Episode #23 - Setting and Everything in Between with Brie O'Reilly

In this episode with Brie O’Reilly we discuss some of Ben Josephson’s many philosophies, how playing different positions helps overall development and why Brie couldn't say no to her contract in Brazil. She discusses the crazy emotions that came during her year with Athlete Unlimited, how tough conversations are always worth it, and the bright future of the Canadian Woman’s National Team.

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Transcript

0:00

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Pit to Pro podcast. In this episode, we are joined by Brie O'Reilly. Brie is one of the best setters in the world playing in some of the biggest leagues, including Germany, France, Brazil, and the United States. She's currently the starting setter for the Canadian women's national team. Expect to learn how to handle the pressure of leading an offense in high stakes matches, how to foster deep and meaningful connections with teammates on and off the court, how Brie ended up training with the men's volleyball team at Trinity Western, and how to get out of your head and just play. Before we get started, I'd like to introduce our newest partner on the Pit to Pro podcast. I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to hit harder and score more points. That's why we've decided to partner up with the athlete wellness Academy to deliver you guys the best in arm swing training With their new Arm Swing Academy, you'll receive personalized video analysis and feedback, along with individualized workouts and on court drills. for joining us. Continuous technical support and a dedication to this process will have you hitting harder and playing pain free. AWA has worked extensively with the three of us at the Pit to Pro podcast, as well as the top university programs across the country. If that sounds like something you want to be a part of, sign up for the Arm Swing Academy using the link in our show notes or Instagram bio, and get 10 off every month of your subscription. The Arm Swing Academy offers a 7 day free trial, which you can cancel at any time, and if you're not seeing progress after one month of joining the Academy, you will be refunded. It's completely risk free, so click the link in our show notes or Instagram bio and start your 7 day free trial today. But now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Brie O'Reilly. Hello and welcome to the Pit the Pro podcast. Jesse, Matthias, and Aaron Elson. This podcast is meant to guide young athletes on their journey to high performance. Join us as we share our first hand experiences in an effort to help you reach your own valuable goals.

Jesse 1:48

And we're live! And we're live, live from Brazil. Bri, thanks for joining us. This is awesome.

Brie 1:54

Yeah, thanks for having me.

Jesse 1:56

It's awesome. Okay, I got a first question for you. In university, you played every position other than middle. How did that experience help you become a better setter in the long run, do you think?

Brie 2:09

Um, it definitely helped a lot. I think, in general, it helped me get an understanding of the game of volleyball. Point Blank, I think specifically my experience as a attacker helped so much to have more like, just understanding compassion, I would say for hitters and just The responsibility of point scoring is a lot. I, in my lengthy career as an attacker, I had a hard time scoring points. Um, I was more there for ball control purposes. And so just like, obviously as a setter, I don't, I very rarely score points. I am, I, I never score more than a few points in a match and there's a frustration element that comes with that, but then also a real freedom that comes with like, My job, I could, I could be playing great and we could lose. I could be playing bad and we could win, but as a point scorer, if you're not, if we're not scoring points, it's really hard to win games. So I think just that pressure of like, it's up to, it's up to you. It's up to me in that situation helped me kind of view the attacking and setting relationship as it's got to feel like a team effort or else. It can, it can become a lot. Um, so I think, yeah, just my awareness of what each position, like the positives and negatives of each position, and then just like my general sense of the game, knowing who's where, when, and what, um, opportunities arise in different positions to score points and to make plays happen. Um, it made me like the game more, I think. It was just like challenging to learn different positions. And so, I find it really fun, even now in my current team, I'm purely setting and I still find it fun to like, you know, mess around with other things in practice or like before practice after extra reps, just like passing some balls or whatever I find it. I just like the game. So the more components of the game I can play, I, it's more fun for me than just setting can kind of get kind of boring sometimes. So

Jesse 4:27

that's cool. I remember the, the COVID year when Derek was really sick, was it COVID year Tias? Yep. Yep. You know, Derek was really sick and I sat in all our blue white games and my side always beat Tia's side, but I was blown away at like, like you said, like you just gained a new appreciation for volleyball and I had so much fun. And I also realized. Being a setter, like if the pass is at two and a half or three meters or two meters, it's really not that big a deal. I remember when I was passing, I got to get perfect, got to get perfect. And the coach was like, put it perfect. I'm like, ah, you don't need to be perfect. I can set everyone from here. I just like, I got a new appreciation for volleyball. Yep. That's really cool.

Oog 5:11

So are you saying that I should set next year?

Jesse 5:13

Yeah, dude. You gotta. It's so fun.

Brie 5:16

Good luck. Been there, done that.

Jesse 5:20

Well, now we're speaking about Trinity a little bit. Can you talk about Ben Jo and his role in your development and any success that you can attribute to him and his coaching? Sure.

Brie 5:31

Um, I spent my first four years at Trinity or my whole time at Trinity, just watching him coach the men's team and just seeing all of their success and watching guys go from good to great all the time. And I felt I was just like, man, it'd be awesome to work with him one day. Um, also just like all encompassing great human. It's really obvious. Like from afar, even I didn't know him well. And then he was on staff, my first summer with national team. And he was definitely one of the main voices. I would say when I was a young setter, that was always reminding me of what was possible, like in a, in a healthy way, but just keeping me humble. You're good, but you could be great if you actually, you know, put your head down. And I always felt like from afar, even like he believed in me, but it was like this great balance of belief, but very high expectations for like work ethic, commitment training. Um, so that just like, when I think about Benjo and what the impact he had on me, I would just say, Oh, that he. He taught me how to really, like, work hard and, and, like, train, like, learn, learn the skills and, like, be okay with being really bad at them at first. And so he kind of, he taught me a lot about just general volleyball knowledge, but also block defense was his main role when he was our coach, our assistant coach, and helped me a lot. Again, it was like this, Brie you're a tall setter, you're capable of. Being elite in these areas and you're not yet, but like, let's get to work and it's possible. Um, and then one of my years post Trinity, um, I was playing a shorter season, one of the years and had a fall semester where I was just home and needed a gym to train in that hopefully would help me get better. And.

Oog 7:37

There was

Brie 7:38

a need in the setting department in the Trinity men's team. So I found myself there every day for like three months. Um, which was hilarious and just, again, so helpful to see the game. I'm like men's volleyball is very different than women's obviously, but. Um, just so fun to play around players who were obviously much stronger and much more skilled than I was, and just capable of doing things that I'll never see anyone being capable of in like female sports and like, just to experience the culture of the team and all of that. It helped me. A lot. And also Benjo was just like, acted like I belonged in that gym, even though every day I was like, just don't die. Just like protect your head really. Um, And. I think in general, my experience with Ben Joe was just like, let's, let's make you great. I'm willing to help you if you're willing to match that with like intention and work ethic and commitment. So he really did that over and over for me. And still, still to this day, he's like such a, like support, like anytime I see him at Trinity or whatever, it's like this belief and then just like, keep going sort of really behind me. So he made a huge impact.

