Taking The Chance Is Worth It with Pro Volleyball Player Maggie Speaks

Taking The Chance Is Worth It with Pro Volleyball Player
Maggie Speaks


In this episode of the Started With A Dream Podcast presented by
9INE POINT, Jacolby Gilliam interviews Maggie Speaks, a Pro
volleyball athlete, and North Carolina State University,
graduate. Maggie is currently entering her fifth season as a pro
volleyballer and is represented by Athletes Abroad Management.
Today, Maggie shares her story from hating volleyball as a young
athlete to falling in love with the sport and facing challenges
along the way that almost made her give up.





Maggie begins by sharing her dream of becoming an Olympian when
she was just in kindergarten. Growing up with a family that was
involved in sports drove Maggie to develop an interest in sports.
She talks about taking a liking to soccer and basketball but was
less interested in volleyball at first because it proved to be
difficult. She discusses what drew her to volleyball and finally
how she navigated the struggles of finding a college to play for.
Despite not being her dream college, she was able to grab the
opportunity and play at North Carolina State University. She
shares some of the mental struggles she faced as a
student-athlete and advises younger athletes to always prioritize
their mental health, have fun along the way and never give up.





Key Points:


Maggie’s dream when she was younger

Growing up around sports

Maggie’s decision to play Volleyball amidst other sports

What drew Maggie to volleyball

Playing for North Carolina State University

Being a freshman in a big university while navigating
volleyball

How being a collegiate athlete affects your mental health

Steps to overcome your mental health struggles as a
student-athlete

Maggie discusses going pro

Maggie’s advice to his younger self

Cultural differences Maggie encountered overseas

Maggie speaks on being a role model to her younger teammates






Quotes:


“I was that kid in practice that every time I made a mistake, I
would cry.”





“Maybe it's not exactly what I had expected, or what I wanted,
but in the end, it ended up being for the better. We beat USC
every year for four years.”





“I didn't fully mature into that student-athlete role until my
senior year. ”





“ I wish that I would have let go a little bit more, especially
in those college years, and just really tried to enjoy where I
was at a little bit more.”





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