{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbeyondathletic.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2F31-55d9abb1","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"#31 Learn To Silence Your Ego with Gabi KOEVA","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/ddd10a/ddd10a14-6ed8-415b-a536-5ba8019bbbef/c6ab5aa7-47b2-45cf-a367-c94706c08367/1424812507artwork.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/c6ab5aa7-47b2-45cf-a367-c94706c08367\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"#31 Learn To Silence Your Ego with Gabi KOEVA\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"#31 Learn To Silence Your Ego with Gabi KOEVA (http://beyondathletic.com/31)\r\n\r\nAthlete Case Study: Bulgarian Women’s National Volleyball Team, Middle Blocker for Beşiktaş Women's Volleyball, Istanbul Turkey.  Elite Sports Students Mentor  \r\n_____________________ ____________________________\r\nFebruary 24, 2015\r\n\r\nBACKGROUND\r\nOn today’s episode we will talk about how Gabi got to where she is today. We will discuss how she decided to play volleyball instead of basketball, as both of her parents are former basketball players, but at her age, volleyball was the only option. She explains some of her struggles and decisions she has had to make over the years, as well as some of the mentors she’s had to help her. She also shares how she handled being a bench player while playing for the Bulgarian Women’s National Team and the importance of silencing your ego and continuing to work hard no matter what situation you may face.\r\n\r\nBIO\r\nBorn, Gabriela KOEVA, from Pleven, Bulgaria on July 25, 1989.\r\n6’2” (188cm) Middle Blocker, Volleyball player\r\nGrew up in the basketball gym, as parents are former players of the sport. \r\nAttendended National Sports Academy \"Vasil Levski\" in Bulgaria\r\nHas played professionally in Bulgaria, Switzerland, Italy and Turkey.\r\nWas invited to join the Bulgarian Senior National Team at 17 years old. Has been a member est. 2007, received the Bronze medal in 2011 for the European Volleyball League, and the SILVER in 2012.\r\nBusiness Administration Major\r\nOne of Elite Sport Students founded Mentors \r\n{LEAVE A REVIEW &amp; Subscribe to #BeyondAthletic in iTunes so other can find us too! Share this with one person you think could benefit the most…}\r\n\r\nPERSONAL QUOTE:\r\n“Remember that talent is only 1% of an athlete’s life, and the other 99% is hard work, hard work, and more hard work.” -Gabi’s Father\r\n\r\nMOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN HER LIFE: \r\nDragan Nesic, the first coach to send Gabi an invitation for the Senior National Team, whom she learned the most from volleyball wise; Svetlana Illic, Gabi learned a lot from her while playing in Switzerland, was one of the only coaches she had to emphasize importance of mental preparation.\r\nKey Discussion Points:\r\n\r\nWhen was a time you struggled in your sport or life in general?\r\nHow did you mentally handle being one of the bench players?\r\nWhen was a time during a match that you made a mistake, and what did you do to move on from it?\r\nWhen was your lightbulb moment?\r\nWhen was one of your proudest moments?\r\nWhat lead you to your studies that you’ve recently completed? \r\nWhat is your current plan to be successful in your life and sport?"}