Brandon Joyner on Creating a Positive Learning Environment

    EP #115 Brandon Joyner on Creating a Positive Learning Environment
    Nov 4 2024

    In this conversation, Brandon Joyner, co-founder of Better at Beach, discusses the importance of creating a positive and enjoyable learning environment in coaching. He shares his journey from player to coach, emphasizing the significance of mindset, trust, and respect in fostering player development. The discussion highlights various coaching techniques that promote joy and engagement, ultimately leading to better performance and growth for athletes. In this conversation, Mark Burik discusses the nuances of coaching, particularly in volleyball. He emphasizes the importance of celebrating small wins while providing constructive feedback to players. Mark shares insights on finding the right balance between encouragement and correction, the significance of focusing on the process rather than just results, and the value of embracing failure as a learning opportunity. He also highlights the importance of defining one's 'why' as a coach to maintain motivation and purpose in their coaching journey.

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    CLICK THE LINK AND WE'LL SEND YOU 🔥My 36 Most Effective Beach Volleyball Drills 🔥My 3 Favorite 50-Minute Workouts For Volleyball Players 🔥My YouTube Playlist Clarifying The Biggest BVB Arguments & Rule Disputes 🔥My Top 20 Lessons Learned From 15 Years As Professional Volleyball Player

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    https://www.betteratbeach.com/virtualtrainingpodcast

    Timestamp:

    00:00Introduction to Brandon Joyner and Better at Beach

    06:35Creating a Positive Learning Environment

    18:51Understanding Players' Needs and Building Trust

    29:33Celebrating Small Wins in Coaching

    35:12Finding the Balance: Feedback vs. Celebration

    41:22The Importance of Process Over Results

    45:43Embracing Failure as a Path to Growth

    52:23Defining Your 'Why' as a Coach
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    56 mins
  • EP #114 Jon Drake On The Evolution of a Volleyball Facility

    EP #114 Jon Drake On The Evolution of a Volleyball Facility
    Oct 28 2024
    In this episode of the Better at Beach Podcast, host Mark Burik interviews John Drake, a former AVP player and current manager of Grand Sands Volleyball in Loveland, Ohio. They discuss John's transition from a competitive player to managing a successful volleyball facility, the unique playing style he developed with his partner Chris Lures, and the operational growth of Grand Sands. The conversation highlights the importance of consistency in high-level play, the challenges of adapting to different playing conditions, and the strategic decisions involved in running a volleyball facility. In this conversation, Mark Burik discusses the intricacies of managing a successful volleyball facility, emphasizing the importance of community, space management, and diverse revenue streams. He shares insights on the challenges and rewards of running leagues and tournaments, the necessity of adapting to feedback, and innovative ideas for generating income through events. 🔥 💪 🏐 GET DAILY VOLLEYBALL TIPS, ADVICE & DRILLS 🔥 💪 🏐 https://www.betteratbeach.com/pcdrillbook CLICK THE LINK AND WE'LL SEND YOU 🔥My 36 Most Effective Beach Volleyball Drills 🔥My 3 Favorite 50-Minute Workouts For Volleyball Players 🔥My YouTube Playlist Clarifying The Biggest BVB Arguments & Rule Disputes 🔥My Top 20 Lessons Learned From 15 Years As Professional Volleyball Player 🔥 SAVE 5% WITH OUR MEMBERS ONLY DISCOUNT CODE for Workout Programs, Online Coaching, Camps, Swag & Merch. https://www.betteratbeach.com/pcdrillbook OR CHECK OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP & GET: 💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUE & STRATEGY 🔥 💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL COACHING 🔥 💪 🏐 WORKOUTS FOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS 🔥 https://www.betteratbeach.com/virtualtrainingpodcast Timestamp: 00:00Introduction to the Better at Beach Podcast 02:35John Drake's Volleyball Journey 12:10Transitioning from Player to Facility Manager 22:22Facility Operations and Growth at Grand Sands 24:39Managing a Thriving Volleyball Facility 27:04The Importance of Space and Parking 29:32Embracing Imperfection in Business 32:50Building Community Through Volleyball 34:44Revenue Streams in Volleyball Facilities 37:50Innovative Event Ideas for Revenue 41:40Learning from Experience in Facility Management
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    50 mins
  • EP #113 Sophie Bukovec On Her Olympic Journey and All the Ups and Downs

