How Volleyball Helped Me Heal and Discover My Purpose
How Volleyball Helped Me Heal and Discover My Purpose
There are moments in life when you don’t realize you’re unraveling until something unexpectedly holds you together. For me, that “something” was volleyball.
I’ve loved the sport since I was young—the sound of sneakers sliding across the court, the snap of the ball off a perfect pass, the shared energy of a team fighting for one single point. But it wasn’t until adulthood, after life had handed me its share of heartbreak, transition, and emotional weight, that volleyball became more than competition or exercise. It became therapy. It became clear. It became healing.
The Court Became My Safe Place
There were days when I felt overwhelmed by responsibilities, motherhood, work, school, and the emotional challenges that come with navigating difficult relationships and major life changes. On those days, stepping onto the court felt like inhaling fresh air after holding my breath too long.
The moment the ball was served, everything else faded. Volleyball demanded my full attention—my focus, my movement, my presence. And in that presence, I found peace.
Each practice was a reset button.
Each game was a reminder that I was capable.
Each teammate was a reminder that community still existed for me—even when I felt alone.
Healing Through Movement
There’s something powerful about a sport that forces your body and mind to work as one. Volleyball taught me how to get out of my head and into the moment. Instead of replaying worries or carrying emotional heaviness, I had to react, communicate, hustle, and trust myself.
That trust was healing.
On the court, I wasn’t just “getting through” life—I was growing through it. I was reconnecting with parts of myself I thought I had lost: my confidence, my competitiveness, my joy, my voice. Every serve I sent over the net felt like letting go of something I didn’t need to carry anymore. Every jump reminded me of my own power. Every win and loss taught me perspective.
Finding Purpose in the Process
Over time, I began to realize that volleyball wasn’t only saving me—it was shaping my purpose. The lessons I learned on the court translated directly into my life off the court:
- Resilience: Pushing through challenges, one point at a time.
- Teamwork: Learning that I don’t have to—and shouldn’t—do everything alone.
- Communication: Using my voice with clarity and compassion.
- Growth: Understanding that mistakes aren’t failures; they’re feedback.
These lessons transformed how I parent, work, lead, and show up in my community.
That’s when something inside me shifted. I felt called to create something bigger than myself—something that would give young people the same sense of belonging, empowerment, and joy that volleyball gave me. That spark eventually became Shearwater Volleyball Group, a space where kids can learn the sport, build confidence, and gain a community that supports their whole well-being.
Full Circle: From Healing to Helping
Volleyball brought me back to myself. It gave me strength during moments when my world felt unsteady. And now, watching young athletes step onto the court with bright eyes and open hearts, I realize that my healing has turned into a gift I can share with others.
My purpose isn’t just about coaching a sport—it’s about creating a safe and inspiring space for kids to grow, discover who they are, and feel supported just like I did.
Sometimes healing looks like therapy.
Sometimes healing looks like quiet reflection.
And sometimes, it looks like lacing up your shoes, stepping onto the court, and letting a simple game remind you of who you are.
Volleyball helped me heal.
Volleyball helped me rise.
And volleyball led me to my purpose.
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Smiling Through It All 