Dear Beach Volleyball

On this first ever World Volleyball Day, July 7, 2025, I want to share a little part of my personal story about beach volleyball.

 Ich weiß nicht, warum, aber dieser Text ging mir auf Deutsch überhaupt nicht von der Hand, daher habe ich ihn auf Englisch geschrieben.

„Who am I to write about beach volleyball?“
I asked myself that question over and over again. I am no pro, no coach, no graduated psychologist. I am just a girl who fell in love with this sport a long time ago. And even that love wasn’t sustainable. My emotions concerning the game curved from highest highs to lowest lows. I experienced deep suffer, defiance and anger same as joy, success and euphoria. Playing beach volleyball brings out the best in me and the worst. In this microcosm, we experience all kinds of emotional waves in a packed way. We meet people with different views, we are facing our own shadows and sometimes we shy away from the bright shiny version of ourselves.

I felt like an intruder

For a long time, I denied the fact, that beach volleyball was playing a big role in my life. I always stressed the argument, that I had many more interests. I didn’t want to identify too much with this sport. I felt inadequate, because I hadn’t accomplished something great like being an outstanding player or whatsoever. Even when I was a successful sports reporter, I felt as if I did not own my place there. I did not feel not associated, more like an intruder, who was bothering people to write articles. 

Working as a journalist, I never really felt invited (with the exception of some rare interviews where magic sparkled) and most of the time I couldn’t communicate in the kind and loving way, which feels natural to me and which I am here to present to the world. One day, I realized that a writer does not have to be a journalist. Honestly, for a long time, that has been the same to me.

Beach volleyball fulfilled two of my lifelong dreams

When I managed to dive deep into my shadows and gifts, I finally recognized, that beach volleyball and as well volleyball guided me all my way. Everything I am and where I am now is leading in some way back to the game: When I was a ten year old girl with purply glasses and pigtails, who just learned how to handle the ball, I had no idea, that I would discover long term loving relationships through volleyball and that almost my whole circle of friends would be rooted in the game.

I didn’t know, that beach volleyball would support my career as a sports journalist so much, meeting two lifelong dreams: An accreditation for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and writing my first book about the venue „Beachmitte“ where my lovestory with beach volleyball began. I couldn’t imagine, that the sandy sport would guide me to the tools of deep personal development, helping me to live out my passion for mental coaching and spirituality. But maybe, my younger self already knew it and it was just the older version of me, who had almost forgotten all about it.

Don´t hold back

Every article I write on this page is declaration of love to beach volleyball and even more to it’s readers. The words want to be your little helper on and off court, when you feel stuck or just want to bury your head into the sand. This page wants nothing more than encouraging you to live out the highest vibration of yourself, your true self. Be passionate. Be open hearted. Have joy. And don´t hold back!