Misty May-Treanor is three times Olympic and three times World Champion in Beach volleyball. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You started playing beach volleyball at the Santa Monica Pier with your parents, and played your first volleyball tournament at age of eight years with your father. You reached the pinnacle of success from 2004 by winning Gold in Athens Olympic Games in Women Beach Volleyball. What factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Misty May-Treanor:
Well, the first Olympics that I played in was the Sydney Olympic Games with Holly McPeak. We finished 5th so that certainly lit the fire to get back to another Olympics and do better. I believe that the hard work you put into something pays off, I spent many extra hours training because I had a goal and I didn’t want to short change myself. My parents, sponsors, coaches, and fans also were factors in my being successful but I also had great teammates.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You were ranked World No.1 Women Beach volleyball doubles pair. You have selected a sport where while playing doubles, it being a team sport, requires a lot of cohesiveness and rhythm between the players to finally succeed, how do you achieve that?
Ms. Misty May-Treanor:
Communication is key in our sport. Both Kerri and I played together for so many years sometimes we didn’t have to say anything, we just knew through our experience together where each other was. Our team is very similar to a marriage in a sense, communication break downs can cause issues. You must also believe in one another, have a common goal, and trust each other.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Misty May-Treanor:
I love olympic lifting (cleans, jerks, snatches), squatting and explosive jump drills. I also implement track and hill workouts with a running instructor, pilates helps me maintain a strong and healthy core since that is important in our sport. Since I am not the tallest player out there at times, my jump has to be strong from the very match to the very last match. Recovery is equally as important to the lifting as well and that comprises of massage, ice baths, and stretching.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Misty May-Treanor:
I like to listen to my body but I do watch what I eat. I try to eat whole nutritious foods because that is what is going to fuel my body and it is especially important that I eat enough calories with the amount of training that I did. I would work with my trainers too in order to make sure I came in at my playing weight that I feel the strongest at. Drinking plenty of water even throughout the night is important. Carrying small snacks helps to keep energy up.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to our inspiring and budding beach volleyball playing girls who all are your fans, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in the field of beach volleyball?
Ms. Misty May-Treanor:
Have a goal, write it down and keep it somewhere that you can see it every day. Make decisions that will allow you to reach that goal and not let you stray from it. You may have to do extra work in the gym or on the court that you won’t get credit for but it will help you stay one step ahead of the competition.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How did you feel before and after your memorable win of Gold at 2012 London Olympic Games in Women Beach Volleyball?
Ms. Misty May-Treanor:
Coming back from the torn achilles tendon was difficult but I felt good as a individual and as a team heading into London. I knew we could do it, it would just be our most difficult road to gold. When we won I felt amazing. I knew this would most likely be the last Olympics I played in so it meant a lot to me to hear our National Anthem again.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
It is known that you had fought back in matches with sheer determination against all odds and returned to win. How you were able to overcome mental block when you are trailing and then reversed the final outcome of the match in your favor and what advice you wish to give to the fellow sports person in a similar situation?
Ms. Misty May-Treanor:
Kerri and I never looked as us ever being behind, we always knew we could make comebacks. I think different situations that you face prepare you for the next time and we had been in similar situations where we came back to win the match. You always have to believe that you can do it, you must always work together, you also must stay calm. At the end of the day it is anyones game, someone is going to win and someone will lose, just leave everything on the court and you will be amazed how often the odds fall in your favor.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
In 2003, You and Kerri Walsh Jennings signed with the AVP. Your team received “Team of the Year” honors after having an undefeated season, going 39 in match victories with eight tournament wins. Do you contribute your reaching to the pinnacle of success in Women Beach volleyball to your partner Kerri Walsh Jennings, what you will like to tell us about her?
Ms. Misty May-Treanor:
Of course we need our teammates out there. We couldn’t have done it without each other. I feel that we complimented each other and our availability to adjust to different situations helped.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You played 2002 season with a torn PCL before undergoing surgery that September. And later after winning your gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, you ruptured your achilles tendon during dance practice for a performance on the show Dancing with the Stars. It was successfully repaired. How you were able to overcome such a physical injury/setback and what advice you can give to fellow sports person in a similar situation?
Ms. Misty May-Treanor:
My mom passed away in 2002 so watching her go through her battle with cancer, it put everything in perspective. Again what is your goal? Mine was to come back so I worked so hard in all aspects to make sure I lined myself up for that. My left achilles will never be 100 percent but I think it is good enough. I would say my 100% is really 75-85% for that leg. Listening to both your doctor and therapist is huge, don’t try to push it. Be patient!!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You serves as a Sports Ambassador for Special Olympics Southern California. You also have a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University in Irvine, California. Tell us about these endevours of yours?
Ms. Misty May-Treanor:
My mom had her Master’s degree and I knew I wanted to get it as well. I love coaching so it is great to have a Masters Degree as it can open some options up later in life. I do coach clinics Nationwide, it is so fun working with the next generation. I love to help others and just make people smile so that is why I love working with Special Olympics Southern California because those athletes work so hard and we are all Olympians. I have a facility opening up in Irvine which will be home to a large indoor volleyball club so we will continue to share our love of the sport to the. Most recently my husband Matt and I had our first child so that is keeping us quite busy.
To know more about Misty May-Treanor: Check out at: http://mistymay.com
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Women Fitness Team thanks Misty May-Treanor for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and also wish to thank Thomas P. McCarthy President/CEO Progressive Sports Management Inc who made this interview happen.
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