Be Valiant

Ep. 48 Episode 25 - Liz Masakayan: An Olympic Volleyball Player and Coach’s Perspective on Youth Sports (Audio)

In this episode of Be Valiant, host Todd Merkow sits down with former Olympian, elite beach volleyball player, and coach Liz Masakayan for a candid, real-world conversation about what youth sports has become—and what it should be.

Drawing from her experience as both an athlete and coach, Liz breaks down the growing tension between structure and freedom in youth sports. From the pressures of tryouts and early specialization to the realities of team dynamics, confidence, and development, this episode challenges many of the assumptions parents and athletes carry into the process.

Todd and Liz explore:

- Why so many athletes are moving from indoor to beach volleyball

- The difference between control and ownership in an athlete’s journey

- How early labels and positional decisions can limit development

- The importance of accountability, communication, and resilience

- What parents get wrong—especially from the sidelines

- Why adversity, not comfort, leads to long-term growth

- This is not a theoretical conversation—it’s grounded in lived experience, real challenges, and honest perspective.

If you’re a parent navigating youth sports, or an athlete trying to find your path, this episode will help you think differently about development, competition, and what truly matters.

Be Valiant. Play Fearless.