Episodi

  • What 2025 Taught Us at (Y) Connect

    What 2025 Taught Us at (Y) Connect
    Dec 31 2025
    Before we jump into another year of Y Connect, we wanted to pause and look back. 2025 was a meaningful year for this podcast. We sat down with members, staff, partners, and community leaders who reminded us why the YMCA matters and how deeply it shows up in people's lives. We heard stories of belonging, resilience, leadership, and impact that stayed with us long after the microphones were turned off. Today, we are reflecting on our favorite moments from this past year, the conversations that surprised us, what we learned about the YMCA that we didn't fully understand before, and what we're excited about as we begin our 4th year of Y Connect in 2026. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How YMCA community programs like the REACH program and Boys and Young Men of Color initiative transform lives through mentorship with Morehouse and Spelman students at Camp High Harbor ✅ The power of community engagement and partnership building as demonstrated through collaborations with corporations like Carter's and Gas South that prioritize employee wellness and early learning support ✅ Why nonprofit storytelling through podcasting strengthens advocacy day efforts and helps staff appreciate the breadth of youth development, adaptive swim program, and active older adults services beyond their individual roles Join the Y Connect Podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 The Y Connect's annual reflection episode on three years of YMCA community programs and storytelling 04:11 Robert shares Kendall Rae's story, Georgia's youngest farmer, Zarinah reflects on the Mermaids, and Allison shares Martha Haythorn's story 08:43 Discussion of Boys and Young Men of Color initiative, the REACH program at Camp High Harbor and Advocacy Day 18:14 How community engagement and belonging manifest through active older adults, running clubs, and partnership building with corporate sponsors 27:26 Looking ahead to 2026: More youth development voices, cancer survivor stories, and the Y's new strategic planning initiatives KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Personal connections drive lasting impact at the YMCA—from Jim Snotty's 100+ pound weight loss journey, to the Northwest Y mermaids' decades-long friendships that demonstrate how YMCA community programs create genuine belonging beyond fitness goals 💎 Advocacy day transforms staff perspective by showing how individual programs work and connect to broader systemic change—Robert's experience moving from serving one population to advocating for financial support across multiple community engagement initiatives revealed the power of a unified voice in nonprofit storytelling 💎 Corporate partnership building works best when companies prioritize internal employees first—Carly Stevens from Gas South emphasized ensuring workers have access to resources before expanding external community programs, a philosophy that strengthens authentic health and wellness impact RESOURCES MENTIONED: Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta LinkedIn: YMCA Metro Atlanta Ep. 59 - Kendall Rae Johnson: Georgia's Youngest Farmer Ep. 62 - Martha Haythorn Is Redefining Advocacy and Community ENCORE: Diving in with the Mermaids at the Y Ep. 56 - Empowering Boys and Young Men of Color: The Y and Morehouse College Partnership Ep. 40 - Summer at YMCA Camp High Harbour Ep. 53 - The Legacy of South Fulton Running Partners and the YMCA Ep. 73 - Fueling the Y's Impact: When Companies Listen to What Communities Need
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    38 min
  • The Heart of Head Start: How the Y Supports Children & Families Every Day

