What makes an athlete recruitable beyond their physical skills?
In Part 1 of this conversation, Susan sits down with Dana Burkholder, founder of Volleyball Village and a former two-time First Team All-American setter at the University of Arizona, to explore the person behind the player.
Dana shares why self-worth, confidence, and self-awareness matter in athlete development, and how a performance-focused culture can sometimes leave athletes questioning whether they’re good enough. They discuss how athletes can recognize the value they bring to a team beyond points and statistics, and why personal growth matters just as much as achievement.
They also explore how coaches’ words can shape an athlete’s beliefs, why positive and intentional communication matters, and how coaches can challenge players while still helping them build confidence.
Susan and Dana discuss the balance parents face between providing support and allowing athletes to develop independence. Dana explains why athletes need opportunities to take ownership, solve problems, ask for help, and become more resourceful in their own development.
If you’re an athlete, parent, or coach looking to build confidence and develop the person behind the player, this conversation offers a valuable perspective on what growth in volleyball can really look like.
Chapters
00:00 – Developing the person behind the athlete
02:30 – Dana’s journey from player to coach
05:00 – Why youth volleyball needs a more holistic approach
08:00 – Self-worth beyond performance
12:45 – How coaches’ words shape athletes
15:30 – Resources for coaches and personal development
18:15 – Building self-awareness and emotional regulation
20:45 – What a resourceful athlete looks like
23:30 – Hydration and caring for your body
25:15 – Helping athletes without doing everything for them
28:15 – Supporting athletes through stress and pressure
32:15 – Building capacity for recruiting and college volleyball
33:00 – What’s coming in Part 2
About the guest:
Dana Burkholder is the founder of Volleyball Village, a resource center supporting athletes, parents, coaches, and others in the volleyball community. A former two-time First Team All-American setter at the University of Arizona and member of the USA National Team, Dana has spent more than two decades coaching and directing club volleyball programs. Her work now focuses on whole-person development, self-awareness, and helping athletes and coaches thrive both on and off the court.
Connect with Dana:
Website: https://volleyballvillage.com/home
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@volleyball-village/featured
Connect with Susan:
Check out the website: www.nxtvb.com
Follow on Instagram + TikTok: @hey.susank
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