Since I was little

Since I was little, sports have been a constant in my life. My parents always encouraged me to move, to experiment, to challenge myself. I started swimming at five years old: I still remember the thrill of entering the water, the feeling of freedom, my first contact with a discipline that taught me respect for the rules, coordination, and patience.

Dance and expression

Shortly afterward, ballet arrived, and something deeper sparked. I truly felt in my element, even though the lessons were tough and the teacher was very strict. Dance isn’t just movement: it’s expression, it’s listening to the body, it’s discipline. It taught me grace, but also strength. As I grew older, I broadened my horizons: I discovered hip hop, contemporary dance, and at thirty, I continue to cultivate this without passion. It’s my creative space, still mine today, a way to unplug and express myself speaking.

The lessons of volleyball

Volleyball came along during my adolescence. A completely different sport, but equally formative. Here I learned what it means to depend on the group: if one makes a mistake, everyone makes a mistake. It taught me teamwork, trust in others, the ability to react and support others. On the court, you’re never alone: every action is connected to that of those around you. And this, over time, has also strengthened my relationships off the court.

Summer and community

For me, summer is synonymous with beach volleyball tournaments. In the towns near mine, every year, competitions are organized that are much more than a sporting challenge. They’re opportunities to spend time together, to meet new people, to build bonds. Sport becomes pure sociality and community. You find yourself sharing laughter, hardships, and goals. And this, especially for a woman, is crucial: sport gives you a space where you can be yourself, where you can feel strong and free while still being part of something.

Discovering new passions

In recent years, I’ve also taken up padel, an emerging sport that immediately captivated me. It’s dynamic, fun, and has given me the opportunity to challenge myself differently, even by playing with people of different ages and genders. I like the idea of continuing to discover, of never stopping.

Sport as a way of life

For me, sport isn’t just a passion: it’s a lifestyle. It has taught me perseverance and respect, it has helped me through difficult times, it has given me balance, energy, and motivation. It has been an ally in personal growth, a way to better understand myself through interaction with others.

Sport and empowerment

As a woman, I believe sport is a powerful tool for emancipation. It teaches you to overcome limits, to believe in your abilities, and to not be afraid of making mistakes. It gives you a voice, a body, and a presence. And in a world that often keeps us silent or invisible, sport makes us visible, strong, and united.

This is my story, but I know there are many others. And each one deserves to be told, because sport is more than just competition: it’s life, it’s relationships, it’s identity.