Jesse 8:56

That's really well said and it's fun, you know, like sometimes coaches are like we're gonna get here when you get there But it's gonna suck and we're gonna do this and do that, but it's not like that It's like it's gonna be fun and we're gonna fail and we're gonna learn and we're gonna try these wacky things

Brie 9:07

Totally and like I don't know how he does like balancing human and player maybe better than anyone I've ever seen like he himself is Like obsessed with volleyball, but family and like his life is even more important to him. And I'm like, how, how do you balance that all? And like, he, he displays it, but also even with you guys, like he was your coach, you respected him, but he was like your friend too, you know? And you could really feel that, which I think is. Really special. I don't see that a lot.

Oog 9:44

100%. What were some of the other changes you had to make to go from university? I never saw you play in university, but it seemed like there was this insane growth right after you left and to be one of the best in the world within a couple years. What were some of the changes you had to make?

Brie 10:07

Um, I think at Trinity, I always felt like I would say pretty comfortable. Like I, I knew, you know, how to do my job. Well, I would say in terms of like the level that I needed to be at to succeed. Um, as soon as I got thrown into international volleyball and my first season in Germany, it just became. really obvious, really fast that I didn't know anything. Like I, I just played, I was like, I get this game. I, it's in my blood. I think I can just like naturally play this well. But in terms of like the technical side, footwork, eye work, like hand position, like so many technical things about setting specifically, I was like, I've never heard of this. I. Never even imagined people are thinking about this. You just go set the ball, right? And put it where it's supposed to go. And, obviously, that got me through Trinity and my university career. It was very clear, very quickly, that was not going to be enough to, um, succeed at the next level. So, I think what really changed is I fell in love with learning, like, and getting better. And Was had the right people around me that were giving me tons of feedback and teaching me like really teaching volleyball. And that allowed me to just kind of, uh, improve really fast. And I think especially my first couple of years after Trinity, yeah, I did. I went from being this like tall athletic player who could play volleyball really well, like we said, like play lots of positions, but I wasn't, Fine tuned at all. And I certainly hadn't fine tuned setting specifically. Um, so yeah, I had to, I learned a lot and I just loved learning. I was like, get me in the gym as much as possible. And I had this really lucky combo of desire to learn with coaches around me that knew what they were talking about and could help me. Um, so yeah, I think I just got really lucky and got like on the right teams in the right moments and. That

Jesse 12:23

reminded me of another Benjo moment when we were in Kelowna, uh, playing TRU and our team was doing video in the breakfast room and you and a couple of other girls were sitting over there and afterwards you're like, I didn't understand a single word Ben was saying. Like, and

Brie 12:41

then

Jesse 12:43

I remember you picking Ben's brain, but like, what did you mean when you said this? What did you mean when you said that? Like, what does that even mean? And I think that's, that's exactly what you're talking about.

Brie 12:51

Yeah, 100%.

Oog 12:55

I guess that's a good segue into Brazil because I've heard you say the main reason you're there is for Bernardinho, and just his knowledge and how much he has invested in you and helping you get better. Yeah. Is that true?

Brie 13:15

Yeah, 100%. I, when I first got the contract offer, um, I remember my agent. He called me and was like, you're, you're not saying no to this. Like, this is the best coach arguably in the world ever. And this is like, and I, of course I told my agent what my like, priorities were for teams. And then, Oh, my whole career has been, I want to improve. I want to have balance in life and I don't really care about money or like league or anything, anything other than like, where am I going to improve? I want to go to the Olympics. I have a lot of work to do. And so I remember him calling me and be like, this is exactly what you need. Like, don't even think about it. Like you've got to go. And I, so I really, I arrived here with a huge, like high expectation about what I was hopefully going to experience in terms of development of my game. And I remember my first practice here. Bernardo, we call him. Um, he was like, he just sat me down and was like, you can be the best setter in the world. Here's the things that you need to get better at. We're just going to grind for the next, as long as you're here and get you there. And he, obviously he could be coaching any team in the world. He's constantly shutting down offers to coach all the best teams you could imagine because he wants to be close to his family and home in Rio. And so he can't help. Like he just naturally, he, he, he. Selects his team based on girls that he thinks have potential to become great because he just loves teaching and developing So I really felt right away when I got here like i'm here For a reason like he really sees something in me and and not just him the whole staff He's got the same staff for the last like 30 years. They're all Volleyball geniuses. And they, I could just, it's a long list of players that have come through this club and leave being world class. And so I kind of knew what I was getting myself into and it's been, this is my third year here. And I obviously technically have learned a lot. It's impossible not to, but way more than that, I think, especially as a setter, all the like intangibles of leadership. Game awareness, game planning, just like the ability to win in a match. All of that has been like, I've just learned so much because it's hard not to learn when you're around the best in the world, the whole staff, they've won multiple Olympic medals, just anything you can win, they've all won it all. And so it's like, that's not a coincidence, you know, like they know how to win and they know how to get the best out of players. And so, yeah, that's kind of been my main takeaway. I feel like I've. It's grown a ton because of that.

Jesse 16:06

That's really cool. Cause I was, that kind of answers my next question. I was going to, cause I was listening to a podcast with Bruno, his son, and he said himself, he's like, I'm not the best setter in the world, but I'm arguably the best teammate. I know how to get the best out of my teammates. I know how to put them in the best situations. So I was going to ask you if that's evident in his dad as well, but it sounds like it is.

Brie 16:26

Yeah, it definitely is. I, this is obviously my third season and I've, I could just name a bunch of girls who came, who arrived at the club one way and left a completely different player. And it's not just like skill, you know, it's really this like confidence ability to perform when it matters. You know, it's like, that's all it comes down to really. Like, can you, can you score the point when it's, Game point for the other team, you know, it's like all the rest is kind of meaningless if you can't do that. And I think that's definitely oozes out of Bernardo and. his work ethic matches that, like, desire to improve that. So yeah, that's kind of the culture of our, the club, I would say. We're not, we don't have the most money or, or resources or whatever, but we have this culture of like, we are gonna, everyone is committed 100 percent to getting as good as they can for the sake of the collective group. And you can feel that all day, every day.

Oog 17:28

Can you teach someone how to win?

Brie 17:33

Um, like, is it possible or can I personally,

Oog 17:39

if you were going to try, what would you say?

