In today’s fast-paced world, achieving work-life balance is more crucial than ever, especially for those in high-demand careers such as hospitality, the culinary arts, and wellness. These industries require not only long hours and intense focus but also the ability to maintain physical and mental wellbeing to thrive. Without a healthy body and mind, the challenges of leadership, creativity, and personal growth become even more difficult to navigate. 

The benefits are well-documented – individuals who prioritise their health experience more energy, improved concentration, and greater overall satisfaction in both their personal and professional lives. Indeed, the most successful leaders recognise that their wellness is directly tied to their impact, and therefore it’s essential to foster habits that promote longevity, resilience, and clarity.

We spoke to five professionals who embody this philosophy, each offering unique insights into how they integrate wellness into their demanding careers. From the luxury hospitality sector and the culinary industry to nutrition, these individuals show how self care plays an integral role in achieving success. 

Whether it’s through daily fitness routines, mindfulness practices, or conscious eating habits, these dynamic leaders demonstrate how maintaining personal wellness helps them navigate their roles with greater ease, focus, and satisfaction, ultimately benefiting their teams and those they serve.

Sander Looijen

General Manager at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali and Multi-Property Vice President – Bali (Premium & Select Properties) of Marriott

For the general manager of The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali, staying active is crucial to both his wellbeing and leadership, especially when he’s performing a dual role as well. 

“Staying active keeps me sane,” Sander Looijen shares, and even with his packed schedule, he makes time for swimming and water polo. Beyond fitness, Sander incorporates daily rituals such as meditation and journaling, recognising the importance of mental clarity in achieving work-life balance. “Wellness isn’t just about physical health, it’s about emotional balance,” he adds. 

At the resort, wellness is about creating a holistic environment where multiple wellness experiences work in tandem. Guests can choose from yoga sessions, spa treatments, and nutritious meals, but the real benefit lies in how these elements layer together, helping guests reset and reconnect with themselves. 

He highlights that wellness is integrated into every part of the experience, from the calming atmosphere on arrival to the personalised programs tailored to guests’ needs. Sander recommends exploring personalised wellness programs, which have proven to have a lasting impact on guests, ensuring they leave feeling rejuvenated, both physically and mentally.

Yuda Bustara

Chef and media figure, winner of Netflix’s The Maverick Academy

Chef Yuda Bustara approaches wellness with the same passion he applies to his career. Known for his boundless energy, he integrates weight training, cardio, and meditation into his routine. “It’s less about strict routines and more about making space for what keeps me energised,” Yuda explains. 

When it comes to nutrition, he follows a balanced approach, opting for high-protein meals including ayam kecap and telur balado while indulging occasionally in favourites such as nasi Padang. Yuda believes that mental resilience is just as important as physical health. “You don’t have to choose – your health fuels your passion,” he advises, encouraging young chefs to find harmony between what drives them and their wellbeing. 

For him, cooking is therapeutic, especially when preparing simple meals for himself away from the kitchen’s pressure. “Cooking at home, when no one is watching, helps me stay grounded,” Yuda reflects. With media appearances, brand work, and culinary projects often taking centre stage, he relies on tools such as Google Calendar to keep himself organised. He advises young chefs to take time for themselves and build wellness into their routine, ensuring they remain healthy both physically and mentally in an otherwise demanding industry.

Aulianty Fellina

Senior Director of Marketing Communications & PR at Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort

Aulianty Fellina knows that wellness is not a luxury, but a necessity, especially in a fast-paced, high-demand environment like the hospitality industry. Achieving work-life balance is key, and she’s rigorous in her approach to daily habits that help maintain both her physical and mental wellbeing. 

Her mornings start with a calming walk, a ritual that helps reset her mind before the day’s responsibilities begin. She’s mindful of the need for mental clarity, which she achieves by stepping away from screens, enjoying a proper coffee, and taking time for quiet moments of reflection. Her approach to wellness revolves around small but essential routines. 

Physical movement is a non-negotiable for Aulianty, whether it’s a morning walk or a session at the gym, setting the tone for the day. She also values mindful eating, prioritising fresh, local ingredients, and makes time to truly enjoy her meals. When it comes to rest, sleep is treated as a priority; Aulianty ensures she gets at least eight hours each night, understanding that adequate rest is essential for staying sharp and grounded in her demanding role. 

