Episode 25: Michelle Sawatzky-Koop | Grit, Love and Passion
1 hour 14 minutes
In need of some inspiration today? Check out this podcast with Michelle Sawatzky-Koop. In addition to holding a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and working as a broadcaster with Golden West Radio, Michelle is the only setter in Canadian history to win anything at the Olympics. In 1996, the women’s Canadian volleyball team qualified for and competed at the Summer Olympic Games. They won one match against Peru, besting them over five sets, and Michelle played that match.
Taken on its own, this fact is pretty amazing. Under the circumstances, it is downright extraordinary. Michelle is 5’5”. An average height for a woman, but a bit on the short side for an elite volleyball player. Her entire career, she was told she was too short and that she would never make a provincial team, let alone any team at a higher level. At every point in her career, she was reminded about her lack of height, once told to “never come back because she would never grow.”
Well, some people are gritty, and then there is Michelle. Early on, Michelle decided that while she could not control how tall she was, she could control her work ethic and attitude. Michelle made it her mission to work harder than everyone else and do everything she could to make those around her better. Michelle decided that she would make her teammates so good that they could not imagine being on the court without her. It took years of extra early morning practices and thousands of sets, but she became priceless to her team, named Canada’s best player on more than one occasion.
This podcast is rooted in a story about an athlete, but it teaches us about the power of passion, tenacity, love, family, and our will to do our best. There will always be people who tell you what you’re doing is impossible; there will always be people who suggest you need to be perfect, and there will always be people who tell you that you don’t belong. After listening to this conversation, you will walk away believing that nothing is impossible, that mistakes are essential and that what other people think doesn’t matter. What matters is your belief in yourself and your faith in your ability to do anything you set your mind to.
Please enjoy this discussion with Michelle Sawatzky-Koop.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or your favourite podcast platform.