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Youth Inc. with Greg Olsen
Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings on What it Actually Takes to Reach the Highest Level
00:25:50
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- [00:00]
Shelby
I was doing a little research before this, and it's so funny because when I met you at the Super Bowl, I was like, oh, my God, she's sunshine. But I just was looking up. Isn't that your nickname, Speed of Sunshine?
- [00:09]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
My hubby gave me that nickname and made me fall in love with him on the dime. But as an athlete, you're like, you know, I, like, want to go for the throat type of vibe, and this hair is very fake. This takes three hours to get me blonde, so it's a big fat lie. But I do, like, I feel like my sunshine allows me to be a killer, you know? So you need both.
- [00:25]
Greg Olson
Youth sports in America are at a crossroads, and I'm here to help lead the conversation forward. I'm Greg Olson. Each week, we're sitting down with top athletes, coaches, and more to talk about what's working, what's broken, and what's next. Welcome to you Think.
- [00:41]
Shelby
Hey, you think, listeners, It's Shelby. And if you've been around, you think for a little bit, you've probably seen my face before. But today, I'm in a new seat. One of the things that we believe here is that youth sports are for everyone, and we want this show to represent just that. So over the next year, you're going to start to hear from different hosts alongside Greg, with different perspectives, different voices, all helping to tell the story of youth sports in our country. My guest today has lived that story longer and louder than almost anyone. Kerri Walsh Jennings. Does she need an introduction? No. So let's get into it. It's 2012 or 2016. I'm outside on the porch. Mom made me a turkey sandwich. It's in the summer. It's hot, and who am I watching? I'm watching you on my screen. Like, I had that vivid memory of just you changing not only the summer for me in 2012 and 2016, but, like, the way that you popped off of that screen and the way that you impacted my life as a youth athlete with my turkey sandwich is just such a vivid memory for me. And so me and my dad were laughing about that, and he was like, you know what? I remember those times, too. We were always watching her because I think you really made beach volleyball become the favorite summer Olympic sport. I might be biased, but, you know,
- [02:02]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
it's so amazing, obviously, being an Olympic athlete and hearing those stories. Like, I have so many stories of, like, women who had just given birth or who were, like, stuck home with six kids, and they're like, you helped
- [02:11]
Shelby
me get through It.
- [02:11]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
I'm like, oh, my God, that's so nice. And then you have the kids who watch and the parents, and so I love that you could share that with your dad. It's been a journey. I mean, your journey, my journey. Look where we both are. That's all because of you, sports.
- [02:25]
Shelby
You grew up in the Bay Area. Your parents say, carrie, let's go to the Stanford volleyball game, and you're going to be the ball girl. Take me to that moment.
- [02:34]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Cue panic attack. Yeah, they signed me up to be a ball girl. Like, dream come true. But immediately it went to, you can't mess this up. You have to be perfect, and you have to be on point. And what if the ball goes through my legs? And what if I mess up and hit someone in the face? But after all that, you know, anxiety, which is part of the journey as well, it, like, was like, I want this. I want to go here. And Stanford was 25 minutes from where I, you know, live in Saratoga. And my parents just always said, you know, if you wanted to go to the best, you know, academically and athletically, it's Stanford, and it's right here. And if you wanted to go to the best, you got to get to work every day. And so it was fun. That seed was planted when I was little, and then it was just fun to pursue it.
- [03:16]
Shelby
What are some early memories that you have of you playing youth volleyball?
- [03:20]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
I remember being so skinny, my knee pads fell off. I remember just loving it, like, loving it. So I grew up, like Santa Cruz mountains, and I went to school in this town called Los Gatos in this cute little gym, which now my club team legend trained there last night. And I'm like, oh, my gosh. Like, tears watering down my face. It's the same gym, same smell, same everything. But when I was 10, I fell in love with a game in fifth grade at Saint Mary's and I loved every moment of it. Like, I don't think I was ever sad to go to practice. It felt like I was learning a new dance, and I didn't know how to D bands before, you know, and my best friends are playing and. And prior to. I mean, I was 10 when I found it, so I was really young. But prior to, like, falling in love with volleyball, I, you know, played soccer and baseball and basketball, and I kept playing those, but volleyball is just different. And so I think my main memory is just how much I sincerely loved it. And I was never without a ball or never without, you know, like, I was always on the Side of the house. I got yelled at every day, carrie, stop putting the ball on the roof. And it was just my joy.
- [04:19]
Shelby
That is such a special answer. You just said that you played basketball. You played multiple sports. I know that you're passionate about this question. You won a state title in high school, and basketball, you were a baller. How did playing multiple sports impact your volleyball game? It.
