Coach Nev on Volleyball Fundamentals, Mindset, and the Total Athlete

Episode Summary: Coach Nev,  born in Serbia, former DI All‑American Volleyball Center at UAB, and owner of Block-Out Academy,  joins us to talk fundamentals, mindset, and building the Total Athlete — mind, body, spirit. We cover why she developed a system that does not box athletes in too early, how she blends psychology and clinical nutrition into coaching, and practical ways coaches and parents can prioritize sleep, play, and movement mechanics to develop athletes.  Guest Bio: Coach Nev  — Owner, Block- Out Academy (Homewood, AL). Former Division I All‑American center, University of Alabama at Birmingham. BA in Psychology; MA in Clinical Nutrition.    Coach Nev developed a passion for fundamentals and play‑first development after noticing differences between Serbian and U.S. youth sport systems. Philosophy: person first, athlete second, volleyball player third, position fourth. What we cover: Origins: Serbia → UAB → founding Block-Out Academy Why fundamentals matter: movement mechanics, strength & conditioning Nutrition, sleep, and outdoor play as the foundation of athletic development Coaching philosophy: keep it fun, knowledgeable warm-ups, creative games Critique of the American youth sport system that specializes too early Practical coaching tips: building clear standards, consequences, and communication Mental skills: resilience, confidence, work ethic. How Blackout Academy operates and the #NoExcuses mindset Top Quotes: “A coach’s job is bigger than wins and losses. It’s about shaping people.” “Dream big. Work hard.” “Clear standards, clear consequences, clear communication.” “Athletes should walk away stronger in mind and body.” Key Takeaways (for coaches & parents): Start with sleep, nutrition, no screens, and unstructured outdoor play. Teach fundamentals before positions; let development guide specialization. Make warm‑ups educational and fun — integrate technique into play. Set clear standards and communicate consequences early and often. Measure success by personal growth, resilience, and confidence — not just the scoreboard. Resources & Links: Block-Out Academy — Homewood, AL (search for local site/socials) Hashtag: #NoExcuses Subscribe, rate & review. Follow Coach Nev/Blackout Academy on social media to learn more and bring fundamentals back to your program.   https://www.instagram.com/coachnev/ https://www.instagram.com/blockoutacademy/