Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Hendrickson.
Hi Laura, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Weekends with Dad were always adventurous and often included days at the beach. Occasionally, we’d go to the beach and play beach volleyball. Dad always wanted me to be the best, so he’d show me how to pass, set, and spike the ball. I loved it!
When my junior high decided to put a volleyball team together, I joined of course and it all began! Luckily, I was able to join many teams for indoor 6-on-6 volleyball, play club, and eventually in college. Some highlights included winning High School CIF Championships at Torrey Pines HS, California State Championships at Cuesta Junior College, and getting an All-American status. Indoor professional volleyball for women was a thing, but unfortunately short-lived.
Once I was at college, the beach called me back to play in the sand. I was a maniac and played all day at times! This supported my indoor talents and as I gained momentum I finally moved back to San Diego and played professional beach volleyball with the women’s league call the WPVA (Women’s Professional Volleyball Association). During the 3 years that I played professionally, I would drive to Los Angeles to train with high-level coaches like Dane Selnick and Anna Collier (USC). One day as we rested after our training session, there were some older gentlemen playing across the boardwalk. One shouted out, “Hey George, Happy 80th Birthday!” THIS is what really got me. From that moment on, I have the inspiration to play beach volleyball until I’m 80 years old.
THIS is where the concept of “Life of Volleyball” has arrived. It’s not only a community, it’s a driving force to play and grow the game. It’s a place to find places to play volleyball, people to play volleyball with, get training tips, and learn how to have longevity in your body and in the game.
We are currently on startup mode with a lot of buzz in the background. We are excited about the future and building this amazing tribe of volleyball enthusiasts all over the world. Join us!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The Road Less Traveled is one of my all-time favorite books and for me life has been a tapestry of adventure. Being independent has its drawbacks, and ultimately, it’s been a journey of clarity.
Freedom, independence, and that feeling of being able to do anything at any time is exciting, but the reality is that we are all here in this world together and independently, we just can’t accomplish as much as we think unless we do it together. I’ve explored my creativity and sense of adventure by trying to do many things at once on my own. To my detriment, this has spread my energy thin and as the years have gone by, the idea of mastering one thing has alluded me. Luckily, just playing volleyball has allowed me to be healthy and always have friends and a sense of peace, so any day that I get to play beach volleyball is a good day!
Now that I’ve made the decision to focus on Life of Volleyball, ironically, people and things just seem to fall into place magically! It seems whenever I meditate, visualize, and write down what I want, people and things show up and manifest… I am truly blessed and relish in the faith that life is special and I feel supported and honored to accept these opportunities.
We are just starting on this road, but every day we gather momentum and widen the path, it’s clear that we will allow so many follow along and enjoy the fruits of this labor of love and a fulfilling life of volleyball.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What do I do? Being an artist at the core of my being, I love to create and build! My grandmother was an avid watercolorist and I would visit her every summer for a week. We loved to paint in the back yard, at the park or lagoon, and enjoy the sites, music, and festivities in Santa Barbara. In school, art was always a fun Friday activity and they even taught sewing.
Art shifted to Graphic Design for my college education and I’ve dedicated most of my life to creating brands, websites, and a whole realm of designs for business, collateral, and marketing. With technology moving fast, getting online was the thing to do and of course, the programs, platforms, and social components have enhanced digital art to a whole new level.
I just love to create and design… this may include any form from event and t-shirt graphics to painting, designing landscapes, creating and sewing costumes, cooking to collaborating with sponsors and building events, themed parties, and the ultimate of designing whole areas of the beach with master plans for community and celebration!
There is a book called Skills Finder. Visionary, Commander & Learning are amongst the gifts I’ve been given. Learning the game of beach volleyball and doing graphics and designs are my specialties! In fact, we are pushing out amazing volleyball designs as we speak for great apparel and other volleyball gear.
What am I known for?
Beautiful blue eyes, my non-profit, San Diego Beach Improvement Group, and the BIG Kahuna Beachfest.
What am I most proud of?
Raising 4 amazing daughters, maintaining the beach volleyball courts at South Mission Beach through my non-profit for 20 years, getting my AAA and 2 ninth places at the professional level playing beach volleyball, and designing the first volleyball sarong.
What sets me apart from others?
I create magic. I’m fearless when it comes to talking to people. When I create designs for large areas, I’m able to be inclusive with the knowledge and understanding of the values of mother earth and letting things flow naturally and the stakeholders who want to utilize the land for play and activities.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk is good, especially when you value safety first.
Being a creative, I have often drawn outside the lines, cut corners, and looked for the fastest and most efficient way to get to my destination. I’m adventurous, I love to talk to strangers, travel, and explore.
I’ve spent money on mentors in hopes of getting a clear path to leveling up.
I’ve learned that mindset is critical to having a belief in yourself, do the work required, have the discipline to stick with it until there is success.
I prefer to consider and take action on calculated risk when it comes to business.
Pricing:
- Basic Membership – Free
- Access to Functional Body Program – $20/mo
- Beach Volleyball Sarong – $60
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LifeofVolleyball.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifeofvolleyball8/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifeofvolleyball8
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrM0LI8_KP-Ad25jmZUi8Q
Image Credits
Ed Chan
Ed Philbrick
