Скачать или смотреть The Brutal Yet Beautiful Road to The Olympics - Zach Schubert | SANDCAST

On this episode of SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, Travis sits down with Australian Olympian Zach Schubert, who after 9 years of playing professional beach volleyball is retiring, doing so at the 2025 Beach Volleyball World Championships. We cover quite a bit of ground in this chat, including:
Why double-elim is the best format in the world
Zach Schubert's trying journey to the Olympics, and why Thomas Hodges is the man responsible for his success
Why he chose to retire from the game
Why the pursuit of the Olympics shouldn't be the end all, be all for athletes

And so, so much more

Chapters with Zach Schubert
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
01:34 The Olympic Qualifying Journey
08:00 The Importance of the Olympic Dream
12:37 Team Dynamics and Federation Support
19:59 The Evolution of Beach Volleyball in Australia
24:24 The Need for More Entertainment in Volleyball
30:18 Future of the Olympic Cycle and Competition Dynamics
32:58 Dream Tournament Formats and Logistics
34:03 The Flaws of Pool Play
36:03 The Magic of Double Elimination
39:42 The Impact of the Olympics on Beach Volleyball
41:14 The Transition from Athlete to Retirement
50:01 Reflections on Career and Future Plans

Takeaways with Zach Schubert
Finding time for conversations is harder than it seems.
The Olympic qualifying process is more complex than it appears.
Athletes' personal stories are crucial for fan engagement.
Team dynamics play a significant role in success.
The Challenger Tour offers a more enjoyable experience than the Elite 16.
There is a need for more entertainment and personality in volleyball.
Tracking qualification processes can enhance fan interest.
Upsets are common in beach volleyball competitions.
The evolution of beach volleyball in Australia is promising.
Future Olympic cycles may change competition dynamics significantly. Logistically running an event is very challenging.
Double elimination formats are more engaging and fair.
Pool play lacks consequences and can be frustrating.
Olympics have changed the dynamics of beach volleyball.
The financial aspect of being a professional athlete is tough.
Retirement brings a mix of emotions and challenges.
The volleyball community is supportive and close-knit.
Experiences and stories from tournaments create lasting memories.
Transitioning from athlete to retirement is a significant life change.
The culture of beach volleyball needs to be nurtured and promoted.


SHOOTS!

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