Brie 17:46

I feel extremely unqualified to do that, but I, if I had to, I would try. I think it's possible a hundred percent. I think the main ways you learn is trial and error in the big moments. Like what really evaluating, like, obviously you're not going to get it right all the time, but if you're in a tight match and a fifth set gets lost. Um, that process of, okay, where was my head at, what was I thinking, what did I do at 14 all, and was it the right choice, and what was I thinking about, and was my focus where it needed to be, was my game awareness where it needed to be, and if not, what was in the way of that, what was I thinking about, and I think specifically for Setter. Like the feeling of the game and, and awareness of how players are performing, but also feeling and the emotional, obviously volleyball is so emotional, but as a setter, I have to be so in tune with that. And normally for me, the second that I'm not, or if I feel my emotion skyrocket or deplete, I, that's when I usually make. Bad decisions when it really matters. So I think to be a high level volleyball player and to win games, you have to be great at making decisions. And executing in when it really matters. It's like nothing, nothing else matters. It's like, can you do it when it's hard? And then to get better at that, it's like you're do it, like get in, go play for teams where you were winning, really matters get in leagues where. You're not losing all the time where you do have pressure to win. I think that's been all throughout my career. That's been a huge value of mine. I don't want to go to bad teams and bad leagues. I want to play for the best. I'm not going to jump up a league until I feel like I can go and play on a team that has pressure to win because it's hard to get better when you don't have that. And it's hard to learn from losses if you don't have this, um, I guess the expectation that we're a winning team. And so. Yeah, trial and error, and then being really good at, like, processing after a failure. Like, of course we're gonna lose, but where, what was my, it's very easy to blame, of course. Like, oh, if only my, especially as a setter. Well, my hitters didn't score today, nothing I can do about that, you know? But I'm like, no, where, what, did I make the best decisions? Like, until I play a perfect game from the first point to the last, I'm, like, I have a role in the loss too. So, and that's obviously never gonna happen. So. That, um, humility and like processing afterwards, I think is huge.

Jesse 20:36

What do you think? I'm going to jump to the summers a little bit here. You guys on the national team have obviously also come a very long way and are so close to cracking that Olympic spot. Yeah. What's the next step or what's the missing piece or like, what's the one thing that needs to click? Cause it seems like you're right there.

Brie 21:00

Yeah, for sure. Um, I think this last quad was the first time where we consistently performed when it mattered. Obviously there's been glimpses of that in like Quads passed, teams passed, and even for us, like the, our first summer together, this quad, it's like you kind of get this feeling like, whoa, can we do this? And I, I think maybe we can. And then you back that feeling up with a win against a big team and kind of feels like anything's possible. Um, and I think really the next step is like maintaining that, like, we don't want it to be this, we don't want the story to always be like, wow, Canada upsets this team, unbelievable. Like we now, I think I've gotten to the place where it's like, no, those things just happen regularly. We play at the same level as the best teams regularly. Um, we have terrible games very rarely, you know, of course we have them, but it's not like a rollercoaster ride anymore. It doesn't feel like at least to me. Um, and I think just maintaining that, like, obviously we haven't played in like do or die situations. Much where we really felt like we can do this. Of course, we've had Olympic qualifiers where it feels like a long shot or like a miracle needs to happen. And I think the last few years has really felt like, no, we are prepared. We are capable. And if the pressure's really high and the stakes are high, um, but kind of like I was saying before, you need opportunities to play at that level with that kind of pressure to get confidence, like under your belt that We've done this. We have, there's been do or die moments that we've done it. And so that gives confidence for the future. And I think that can't come unless we maintain a certain level. So I really think that we just sort of hit our potential and are really obviously growing. Hopefully there's a lot more, but maintaining that. And, and to the, to the point where we walk into those do or die situations and have. I guess less doubt, less fear than we would have a few years ago, because definitely even in this last Olympic run. Um, we nearly qualified in our, the year previous in the, like, Olympic qualifier tournament. We were, like, it was a one fifth set, two point turn that would have done it. And then, again, obviously we had the Steward I match this year, so, um, we're getting the experience in, in feeling that and what does it look like to play at the level we normally do regardless of the stakes. But I think that's the key is, like, how do we, we gotta back that up now and maintain it so that we. Can be more prepared when those opportunities come up.

Jesse 23:50

That's cool. And Ben always called those battle scars. Like, you know, you can't learn from something unless you've gone through it. And now you have those two years of battle scars and you know what it takes. You know what it's going to feel like, you know what it feels like when you lose and you want to, not that you want to play not to lose, but you know what it's going to feel like if you lose.

Oog 24:10

I kind of just want to jump back a little bit where we were talking about, um, how you like not take, you take ownership for, for setting a perfect game. Um, from obviously you're a very accomplished setter. What in your eyes is like, uh, the best characteristics of good attackers? What makes a good attacker for you? I guess is my

Brie 24:35

great question. Um, I think, I think what separates good attackers from great ones is the ability to cause problems for the other team when in less than ideal situations, like anyone can score with the perfect set. That's not special, you know, what's really special is when I as a setter feel like I can get you a ball That's like far from perfect and still you find a way to at least cause chaos and even better score and I think I think our national team is a great example of that. We are very attacking heavy on our team. And I often feel like I'm throwing up sort of who knows what to my attackers. And yet our side out numbers and transition, like efficiency numbers are just through the roof, better than almost any team in the world on a regular basis. And. That I've played on a lot of teams, obviously. I think that our attackers on Team Canada are exceptional at this. At scoring in difficult situations, in high ball attacks, and there's nothing that can, as a setter, make you feel more confident to set than a player who can make something out of nothing, you know? It's really easy to, um, execute when the situation's perfect and you're, have, you know One blocker in front of you and you're in system. It's like, yeah, that's like baseline. And then all the best attackers in the world have great vision of the block. They have great awareness of the defense that's coming up against them and they find ways to make points in bad situations. And that's, I would say personally, what I value the most in attacker, like, can you deal with the fact that I can't get you a perfect ball every time I'm I want to, I'm trying, but I want to be able to. I have so much trust that I can just chuck it to you when I feel uncertain, when I feel off balance, and you can still do something with it. Um, yeah.

Oog 26:46

That's actually really cool. I had a conversation with one of our setters last week where I went up to him and I was like, Hey man, like, I'm so sorry. Like, I, you were having a bad day and I made you look so bad. I actually went up and I was like, dude, I like, I, it's not my job to make you look worse. It's my job to make you look better. And I think, yeah, that's, that's cool that you're saying that. Cause I think that's a classic e sports sin. It's like, Oh, the set is not good enough.

