When they were at Huntington Beach, watching our practice, I remember seeing his parents hold him underneath his armpits and let his little feet dangle on the ground. He scissor kicked them, trying hard to walk. I have a degree in kinesiology, the study of the body’s movement. I just stood there in complete amazement. I could see how hard it was for him to coordinate those muscles to do those little things. If that doesn’t inspire you to take what you have been given in life and do the very best you can with it, then nothing will.
The Rydzynskis were able to bury Nicholas with his favorite things, things that were his and his alone. They placed the autographed volleyball I’d given him in his casket, along with my wristbands and headbands. They also put in videotapes of my AVP tournaments, the ones where I’d given him shout-outs during the broadcasts. And they slipped in his favorite poster of me, too. Sweet dreams, Nicholas. On the poster, I’d written the sentiment that I’ve always lived by, words that always have guided me, and will continue to guide me, on my journey through volleyball and life: “Dream in Gold!”
Amber, Jenna, Nicholas, the Special Olympians, and all of the other special people that I’ve met, thanks to my two Olympic gold medals, fill my heart and feed my soul. They’ve inspired me, and they’ll continue to inspire me. They’ve taught me the most important life lesson of all: Olympic gold medals aren’t about the awards; instead, they’re all about the rewards. I want to spend the rest of my time on earth experiencing the gifts of my Olympic gold medals, connecting and building relationships with others, and sharing and expanding upon their strength, power, beauty, and majesty. I want to dream in gold in this new and most important phase of my journey through life and volleyball.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book would not have been possible without the wisdom, insights, memories, inspiration, dedication, commitment, love, support, patience, and sense of humor of a team of people.
There are no misfits in this bunch, just an enormous, devoted crew of family, friends, and colleagues who were as determined as we were to produce a book of which we all could be proud.
Our thanks to Misty’s agent Dan Levy of Wasserman Media Group and his assistant Marissa Nilon, who brought us together, always had our best interests at heart, and never stopped offering to lend helping hands. Thanks, too, to Farley Chase of the Waxman Literary Agency, who buttoned up our collaboration agreement and helped us navigate the publishing waters. A big thank-you as well to Brant Rumble and Anna deVries of Scribner, who provided direction and guidance every step of the way. We appreciate your passion, and especially your vision, for the project, one and all.
When it comes to dreaming in gold, Misty wouldn’t have been able to attempt to do that if not for the love and commitment of so many people—in the gym, on the sand, in the operating and treatment rooms, on the bench, in the living room, in the classroom—and for that, she is, and always will be, extremely grateful. Misty’s life has been blessed, and her time on earth has been truly golden. As her father Butch always says, “It takes a small village to raise a child.” Misty always has been cognizant of the tremendous effort of all of those people who’ve nurtured and supported her every step along the way, and she is so happy to have grown up in the village she did. Their strength allows her to soar, and what they’ve done, and continue to do, for Misty is priceless.
At times, with the dozens and dozens of characters who’ve touched her life, Misty kiddingly says she feels as if she’s living in a circus, and quite honestly, when reaching out for stories, anecdotes, facts, and remembrances for this book project, the number of people who stepped up to the plate to help out was seemingly endless. It certainly resembled that famous circus gag—the steady, nonstop stream of clowns filing out of a Volkswagen Beetle.
Thanks to Misty’s family, friends, extended Muscle Beach Family, and of course, Misty’s Misfits, who spent hours and hours sharing stories: Butch May, Brack May, Scott May, Jim Steele, Gail Gaydos, Eileen Clancy McClintock, Betty Ann Grubb, Edward Grubb, Gen Vanek, Bonnie Wong, Helen Terleckyj, Stacy Bonomi, E.T., Sandra Golden, Mina Dods, Bobby Barber, Ernie Suwara, Jim Oppliger, Toni Bowermaster, and Ann Davenport.
Thanks to Misty’s teammates and coaches, who recounted hours and hours of anecdotes: Kerri Walsh, Holly McPeak, Dane Selznick, Troy Tanner, Nicole Branagh, Elaine Youngs, Mike Rangel, Debbie Green, Brian Gimmillaro, Jessica Alvarado-Brannan, Brandy Barratt Kosty, Kristy Kierulff, Robert Puscus, Tom Pestolesi, Mollie Kavanagh, Roger Goodwin, Lee Maes, Jen Hecker, Jen Pavley, Christi Phillips, Dan Glenn, Melissa Schutz, Elsa Binder, Alice Chambers Sanchez, and Maks Chmerkovskiy.
