What does it take to stay focused, stay driven, and still love the game after nearly a decade of training?

Welcome to Oak Performance Radio—where performance is optimized and injury is minimized. Hosted by Adam Lane, this podcast shares conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders who live at the intersection of hard work, recovery, and long-term success.

Episode Highlights

In this episode, Adam sits down with senior volleyball players Devynn Schulze and Julia Laidig, who share what it’s been like to grow up in the sport. From early training days to senior-year commitments, they open up about balancing academics, recruitment, and club life. The episode explores how they’ve built resilience, handled pressure, and leaned on their support systems—both on and off the court.

Key Insights

• The importance of staying grounded and committed across multiple years of training

• How to navigate the mental and emotional toll of recruitment

• The role of coaches and teammates in long-term development

• Why comparing progress with others can hold athletes back

• Balancing high-level competition with high school responsibilities

• Looking ahead to the shift from club volleyball to college athletics

Episode Chapters

• 00:00 Intro

• 01:17 Guests' Volleyball Journey and Positions

• 02:44 Challenges and Words of Wisdom

• 03:39 Positive and Negative Comparisons

• 39:32 Leadership and Influence

• 39:46 Balancing Commitments and Personal Growth

• 40:05 Reflecting on the Volleyball Experience 

Call to Action

Love hearing athlete stories like these? Share this episode with a teammate or coach who needs to hear it. And keep an eye out—we’ll be checking back with Devynn and Julia in college to hear how the next chapter unfolds.

Supporting Information

Julia Laidig is a standout volleyball player from Woodstock, Illinois, and a member of the Class of 2025. She plays as a libero and defensive specialist for VC United Volleyball Club, based in Loves Park, Illinois.

Devynn Schulze is a dynamic 5’6” libero and defensive specialist from Wonder Lake, Illinois, and a key member of VC United Volleyball Club’s 181 Elite team based in Loves Park. A senior at Woodstock North High School (Class of 2025), Schulze has demonstrated exceptional versatility and leadership throughout her high school career.

Follow the journey:

@wearevcunited

@julia_laidig_

@devynn.schulze

🔗 VC United Volleyball Club

🔗 Follow Oak Performance on Instagram: @oakperformanceradio

🔗 Learn more about Adam Lane: oakstrength.com

Thanks for tuning in to Oak Performance Radio. We’re here to support athletes chasing their potential while staying healthy and strong along the way. Catch you in the next episode!