    EP #113 Sophie Bukovec On Her Olympic Journey and All the Ups and Downs
    Oct 21 2024
    In this conversation, Sophie Bukovec, a professional beach volleyball player for Team Canada, shares her journey to becoming an Olympian. She discusses her early career, the decision to focus on beach volleyball, and the challenges she faced during her Olympic qualification process. Sophie reflects on her experiences at the World Championships and the Olympics, including the injuries she dealt with and the emotional rollercoaster of competing at such high levels. She also touches on her passion for coaching and her volleyball academy, highlighting the importance of community and support in an athlete's journey. In this conversation, Mark Burik shares his experiences as a beach volleyball athlete, highlighting the deep bonds formed during competition, the emotional journey of participating in the Olympics, and the challenges faced within the sport. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of humor and perspective in high-pressure situations, as well as the value of personal growth and self-advocacy in an athlete's career. 🔥 💪 🏐 GET DAILY VOLLEYBALL TIPS, ADVICE & DRILLS 🔥 💪 🏐 https://www.betteratbeach.com/pcdrillbook CLICK THE LINK AND WE'LL SEND YOU 🔥My 36 Most Effective Beach Volleyball Drills 🔥My 3 Favorite 50-Minute Workouts For Volleyball Players 🔥My YouTube Playlist Clarifying The Biggest BVB Arguments & Rule Disputes 🔥My Top 20 Lessons Learned From 15 Years As Professional Volleyball Player 🔥 SAVE 5% WITH OUR MEMBERS ONLY DISCOUNT CODE for Workout Programs, Online Coaching, Camps, Swag & Merch. https://www.betteratbeach.com/pcdrillbook OR CHECK OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP & GET: 💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUE & STRATEGY 🔥 💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL COACHING 🔥 💪 🏐 WORKOUTS FOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS 🔥 https://www.betteratbeach.com/virtualtrainingpodcast Timespams : 00:00Introduction of Sophie Bukovec 02:51Sophie’s Journey to Beach Volleyball 06:06The Decision to Pursue Beach Volleyball 08:55Olympic Qualification Journey 11:48Overcoming Challenges and Injuries 15:07The World Championships Experience 17:59Reflections on the Olympic Experience 20:51The Norseca Event and Its Challenges 28:00The Bonds of Competition 36:10Olympic Dreams and Reality 49:47Navigating Challenges in Sports 50:14Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Reflections
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    56 mins
  • EP #112 Savvy Simo, The Power of Vulnerability in Sports

    EP #112 Savvy Simo, The Power of Vulnerability in Sports
    Oct 15 2024

    In this conversation, Savvy Simo shares her journey from college volleyball to the professional circuit, discussing the challenges of transitioning to a more individualistic sport, the mental health struggles she faces, and the importance of confidence and mindset in achieving success. She reflects on her best season yet, the impact of her partner and coach, and the lessons learned from both victories and setbacks. In this conversation, Mark Burik shares insights on building confidence through competition, the importance of coaching, and effective communication in partnerships. He discusses mental preparation and goal setting as key components for success in volleyball, while also highlighting the value of humor in the journey. Mark emphasizes the need for positive self-talk and the significance of framing nerves as excitement to enhance performance.

    🔥 💪 🏐 GET DAILY VOLLEYBALL TIPS, ADVICE & DRILLS 🔥 💪 🏐

    https://www.betteratbeach.com/pcdrillbook

    CLICK THE LINK AND WE'LL SEND YOU 🔥My 36 Most Effective Beach Volleyball Drills 🔥My 3 Favorite 50-Minute Workouts For Volleyball Players 🔥My YouTube Playlist Clarifying The Biggest BVB Arguments & Rule Disputes 🔥My Top 20 Lessons Learned From 15 Years As Professional Volleyball Player

    🔥 SAVE 5% WITH OUR MEMBERS ONLY DISCOUNT CODE for Workout Programs, Online Coaching, Camps, Swag & Merch. https://www.betteratbeach.com/pcdrillbook