Her morning ritual helps her prepare for high-pressure moments, especially when juggling the demands of her career. Her daily routine includes walking her dogs, stretching, and having a quiet coffee to set her intentions for the day. 

At Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua, wellness is deeply embedded in the guest experience. Aulianty encourages guests to embrace sunrise yoga and soothing spa treatments, both of which are woven into the resort’s holistic approach to wellness. “We’re creating a space where people can reset and feel like themselves again,” she says.

dr. Ayu Diandra Sari, MM, M.Gizi, Sp.GK

Clinical nutritionist and media figure, former beauty pageant titleholder of Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan (Miss Indonesia Environment)

Clinical nutritionist dr Ayu Diandra Sari advocates a personalised approach to health. “A healthy relationship with food starts with understanding your body,” she explains, emphasising the importance of evidence-based nutrition. 

She encourages people to tune into their hunger and fullness cues, choose whole foods, and align their meal times with their daily activities. This foundation helps individuals avoid falling prey to fad diets, fostering a sustainable approach to eating that encourages long-term health and achieving work-life balance. 

For dr Diandra, wellness is a balance of nutrition, exercise, and mental wellbeing. Her morning begins with self-reflection and a high-protein, fibre-rich breakfast to fuel her body for the day ahead. She believes in the power of regular exercise, incorporating swimming and power walking into her weekly routine. 

To manage stress, she also practices meditation and deep breathing exercises. Despite her busy schedule, she recognises the importance of quality sleep, aiming for six to eight hours of rest each night to ensure her body and mind recover fully. 

When it comes to nutrition, she sees athletes as an ideal example of discipline and consistency. She encourages non-athletes to adopt the same principles, focusing on food quality, hydration, and meal timing. “It’s all about consistency,” she says, noting that athletes’ discipline can teach us valuable lessons about nutrition. Small, gradual shifts, such as increasing vegetable and fruit intake, prioritising sleep, and engaging in physical activity, can significantly improve overall wellbeing.

Rahma Susanti

Director of Wellness Pre-Operations of The Meru Sanur

At The Meru Sanur, Rahma Susanti focuses on creating transformative wellness experiences through a balance of ancient Balinese healing traditions and modern wellness practices. 

“Wellness is about finding balance, not just within yourself, but also with the world around you,” Rahma explains. Her approach as the resort’s director of wellness pre-operations is rooted in Bali’s Tri Hita Karana philosophy, integrating elements such as grounding rituals and energy healing. 

Each guest’s wellness journey is personalised, guided by their Weton birth calendar, to ensure a deeply meaningful experience. Rahma’s own daily routine includes a simple but grounding morning ritual, starting with deep breathing and an affirmation: “Om Awignam Astu Ya Namah Swaha,” which translates to “May everything unfold with kindness.” 

This practice, paired with calming music, helps her stay balanced and focused throughout her demanding day. 

Looking forward, Rahma is excited to introduce a Wellness Botanical Garden at The Meru Sanur, which will offer guests an immersive, eco-friendly space for healing and connection to nature. “Small wellness habits like mindful breathing can make a huge difference in your life,” she adds, encouraging others to incorporate this practice into their daily routines. For Rahma, wellness is about relaxation as well as creating lasting, meaningful change.

Senior heading to Western Michigan University on track and field scholarship, raised the bar for future generations of athletes

By JOHN ANDERSON

A strange noise echoed through the school hallways in Wellsville, a loud thud with a metallic edge to it. Members of the custodial staff never looked up as they cleaned the combination of dirt, mud and sand and salt from snow off the floors on this early December day.

The echo continued down toward the music rooms where Jeff Joslyn is giving music lessons after school. He continues on as if the sound was a metronome.

Everyone was used to it.

The sound was coming from the small, middle school gym. Two sets of bleachers on one side. Too small for a big athletic contest, but just the right size for Kaylee Oswald to throw an indoor-specific discus and a shot put.

Oswald peers out of the gym and sees two of her teammates, both underclassmen, and instructs them to get warmed up and starts going over how to throw. She sounded like a veteran coach. She is not. She’s a senior at Wellsville training to win an unprecedented third state championship in the shot put.

Maybe this was on purpose, but Oswald could have trained upstairs in the high school gym where close to 100 Section V championship banners hang and two with her name on them for winning states. Instead, she was in the gym with bare walls, no shadows of past wins, just a place you have to prove yourself.

Over the weekend, she solidified herself as a champion. At Middletown High School, Oswald threw the shot put 40-4.50 to win a third straight New York State Championship.