- [04:34]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
I mean, I can't overstate it, you know, I mean, even just starting when I was little, in AYSO and Little League and playing, you know, my brother's 11 months older, so I was just always on his team. And one of the boys, you know, I grew up in the 80s. You know, they didn't have girls sports, you know, separately. And I thought that was such a blessing because I was just one of the. One of the athletes, and I loved it. And when I got to high school, I played basketball and volleyball, and I did not love basketball, but my nana did, and it made me really strong. And I was. Physically. I wasn't weak, but I was very exceptionally skinny. And basketball gave me this grit, and it kind of made me pissed off and very uncomfortable in ways that volleyball never did that. I'm like, I need to keep doing this because it's making me better. And then the forcing function of having to take a break from volleyball because I was playing a different sport was something that I needed because I would have played 365, 247 volleyball, you know, which is wonderful to love something so much, but my body couldn't handle it. You know, I think I was a junior, and I had stress fractures in my back. My shoulder started acting up by the time I was a senior because I'd go from school volleyball to basketball. And then by the end of basketball, I was still playing club volleyball. And then I just. I stopped taking breaks at some point, and it caught up early, you know. Now fast forward to today where no one takes a break for anything. I'm like, God bless these babies. Like, we can't handle that volume too much.
- [06:01]
Shelby
It's way too much. I totally agree. And especially with volleyball, with the club scene now. I played club field hockey, and I think what changed my training was we had indoor field hockey as well, so there was no off season. And I'm sure same with you. You had outdoor, you had indoor and indoors all year round. So I can't imagine the load that you experienced as a kid.
- [06:20]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Well, so what. What did you do? Did you just do it because you loved it? And it's so hard when you have a kid who loves it to say, no, you need to take a month off.
- [06:27]
Shelby
I loved it. Like, I was obsessed. And I think indoor, it was five on five. It was on wooden courts, and it only helped your skill sets and your game because it was completely different than that 11v11 style in outdoor. And I think both different sides of the game were awesome. But then it also allowed me to go into the spring season with more confidence and it also provided some gaps for me to play basketball and lacrosse as well. But I still do remember the times where I went to my club lacrosse coach and she was like, shelby, we can't successfully do both at a high level. And I'll never forget that I was 16 years old and I was having to make this massive decision on whether I was going to play lacrosse in college or field hockey in college. And to be honest, I was pretty equal at both. So I think it's so challenging when you play a year round sport to kind of tap into those other sports that could actually make you better at your most dominant one.
- [07:24]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Okay, but you were clear on which one you loved more, is that correct?
- [07:28]
Shelby
A thousand percent. When you think of a coach early in your life and career, was there anyone that stands out specifically to you and what did they do?
- [07:36]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Right, Shelby. I am one of those jerks who never had a bad coach. Like, shockingly so. Like, from fifth grade on up, throughout my pro career, like, I just had, and I think I just had good fits with my personality. You know, I'm, I'm, I'm so eager and my coaches were. And I'm so basic. Like, simplicity is brilliance to me. And my coaches, maybe they knew my brain or maybe, I mean, in the 80s and 90s and 2000s, like, the, the focus was always just the fundamentals. And like every single coach, and it made us so good and it allowed me to contend and keep leveling up. And so every coach I had preached fundamentals. We lived it every day. There was nothing sexy about our practices. We just worked on the fundamentals. It was redundant. And I fell in love with the redundancy because I think my nervous system is like, oh, okay, let me just keep sharpening this thing I know so well. And then at some point, it's like, because I was so sound, fundamentally, I could fly, I could do the weird stuff because my body was so balanced or just so tuned that I could just start doing that stuff, you know? And that happened throughout my whole career. And so I felt very. And they were kind and they like, when we Had a big game. They're like, carrie, we're gonna ride you. Like, you know, put on your seatbelt because we're coming and we're gonna, you know, they like gave me heads up. And then at Stanford, I, you know, I, I had a whole season where I like, mostly played left handed and served left handed. And I'm a right handed player and I would tip and like, and they just, you can do this. Like, it's a non issue, Carrie. Like, if you can't hit, then you can focus on your blocking and focusing on your passing and, and that was so beautiful. And that served me in my pro career, you know, years down the road. And I'm just, I'm rambling here, Shelby, but I want to say, like, my, my family are athletes, my parents are athletes. Like, they are. It's in my DNA to compete and to be athletic. And I had plenty of injuries in high school, all little, but the back one scared me. The shoulder stuff was basically chronic. But every time with every injury, my mom would be like, babe, this is going to make you so much better. And I was like, you don't get it.
