BRAND AMBASSADOR
Kerri Walsh
Jennings
The Heart & Soul of a Champion
There are 1440 minutes in every day . Kerri Walsh Jennings makes good use of them all . The three-time Olympic beach volleyball gold medalist co-founded p1440 , an athlete-first mission that engages and supports young beach volleyball players . Jennings and her husband Casey , a professional beach volleyball player and seven-time AVP Open Champion , created a digital platform around the sport and culture of beach volleyball . It has grown to a whopping more than 4,000 athletes and 100 clubs strong .
On the p1440 website , the goosebump inducing phrase is a tell-tale symbol of what it means to be a professional athlete . “ You ’ ve got what it takes , but it will take everything you ’ ve got .”
Nothing proves that better than Jennings herself . A talented athlete admired the world over , Jennings admits she took her health for granted when she was young . And to reach the highest echelon of a sport comes at a price . After six shoulder surgeries — two of which in college set her up for the next four operations — it ’ s a miracle Jennings was able to continue . But athletes become Olympians for a reason .
“ There are no excuses because I learned so much , but I was encouraged to get the surgeries because my shoulder was unstable , however what I really needed was strength ,” said Jennings , who also endured 11 courses of antibiotics post-surgery . “ Those rounds of medication crushed me , showing up in my skin , joints and leaky gut so much so I thought I had dementia .”
The recovery from it all was brutal , but Jennings would discover other ways to prevent infection after surgery and the health ups and downs led her on a path of healing internally and externally . Over the years she learned to live in the moment and live each of the 1440 minutes of the day to its fullest .
“ Learning about those minutes with my husband in counseling , it was a realization that we only have so much time , so we better get on it – we fail every day , but we try ,” said Jennings . “ Any time away from family has to be meaningful and impactful and not wasted .”
Human beings are conditioned to be distracted , all the more reason Jennings ’ p1440 organization is so important , especially for the young . As much about owning the moment as it is living in the moment , p1440 combines mindfulness , sport , and community .
22 • Vol 44 • Extraordinary Health ™ • www . GardenofLife . com