She also qualified for states in discus and of all the athletes at the state meet from Section V, she was awarded the overall Section V Sportsmanship Award winner at the state championships as well.

Dean Giopulos, who has coached the boys’ track team at Wellsville for years, but started as a girls’ assistant 41 years ago, looked around and said, “I would say she’s had a very, very good day today.”

With Kaylee winning and competing in two events, Xavier Scott winning states in the hurdles and J.J. Howard taking third in the high jump and competing in the long jump, Giopulos said, “They set marks people will look at and say, ‘Wow.’ Our record board compared to other schools has always been good, but now it’s amazing.”

But that’s not all. Oswald has several Section V swimming championships including winning the 100 backstroke and her finish in the 50 free. Giopulos does not remember another athlete decorated with this many individual championships.

THE DECISION

This fall, Oswald will be attending Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo on a track and field scholarship. Western Michigan University won the Kaylee Sweepstakes after official visits to University of Connecticut, Kent State, Elon University and University at Buffalo.

“Their coach reached out, I liked the coach and I liked the program,” Kaylee said. “They have a good scientific-based program that I think would benefit me in the future.

It will be a different approach to throwing, I’ll have a coach in the weight room, it will make me a better athlete and a better thrower, so I am super optimistic about all of it,” she added.

PROUD AS A COACH

Larry Peacock, the new Wellsville Girls’ Track and Field coach, is impressed with his star athlete.  

“To win states, it had to be her best throws for the day and that’s what she did. It got her the win,” said Peacock. “She’s glue, that’s what she is to us and this program. She leads by example. Everyone follows, her presence makes her better and that’s going to be a loss,” Peacock said. “She is a consummate teacher, always helping the other kids throwing. You see it on the bus rides, you see it on the track, when she shows up, everything is good. When she shows up, she’s a calming influence. She doesn’t flinch. It’s made the younger kids get better.”

What others didn’t see was the rest of the state training to beat her.

Giopolus said, “I don’t know if she would ever admit this, but for the last two years she’s been hunted. Everyone aims for her, everyone wants to knock her off and she doesn’t show the pressure. She goes out there and seems to get better. All the sectional titles she has won — and she is the only multiple winner of state championships in the school — I can not imagine anyone winning three in a row again. You never say never, but the chances of someone doing that again are unimaginable.”

Peacock said the state has also recognized her as a champion.

“Look what she has earned — the 2025 state champion board, and most of all, she got the sportsmanship award. Here you are, you practice like a champion and you perform like a champion and act like a champion. Period. That’s what she does, that’s what she did,” Peacock said. “Her action of teamwork, practice, and results … she builds on it. I’ve seen a lot of athletes, and I don’t think we’ll see an athlete coming out of Wellsville like this in a long time. She’s won sectionals in swimming, track, state titles … if there’s something she wants to do, she will do it. She has the work ethic. She will definitely flourish in college.”

STAYING MOTIVATED

What keeps Kaylee motivated? It was simple. Another title.

“To do it again, I strived to do better than the past,” she said. “To get better as a senior, I had to put a lot of time in the weight room and I’m doing more technical throwing. Last year, I took the power I had and turned it into a throw. Now, I am taking everything and putting it into a throw. So this year when I popped one, it went further.”

YOUTH SERVED

Oswald didn’t wake up in 10th grade and become a state champion. She worked at other sports to become an athlete who has power and incredible athletic ability and agility. She did seven years of gymnastics with G2 Gymnastics & Fitness in Shinglehouse, Pa., and was a swimmer.

When the COVID pandemic hit, she kept working.

“In eight grade during Covid, my sister, Stephanie Oswald, was also a thrower and we would practice on the road in front of our house,” Oswald said.

Her sister also had a throwing coach, George Kinnicutt, who had a pretty good track record with Wellsville sectional champions and coached his daughter, Emma, to a state title as well.

“She kept going and worked with George, then I went and worked with George and it kind of snowballed,” Oswald said. She lifted at the school and when that was closed, she lifted at JB’s Family Fitness.

After a long day or school and a long practice, Oswald would put in another throwing session with Kinnicutt to continue to improve and cement her state championship resume.

“I realized three of our state champions were throwers (Sue Livergood also won states), so I put faith in George,” Kaylee said. “I had the confidence that he was an amazing coach and would get me to my fullest potential. Working with him and having him by my side would give me the best chance to win states.”