Jesse 27:15

Oog, were you on the team when, uh, Ben told us that Paul Carroll quote? Probably. He talked about Paul Carroll quite a bit. Well, he said, uh, there's no such thing as a bad set, just bad footwork. Whereas like. If the ball's above the tape, it's your job to figure, like, the setter's not, the setter's already touched the ball. Like, they did the best they could, they're not trying to sewer you, although I think that does happen in pro sometimes, I've heard stories, but for the most part, they're not trying to sewer you, and now it's up to you to get your feet to the ball and make a good decision. Did you ever work with, um,

Oog 27:51

did you ever work with Bruce Edwards at, like, any sort of thing? Uh huh. Always. And this was like, from when I was like 13, the only thing I remember is he always said, you can't comment on a set or set unless you kill the ball. So I think like a lot of the times, like guys come down, they'll hit a ball out and they'll be like on the way down, they're like, yeah, there's a little higher, like a little tighter, you know, like, but Bruce was like, no, you can't say anything unless you kill the ball. And I think that's a great rule because you're just going to go around in circles, chasing each other's tails about. Oh, higher, tighter, looser, whatever. Like, I don't know. Well, let's, let's ask the setters. Tease and Bree, what do you think about that? Well, I really like what, what, what Bree started with when we were talking about playing multiple positions. Like it's a, it's a team effort to make things work. Like you said, Jess, as soon as it leaves the setter's hands, it's like they have no influence on anything. So. They're gonna do the best they can, and then you gotta do the best you can. I feel like it's as simple as that. The problem happens, the pressure on a setter is, like, builds exponentially. I think the more sets you miss, like, in a row, or in a match, and that's one of the things that is, like, frustrating. Tough about setting is how much negative influence you can have on your team as a whole. Um, yeah, like missing a couple sets in a row and like the whole vibe of the team is just dropping slowly, slowly because of you and your inability to, to locate. So that's, that's a weird pressure that's difficult to deal with. What do you think about that Bree?

Jesse 29:33

Oh, I want to, I want to add to that. Sorry. What about the players? Like or the hitters that are it's always the hitters fault like oh my bad my bad. I gotta be here later I gotta be faster. I gotta jump more. I feel like that's just yeah, exactly. That's just as bad, right?

Brie 29:46

Yeah, I have I'm actually on a team right now. I have both of those I have like the whole spectrum on my team and usually you do but um, I obviously there's a fine line because I I think Some setters struggle with feedback from hitters. Personally, I love, I want to be like constantly talking to my hitters. Like I'm like often tell my hitters, you can't say enough, like say more than you think you can, because I want to hear it. And, but that only works with attackers who are self aware and can. And, like, approach is consistent, footwork is consistent, the speed that they want is consistent. If, if the, like, things outside of my set are consistent, then there can be really great dialogue about the ball. And I'm actually fine with, Alexa Gray actually is a great example of this. She is extremely consistent in terms of her approach, footwork, tempo, all of that. And that makes it so easy for us to talk about set location because I know 100 percent without a doubt she will be on time. And if she isn't, she tells me. And that's what So then there can be this like really fine tuning and I, it never annoys me to get feedback from her about a set because I know it's reliable information versus there's players I've played with that are, nothing's consistent. And so it's impossible to please them, you know, and there is no trust in terms of like, you're doing your job. I'm trying to do mine. And so then let's find like the connection. If things are. All over the place in terms of the hitter individually, their, what they're looking at, what their shots they're making, their vision, their approach, their timing. It's, you're, it's impossible, you know, to get on the same page. So, definitely, there's two kinds of, I guess, evil in that sense. Like, too much talking and not owning up. They're like, no, you were on time and that ball was too low and I want to know that. Versus or you can't solve any problems with sets that aren't perfect. Both of those are like really unhelpful. I think

Oog 32:02

yeah, I think One of the one of the tools of a setter is to just take an unbelievable amount of ownership over what happened You just take everything, take all the blame. And then I feel like that just frees up hitters to like, you know, whatever protects their ego a little bit. So then they feel comfortable saying what they could have done, done better. I feel like setting is just kind of, you just eat a lot of crap,

Brie 32:27

which is fine. It's got to go somewhere that like ownership and fortunately for setters is that we don't, that pressure I was talking about before of having to finish the point, having to score the point. We never have that. So. I think we can handle so much more of that because we aren't the ones attacking the ball in the final moment at game point, you know, and all I want is for my hitter to feel as confident in that moment as she possibly can. Everything else doesn't really matter, whether or not the ball was good, it doesn't really matter. I'm just like, can you score when we have game point? And what do you need to feel as confident as you possibly can on days that you're attacking well and days that you're not attacking well? Because we've all seen players attack terribly all game and then make the play at the end. And that's, again, that's all that matters. And I agree that, like, that ownership has to go somewhere. And it is our job as setters, I think, to bear as much of that as we possibly can. And hopefully, in my case, I Either have a great relationship with, uh, someone on the bench or potentially a libero has been that for me of where I can go to sort of be like, Oh man, I'm frustrated about this. I know I'm setting a good ball and whatever. Just kind of get it off my own chest quick. That cannot be. The second I lose my patience with an attacker, we are in bad, bad shape. And I really try and never, ever let on with an attacker. Like, actually, I think that was. You're bad in game training is a completely different thing, but in game, it's just not worth it. Like emotions are too valuable and confidence is too valuable. Um,

Oog 34:07

talking about confidence, um, is your playing style? Like, are you a genuinely confident person? Like, is that your playing style or is that something that you've learned to play? Like,

Brie 34:22

um, I'm naturally a confident person. I would say, uh, definitely translates into volleyball. Yeah. I think every time that I've taken a jump in my career, there's definitely been moments of, whoa, like, am I ready for this? And am I good enough? And is the girl on the other side of the net better than me? Are they better? You know, all those thoughts. Um, I can, like, easily pinpoint times or games or moments where I've thought that. I think my path from thinking that to working my way to believing, like, no, actually, I'm, like, 100 percent capable and I'm ready for this. That is, um, It's probably easier for me than the average. I think it's always been that way. I've always found it like I can get there pretty quick and, and sometimes that takes a whole set or two sets, honestly, and, and it affects, absolutely affects my game. If I'm feeling a lack of confidence in my ability to set the situation that I'm in well, I set worse always. And I don't, maybe that's a sign of my own mental. weakness, but I think I'm not great at that because I actually don't struggle with that that much. So when I do, I'm like, this is, this is impossible to like overcome. But I think, especially on the court now that I've reached a level where I do, I very rarely don't feel confident, but I can remember even our Olympic qualifier. There's moments of like, I really hope I'm good enough for this because it's really going to matter if I'm not. And. Even, I remember in our game against the Netherlands when we lost, there was a set, I can, like, remember the moment I set a ball low, I think, to whoever was in position four. And I remember thinking at the end of that point, like, if I do that too many times this game, we're gonna lose, like, and I can't, I'm, I can't do that, you know? And obviously that's a very specific situation where it, the pressure is really high, points did really, really matter, that's not the reality of volleyball for the most part. Part when you're playing a long overseas season. But in that moment, I remember thinking, I literally went to the bench and talked to our setting coach Vinny. And I was like, like, that didn't feel good. Like, I, I feel a bit like, um, nervous, but if that happens too many times, this isn't going to be good. And I remember him saying, you're a hundred percent ready for this. You have everything you need go do what you do every single day. And I went back onto the court. Reminding myself of that, like, I don't have to do anything special. I miss sets in practice too. And that that's, it's going to happen. Just go do, do what you do all the time. And I think that it was a quick sort of turnaround, but those moments come up for sure. Um, how fast can you get back to feeling like shoulders back, head high is what's going to help, I guess.