Thanks to Misty’s healers and personal trainers for working so hard to make her the best she can be, then taking the time to put their magic into words: Dr. Bill Schobert, Gail Wetzler, Paige and Dan Rawson, Matt Stresak, Kelly Woods, David Bradley, Eddie Winslow, Miriam Richter, and Anya Tronson.
We appreciate the time volleyball icons Karch Kiraly and Kathy Gregory spent on this project, and the care they took in speaking about Misty, her growth and development as a player, her impact on the game, and her place in history. Thank you for all you have given to volleyball and all you gave to this book. You continue to inspire Misty every single day.
We relied on Misty’s NBC Olympics “historians” David Neal, Rob Hyland, and Lyndsay Iorio for being our behind-the-scenes eyes and ears at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Games. Thank you for your personal remembrances, as well as the piles of DVDs of all of Misty’s Olympic matches. Hopefully, you, and your cameras, finally have dried out from Beijing’s monsoon-drenched, gold medal final.
We appreciated those who helped in researching the book: Doug Beal and Takuya (Tak) Naito of USA Volleyball, Roger Kirk of Long Beach State, Bruce Smith of Santa Monica College, Kay Crooks of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, and Tommy Thall and Guy Hansen of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. We are indebted to those who transcribed so many digital interviews that we’ve lost count: Kay Rowland of Word Power and her assistants Cheryl Robertson and Gretchen Rapp Sakkinen. Our computer guru, Steve Cole, and our digital recording expert, Curt Warren, were lifesavers as well.
We are eternally grateful to Misty’s Olympic Gold Medal Gifts: Diane and Amber Peters, Christy and Nicholas Rydzynski, and Jenna Pilipovich. We also want to thank Mario Cicchinelli, who helps facilitate my annual get-togethers with Special Olympics athletes at the Mason, Ohio AVP event. You’ve taught us so much about faith, fortitude, perseverance, selflessness, and grace.
A very special thanks to Jill’s dear friend Julie Ward, our relentless managing editor on the project, who went above and beyond, both personally and professionally. She always was game, from the first read to the last. Not to mention up for attending three Broadway shows in twenty-four hours to add some much-needed distraction before crunch time!
Also, thanks to Jill’s dear friend Lisa Fryman, whose moral support was as vital to the project as her early read of the manuscript. She’s a Swimming Mom in Lexington, Kentucky, but she dug deep down to her Southern California roots and got enormously energized about Misty and beach volleyball. Jill’s dear friends Denelle Smalley and her mother Linda, who have lived and breathed volleyball in Manhattan Beach, California, and knew many of Misty’s cast of characters, also were kind enough to give the book early reads and provide important feedback. Denelle, thank you for arming Jill with a library of volleyball books, teaching her about the game (especially the role of a libero), and most of all, sharing her love for Fenway and presenting her with an unexpected gift named Lexi. (Thanks to you, she dreams in golden retriever and German shepherd.)
A big shout-out to Jill’s Team, especially Cara Regas Haughey, Anna Renderer, Debbie See, Bill Lieber, and Bob Green. You always listened, and without fail, you always provided comic and stress relief.
Above all, the authors would like to thank our husbands, Matt Treanor and Jim Steeg, who are the wind beneath our wings. You were forced to do without us on countless days and nights, forced to share us for
a year and a half with this book project, but you never once complained, you only encouraged, which enabled us to remain focused, fresh, passionate, and pointed forward. Your undying love and support provided constant inspiration. We also wish to give pats to the tummies of our beloved dogs, Gruden and Boogie, and Fenway and Lexi, who patiently slept at our feet during our writing, editing, and interview sessions. Their loyalty and unconditional love also kept us going! And last, but certainly not least, a very special thank-you to our parents, Butch and Barbara, and Bill and Paula, for always believing in us, for always driving us to be our best, for always encouraging us to be pioneers in our fields, for always inspiring us to dream in gold, in each and every aspect of our lives.
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!
Love,
Misty and Jill
I can’t believe I was ever such a peanut!