    The Heart of Head Start: How the Y Supports Children & Families Every Day
    Dec 17 2025
    The YMCA's Head Start programs provide comprehensive support that transforms entire families, not just children. In this powerful episode of Y Connect, hosts Zarinah, Robert, and Allison speak with early childhood education leaders LaShaundra McDonald and Shamyra Thompson about the life-changing work happening at YMCA early learning centers. Both directors share their personal journeys from being Head Start parents to becoming passionate advocates for family support services. They discuss how comprehensive child development goes beyond academics to include mental health support, workforce development, and addressing food insecurity. Learn how meaningful family support creates opportunities that change entire family trajectories through parent engagement, fatherhood initiatives, and collaborative community partnership programs. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How Head Start programs provide comprehensive child development that addresses academic, social, emotional, and physical needs while supporting entire families through resource connections and workforce development opportunities. ✅ Why parent engagement and family support services are critical components of effective early childhood education, including how family service associates build trusting relationships and connect families with housing, food, and mental health support resources. ✅ How personal experiences as Head Start parents shaped LaShaundra McDonald and Shamyra Thompson's leadership approaches, enabling them to create welcoming early learning centers where families feel safe, seen, and supported through initiatives like the fatherhood initiative. Join the Y Connect Podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Head Start programs and their impact on early childhood education, and LaShaundra shares how volunteering led her to discover her passion for working with children 05:53 Shamyra explains how the Head Start program helped her complete her GED and build a career in early learning centers 10:04 Description of a high-quality classroom, including age-appropriate materials and open-ended questions 13:05 Discussion of meaningful family support beyond academics, including workforce development, rental assistance, food resources, and mental health support for children 15:48 The fatherhood initiative, including daddy daycare events, classroom activities and parent engagement opportunities 21:55 Head Start programs work when communities partner together to provide comprehensive child development for entire families KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Head Start programs deliver comprehensive child development while simultaneously supporting parents through family support services, resource connections, and workforce development opportunities that transform entire family trajectories. 💎 Early childhood education requires strong parent engagement and family service associates who build trusting relationships with families, understand their unique challenges, and proactively connect them with resources for housing, food insecurity, mental health support, and employment. 💎 Leaders like LaShaundra McDonald and Shamyra Thompson demonstrate how personal experience as Head Start parents enriches their leadership in early learning centers. ABOUT THE GUEST: LaShaundra McDonald is the Center Director at the Dean Rusk YMCA Head Start Academy with over 23 years of experience in the Early Learning field. LaShaundra has a Master's in both Human Services and Early Childhood Education. It is her goal to ensure that each child is provided a high-quality education in a safe and respectful environment that acknowledges and respects the diversity of each family, culture, and socio-economic background, while continuing to foster a foundation for life-long learning. Shamyra Thompson serves as the Center Director/FSA for the YMCA Barrow County Early Learning Center. With 19 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Mrs. Thompson holds a TCC, Diploma, and Associate's degree in Early Care and Education, as well as a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She has also earned her 40-hour Director's Training Credential. Head Start has been a defining part of her professional journey—both as a former Head Start parent and now as an experienced Head Start educator. Her educational philosophy centers on creating a positive, developmentally enriching learning environment that builds a strong foundation for lifelong learning. She firmly believes that every child deserves access to high-quality education and exceptional care during their early years. Mrs. Thompson is honored to serve in her current role and is committed to continued growth and leadership within the Head Start program. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta ...
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    25 min
  • Ep. 75 Shared International Purpose: The Y Welcomes Tushig from Mongolia