Jesse 37:23

Well, yeah. And you, and you didn't forget how to set a ball to position four. Yeah. Like that's one of the biggest things, the biggest thoughts that gave me a lot of freedom, especially this year. I didn't forget how to pass a float serve. Yeah. It didn't just go away after 20 years, whatever.

Oog 37:41

I heard a quote the other day that kind of relates to this and it was, uh, the difference between nervousness and excitement is preparation. And this came from, it was a public speaker, um, guy. So that makes sense. If you're going to give a presentation, you're not going to be, you're going to be nervous about it. If you haven't practiced enough times, you're going to be excited about it. If you've practiced it a thousand times and you know, like the back of your hand, I think the same thing can apply to. Those high pressure moments. And like you're saying, just getting back to what you do every single day. And I think that shows like the value of, of training well every day, because Ben Jo again, used to say, there's no such thing as a gamer. Some people just try to show up on game day and play at this elite level that they have never, never seen before. The expectations are so high for games, they don't train well every day. Um, so I think, yeah, it all kind of relates.

Brie 38:38

I totally agree. And I think even, I don't know how many young setters are listening to this podcast right now, but I think millions

Jesse 38:48

all around the world.

Brie 38:51

I think a question I often get when I meet young players and setters specifically is how do I feel more confident in a game? And I really think like what's helped me is exactly what you're saying. Training like every day matters because if you train half heartedly and you get to a game, there's no confidence that I know the level I can play at. I know what I do every day is exactly what I'm gonna do today. You have to build that confidence. Where else is it gonna come from? And then secondly, it's so important. We play a team sport normally with several staff members, always with people on the bench. I'm like, use it like you're not alone. You can have a go to person or player or whatever it is that when you feel a lack of confidence, go to them and tell them that, and then get it out of your system. And hopefully you have a relationship with someone that you believe them and what they say matters to you. And them saying to you, like, you got that go do your thing. That should, that should really mean something, you know? And if it doesn't, then find someone who it will, because I think I always find it so funny. I'm like, when people are like, Oh, I was just in my head that whole game. I'm like, what do you mean? Like we have 15 people around you, like get up. You, that's not an option. You can't stay in your head. If you want to play team sport and you want to be at your best for a match, letting things fester in your head on your own is just not an option, I think. And that has. Always been a very important thing for me. Like as soon as I'm feeling something, I'm like, get it out and listen to someone who you care about their opinion. And then get back on the court with a fresh, like a fresh slate, because otherwise all of a sudden a set's gone by and then a whole match has gone by. And you're like, I didn't really feel. Great. The whole time it's like, well, we, we don't have to do it alone. You know, you're not in your head on your own playing tennis, you know? And like, I don't even want to think about how hard that would be. Like we've got way better. Like, yes, there's of course pros and cons, but a huge pros that you've got support around you all the time.

Oog 40:59

That's one of the things that I'm trying to agree point. Yeah. That's elite figure out this year, like red shirting. I think I have a weird opportunity to just like, like I'm not a confident player. I've never, never been like, but now that I'm new school, new team, I'm trying to like convince myself that I'm a good player. And I think that that like, just like, yeah, talking to people and just being like, yeah, today I'm just going to, I don't know, try and convince myself that I can hit this ball. You know? I don't know. Like it's, I think it is like 50, 60 percent mental. And then the rest of it is how, how well can you rely on other people? Like,

Brie 41:41

that's

Oog 41:41

a great point.

Brie 41:42

What got you, like, you're on that team, I don't even know where you play right now, but you're on that team because, for a reason, you know, like, no one just randomly drops onto a team and randomly, like, probably if you're in a moment and you're on the court, you're ready for it, you know, and someone chose you to be there, somebody, a coach put you on the court to play, I'm like, find, like, I guess, Own it a bit, you know, like this isn't an accident. I'm here and, and I've had to learn this. I really have, especially with international volleyball, where I have felt most of my career, like, what am I doing here? Like, I know these players on the other side of the court, and it's, I'm, I feel like a child compared to them, especially in terms of volleyball. But there is, I really have had to learn, like, no, I'm here. I'm ready. I'm ready. Exactly where I'm supposed to be, and it's not just, I haven't decided to be in this situation myself, so, like, shoulders back, head up, like, go do your thing, and no, I'm not gonna be the same player as these legends are across the net, I'm not gonna be able to do what they're gonna do, but I can, I'm gonna go and be, agree to her full potential, like, what she does every day, and, at the day, that's all you can do, you know, so.

Jesse 43:01

But also like, I think coaches will put you on the floor for a reason. And it's not always about volleyball. Yeah. Right. Like for an example, we were playing a game and our starting opposite was injured. So we were playing our second opposite and he decided to put in our second libero because. He was better at calming our second opposites nerves. Like he knew that they were closer and that sounds like it's you're on the floor for a reason. It's not always to get the big kill or to serve the aces. It's to help the team. Like you said, it's a team sport. So I think that's a really, really cool perspective. Yeah. Should we move into rapid fire questions? Yeah, let's give it a shot.

Oog 43:37

Okay. go to rapid fire questions with Oog. Um, Bri, what's your go to pregame song?

Brie 43:46

Oh, um, I really love Hardy, specifically pregame music. All like he has got some country, he's got some like hard rock, and I gear towards those before a game.

Oog 44:06

Beautiful. Um, do you have any specific songs from Hardy?

Brie 44:12

Like Uh, truck bed, perhaps. Ah, nice.

Oog 44:17

My, uh, my PR song in the weight room is 30 06.

Brie 44:21

Oh, that's sick. Good one. That's a good

Oog 44:23

one. Yeah. Um, hey, uh, when coming back to Canada after playing pro, what's the first Canadian food item you're most excited to eat?

Brie 44:31

Ooh, my mom, like a homemade dinner from my mom, definitely. I'm not a good cook. Nice. I don't feel like I ever get like a hearty, warm, like, mom's food, obviously, when I'm away. So that.

Oog 44:46

Nice. Yeah, that's, that's great. Um, other than volleyball, and obviously music, what is, do you have any other hobbies that No one really knows about.

Brie 44:57

Oh, um, I've loved the beach. I live in Rio, so that's a big hobby. I would say. I'm like, I'm really, I'm such a beach guy. I love volleyball, but I'm really not like obsessed with volleyball. So I think balance is very important for me. I'm a terrible volleyball player when I don't have time to like, just be a human. And in general, I have like a church in Rio, very plugged in. They're always kind of like around there with people, kids, love scene kids, you know, things that fill the tank instead of volleyball all the time. You know,

Oog 45:37

yeah, I get that. Like

Brie 45:39

imagine doing a volleyball podcast, like,

Oog 45:43

I know,

Jesse 45:46

and on Sunday, our day off.