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    💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUE & STRATEGY 🔥

    💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL COACHING 🔥

    💪 🏐 WORKOUTS FOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS 🔥

    https://www.betteratbeach.com/virtualtrainingpodcast

    Timeline

    00:00 Introduction and Background of Savvy Cimo
    04:06 Transitioning from College to Professional Volleyball
    10:07 Mental Health Challenges in Sports
    14:49 Overcoming Panic Attacks and Anxiety
    19:59 Breakthrough Moments in the 2023 Season
    26:04 The Importance of Mindset and Confidence
    29:21 Building Confidence Through Competition
    34:27 The Role of Coaching in Performance
    39:26 Communication and Trust in Partnerships
    46:49 Mental Preparation and Goal Setting
    51:54 Finding Humor in the Journey
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    58 mins
  • EP #111 Tyler Penberthy on Chasing Olympic Dreams, Embracing Losses, and Finding Joy in Beach Volleyball.

    EP #111 Tyler Penberthy on Chasing Olympic Dreams, Embracing Losses, and Finding Joy in Beach Volleyball.
    Oct 7 2024

    In this conversation, Tyler Penberthy shares his journey in beach volleyball, discussing his experiences from early partnerships to nearly qualifying for the Olympics. He emphasizes the importance of situational awareness, the impact of losses on growth, and the value of community in the sport. Tyler also reflects on his coaching philosophy and offseason training strategies, encouraging players to find joy in the game and learn from every experience.

    🔥 💪 🏐 GET DAILY VOLLEYBALL TIPS, ADVICE & DRILLS 🔥 💪 🏐

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    CLICK THE LINK AND WE'LL SEND YOU 🔥My 36 Most Effective Beach Volleyball Drills 🔥My 3 Favorite 50-Minute Workouts For Volleyball Players 🔥My YouTube Playlist Clarifying The Biggest BVB Arguments & Rule Disputes 🔥My Top 20 Lessons Learned From 15 Years As Professional Volleyball Player

    🔥 SAVE 5% WITH OUR MEMBERS ONLY DISCOUNT CODE for Workout Programs, Online Coaching, Camps, Swag & Merch. https://www.betteratbeach.com/pcdrillbook

    OR CHECK OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP & GET:

    💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUE & STRATEGY 🔥

    💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL COACHING 🔥

    💪 🏐 WORKOUTS FOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS 🔥

    https://www.betteratbeach.com/virtualtrainingpodcast

    Time Stamps:

    00:00Introduction to Tyler Pinberthy's Journey

    02:50Tyler's Volleyball Career and Olympic Aspirations

    06:07The Importance of Partnerships in Volleyball

    09:13Experiences and Lessons from Competition

    12:03The Role of Coaching and Training in Development

    14:57Navigating the Transition from Intermediate to Advanced

    18:00The Impact of Losses on Growth

    20:50Offseason Goals and Training Strategies

    23:47Building Community and Enjoying the Game

    27:11Final Thoughts and Q&A
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    55 mins
  • EP #110 Coaching Game-Changer: John Mayer’s Approach to Developing Elite Athletes