    Ep. 75 Shared International Purpose: The Y Welcomes Tushig from Mongolia
    Dec 3 2025
    Today on Y Connect, we're stepping into a global conversation. Over the past several weeks, our team has had the privilege of hosting Tushig Samdan, a nonprofit leader from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, who was in Atlanta through the U.S. Department of State's Professional Fellows Program. Tushig has spent nearly a decade leading the Badraa Foundation to Justice, an organization dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for Mongolian university students. Joining Tushig for today's conversation is our colleague Ryan Greenstein, the Y's Advocacy Program Manager. Ryan first learned about this fellowship through his work at The Carter Center, and he actually spent time in Mongolia last year on an exchange visit before joining the Y. Ryan and Tushig worked together over the previous few weeks, and today we get to learn from their shared experience. We're excited to talk about what brought Tushig to the U.S., what she's learned during her time with the YMCA, and the ways global partnerships can strengthen local impact. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How international exchange programs foster nonprofit leadership development through the U.S. Department of State's Professional Fellows Program, creating opportunities for cross-cultural learning and building sustainable government partnerships that strengthen community impact across continents. ✅ Strategies for building sustainable alum mentorship networks and educational opportunity initiatives that create long-term organizational sustainability, including how fundraising models and endowments can support youth development across generations. ✅ The power of community engagement and nonprofit collaboration in addressing challenges during uncertain times, demonstrating how civic organizations work together with corporations and government to prioritize community needs and create intentional partnerships. Join the Y Connect Podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Tushig Samdan from Mongolia and Ryan Greenstein discuss international exchange programs and nonprofit leadership development 02:54 Tushig describes her professional development experience through the Professional Fellows Program, emphasizing cross-cultural learning and community engagement 04:57 Ryan shares his reciprocal Mongolia visit and the importance of hosting fellows from civic organizations to build government partnerships and strengthen international relationships 06:49 Tushig highlights impressive nonprofit collaboration between universities, corporations, and communities, noting how alumni mentorship programs create educational opportunity for students 14:03 Discussion of Y's community impact through early learning, teen leadership training, and accessible programs from infants to seniors, demonstrating organizational sustainability 17:50 The differences in fundraising models between Mongolia and the United States, and the value of the international exchange programs 25:24 Tushig shares her vision for creating Mongolia's first education-oriented endowment inspired by the Carter Center's model for building sustainable youth development 28:11 Closing gratitude and acknowledgment of host family, social enterprise connections, and the upcoming 2026 reciprocal exchange opportunity KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 International exchange programs create a powerful return on investment for nonprofit leadership development by fostering lasting relationships between nations. Tushig's four-week experience through the Professional Fellows Program demonstrated how cross-cultural learning builds stronger leaders who carry lessons back home. 💎 Sustainable nonprofit collaboration requires intentional partnerships between civic organizations, corporations, and government. The stark difference between U.S. and Mongolian nonprofit ecosystems lies in established fundraising models, formal support systems, and coordinated responses during challenging times, such as government shutdowns, where community engagement ensures vulnerable populations continue to receive services. 💎 Building organizational sustainability beyond individual leadership creates generational impact. Inspired by the Carter Center's endowment model, designed to last beyond President Carter's lifetime, Tushig envisions creating Mongolia's first education-oriented endowment to support youth development, alum mentorship, and educational opportunity forever, transforming short-term passion into long-term community impact through social enterprise thinking. ABOUT THE GUEST: Munkhtushig (Tushig) Samdan is a board member of the Badraa Foundation to Justice, an education-oriented NGO in Mongolia established in 2006 to promote educational equity and empowerment. The foundation is dedicated to supporting Mongolian university students pursuing bachelor's ...
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    29 min
  • Creating Space for Teens to Belong — A Conversation with Leah Willig

    Creating Space for Teens to Belong — A Conversation with Leah Willig
    Nov 19 2025
    Today on Y Connect, we're joined by Leah Willig, the Y's Director of Teen Programs. Leah brings over a decade of youth development experience, having spent years leading impactful programming at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta before joining the Y. Her work has always focused on creating spaces where teens can explore who they are, connect, and envision what's possible in their futures. At the Y, Leah is leading efforts to expand and elevate teen programming across our association from monthly Teen Nights that bring youth together in fun, safe environments to academic and career-readiness initiatives, such as our partnership with The Princeton Review for SAT prep boot camps. She's passionate about helping teens see the Y as a place where they belong, grow, and lead. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How teen youth development programs create consistency through Universal teen night events, providing teens with fun opportunities while building community youth engagement, belonging and connection for youth across metro Atlanta ✅ How the Princeton Review partnership provides free SAT prep bootcamp sessions with certified instructors and 365-day portal access, building career readiness for teens through comprehensive college preparation resources. ✅ How innovative partnerships with Trilith Studios and the changemakers program provide teens with hands-on film production experience, script writing workshops, and connections to industry professionals, helping develop youth workforce skills through project-based learning. Join the Y Connect Podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Leah shares her journey into creating teen youth development programs, discussing her decade of experience creating belonging and connection for youth at the YMCA 06:46 Launch of universal teen night events, creating consistency across branches with themed activities 09:18 Princeton Review partnership providing free SAT prep bootcamp sessions, teaching career readiness for teens with certified instructors 13:18 Trilith Studios partnership offering fully-funded after-school programs for teens, teaching cinematography and scriptwriting, while planning a 12-week changemakers program film festival 18:22 Leah shares how moving to Atlanta for college soccer taught her to encourage teens to step outside comfort zones, emphasizing the Y as a place of belonging and connection for youth KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Success in teen youth development programs isn't measured only by attendance numbers—it's about ensuring teens in each community are engaging with their Y, whether through work opportunities, college tours, SAT prep bootcamp sessions, or monthly teen night events, meeting each branch's unique needs. 💎 The Princeton Review partnership provides free career readiness for teens through comprehensive SAT preparation, giving all Y teen members access to certified instructors, practice booklets, and a 365-day online portal—making college preparation accessible regardless of when students plan to take the test. 💎 Building relationships through listening is essential for effective teen programming—visiting branches, learning teen names, understanding what each youth development director and their community needs, and staying current with evolving career interests ensures programs remain relevant and impactful. ABOUT THE GUEST: Leah Willig brings over 10 years of youth development experience to our team and has served in various director roles at The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta. Throughout her career, Leah has developed dynamic programming that provided diverse career opportunities for teens while building partnerships with local corporations and communities for unique learning experiences. Trilith Studios - Website Princeton Review - Website RESOURCES MENTIONED: Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta LinkedIn: YMCA Metro Atlanta
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    24 min
  • Fueling the Y's Impact: When Companies Listen to What Communities Need

