Maddie Haynes: Finding Balance On and Off the Court

From playing overseas in Europe to competing on one of the biggest professional stages in the U.S. with Athletes Unlimited (AU), Maddie Haynes has seen it all — the highs of athletic success and the challenges that come with it. In this Q&A, Maddie opens up about her journey through collegiate and professional volleyball, the mental health lessons she’s learned along the way, and her advice for young athletes learning to give themselves grace both in sport and in life.

Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey in volleyball, how you got started, and what led you to play at AU?

As a kid, I was always active and involved in a lot of different sports. For the longest time, I thought basketball would be the sport I’d play in college—but that all changed after attending a single volleyball camp in sixth grade. I instantly fell in love with the game. Once I realized I could take volleyball far, earn a college scholarship, and even play professionally, my whole life began to revolve around it.

I went on to earn a full-ride scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, where I graduated with a degree in History. During my time at Cal, I faced a lot of challenges with my mental health. Balancing the demands of competing in the Pac-12, staying on top of my academics, and still trying to find time to just be me was incredibly difficult. Thankfully, I was able to find resources and a support network that helped relieve some of that pressure when things became overwhelming.

Toward the end of my collegiate career, I knew I wanted to keep playing volleyball, but the only opportunities to do so were overseas. I spent four years abroad—one year in Germany and three in Switzerland. From the outside, it might sound like a dream: getting paid to play the sport I love while living in beautiful countries. But in reality, it was also incredibly tough. I was gone for nine to ten months of the year, missing birthdays, holidays, and important family moments. I was grateful for FaceTime, but nothing compares to being able to come home and hug your parents after a long, hard day.

In 2021, when AU launched its first season, I remember thinking how amazing it would be to play professionally in the U.S. again, especially in front of my family. As I watched AU continue to grow and learned more about its mission, I knew it was something I wanted to be part of. I’m beyond grateful now to compete alongside some of the top 43 players in the world and to be part of a community that empowers and supports one another both on and off the court.

Have you faced your own challenges with mental health during your career, and if so, what strategies or resources helped you most?

Since working with a therapist and sports psychologist, I’ve started unpacking many moments where I now realize I was struggling with my mental health, even at a younger age. However, I really began to notice it once I got to college. I remember feeling a heavy sadness and constant anxiety, but not being able to pinpoint exactly why. I would get frustrated with myself and even feel guilty for feeling that way, because I was at a top university, on scholarship, playing the sport I loved.

Eventually, I realized I needed help, so I began seeing a therapist through our University Health Center to talk about what I was experiencing. I started scheduling weekly check-ins, even during good weeks, because it was comforting just to have someone to talk to.

By my senior year, our coach brought in a sports psychologist who worked closely with our team. Once I started applying the tools and techniques we discussed, especially around managing my mindset and reframing how I approached the game, I noticed a huge difference. Not only did my performance improve, but I also felt more grounded, confident, and prepared heading into game days. My senior season ended up being one of my most successful, and I truly credit my sports psychologist for helping me build the mental skills to perform at my best both on and off the court. I even continued working with him while I was playing overseas.

What advice would you give to younger athletes who may be struggling with their mental health while pursuing their sport?

If I could tell a younger athlete one thing, it would be that it’s completely okay to feel what you’re feeling. You’re human. There will be days when practice doesn’t go well, when you feel frustrated or disappointed, and that’s normal. What’s important is not letting those feelings stay with you all day. I used to do that; I’d have a rough practice and carry that frustration with me long after leaving the gym. But over time, I learned to reframe it. The moment I stepped off the court, I chose to leave those emotions there and start fresh.

Something else I share with younger players is the idea of having an “intention buddy.” Before every practice, I find a coach or teammate and tell them one thing I want to focus on that day. For example, I might say, "Today I am going to focus on choosing a side and creating an early angle with my platform to the target.” After practice, I check back in with that same person and talk about how it went. It keeps me accountable and helps me shift my mindset from perfection to growth.

When I’m coaching, I see so many young athletes who get frustrated when they make mistakes, and I see a lot of myself in them. In those moments, I remind them that failing is part of learning. You can’t expect to be perfect at something you just started working on. And most importantly, I remind them to give themselves grace. Your worth isn’t defined by your performance or your success in volleyball — or any sport. You are enough, exactly as you are.