Alisha Childress: Olympic Truths, Penn State Dynasty & Building LA Thunder

It's official! GRIT is expanding into the indoor volleyball world, and we're kicking things off with none other than Alisha Childress - three-time NCAA National Champion, Olympic bronze medalist, and the new head coach of the Los Angeles Thunder in Major League Volleyball (MLV).

Host Victoria Dennis sits down with one of the most accomplished setters in American volleyball history for an in-depth conversation about her journey through every level of the sport.

From orchestrating the offense during Penn State's historic NCAA dynasty to representing Team USA on the Olympic stage, Alisha opens up about the realities of competing at the highest level, the lessons learned along the way, and how motherhood has reshaped her perspective as both an athlete and a coach.

Now, she's taking on a new challenge: building the Los Angeles Thunder from the ground up. Alisha shares her vision for the franchise, her approach to developing a winning culture, and what it will take to establish professional women's volleyball in one of the country's biggest sports markets.

**A conversation about championships, identity, motherhood, leadership, and the next chapter of professional volleyball.**

Welcome to a new era of GRIT!

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Hosted by Victoria Dennis, GRIT dives into the stories, strategy, and personalities shaping the world of indoor and beach volleyball. Episodes feature Olympic medalists, NCAA champions, collegiate coaches, and top professional athletes, alongside the latest news, highlights from USAV and AAU Junior Nationals, and exclusive insights from Major League Volleyball (MLV), the Beach Pro Tour, and the AVP.

From the hardwood to the sand, GRIT breaks down the game with expert analysis, behind-the-scenes access, and authentic conversations that go beyond the scoreboard — spotlighting the athletes, coaches, teams, and culture driving volleyball forward at every level.

Broadcast from Manhattan Beach Studios, in the heart of Southern California's volleyball community, GRIT is your go-to destination for exclusive interviews, bold predictions, and everything happening across the indoor and beach volleyball worlds.