- [09:44]
Shelby
It sucks.
- [09:45]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
And she's like, no, babe, you're going to have to get weird. You're going to have to like, be even better with your footwork, you know, and just be more focused. And that was my experience. So at some point I just started to, you know, nothing really phased me if I was hurt because I just knew I can figure it out. And then I was supported. I was supported in a way where my coaches, my teammates were like, hey, Kerry's going to figure it out.
- [10:07]
Shelby
It's funny, we'll get to this later, but I totally see that in the way that your future career went about with you playing indoor at Stanford. And then I think you're, you started to play pro indoor as well, and then you shifted to beach and like. But I'm sure those fundamentals that you built in indoor kind of still stayed, which I just think is just a full circle moment. And then also to finish up the youth part, your parents, you speak of them, your dad played in the minor league. Your mom was a really good volleyball player. What role did they play in your childhood?
- [10:44]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
I mean, Shelby, they, they are still my heroes, but they were my heroes. Like, I don't know. First of all, I wish I could like snap my fingers and take you back to the 80s because it was a wild time to grow up in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Like, my mom is one of eight, my dad is one of four, everyone lived around each other. We lived on this acreage. And every weekend we would have barbecues and there'd be like the most intense pickup basketball games and backyard volleyball games. And during the week, my parents played in these really high level coed softball games. Like, intense. I can't. Like, it's, it's almost shocking how intense and how much they won and how much they wanted to win. They never lost. They never lost. And I would get to watch them every week compete. And the joy and the love and the frustration and the whole, you know, the whole bit of it. The people I love most, I would get to watch the joy in that, you know, and I think I'm. I could cry. Like, that was such a gift to me. I mean, they were in bowling leagues and they didn't, they don't. They didn't lose. And so my house, it's like, you compete, you play to win, and you expect to win. And if you don't, suck it up and work harder, you know, and that was my. That was modeled for me. It wasn't talked at me. It was modeled for me. And then they would take me to Stanford and then Niners games and then warriors games and Giants games. And so I was just like, it was my environment, was that. And that was beautiful.
- [12:06]
Shelby
Did the way that your parents parented you impact the way that you parent your kids?
- [12:11]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
I mean, for sure. Don't make me tell you how I
- [12:17]
Shelby
was going to say, what type of youth sports parent are you?
- [12:19]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
I have so much compassion for anybody on a team, like, trying their hardest and putting themselves in the line to be exposed. Like, for even for showing up for a tryout and getting cut and keeping your head up. Like, I literally, I could cry. I have. I just, I so love people and children who do that because it's a, it's courage, it's bravery, you know, and it's part of life, like trying out and getting cut. But so for me, long story short, like, I. Whether you have the best game of your life or the worst game of your life or you fall on your face, I'm just like, it's all good. You got it. Like, that's the type of person that's, that's my truth, because I know that that's part of climbing the mountain. You know, you fall back down plenty of times. And so that's my perspective, my expression. Like, I, I'm not a yeller. I'm an encourager. You know, I, I'm really big on tone. I think, I think you can be really direct with people if your tone is great. I don't believe in harshness, but when my kids are playing and I'm not coaching, if the ref is bad, it's a problem because it's like psychological warfare to me.
- [13:30]
Shelby
I'm like, it must be hard. Like I can't even imagine. You have seen the best of the best five Olympics top college ball. You know, what is right. So it's like, how do you not make it everyone's problem? What is right?
- [13:47]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
And I'm never wrong. No, you know, even at the highest level, like, I swear I've said this before, it really is true. Like my success and made me insecure. Like I was never grounded in it. I was never, like, I never owned it, you know. And so now just when I, I caution myself constantly, which I think is fine. Like I like self reflection and I like, you know, knowing I don't know everything. But I just know, like even my best games, you know, winning Olympic gold medals, there were so many moments where I was terrible, you know. And so I just know that that's a constant theme and even for referees and even for coaches and even for parents, you know, and that takes the edge off for me and it makes me take things less personally because I'm like, God, you know, okay, they spell it wrong and they're idiots, but you know, God bless it at the same time.
- [14:33]
Shelby
This is for parents. Three gold medals under your belt. What do you think parents and coaches need to understand about what it takes to be a champion?