Oog 45:50

Yeah. 10 52 on a Sunday. Dang. okay. My last two questions. Um, what are your favorite playing shoes that you've ever worn?

Brie 45:58

Oh, well I'm sponsored by Mizuno. So obviously Mizuno, way flank. But you have to say

Oog 46:06

that, right? Yeah, how much are they paying you to say that? I do love them. I'm really, I'm the least

Brie 46:12

picky shoe person for volleyball. I'm like, give me the, I'm basically, I'm like, give me a tennis shoe. That's what I want. Like, light, small. I spend most of my time running around. So, I don't need support. I don't need color. Just, you know. I don't really care honestly.

Oog 46:28

Just white and tiny runners. Nice. Um, last one is if you had to play an individual sport, what sport would you pick?

Brie 46:38

Easy tennis. I love tennis.

Oog 46:41

I

Brie 46:41

am not good at tennis, but I love tennis. Nadal, I mean, so good.

Oog 46:48

And that concludes rapid fire questions with Doug. Nice. Hell yeah. Yeah. Well, I feel like we should chat about music a little bit.

Brie 46:59

Fun.

Oog 47:00

Because, uh, yeah, we had, we had Kofi on last episode and it was like really interesting to hear. He's basically living two lives at an elite level.

Brie 47:12

And some

Oog 47:12

of the stories from his time recording in LA and stuff and hanging out with Drake and LeBron James and Max Verstappen was ridiculous. So basically, what, uh, like, what, what is music for you? Is it something that you would want to do after volleyball? Or is it just a pastime for fun? Or like, yeah, I

Brie 47:35

think I have always like played music saying I always loved it. I think in the last, like, five years, I definitely have been writing more music than I did when I was younger. And I think probably realized like, Oh, I can do this. I don't know how I don't I couldn't teach you how I've never really learned anything. I just, I think it's just kind of in me and just naturally comes out. It helps me process and just like, It's a really fun, creative outlet for me. Um, I think when I first was writing, I kind of was like, maybe this could be fun to pursue. And like, The thought of touring and recording and all of that sounds really, really fun to me. Um, I think especially in the last year or two, um, I think my, I've obviously gained this like following, I have a bit of a name in the volleyball world specifically, and as I've experienced that, I've just sort of simultaneously experienced. drastically less desire to be known and to be in any way famous or have like that public, I guess, recognition. And so I felt sort of my desire to really pursue music kind of dropped because of that. Um, and I think that's a result of just like The way I, I think it really did like fire me up for my first couple years of pro and stuff like this is so exciting to be known and popular and I want that more and more and more and as I've grown up as just a human but also I think kind of like Figured out faith and, and God and like, okay, what is this? What is the most fulfilling way to live my life as Brie? Like who is in the public eye, who is playing volleyball at a high level, who has this music thing going on? Like, what is the best way to do it? And that's going to lead to the most like lasting. impact, I guess. And I'm not really sure. I haven't really landed somewhere. I currently, I just sort of feel like I just want to live a really simple life. I want to be out of the public eye. I don't, there's just a lot of inevitable negative that comes with like popularity that it's just really hard. I think when we're young, especially to like fight against that. And so my current demeanor towards it is sort of like, I just don't, the less people that know my name, the better is kind of how I feel. That being said, I do think I have a natural God given ability to play volleyball and to write music. And so I don't want to waste that. And so I think after volleyball, I could definitely imagine myself writing more. I love writing and I find it comes really easily. And I'm, there's a lot of like pathways you can take to write professionally and to make money off of it and hopefully to impact people from it. So, it's really a super side hobby right now. I'm just writing about my life and like exciting things in my life and things I'm processing and about other people in my life. And then, maybe one day that will become something, but I don't feel like I have the like big desire to like You know, let's get my name and my music out there. It's really just like, ah, something small on the side, I guess for now.

Oog 51:01

Yeah, that's cool. I like hearing that. It's really interesting about the, the popularity thing too, because that is so big these days. I feel like that's the new social currency is like followers and views and all that stuff, but I think like most people, I would say. Would rather not, but it's just kind of the standard these days is, is to, to be big,

Brie 51:31

bigger than you

Oog 51:32

are,

Brie 51:33

make money too. It's like a real thing. And it's, I'm definitely not saying it's always a bad thing. I think there's definitely people that handle that really well. I personally don't think that it, I handle it well, and I don't like. When I'm in this mindset, which I have been in the past of like, this matters, this feels good. I like the attention. I'm like, I'm not who I want to be. And so An easy way to kind of get rid of a lot of that was I'm like, I'm not going to use Instagram anymore. I'm like, that's the only real social media I was using. And it did matter to me about like interaction and just activity in general on that. And I'm like, I don't, I don't know. I want to, I don't want that to matter. And I don't, it's really hard to just be like, I'm not going to let that affect me. Even though you're letting it in all the time. It's like, I don't know. I want to be like, really live a very content life. And. I think that's easiest to do when I'm like just present and like taking care of things that matter versus that, that whole world, I guess.

Oog 52:39

Hmm. That's cool. I also want to know, like, I don't know, you've done a lot in volleyball. Yeah. Had an amazing career. Why continue to play or why stop playing? Yeah. We've had a lot of guys that are just on the edge of almost retirement come on. So

Brie 52:56

it's

Oog 52:56

always interesting to hear. Great

Brie 52:58

question. I. Yeah. So it's, I, I've definitely started every time there's an end of a quad, you kind of just start, you get kind of existential and it's like, what, what's coming, what's after volleyball. And I think this Olympic run, especially after it finished for me, it was like a big, I did feel a shift in like, okay, I'm about to be 27. I'm not, I I'm well into my career now. I might have a few more years left in me. Um, but do I want, it's sort of this, like, is it worth the sacrifice of being away from home to keep playing and making money? Like you always have to ask yourself that. And I think in the middle of an Olympic run, it's like a no brainer. And I've definitely, I guess the started the process of like, what does life look like after volleyball and. Do I feel content with what I've done? accomplished or experienced? And I think that answer is yes. Like I, by no, I don't think I'm done. Um, I don't, I think there's, I still have stuff left in the tank, but I really do think that if I never touched a volleyball again, I would feel content with what has happened, what level I've played at, what kind of player I am right now, what I've experienced. I really don't have this like, but I have to do this or that before I'm done. I don't feel like that. Um, I can absolutely imagine life after volleyball, which to answer your question, I'm like, Dream life is like live in the middle of nowhere and have a farm and horses and animals and near my family, like my whole family lives really close by each other. I'm like, I miss being a part of that life, being part of their kids lives. Like, I really, I want to, you know, have kids be a mom and, and hopefully, right. Hopefully have a big, beautiful room with a big piano and write music on the side. And. You know, like basically the opposite of what I'm living right now in Rio. Like, I just really crave like simplicity and normal. Um, and just like rhythms, you know, like week to week and like be connected with community near home and just in a, in a local church in like, uh, you know, with my friends in the same city, like just that sort of. Simplicity. I'm that's like my dream life. I'd love to be involved in some sort of volleyball, like coaching, or I imagined being in a high school setting of some sort of teaching, maybe counseling, like that's my, all my degrees and all that. So that's kind of what I'm. Excited for and imagine.