Suddenly, shot put was an event she fell in love with.

“I think I liked the fresh start from gymnastics. This was all new. It was technical like gymnastics, but not in your face, it was at my pace. And, I could see quick improvements, so it was easy to fall in love with,” Oswald said. “My freshman year, I was competing in the discus. By my sophomore year, I had won states in shot put and made the state qualifier in discus.”

And then a great junior year at states.

To do them both was not a concern.

“Most of the time shot put is first. If discus is first, I’ll put 100 percent effort, but make sure I have energy to throw shot and I do not get discouraged if I do not do well in discus,” she said of her strategy during her career.

THE FIRST TITLE

She will never forget that first state title.

As a sophomore, she threw 37-10 to nip Maine-Enwell’s Panayiota Anastos by a fraction of an inch, who threw 37-9.75.

“I don’t think that it helped that I won by a quarter of an inch, I did not expect it,” Oswald recalls. “It took three days to sink in that I won.”

Followed by a lonely fire truck celebration ride.

“It was weird having all the attention, I felt there was too much attention on me,” she said. “Usually it’s on a sports team that wins, so it was weird having it focused just on me.”

WORKING HARD AND FAMILY

Oswald said there is no secret.

“I practice every day. When it’s nice out, I’m outside in Wellsville or Bolivar or at the circle that’s at my house. And I am lifting four days a week on top of it. When the weather is bad, I’m in a school or the Alfred State College gym, in my house, outside my house,” she said. “And I’m working with our younger throwers, Makenna Cooke and Sarah Mattison, coaching them up.”

Her parents have enjoyed the success, and they have put the miles on the vehicle to see it.

“My parents (Jim and Katie Oswald) are always at every single meet, they have been very good to me,” she said. “They take me to nationals each season, they took me to Boston for indoor, Philadelphia for nationals for outdoor. For states, we go from Staten Island to Middletown.”

WHATS NEXT

Her college throwing coach at WMU will be Kayleigh Conlon, and Oswald has already been instructed to hit certain marks.

“The ultimate goal is 50 feet in shot put and a lot of records personal-wise,” she said.

To throw in the Olympics, you have to throw over 60 feet. Is that attainable? She’s gained five feet each season.

“Yes, but I don’t know how long that will last. I think it will last through this year,” she said. “The only thing I am trying to gain from college is new coaching and getting better. I love the sport too much to turn it into a job because then it would discourage me.”

And speaking of jobs, many student-athletes in the BOCES New Visions Medical Program have to drop a sport or sports altogether because of the demand of classes. Oswald made it part of her routine.

“In the New Visions Medical Program. I really liked studying this year and it was a very tough class,” she said. “By the time I am done practicing and lifting, I study. But I’ve learned to love cooking and meal prep.”

Giopulos said it’s more than that.

“Her story is not just how she has developed as an athlete, she’s also matured so much as a person,” he said. “She is fun to be around and she has earned every bit of it.” 

New York State Class C Championship Girls ‘ Shot Put Results

1 Kaylee Oswald Wellsville – C [12] 40-4.50

2 Grace Walley Walton-C [10] 40-0.75

3 Hannah Roggie Beaver River-C [11] 39-5.00

4 Desiree Jean-Pierre Saranac-C [12] 38-8.00

5 Nora Tighe Pulaski-C [12] 38-5.25

6 Nyla Wilson-Epps Tapestry Charter-C [12] 37-1.00

7 Lauren Paske Chenango Forks-C [12] 36-8.25

8 Jernessa Donaldson Solvay-C [10] 36–03.75

9 Maggie Hawken Campbell-Savona-C [10] 35-2.00

10 Danae Morgan Hastings-C [11] 35-1.25

11 Mikayla Johnson Southwestern-C [11] 34-11.75

12 Nola Bohringer Cobleskill-Richmondville-C [11] 34-7.50

13 Kaitlyn Putman Madrid-Waddington-C [12] 34-7.25

14 Sadie Konjas Onteora-C [11] 31-11.75

15 Mehana Levy Port Jefferson-C [11] 30-2.00

16 Krysta Wheeler Monsignor Scanlan-C [11] 28-11.00

17 Olivia Garcia Oyster Bay-C [12] 28-8.00

18 Rebecca Pepin Riverdale Country Day-C [11] 26–07.50

Western Washington University’s volleyball team announced Justice Magraw has joined the staff as the lead assistant coach for the 2025-26 season. Magraw began her new position on Monday, June 9.

