Be Valiant

Ep. 3 From the Stands to the Sand: A Dad–Daughter Sports Journey Conversation with Madison Merkow

---

Todd sits down with his daughter, Madison, for an honest conversation about growing up in the world of competitive volleyball. From indoor gyms to the sand courts, Madison shares the highs and lows of her experience: the pressure of tryouts, the emotional toll of tough coaching, the challenges of injuries, and the joy of finding her place in beach volleyball. This episode offers a raw, first-person perspective on what it’s really like to be a youth athlete today — and why family support, culture, and perspective matter more than chasing scholarships or short-term wins.