- [14:43]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
I mean, ultimately it's just, it's the ultimate process of unfolding, you know, and it's, it's your habits and it's how much you love it and how much you're fortified for the journey and that allows for greatness and that allows for victory. And I loved learning and improving and winning so much that I would suffer the losses pretty well. And I flipping hate losing. But I wasn't above it, you know, and, and I, when we would lose and when I would have a big game, I took it personally and, and it would crush my soul for moments. But all that served me. And so as parents, I just think that parents job is to be encouraging, not be delusional, but maybe be delusional. Just say, babe, you got it. That wasn't that bad. That's part of it, you know, like just if you want to keep busting your butt, you know, and carry yourself like you got it, even when it's hard. And so anyhow, it's Just such a nuanced thing, being a parent, because I don't want to be full of BS with my kids. You know, I don't want to tell them they had a great game and they didn't have a great game. But I want to let them know always that it's part of it and always that they can do something about it, you know, So I think it's a constant, like giving them hugs, giving them love, reminding them that they can do it and it's part of it. And then just when they go through tough moments, listening, you know, and hugging,
- [16:09]
Shelby
that's a perfect answer. Beach volleyball is fascinating to me in so many different ways, but one being how you have to collaborate with another person. What did that teach you about trust communication in sport?
- [16:21]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Shelby? Okay, so I never thought I would leave indoor ever, because I loved it so much. It's like this energy. It's almost like a nightclub. You're like, God, I love this. It's so fun. And I'm one of this big team and it's just like we're in it together and it was so beautiful. And then at some point you're like, gosh, I want more autonomy. I don't want to be one of the herd anymore. I don't want to be told what to do, where to be, what to wear. You know, I don't want to do that. Welcome beach volleyball, you know, where it's like the polar opposite of being one of the herd, where you are so you're so responsible as an individual. And then to your point, I'm so heavily dependent on my partner and to me it's the ultimate team sport. Like I, I love it with all my heart. And you know, starting with Miss, you know, 22, playing with her 10 towers, 34. Like, we lived a lot of life together on and off the court and we had a level of respect for each other and for the pursuit very early on. And we were both athlet athletes, both really hungry, like priceless things to start with, you know, and we were familiar. Like we, we were friend. Like it was, it was just easy. Not that the journey was easy, but we had this solid foundation of, okay, respect, love shared. North Star. And then we had the blessing of 10 years in the trenches together, like traveling the world us on trains and buses and planes and like carrying our suitcases everywhere and as like early 20 year old friends exploring the world. And then we show up tournaments and kick ass, you know, and like really enjoy that. And we had both and I think what Made Missy and I so strong is the stuff off the court, you know, where we got to know each other's hearts. And so when things got hard, like, as athletes, it's like, well, that's my girl, you know, Like, I'm not gonna. We're gonna get through this because that's my girl and I'm her girl. And I think, you know, my husband always reminded me of that later in my career when I had a family and kids and I was kind of. I like, compartmentalized. And he's like, babe, you can't just show up with your teammates at practices and be stressed and worked out and then go to tournaments and be stressed and play. Like, go be human with them. Like, go get some coffee. Go camping. And it's such a smart recommendation, like, team bonding days for youth athletes. I know it's like a drag on the parents and it's one more thing, but it's so important to remember that these kids are young kids and they need to be human together. And the coaches human with, you know, like, their own life and their own perspective, and they're trying to jug all. Juggle all these things, you know, so anyhow, so beach volleyball taught me that, like, trust doesn't just show up. You have to earn it. And what makes. What allows for a level of depth and intimacy and strength is sincere vulnerability. Going through hard times together, coming together when things get hard, not running apart, and all of that stuff is fortification for on the heart, you know, when
- [19:20]
Shelby
we talked to the super bowl, you said that you were quite different than her, personality wise. How did you celebrate those differences?
- [19:28]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Well, I just. I'm a lover, and I love everything about Misty. And I, you know, I think. I know I drove her way more crazy than she drove me because I can't shut up. And she was very quiet. So, you know, it's just. It totally worked because we loved each other. And at some point, you know, I remember early on, like, she would do her thing, warming up, and eventually come together. And I'd be like, where's Miss? Where's Miss? Like, I need Missy. And it, like, took almost a couple years to be like, hey, she does her thing. Carrie, figure out what your thing is. And then when she comes to be, when she's ready, like, you guys will go and get your own rhythm together for the game. And those little nuances took some time, but at some point, it's just like, the difference in us is mostly. Mostly in our expression of our competitive fire, of how we handle conflict, of how we express our excitement like it's just the outward expression. Our hearts are very similar in that. War warriors, war lovers. We're also lone wolves. We also are, I wouldn't say super self critical, but we, we have a very high level accountability and like all our values and principles are very aligned, as was our vision. It was just our expression, you know, but if I didn't talk, my head would blow off my, my body and if she talked more, she'd be exhausted. So, you know, you got to allow for these things.