“Taking the role as the assistant coach at Western Washington is a step toward living out my values and expanding who I am and what kind of coach I want to be,” Magraw said in a news release on June 12. “The dedication and ownership I’ve already witnessed from the players and alumni are truly remarkable, and I’m particularly excited to contribute to this special culture.” 

Magraw, a Redmond native, joins Western after four years as an assistant coach for the University of Washington. Magraw also played for the Huskies from 2012-15, earning four varsity letters and four consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament with a combined record of 117-16.  

“I could not be more excited to have Justice joining our WWU family and the volleyball program as an assistant coach,” Western head coach Diane Flick-Williams said in the release. “She brings a variety of experiences, a wealth of knowledge and an energy that is infectious.”

Magraw joins five other Washington natives to complete the 2025 volleyball roster. The 2025 recruiting class includes middle blocker Brooke Berglund, outside hitter Aly Skagen, PIN hitter Maren Stuber and defensive specialist Dani Turcinec. 

“I am really excited about this 2025 group coming in,” Flick Williams said in a February release. “It is not just about what they can bring to the play of the game, but what they can bring to Viking Volleyball culture.”

Vikings’ softball standout Maleah Andrews will also be joining the roster for the 2025 season while continuing to compete with the softball team in the spring. She will be a setter for the Vikings.

Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN’s sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Photo: UVA Athletics

The Virginia women’s track and field team closed out competition at the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore., on Saturday. Margot Appleton finished runner-up in the women’s 1500-meters while Celia Rifaterra and Estel Valeanu notched All-America honors in the high jump and discus throw. 

APPLETON RETURNS TO THE PODIUM

In her third NCAA Outdoor Championships appearance, Margot Appleton completed the 1500-meter and 5000-meter double, earning All-America honors in both events.

• Appleton executed a tactical race in the women’s 1500-meters to become the NCAA runner-up clocking 4:08.99 and earned first team All-America honors.

• This marks the second time in three years in which Appleton has made the podium in the women’s 1500-meters at the NCAA Outdoor meet. She finished third in the event in 2023.

• Just under two hours later, Appleton toed the line in the women’s 5000-meters where she finished 13th, clocking 15:44.76.

• For her performance in the 5k, the senior earned second team All-America accolades.

• This marks her second consecutive year earning All-America honors in the 5000-meter event after finishing fourth a year ago.

ALL-AMERICA HONORS FOR VALEANU

In her third consecutive NCAA Outdoor Championships, Estel Valeanu earned second-team All-America accolades in the women’s discus.

• On her first throw in the competition, Valeanu recorded a new personal best of  58.22m/191-0 to finish ninth in the field.

• Valeanu bettered her previous best of 57.28m/187-11 and improved her Virginia No. 2 all-time mark.

• She adds another All-America accolade to her resume alongside a ninth in 2024 competing for LSU and sixth in 2023 with Harvard.

RIFATERRA SETTING THE BAR
In her second NCAA Outdoor Championship appearance, Celia Rifaterra cleared 1.84m/6-0.5 to finish seventh in the high jump and earn first team All-American honors.

• After earning honorable mention honors a year ago, Rifaterra notched first team All-America honors clearing 1.84m/6-0.5 for seventh place.

• Rifaterra cleared the first three bars on her first attempt at each height before knocking the bar down at 1.87m/6-1.50.

• Alongside Rifaterra was her teammate, Carly Tarentino in her NCAA Outdoor Championships debut. Tarentino cleared 1.74m/5-8.50 on her first attempt to finish tied for 19th place and garner honorable mention accolades.

WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY RECAP

• Gary Martin finished fifth in the men’s 1500-meters to earn his first career outdoor first team All-America accolades, clocking 3:47.58.

• In the men’s 5000-meters, Will Daley execute a smart race to earn his first second team All-America honors, finishing 13th in 13:36.55. He moves up to No. 5 all-time in program history.

• On the first day of competition, Keyandre Davis garnered second team All-America honors in the men’s hammer, throwing for 66.24m/217-4 to finish 15th in the field of 24 athletes.

• On the second day of competition, Annika Kelly secured second team All-America honors in the women’s hammer, throwing for 64.87m/212-10 to finish 14th in the field.

