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While nearly everyone in the world has their own perspective on sports, Lina Taylor viewed them as a ticket to a better life. Born in Bulgaria in 1975, Taylor could not leave the communist-led nation unless she had very special circumstances. But at age 16, both her exceptional volleyball talent and her indomitable spirit propelled her to the pinnacle of the sport. Representing Bulgaria for Beach Volleyball in both the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympic games, Taylor’s life was changed by sport. Years later, she is using sport to change the lives of others, helping young athletes in organizations like the Boys and Girls Club or The Foundation of Teamwork nonprofit. In this episode, Taylor recounts her childhood in Bulgaria, her volleyball career, and how she helps corporate leaders learn from her journey and take their game to the next level.
EPISODE NOTES
2:00 – Growing up in communist-led Bulgaria
4:00 – Getting beer for construction workers (at age 6)
6:00 – Bulgaria’s communal feel
8:00 – “For me, Volleyball represented hope”
11:00 – “I would rather take humiliation than give up on my dream”
14:30 – Switching from Indoor to Beach Volleyball
18:00 – Learning to not focus on what you don’t have
21:00 – Going to the Olympics in disbelief
24:00 – Maintaining her motivation
28:00 – Transitioning to a corporate environment from a sports environment
31:00 – The idea of a “corporate athlete”
35:00 – Coaches who help you see your blind spots
LINKS
Lina Taylor on LinkedIn
‘Go for Gold’ Olympic Experience
CREDITS
Produced by Kai Hellberg
Music by Isaac Chambers – ‘Change’