Kerri Walsh Jennings: What's It Take to Be a GOAT
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Kerri Walsh Jennings, a highly accomplished athlete in women's volleyball, discusses various topics in an interview with Guy Kawasaki. She reflects on her expectations and how her life has unfolded differently from what she anticipated in high school. Kerri believes that expectations dictate one's energy, optimism, pursuit, and resiliency, and her high expectations, instilled by her parents, have propelled her forward.
One topic that frustrates Kerri is the rule change regarding the let serve in volleyball. She finds the new rule, which allows a serve that hits the net and goes over to be playable, to be ridiculous and believes it dumbs down the game. She expresses her preference for a more traditional approach to the game and highlights the challenges faced by players who are accustomed to the previous rules.
Kerri attributes her love for sports to her upbringing in California, where she was surrounded by relatives who were skilled athletes and had a deep love for sports. She emphasizes the importance of trying multiple sports and believes that specializing in one sport at a young age is a disservice. Kerri credits her ability to play with her brother and his friends for helping her develop as an athlete.
Kerri acknowledges the impact of Title IX on her sports career and considers herself fortunate to have benefited from the opportunities it created. She believes that every door has been open for her and she hasn't faced many barriers. However, she recognizes that her own self-doubt and insecurities have been the main obstacles she has encountered.
When discussing the lack of media coverage and unequal compensation in women's sports, Kerri expresses her belief that women's sports deserve more coverage and shouldn't wait for someone else to realize that. She mentions the emergence of startups like Just Women's Sports and On Her Turf that are filling the void in women's sports coverage. Kerri believes in the value of women's sports and the need to celebrate the unique aspects of the game. She is optimistic about the future and believes that progress can be made in terms of compensation and recognition by attracting sponsors and being strategic in how women's sports are presented.
Kerri also discusses the significance of Title IX and how it has opened doors of opportunity for young women in sports and education. She praises the Nixon administration for passing this legislation and believes that Title IX has changed the world in beautiful ways by expanding opportunities and allowing young women to grow and shift their identities.
Kerri raises concerns about the high dropout rate of girls and women in sports, emphasizing the need to shift the focus from intense training and pressure to personal development, teamwork, progress, and improvement. She criticizes the current structures of youth sports that prioritize specialization and performance, leading to constant pressure and lack of breaks for young athletes. Kerri believes that there needs to be a shift in mindset and a return to the true essence of sports, where the emphasis is on personal growth and enjoyment rather than external rewards.
Kerri emphasizes the importance of bringing fun back into sports and encourages framing training as playing. She believes that if the focus is on messages of personal growth, enjoyment, and learning through experience, athletes will be more motivated to participate. She also highlights the need for breaks and balance in youth sports and encourages parents to prioritize their children's well-being.
To be at the level of greatness like Kerri Walsh Jennings, it takes a lot of love for what you're doing. Love becomes the fuel that propels you forward, especially during the difficult times. Focus and clarity of your pursuit are also essential. Being clear about your goal and having a relentless forward motion towards it is crucial. Consistency is a key trait of remarkable people who consistently show up at a high level. They do, however, take meaningful days off to recharge and regenerate their spirit.
Kerri Walsh Jennings acknowledges that she has insecurities, but she has learned to let them drive her rather than minimize her. She sees potential in her areas of insecurity, and that becomes a powerful driving force. Love and the potential within oneself are the driving factors that have propelled her to greatness.
Kerri Walsh Jennings believes that an Olympic athlete owes her country her best effort. She sees it as her duty, honor, privilege, and responsibility to show up with the best of herself when representing her country. However, she doesn't believe that a country owes an Olympic athlete anything in return. She personally doesn't feel like she is owed anything and instead focuses on her responsibilities.
When it comes to athletes like Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka taking mental breaks, Kerri views it as a symptom of something being wrong in the system. She believes that they may need more support and sees it as a learning opportunity for them. Kerri acknowledges the difficulty of making
Kerri Walsh Jennings, a highly accomplished athlete in women's volleyball, discusses various topics