    Fueling the Y's Impact: When Companies Listen to What Communities Need
    Oct 29 2025
    Today on Y Connect, we're joined by a powerhouse leader whose commitment to purpose and community is shaping what corporate social responsibility looks like in Metro Atlanta and beyond, Carley Stephens, Director of Corporate Giving at Gas South and Executive Director of the Cobb EMC Foundation. Gas South, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cobb EMC, is one of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta's most generous corporate partners, giving not only through financial support but also through the countless volunteer hours employees dedicate to helping others. Carley is known for leading with heart and innovation, always focused on where actual impact happens: in the lives of children and families. Under her guidance, Gas South continues to expand its "Fuel for Good" philosophy, a purpose that's about caring for customers and employees while elevating communities. In addition to her leadership role, Carley serves on the board of the Carl E. Sanders Family YMCA at Buckhead and is helping shape the Y's 2026–2028 Strategic Plan as part of our Board Task Force. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ How purpose-driven companies like Gas South bring their values to life by empowering employee volunteerism and listening to what matters most to their teams and communities ✅ Why authentic leadership matters in corporate social responsibility—and how asking more profound questions leads to more meaningful nonprofit partnerships that address real needs beyond surface-level solutions ✅ The difference between traditional charity and systemic change, including why companies must invest in living wage and employee benefits for their own workforce before expecting nonprofits to solve community challenges ✅ Practical strategies for community investment and strategic planning that move corporate giving programs from transactional donations to transformational impact through collaboration and innovation Join the Y Connect Podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Zarinah, Robert, and Allison discussing early educator conferences and leadership development and introducing Carley Stephens of Gas South and Cobb EMC Foundation 05:50 Gas South's "fuel for good" philosophy and how purpose-driven corporate social responsibility evolves through employee empowerment and listening to community needs 08:22 How Gas South and Cobb EMC Foundation work together to create community impact through member-based engagement and hands-on nonprofit partnerships 11:02 The power of asking more profound questions in corporate giving programs and moving beyond surface-level sponsorships to address challenges 18:46 Car seat safety story: How observing families during COVID food distribution led to immediate community investment and mental health support initiatives 23:12 Employee volunteerism through team grants that empower staff to support causes they care about beyond children's programs 26:53 CEO Kevin Griner's authentic leadership and how Gas South's pricing model reflects corporate social responsibility values in daily business decisions 34:04 Gas South's $1.3 million investment in YMCA programs, including Adaptive Swim, and nonprofit funding for inclusive education initiatives 37:44 Strategic planning insights from the YMCA task force and the importance of pressure-testing ideas for systemic change 43:55 Moving from charity to systemic change: Why companies must address a living wage and employee benefits for their own workforce first KEY TAKEAWAYS: 💎 Corporate social responsibility starts at home. Companies must invest in a living wage and employee benefits for their own workforce before expecting nonprofit partnerships to solve community challenges, creating systemic change from within 💎 Employee volunteerism becomes more powerful when workers have autonomy. Gas South provides team grants allowing employees to support causes they're passionate about, from veterans to animals, beyond the company's core focus on children in need 💎 Authentic leadership means showing up and doing the work. CEO Kevin Griner demonstrates purpose-driven values by volunteering alongside employees, pulling weeds with his own tools, and ensuring corporate giving decisions reflect fairness in everyday business practices like pricing ABOUT THE GUEST: Carley Stephens is Director of Corporate Giving at Gas South and Executive Director of the Cobb EMC Foundation. With over a decade of CSR experience, she's expanded Gas South's philanthropic reach across multiple states, increasing giving by over 300%. Recognized as an Atlanta Business Chronicle 'Leaders in Corporate Citizenship Top Practitioner' and Atlanta 40 Under 40 honoree, she drives impact through connection, collaboration, and mentorship. A Kalamazoo, Michigan native with a philosophy degree from Calvin College, Carley is a ...
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    57 min
  • Fan Favorite: Building Community through Fitness at the Y