    EP #110 Coaching Game-Changer: John Mayer’s Approach to Developing Elite Athletes
    Sep 30 2024
    In this conversation, Mark Burik and John Mayer delve into the intricacies of coaching, particularly in volleyball. They discuss the evolution of coaching perspectives, the importance of understanding external versus internal focus, and the role of constraints in skill development. The conversation emphasizes the need for adaptability in coaching styles, the significance of continuous learning, and the impact of player mindset on performance. They also touch on recruitment insights for college coaches and the challenges of navigating the transition to college volleyball. Throughout the discussion, the importance of creating a positive coaching culture and the necessity of being a problem-solver rather than a solution-provider are highlighted. 🔥 💪 🏐 GET DAILY VOLLEYBALL TIPS, ADVICE & DRILLS 🔥 💪 🏐 https://www.betteratbeach.com/pcdrillbook CLICK THE LINK AND WE'LL SEND YOU 🔥My 36 Most Effective Beach Volleyball Drills 🔥My 3 Favorite 50-Minute Workouts For Volleyball Players 🔥My YouTube Playlist Clarifying The Biggest BVB Arguments & Rule Disputes 🔥My Top 20 Lessons Learned From 15 Years As Professional Volleyball Player 🔥 SAVE 5% WITH OUR MEMBERS ONLY DISCOUNT CODE for Workout Programs, Online Coaching, Camps, Swag & Merch. https://www.betteratbeach.com/pcdrillbook OR CHECK OUT OUR MEMBERSHIP & GET: 💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUE & STRATEGY 🔥 💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL COACHING 🔥 💪 🏐 WORKOUTS FOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS 🔥 https://www.betteratbeach.com/virtualtrainingpodcast Time Stamps: 00:00Introduction to Coaching and Podcasting 02:55The Evolution of Coaching Perspectives 06:10Understanding External vs. Internal Focus in Coaching 09:00The Role of Constraints in Skill Development 11:54Creating a Problem-Solving Environment for Athletes 14:48The Importance of Adaptability in Coaching 18:06Recruitment Insights for College Coaches 20:45The Impact of Player Mindset on Performance 24:02Navigating the Transition to College Volleyball 26:56The Role of Passion in Athletic Development 29:51Coaching Styles and Their Effectiveness 33:05The Importance of Continuous Learning in Coaching 35:59Building a Coaching Culture 39:05Advice for Aspiring Coaches 42:00The Future of Coaching Education 44:54Final Thoughts and Reflections
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • EP #109 From France to the NCAA: Marine Kinna’s Journey Through College Volleyball and Beyond

    EP #109 From France to the NCAA: Marine Kinna’s Journey Through College Volleyball and Beyond
    Sep 23 2024

    In this episode, Mark Burik introduces Marine Kinna, a new member of the Better Beach team, who shares her unique journey as an international athlete navigating the NCAA recruiting process. The conversation explores the differences in sports culture between France and the U.S., the challenges faced by international players, and the importance of education in sports. Marine discusses her experiences in junior college and the transition to playing at a higher level in the U.S., providing valuable insights for aspiring athletes. In this conversation, Marine Kinna shares her inspiring journey from France to the United States, detailing her experiences in college volleyball, the recruitment process, and the transition to beach volleyball. She discusses the challenges she faced, including navigating the student visa process, adapting to a new culture, and the impact of COVID-19 on her college experience. Throughout the conversation, Marine emphasizes the importance of hard work, perseverance, and maintaining a positive mindset in achieving success in sports and life.

    🔥 💪 🏐 GET DAILY VOLLEYBALL TIPS, ADVICE & DRILLS 🔥 💪 🏐

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    CLICK THE LINK AND WE'LL SEND YOU 🔥My 36 Most Effective Beach Volleyball Drills 🔥My 3 Favorite 50-Minute Workouts For Volleyball Players 🔥My YouTube Playlist Clarifying The Biggest BVB Arguments & Rule Disputes 🔥My Top 20 Lessons Learned From 15 Years As Professional Volleyball Player

    🔥 SAVE 5% WITH OUR MEMBERS ONLY DISCOUNT CODE for Workout Programs, Online Coaching, Camps, Swag & Merch. https://www.betteratbeach.com/pcdrillbook

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    💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL TECHNIQUE & STRATEGY 🔥

    💪 🏐 VOLLEYBALL COACHING 🔥

    💪 🏐 WORKOUTS FOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS 🔥

    https://www.betteratbeach.com/virtualtrainingpodcast

    Time Stamps:

    00:00 Introduction to Marine Kenna and Better Beach
    07:11 The Journey of an International Athlete
    31:30 Navigating the NCAA Recruiting Process
    44:45 Transitioning to Junior College and Beyond
    45:44 Journey to Colorado: A New Beginning
    51:19 Navigating College Recruitment: Strategies for Success
    57:03 The Transition to Beach Volleyball: Embracing New Challenges
    01:11:02 Overcoming Adversity: The Impact of COVID-19 on College Sports
    01:21:25 The Importance of Hard Work and Mindset in Sports
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    1 hr and 34 mins