Mom was a nationally ranked tennis player. Everybody always says we looked a lot alike.
Taking my first steps from Mom to Dad’s outstretched hands.
I’m hanging out in front of our family’s pizza joint at Muscle Beach. Where are Dad and Mom? Playing beach volleyball, of course.
My grandmother and grandfather Betty and Kenneth Grubb.
The Tour de Misty. Honk, honk! Beep, beep!
“Yes, Santa, I was a very good girl this year.” (Years later, I learned Dad was behind the beard.)
My sixth birthday. Making a wish, blowing out the candles, and dreaming in gold!
Snoozing with Pokey, one of my favorite cats.
Eileen Clancy McClintock and I having a blast at a Smurfs concert.
My friend Jessica Jennings and me, two budding ballerinas.
My cousin Taylor Dent and me, aka the Future Tennis Pro and Super Girl.
My dance troupe and me (back row, far right). Now you can see why I was destined to be on Dancing with the Stars.
The Arrows, my first soccer team. I’m in the first row, far left, and Dad, my coach, is in the second row, far right.
Ichiban, one of the club volleyball teams I played on as a teenager, helped me grow into the number one high school recruit in the nation. I’m in the second row, second from the left.
Instead of going to the White House, our 1998 NCAA Championship team met President Clinton on the tarmac at the Los Angeles airport during one of his West Coast trips. I’m in the back row, fourth from the left.
I miss playing indoors. I loved it so!
It was an honor to receive the 1999 Honda-Broderick Cup as the nation’s most outstanding female collegiate athlete.
I am forever indebted to Debbie Green, a 1984 Olympic silver medalist who is considered the best setter in U.S. history. As the assistant at Long Beach State, Debbie taught me how to set as well as how to be a leader and a world-class athlete.
Dad, Mom, and me at the 2000 Sydney Olympics Bon Voyage Party. Dozens of our family friends gathered to cheer me on, donating $16,500 so my parents could afford to travel to Australia to see me compete with Holly McPeak. What a send-off!
Me and Kerri Walsh, the first beach volleyball team in history, male or female, to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals.
After losing ground internationally, we had to re-create ourselves in 2007. With a new coach and a new attitude, we won our seventh of eight FIVB events, in Phuket, Thailand, to close out the season with a bang.
Opening Ceremony at the 2004 Athens Olympics with President George H. W. Bush and some of the U.S. beach volleyball contingent. From left to right, Nicole Branagh, Sean Rosenthal, Kerri Walsh, President Bush, me, and Jake Gibb.
Our first Christmas card as husband and wife! Our “babies,” Gruden (left) and Boogie (right), patiently posing in our backyard in Long Beach.
I finished fifth in the Pro/Celebrity Race portion of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach in April 2005.
Me and “mini me” on the Great Wall.
With Matt on our wedding day, November 13, 2004. (Photo by Sandra Beckman)
Dad and me on the Great Wall of China on a sightseeing trip during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Me and Maks Chmerkovskiy, my partner on Dancing with the Stars, before taking the floor to perform the mambo.
Dr. Bill Schobert and me in his doctor’s office the day after he performed surgery on my ruptured left Achilles tendon.
One of the perks that came with winning the 2004 Olympic gold medal was the invitation to throw out the first pitch before a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
At home in Coral Springs, Florida, I cook in catcher’s gear. It’s safer for everybody!
A special moment with the Rydzynski family at Huntington Beach in 2006. Their son Nicholas, one of my Gold Medal Gifts, is wearing my 2004 Olympic gold medal. From left to right, Kirk; Paul, two; Christy; Nicholas, four; and me.
I cherish the closeness I’ve developed with my half brothers Brack (left) and Scott (right). We’re playing tourists on a family cruise in the British Virgin Islands.
In spring 2009, I put together a team in Mom’s honor, Barbara’s B’s, for the Long Beach Relay for Life. For twenty-four consecutive hours, we took turns walking around a track, raising more than three thousand dollars for cancer research, education, and programs.
Born to be wild! That’s Dad and me! We’re fooling around on a souped-up cycle at an AVP event in Dallas.
Me and Brazil’s Shelda Bede, my all-time favorite beach volleyball player.
Matt and me hitching a ride in Thailand.
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