• In the semifinal, Gary Martin (3:52.97) and Margot Appleton punched their tickets to the final in the men’s and women’s 1500-meters. Both earned an automatic bid, placing in the top five finishers in their respective heats.

• In their NCAA Outdoor Championships debut, Alex Sherman (50.98) and Jenny Schilling (33:07.58) notched honorable mention accolades in the men’s 400-meter hurdles and the women’s 10,000-meters. Both finished 17th in the competition.

• Justin Wachtel garnered honorable mention accolades in the men’s 5000-meters.

Scoring a total of 10 points, the Virginia women finished 26th in the team standings.

2025 CAVALIER ALL-AMERICANS

First Team: Margot Appleton (1500m), Gary Martin (1500m), Celia Rifaterra (High Jump)

Second Team: Margot Appleton (5000m), Will Daley (5000m) Keyandre Davis (HT), Annika Kelly (HT), Estel Valeanu (Discus)

Honorable Mention: Alex Sherman (400mH), Jenny Schilling (10,000m), Carly Tarentino (High Jump), Justin Wachtel (5000m)

FIVB Athletes’ Commission President Louise Bawden joined more than 400 athlete representatives from around the world at the International Athletes’ Forum 2025 in Lausanne, where sessions covered athlete representation, anti-doping, mental health and wellbeing, prevention of competition manipulation, social media, and Athletes’ Commission administration.

Bawden attends the Forum’s main session, which featured updates on Olympic Agenda reforms and the IOC AC Strategy.

“My impressions of the Forum have been very positive – there is a strong focus on supporting athletes at the centre of the Olympic Movement,” Bawden said. “Ensuring athletes have a ‘seat at the table’ but also know what to do with their opportunities to make a positive impact and influence change is so important. The information shared offers ideas and practical solutions in this space.”

Organised by the IOC Athletes’ Commission, the Forum opened with reflections on Olympic Agenda reforms and the IOC AC Strategy. Delegates heard from athlete representatives presenting examples of national-level athlete engagement and took part in breakout discussions on key areas relevant to their commissions.

Bawden (far left) participates in a session on competition manipulation – one of several breakout topics at the Forum.

Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal joined a live call in conversation with NBA great and IOC AC member Pau Gasol.

“Together they spoke beautifully about the power of representation and the importance of giving back,” Bawden said. “It was powerful to hear Rafael speak about keeping the highest standards of respect in competition and in your own behaviour. The messages are simple but critical to the integrity of sport and the spirit of the Olympic Games.”

Bawden with Pau Gasol, who spoke with Rafael Nadal during a live call at the International Athletes’ Forum.

The Forum also included presentations of best practices from athlete commissions. 

“There is always something to learn and ways to improve,” Bawden said. “I think we can consider solutions for improved engagement through more consistent communication and finding opportunities for in-person connections. Development of a more strategic approach to the AC priorities can also improve synergies with broader FIVB focus areas as well as support prioritisation of the work of the AC.”

Bawden highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen support for players as they transition beyond sport. 

“The FIVB will run the first volleyball and beach volleyball post-career program in 2025, called Beyond the Court. This is an important step to supporting the professional development of volleyball players,” she said. “We can also consider increasing the visibility of resources available to athletes via the FIVB website. IOC Career+ has a great range of educational and professional development resources, and some not just for Olympians, but all athletes, so we can help direct athletes to these.”

Bawden with IOC President Kirsty Coventry at the International Athletes’ Forum in Lausanne.

She noted that several areas require continued attention for the volleyball and beach volleyball community.

“In today’s world, many players need mental health and wellbeing support to withstand the pressures of being an elite athlete. Financial stability and planning for a life after sport are also key areas where we can improve outcomes for players in the FIVB ecosystem,” she said.

Reflecting on the opportunity to connect with athlete representatives from other sports and regions, Bawden said, “It has been an enriching experience to connect with other sports and learn about their approach to supporting their athletes. It is inspiring to be part of the broader AC community and share in common challenges and discuss potential solutions – most seem to recognise financial stability, education and professional development and mental health as key areas of challenge.”

“Following this forum, I bring back increased connections and a better understanding of the IOC Athlete365 landscape,” she added. “There are many opportunities for collaboration and resource-sharing and I look forward to bringing those benefits back to the FIVB, and the beach volleyball and volleyball athlete community.”

Ospreys senior sixth in 800 final, named first-team All-American

Smilla Kolbe has swooped onto the All-American list.