This Is My Well Series: Interview with Pro Beach Volleyball Player Brooke Sweat

Ranked 12th of the FIVB World tour and one of the top ranked volleyball players representing the United States, Brooke Sweat is a favorite on and off the court and is a great role model for future generations of the sport.

Sweat started playing indoor volleyball in 5th grade and playing club volleyball when she was 15. In 2013, Sweat teamed with Jennifer Fopma to win the Huntington Beach Open and was named the AVP Defensive Player of the Year.

Take a peek at how Sweat stays well and fit, on and off the volleyball court.

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How do you stay well and fit?

My schedule gets pretty hectic on a daily basis – practice, weightlifting, conditioning, cardio, physical therapy, cryotherapy, sport psych sessions – so I’ve learned to really know my body and how to listen to it! Being a professional athlete I love to push myself to extremes so I have to know when to scale it down. Overdoing it leads to injuries and set backs – nothing that I want! My sport requires a lot of physical activity but another big part of staying well and fit requires fueling myself with proper foods at the proper times. To get the most out of my trainings I stay on top of my nutrition by logging everything I eat. It’s a simple way to make sure I’m getting everything I need and it holds me accountable.


What do you do to stay centered? How do you maintain a sense of well-being?

My life is all about my faith and my family. I spend time every day reading the Bible, seeking Him. He keeps me centered. Faith gives me an inner peace and a purpose – volleyball is just my platform. There are a ton of ups and downs being a beach volleyball athlete so Im continuously asking the Lord to show me what he’s trying to teach me during the lows. I’m eager to better myself in all areas of my life!
My family is the best support system. They live 3000 miles away but they know how to show their love and support daily.

What tips or suggestions do you have for people that maintain rigorous lifestyles-sprinkled with life’s unforeseen challenges or unexpected hurdles?

I like to be as organized and as prepared as possible. I like to write things down or type them in my notes on my phone. I plan out my meals and snacks for the week. I have a schedule that I follow every day. However, you never know what life is going to throw at you so I’ve learned to be flexible when something unexpected comes up. I treat the “unexpected” as opportunities to grow and learn. Focus on the moment and enjoy it. You only have one life, live it!

What’s next on your agenda? Any special projects or goals/resolutions for the new year? Please share with our reading audience.

Season is just starting up again and I’m so excited! It’s Olympic year!! We are still in the process of qualifying. Our first tournament is in February down in Brazil. We will play between 7 and 10 tournaments before Olympic qualification ends in June. Our goal is to be visiting Brazil again in August to represent the USA at the Olympics!

Special thanks to Brooke Sweat for taking the time to share her well with us.

 

 

Kim Anthony

Kim Anthony

Hi, my name is Kim. I'm the Resident Life & Wellness Coach and Editorial Director of FitnessGalore.net. Additionally, as an adjunct professor of Psychology, I am an avid believer in the mind and body relationship and its connection to fitness and overall wellbeing.