“I had to find myself again” – Sergi Cabanas on identity, pressure & personal growth in elite Waterpolo

In this very personal episode of the Waterpolo Expert Talk, Spanish professional water polo player Sergi Cabanas opens up about his athletic journey, mental challenges, self-doubt and the phase in which he felt he had lost himself in elite sport – and how he managed to find his way again. Sergi talks about growing up in Barcelona, moving with his family to Sabadell, his early years in swimming and his first steps in water polo together with his siblings. His family background played a major role in shaping his mindset – with his mother being a former national team player and his sister working as an international referee. A major focus of this episode is his path through the top Spanish clubs: Sabadell, Terrassa and Barceloneta – and later his move abroad. Sergi explains why swimming was a crucial foundation for his career, why team sports are essential for personal development and why at one point enjoyment became more important than titles or status. He speaks openly about: - his early involvement in multiple sports - the transition from swimming to water polo - pressure, expectations and self-doubt - the importance of team spirit and locker room culture - major career decisions at the age of 18 - learning from world-class players - networking and long-term career development - mental maturity in high-performance sport This episode shows how closely personal growth and athletic performance are connected – and why finding your own path is often more important than external expectations. 🎧 More about the podcast: https://www.schulzekopp.de 🎙️ Subscribe to the Waterpolo Expert Talk for more honest insights into elite sports, careers and mental strength.