    Fan Favorite: Building Community through Fitness at the Y
    Oct 15 2025

    When people join the YMCA, they have access to more than 3,000 group fitness classes. The Y offers everything from cycling to dance to yoga, flexibility, strength and more, all of which impact a person's overall physical, mental and emotional health. As our guests explain, perhaps one of the best parts of these classes is the close-knit community that is formed as a result.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • 02:13 Jennifer describes what goes on in determining the variety of classes offered at the Y and how a participant determines which class they should take depending on their fitness level
    • 04:23 Maura explains what motivated her to become a group exercise instructor and what the best part of her job is
    • 07:44 Maura keeps the classes engaged and motivated by making class different each time, and Jennifer discusses continuously improving programming and the selection of music
    • 15:15 Jennifer discusses new fitness trends
    • 19:42 Discussion of the percentages of men versus women in classes

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    • Taking classes at the YMCA is affordable and a great way to build community and make new connections
    • YMCA staff are rewarded by seeing the progress made by the participants
    • Exercises can be modified so everyone can participate regardless of the member's fitness level

    RESOURCE LINKS:

    Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Linkedin: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    BIOGRAPHY:

    Jennifer has been with the YMCA of Metro Atlanta for 18 years and says she loves her job and working with the uniqueness of our various YMCA communities. She is VP of Community Health and Wellness, supporting Y branches' health and wellness programming, community partnerships, and grants. Jennifer also leads the Y's two newest locations – the YMCA at Morehouse School of Medicine and our Y at Good Sam. She enjoys spending time with her husband in her free time, watching their son play baseball and football, working out, doing DIY projects and traveling.
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    25 min
  • Beyond Weight Loss: Jim's Transformation Through Coaching & Community

    Beyond Weight Loss: Jim's Transformation Through Coaching & Community
    Oct 1 2025

    We have two inspiring guests today. Jim Snoddy, a member of the Robert D. Fowler Family Y, who has lost nearly 100 pounds through the YMCA's supportive wellness programs, and Beth Girmay, the health & wellness instructor who has guided Jim every step of the way. Jim also serves on the Branch Community Engagement Board, which, as I understand it, plays pickleball almost every day.

    Today, we're discussing transformation, body, mind, habits and the role of coaching, community, consistency, and mindset. We'll delve into how the YMCA's Coach Approach & Weight Loss For Life programs support members, what obstacles arose, how Beth worked with Jim, and how Jim persevered. Beth, Jim, thank you both so much for joining us.

    What You'll Learn in This Episode:

    ✅ How weight loss coaching drives transformation through personalized support and community engagement at the YMCA

    ✅ The role of coaching and consistency in overcoming obstacles for a sustainable fitness journey

    ✅ Practical tools like MyFitnessPal that enhance wellness and support weight loss coaching goals

    ✅ The impact of community-driven fitness transformation on building lasting motivation and mindset shifts

    ✅ Non-scale victories that boost energy, mood, and confidence through a dedicated fitness journey

    Join the Y Connect podcast to discover inspiring stories of transformation and wellness. Tune in for practical tips and community-driven insights on fitness transformation. Subscribe now to elevate your fitness journey!

    TIMESTAMPS:

    00:00 Intro: Jim discusses weight loss coaching, community and wellness on his fitness journey as a result of the YMCA's accountability partners

    07:44 Consistency in weight loss coaching helped Jim lose weight incrementally, using tools like MyFitnessPal to focus on quality nutrition

    11:19 How to overcome obstacles, making your fitness journey sustainable, with coaching and activities like pickleball, fostering transformation and connection

    17:40 Weight loss goals, tracking methods, and the importance of mindset

    24:23 Beth expresses pride in Jim's consistency and community-driven fitness transformation, noting his role in inspiring others

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    💎 Weight loss coaching at the YMCA, with personalized coaching from Beth, enabled Jim's transformation, resulting in nearly a 100-pound weight loss.

    💎 Community support, through activities like pickleball and group classes, fosters motivation and sustains a fitness journey.

