Gracie & Savi Simo on Pro Beach Volleyball, Battling Anxiety, & Paying to Play

In this episode of Athletes After Hours, I sit down with professional beach volleyball player and collegiate national champion Savi Simo for an honest look at what it really takes to compete at the highest level. Savi opens up about her struggles with mental health, competing in both indoor and beach volleyball at UCLA, the pressure and stress that came with competing for a championship program, and the harsh realities behind an experience that can look picture-perfect from the outside.

We also dive into what happens after college, including the financial realities of pursuing a career in professional beach volleyball, the pressure of funding your own athletic career, and just how difficult it can be to keep chasing the dream when there isn’t always a clear path or guaranteed paycheck. Savi shares what she’s learned about finding the right partner on the court, why having someone who genuinely believes in and supports you can make all the difference, and what it’s like being married to another professional volleyball player who understands the highs, lows, sacrifices, and demands of the sport firsthand.

From national championships to navigating life as a professional athlete, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the parts of elite sports we don’t always get to see.

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