Oog 55:35

well, the pro life is quite long. Is that a correct term? Yeah. Nomadic. You kind of wander around. You end up in a different place all the time. Not much schedule. Everything is foreign pretty much year round. Um, except for one year for you. You got to play close to home down in the States with Athletes Unlimited. Um, how was that experience compared to your other years?

Brie 56:04

Yes. I am definitely a homebody. And so that part of pro life has always been difficult with me. It's a big reason why I've been in Brazil now for three years. Just like feeling a sense of home community life outside of volleyball. It's all very hard to get that when you're in new cities every year. My year in the U S was amazing. I, it was like a two or three month long season. So very short, um, completely different. It didn't feel like work. It was like. Such a joy every day I was with mostly american girls playing with american coaches in an american city Like living a very normal life. Um, it was during the pandemic so there was like weird things but for the most part it was just like I don't know, it reminded me of Trinity in a lot of ways. Like just, uh, we're all working really hard. We want to be the best we can be. There was this added element of the better you did in the league, the more money you made. So there was a very big urgency that everyone wanted to succeed and be the best they could be. Well, at the end of the day, it was such like, it really felt like a family. Like they made, they like created this league that was kind of centered on connection. Like there was all week, there was all these events and like meetings where you just get to know each other, grow, learn things, there was like tax seminars and life after volleyball seminars, like just like so all encompassing, not just what you experience a lot overseas where it's like, you're here to play volleyball. And if you don't. All you have to do is win, perform, and if you don't, you're a failure, and if you do, great, like, and so, it was amazing, and definitely, there's, there's several leagues now starting in the US, I can absolutely see myself hopefully getting another opportunity to play in them, um, it kind of just blows open the door of like, What's possible as a professional female athlete, like until now, if you wanted to play high level volleyball, you must go overseas. Right. And it's just a completely different thing you're signing up for to say, I'm going to go play right next door, you know, in the U S versus. You know, in the same time zone as your family is, one flight away, you could go home on weekends, and like, it's just a completely different thing than shipping you off for eight months with no breaks in a foreign country with, in a completely different time zone. Like, so, I'm really excited about that. It's, I think, an amazing thing for, obviously, Americans, but Canadians as well. Just, hopefully, opportunities just, you know. Keep coming in that way. I really hope I want to get back there for sure

Jesse 58:51

For the people at home that might not know what it was. Can you talk a little bit about the rafts and how that worked and then also like I'm curious about the pressures that came with that because there was a couple weeks or one week where you were a captain, right?

Brie 59:06

Yes It was wild. So there was like 44 athletes, I think four teams every week. Um But it's just one big pool of athletes And then based on your individual stats from the games, you would get ranked in this big point system that was like, somehow came, someone came up with it. You know, okay. I'd get five points for a day, 10 points for a block, one point for an assist, eight points for an, uh, kill all this huge system would rank us all. And then whoever's in the top four seeds became captains for the week of games. And we had a live draft every week where they would go through and one by one, like, like any draft pick a team for that week um, which was insane like Just such a different experience obviously playing with different people every week was wild But also this feeling of like, okay, I hope i'm, you know Someone's getting picked last, you know, and that's not fun. Um, and we're all a bunch of girls so there's just a lot of like There's just so many elements to it and I fortunately had, I guess, I felt like I was at a point in my career at that point where I was like, no, I do, I had a lot of confidence. I felt like I could bring something to the table. So I didn't struggle so much with like, I guess, but there was, it was hard. Like you really, it was like, someone's putting that, like, these girls are choosing how valuable I am every week, just my peers. So, and everyone's going through it together. So. There was definitely a different kind of pressure being a captain. Also, I felt so bad. I'm like my last couple of round of picks. I'm like, they're, they're jumping into the group. I'm like, I just want you to know, like you are just as valuable, but this is why, like the strategy of the time and everything, like, like nobody wants that. So yeah, it was wild. It's still, still going on and still like super successful. Um, but yeah, very different. Just culture in general that whole week because we were if every team was switching up all that all the time and you're competing Individually, but then you got to get points together as a team just wild really wild.

Oog 1:01:23

Yeah, well, that's ridiculous. Yeah, this sounds fun though.

Brie 1:01:27

It was

Oog 1:01:30

Fantasy football to like a whole nother level. It's not like it's like actual people.

Brie 1:01:35

No kidding

Oog 1:01:37

Um, okay, we have a question from a listener here. Um, uh, what has been your favorite Pro Volleyball experience?

Brie 1:01:48

Um, the first thing that comes to mind is my first year in Germany. I very randomly, luckily got on a great team in my first season. I was very lucky. Very underqualified. And then we had a hard up and down year, but we made it to the final of the German cup and we were playing against a monster team that should have definitely walked over us. And we won in five, 16, 14 in the fifth set. And it was in this. stadium with like 20, 000 people and there was fireworks and like, it was insane. It was, I was literally like, I was in shock. I did not know this existed in the world coming from little Trinity. Um, so that was, when I think about like my favorite game or favorite moment that always, that felt like really. Like, this is so cool that I get to be on the court right now and all these people care about this game. Um, very fun.

Oog 1:02:50

Okay, well, this one's not from a listener, but I want to know what's been the low point of your career because everyone's going to have those and what, what did you learn from that? What, what would you tell people that maybe are feeling like they're in a trough?