    💎 Small, achievable steps and tools like MyFitnessPal enhance consistency and mindset for lasting wellness.

    💎 Non-scale victories, like improved energy and confidence, highlight the broader impact of a community-driven fitness transformation.

    ABOUT THE GUESTS:

    Jim Snoddy is a member of the Robert D. Fowler Family Y, who has lost nearly 100 pounds through the YMCA's supportive wellness programs. Jim also serves on the Robert D. Fowler Community Engagement Board and is an avid pickleball player.

    Betelhem Girmay is a wellness coach and group fitness instructor at the Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA. Using her education in exercise science as well as her passion for wellness, fitness and health, she helps members reach their wellness and fitness goals.

    RESOURCES MENTIONED:

    Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    LinkedIn: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    YMCA Coach Approach

    QUOTES:

    "I encourage members to start small with doable steps." Betelhem Girmay

    "We start with small doable steps. When members see what they're able to do and they see their progress, they just add more success into it. And before they know it, they reach their goals." Betelhem Girmay

    "The Y has pickleball, chair yoga, regular yoga, water aerobics, and adult strength classes. A lot of times you can't start off with regular yoga, you start off with chair yoga and you get a ton of friends there. But the Y has a variety of stuff and it is so great." Jim Snoddy

    "Beth taught me about alternatives." Jim Snoddy
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    30 min
  • Ep. 71 From YMCA to Team USA: Kari Knotts' Volleyball Journey

    Ep. 71 From YMCA to Team USA: Kari Knotts' Volleyball Journey
    Sep 17 2025

    On today's episode of (Y) Connect, we're joined by someone who's already making waves on the national stage while still just beginning her high school journey. At only 14 years old, Kari Knotts has emerged as one of the brightest young talents in U.S. volleyball.

    Kari is a freshman at The Lovett School, a proud member of the Northeast Cobb Family YMCA, and a fierce competitor for A5 Volleyball Club. She recently became the youngest member of the U19 USA National Volleyball Team, where she was named both MVP and Best Spiker at the Pan-American Cup.

    From her start at the YMCA to winning MVP on the international stage, Kari Knotts joins us to share her inspiring volleyball journey.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • (00:00) Intro: Allsion and Robert welcome today's guest
    • (02:21) Kari shares her first memories of playing volleyball at the YMCA and becoming the youngest member of Team USA U19
    • (04:19) The moment Kari was selected for Team USA and the demanding schedule required to balance her commitments
    • (06:34) Finding motivation through faith, family support, and joy for the sport
    • (07:22) Lessons from volleyball: discipline, teamwork, and communication
    • (08:17) Staying grounded in humility by being thankful to God for his blessing
    • (08:48) Kari shares future goals: the Olympics, pursuing college and maintaining a passion for sports
    • (10:50) Kari expresses gratitude to teammates and coaches, and she advises children interested in volleyball

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    • Starting at the YMCA, Kari built strong fundamentals in volleyball and showed how community support can spark lifelong inspiration.
    • Balancing training, high school, and national competition requires discipline, motivation, and support from family, teammates and coaches.
    • Staying grounded in humility while chasing big future goals—including dreams of the Olympics—keeps this young athlete focused and grateful.

    RESOURCE LINKS:

    Facebook: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    LinkedIn: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Twitter: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    Website: YMCA Metro Atlanta

    BIOGRAPHY:

    Kari Knotts is a 14-year-old standout athlete and proud member of the Northeast Cobb Family YMCA. A freshman at The Lovett School (Class of 2029), Kari has already built an impressive volleyball résumé. Standing 6'3" with a 10'9" approach, she competes with A5 Volleyball Club on the elite 16-1 Gabe's team as an outside hitter.

    Kari recently made history as the youngest member of the U19 USA National Volleyball Team, earning both MVP and Best Spiker honors at the 2025 U19 Pan-American Cup in Canada. She is also part of the National Training and Development Program, designed to prepare high-potential athletes for international competition.

    Her teams have captured multiple national titles—including two USAV National Championships, three AAU National Championships, and two Triple Crown titles—with Kari securing MVP honors at 12U, 13U, and 14U. Despite her many accomplishments, she remains grounded, crediting her YMCA beginnings for shaping her love of the game and community.
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    13 min