- [20:47]
Shelby
Being opposites, it's almost a gift, especially in the sports space. And that's probably why you guys were so magic, because if you guys were the same person, you guys wouldn't have had that much success, in my opinion. So you played at Stanford, which is extremely well known for their academics and their athletics, just excellence all around. And then you played the biggest stage, the Olympics. How did you deal with fear and pressure during this? It's such a young age.
- [21:16]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
I don't, I don't really know. I, I think probably my process is still the same. Like again, I, I always have butterflies. Like I'm hot right now. I talk fast all the time. And I used to hate that about myself, but now I'm like flip, man. It's just, it's how I'm wired to a certain extent. And I do breath work, I journal. I do the things to like, chill out. I used to listen to like really like loud, aggressive rock music before games until I found Sade. And then I would bring it down and settle my nervous system and, you know, so it took a while to figure these things out. But as far as like pressure and all these things, like, it was just fun when I played, you know, not that I didn't feel pressure or stress because I always did. That comes with it. I always wanted to win. I always, you know, if I had a bad game again, I took it really personally. But I just was so in love with my teams and so happy to be happy to, to contribute to the teams. When you're in a team, it kind of takes the edge off, you know, sometimes it's hard. You don't really lay your team down. But my teams and I were units, you know, So I never felt like alone and I never felt like it was all on my shoulders. And I never felt like if I, if I always felt or if I was struggling, they had me. That's beautiful. And my coaches were the same, you know, So I think I was just very fortunate to have people who understood the Nuances of the game and the stresses of the game, they didn't pile on. They didn't say, pull your head, your ass. What are you doing? They say, you got it. You know, move your feet. You know, like, gave me simple cues, and that was really helpful. And then when it came to the Olympics, we busted our asses every single day at practice. So literally when we got there, it's like, let's just let it rip.
- [22:54]
Shelby
Rinse and repeat.
- [22:55]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Yes. And it just was. It's like, it's Hoosiers. It's every sporting movie, every scene. Like, it's just. The pressure is all internal. There's noise, but the pressure is here. And so I always just did my, you know, best, coaching myself, breathing, focusing on what I want, and surrounding myself in an environment outwardly that supported the environment I wanted inwardly, which was just, be right here. Have fun.
- [23:21]
Shelby
You.
- [23:21]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
You play better when you're smiling. So just, you know, try to try as much as you can to read the good books, to be around good people, and to think good thoughts.
- [23:30]
Shelby
This is going to be our last question, unfortunately, but in 2012, the London Olympics, you revealed while you were competing that you were five weeks pregnant. What did this moment show for women in sports in your eyes?
- [23:44]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
It wasn't a big deal, but it was a special deal. So I think I found. I think I had the realization after our second or third match in London. So we were still in pool play, and I had this. I knew it. Like, I just knew it. And in that moment, Shelby, it cut the tension 100%. It was like, I can't lose. Like, I'm literally pregnant with my third baby. Dream come true. And I'm fighting for gold for my country that I love so much. Dream come true. Can't lose. So that was beautiful. But as far as, like, what it means for, you know, women athletes competing, like, you can have what you want. You know, my. My situation supported me in being able to have babies and compete. My husband's a champion. He's an amazing partner, and we did it together. And I didn't have to stop after. I'd be like, I. I was on the beach probably too soon after my two boys. I had three months after I was healed. I was out there, and my boys are under a year part. And then I was, you know, after scouting, I was back on the beach after three months. But that's only because I was strong and healthy and, you know, medically okay, and I had my support system. But if you. If you can curate that in your life. Like, it's so beautiful. It's the most beautiful thing ever. And so I just think ultimately, like take out that all the specifics. Like, if you want something and you're willing to do what it takes, the world is there for you, you know. But I was never a victim in that shall be. Like, I was just like, this is my choice. Yeah, this is a bit harder. Yeah, I have less sleep. Yeah, I can watch less video. But this is the dopest thing in the world. Being a working mom, professional athlete, pursuing gold with these babies.
- [25:22]
Shelby
You know, I wish that I could talk with you for 30 more minutes or an hour because you're just amazing. This felt like five.
- [25:28]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Let's leave each other wanting more. That's what you sports to be about.
- [25:31]
Shelby
Point blank period.
- [25:33]
Kerri Walsh Jennings
Leave them hungry and they'll come back and give their all and then, you know, it's on repeat.
- [25:38]
Shelby
Oh, I just love you. This made my entire month. You're awesome.