Brie 1:03:11

A lot, a lot of different ones come to mind. Um, it's hard, you know, living away from home and experiencing Wins, hopefully, but also a lot of losses and especially as a foreign setter, there's always a lot of pressure, like a lot of responsibility. Like if we're winning, it's great. And if we're losing, typically it's largely my fault. So, and at least that's what it's expressed. So I remember I could very easily pinpoint a moment in each of my careers overseas where I felt like we're losing games we shouldn't be losing and I am holding that. responsibility. And maybe that was being communicated to me, or maybe it wasn't, um, but I was feeling it. And this, the low, low moments for me are when it's like, you're not, the team's not performing, and you're a big part of that team, you don't speak the language, As well as you would like to, and it's hard to problem solve and really connect with players on a deep level where you can't completely get there in terms of like vocabulary and stuff. And then on top of that, you're like, the people that I really need to like, fill me back up and support me are all back home. Um, and I think, so I could give you like, I literally could think of a moment in every season. It's always the same. Usually it's one moment. Usually it's right after Christmas. It's like, you just got to see your family and then you got this second half that just, like, feels long. And normally, personally, what I've done is A, find a way to connect with your teammates. Like, especially if you're overseas. But this totally applies to, like, athletes in Canada or wherever, too. Again, volleyball is so emotional, if you're not connected emotionally as a team, especially girls, I think, I don't know exactly what it's like for men, I'm like, it's very hard to perform well together, so that usually means for me, go and have the one on one conversation with the player that you're struggling to connect with, or, or struggling to relate to on the court, or it just feels kind of like, it doesn't feel good, you know, I don't feel like I know what to say to you, I feel like you're mad at me, whatever it is, And dig in. And if that means getting someone to translate for you, I've done that. Like, and it's not fun. It's like, this feels like my job is just to play. And now I'm having to like, you know, really invest here, but it's not going to be enjoyable. You're not going to be able to perform if you feel like there's a lack of like connection, especially emotionally, I think. So that's been something I'm like, go and have the hard conversation. You have to. And then second is like. It fills you up, you know, like usually when that's happening, it's because Personally, I'm just depleted. You know, my like battery is low and usually it's when for me, I've just been, it's just been practice, practice, practice, games, games, games, nothing else I'm like, go and schedule in time with a friend in wherever you are, or a family member who's completely out of volleyball and go and like fill yourself up with something that doesn't, that's nothing to do with volleyball. Like. It's so easy for us to be like, this matters so more than anything in life. And when, so then when Bible's not going well, then it really affects you, you know, and it has affected me, but I think kind of stepping away and like, okay, for me, maybe it's writing, maybe it's. church, maybe it's friends, family, whatever, and like get out of the like little bubble of libel and remember that like, okay, at the end of the day, this is a job or it's a game or it's whatever a role on a school team, whatever it is. And it's not as big of a deal as you think it is, or it feels like it is, you know, and if, if you're don't have that balance, I think it's really hard to play your best. Like no one is able to perform their best when it's like, You and your ability to play volleyball is the most important thing in your life. It's like, that's not how we're made to be, you know? And I really think that balance and getting kind of that perspective, bigger picture, is really important.

Oog 1:07:41

I agree. We, Graham Vygash brought that, brought that up in his episode. Just the realization that it doesn't matter is freeing. is worth focusing on. And then the other day, I thought it's, it's a privilege that it doesn't matter. Because for some people, it does. In some countries, these people's lives and their family's lives depend on them scoring more points and winning games and getting a better contract. And so for them, it really does matter. So it's a privilege that we get to play this game because we have the choice. And we want to

Brie 1:08:21

totally

Oog 1:08:22

Um, last question. Before we shut her down, what would be your advice to yourself back in the day, maybe going through club or university, knowing what you know now about volleyball or about life?

Brie 1:08:41

Great question. Um, lots of things. One, about volleyball, I would say, I would just tell myself like, Bree, there's so much more than you think there is out there. I didn't even know what pro was. I never watched a game a higher level than this. You sports, like I had no clue. And so I kind of was like, yeah, I'm pretty good. You know, what, what's there, what else is there? And just sort of like, I think that would have humbled me out a bit. I think I definitely had a level of arrogance about me and my game when I was younger, that just is like, so embarrassing now, like, like how pathetic. Um, so I think I would just tell myself like, there's so much more that you can. Like experience and learn if you just like. knew what was out there. Um, and then I think in, in life, and this really pertains to volleyball, um, when I first started playing pro, I think I really had this sort of like, whatever, it's going to be fun and I don't need anything. I'll be just fine out there on my own. And I definitely like found myself just sort of like, who am I? And like losing My just perspective in life, like it just all became about volleyball and being the best and getting the best and making the most. And, and I think a big part of that was, I lost this sort of like growing up in Langley, Trinity, all that, like you have this support and this community around you. That's like really like reminds you who you are, you know, what matters. And then you go out on your own in a foreign country. And so like, this is a whole new world. Like I can be whoever I want to be here. And, and you lose that, like, I guess that foundation a bit. And I think if I could go back, I would say either you got to find that where you are, which is what I've done now here in Rio, like go find that support outside of volleyball, find those people that you can really trust that, that will remind you who you are and who you want to be, regardless of the ups and downs of volleyball. Or you got to fight to stay really connected to that, like on your own, like go, go find a church in Germany, wherever you are, like, be, I would just be a bit more proactive with like, what really matters and. If I could like send myself to go play pro and be like, it's going to be hard to like, really stick to that much harder than, you know, when you're living in the Trinity bubble and just everyone around you is amazing and like supportive all the time. Like that's such a dream for like a young person. It's much harder to go out on your own when you're 20 and try and figure that out all on your own. Um, I think I could have done that quicker for sure.

Jesse 1:11:37

That's interesting what you said about the exposing yourself to higher level of volleyball earlier. Cause I think you're like the fourth or fifth guest to say that. I think we've only had six guests. We got to solve this problem, fellas.

Brie 1:11:53

Well, you guys are part of the solution with all this. It's amazing.

Jesse 1:11:56

Maybe we can host like watch parties or something.

Oog 1:11:58

We just got to get like a countrywide volumetrics network that anyone can hop onto.

Brie 1:12:04

Seriously. For

Oog 1:12:04

free. It's a free volumetrics network.

Brie 1:12:08

Game of the week. Here you go.

Oog 1:12:10

It's really interesting though because everyone we talked to is an elite person. World class volleyball player and none of them watched volleyball when they were growing up. So that's

Jesse 1:12:19

a really good point. I don't know. You gotta find someone who fizzled

Oog 1:12:22

out at like 19, 20. Yeah. Yeah.

Jesse 1:12:25

How much volleyball

Oog 1:12:25

did you watch? I watched tons. And a insane amount of volleyball growing up like full matches on YouTube on mom's computer like multiple times through two and a half hours. And what did you do? Washed up at 23. What else did you do? Washed up. Alrighty, yeah, that was, that was awesome, Bri. Thanks. Uh, thanks for coming on.

Brie 1:12:53

Yeah, of course. Thanks for having me. What a pleasure. Feel honored. Six guests and I'm one of them.

Oog 1:12:59

Absolutely. First female guest also.

Brie 1:13:02

Oh

Oog 1:13:02

yeah. So that's, that's huge.

Brie 1:13:05

This is so fun. Thanks guys. It's nice to see all of your faces. What a treat.

Oog 1:13:09

All right. I think that wraps up episode number 23 of the Pits Pro Podcast. Thanks everyone for listening. Signing off. Woo hoo.

1:13:21

Thanks everyone for listening to the Pit to Pro podcast. Give us a follow on Instagram and submit your questions to the link in our bio. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone you think will like it and subscribe to our show on Spotify and Apple podcasts.