Today we’d like to introduce you to Tomas Salava.
Hi Tomas, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Volleyball has defined my life, starting in the Czech Republic where I won national titles in both indoor and beach. My passion extended beyond playing; I studied the game deeply, earning a Master’s in Sports Psychology and Physiology while competing internationally across Europe, Australia, and on the FIVB World Tour. For nearly two decades, I immersed myself in global styles, strategies, and coaching philosophies.
Then came a pivotal moment at 33. The dream of competing in the Olympics for the Czech Republic led me to Los Angeles, beach volleyball’s heartland. It was a huge leap, knowing only one contact I met briefly in Europe. He was our lifeline for navigating the LA volleyball scene as my partner and I chased that Olympic dream—a risk fueled by ambition and deep belief.
Competing professionally indoors and on the World Tour, combined with extensive studies, gave me an invaluable perspective. I saw the gaps, opportunities, and specific needs of aspiring athletes, especially those aiming for high-level US collegiate play.
This realization sparked a passion to share my gathered knowledge, leading me to found Salava Volleyball to create something unique beyond just coaching. Leveraging two decades of global training and study, I developed a cutting-edge program designed to help high school athletes achieve their Division 1 beach volleyball dreams. I focus on empowering athletes with essential skills, strategies, mental toughness, and confidence needed to excel.
My work led to being recognized as a world-recognized coach and allows me to collaborate with top minds in the sport. I regularly work with leading college coaches and renowned figures like Sinjin Smith and Olympic coaches Leandro Pinheiro (2x Olympic Coach), Marcos Miranda (4x Olympic Coach), Dan Waineraich (1x Olympic Coach), and Marcio Sicoli (4x Olympic Coach). Learning from and exchanging ideas with them constantly sharpens my own approach. I’ve also coached national teams, including the USA, Japan, and Austria.
For the past decade, my focus has been clear: cultivating the next generation of champions. Guiding aspiring athletes through recruiting complexities, honing skills, and helping them achieve their Division 1 beach volleyball dreams—that’s the mission driving me daily.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Chasing a big dream internationally inevitably involves significant, unexpected struggles.
Leaving my home, network, and familiarity in the Czech Republic after three decades was a primary, constant challenge. Starting over so far from my roots carried an invisible weight.
Then, major spine surgery during my pro career threatened everything. Beyond the pain and recovery, profound uncertainty about playing at the highest level again—the reason for my US move—forced a reckoning with my body and future in volleyball.
Personal heartaches compounded professional setbacks. Twice, I invested heavily in bringing partners from the Czech Republic for our Olympic quest. Both quit and returned home after just six months of intense effort, testing my resolve immensely.
Meanwhile, navigating the relentless US visa system was a constant background stressor. The paperwork, deadlines, legal complexities, and bureaucratic uncertainty demanded incredible patience and resilience.
Simultaneously, I poured everything into establishing Salava Volleyball. Building a business from scratch as an immigrant involved navigating unfamiliar systems, marketing, earning trust, and managing finances—a demanding venture built daily.
Amidst professional challenges and hurdles, personal life unfolded. Creating a family in the US—finding love, raising children—brought incredible joys and new responsibilities, requiring a constant balance between my volleyball passion and commitment to loved ones.
Looking back, these struggles—leaving home, surgery, dissolved partnerships, visa battles, building a business, raising a family—aren’t just footnotes; they are the story. They forged resilience, patience, and a depth of understanding I wouldn’t trade. The grit required to navigate these challenges makes life incredibly rich, revealing what truly matters and creating the best stories.
As you know, we’re big fans of Salava Volleybal / Project D1. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Salava Volleyball: Maximizing Athlete Potential
Navigating the path to collegiate athletics, especially D1 beach volleyball, can be confusing and exhaustive. At Salava Volleyball, we intimately understand this journey because we’ve successfully navigated it repeatedly.
We are committed to helping dedicated athletes achieve their D1 beach volleyball dreams. Our comprehensive approach uses expert coaching, strategic recruitment planning, and personalized support to give each athlete a competitive edge.
We provide athletes the tools, knowledge, and mentorship to maximize potential. This includes refining skills, building standout profiles, guiding college selection, and facilitating connections with top coaches nationwide to effectively navigate collegiate beach volleyball recruiting.
The holistic approach extends beyond the court, integrating nutrition planning, academic support strategies, leadership development, and guidance on building a strong personal brand.
We empower athletes to excel on and off the sand, preparing them for successful recruitment and long-term life success.
At Salava Volleyball, we are dedicated to Building Champions for Life.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking and finding mentors have been crucial throughout my journey, from professional play and moving continents to building Salava Volleyball. What worked well involves a few key things:
First, talk to as many people as possible—cast a wide net at events or online. You never know who might offer key advice, a crucial introduction, or new inspiration. Be open and present.
Go beyond just talking: actively create connections. Find common ground, listen intently, and focus on long-term relationships, not short-term gain. Consider how you might help them, perhaps by sharing relevant info or offering support.
Ask many questions and approach everyone as a curious student, dropping the ego. Assume everyone can teach you something. Genuine curiosity and respect encourage people to share knowledge, turning contacts into potential mentors.
Be bold. Don’t hesitate to call, email, or message people you admire, even those with extensive experience. While some won’t reply, many appreciate concise, respectful outreach showing you’ve done homework and have specific questions. One ‘yes’ can change everything—it’s how I connected with Olympic coaches I now work with.
Finally, keep going. Building a network and finding mentors is a marathon. Handle rejection, follow up politely, stay engaged, keep learning, and continue reaching out. Persistence is crucial.
Reflecting on navigating the US move, setbacks, and building my business, it was this combination—being open, genuinely curious, bold when needed, and relentlessly persistent—that truly worked.
Simply: talk to anyone. You never know their story or the life gem they might offer.
Pricing:
- 5,790 month for a full recruiting service “Elite”
- 3,790 for mid-tiered service “Momentum”
- 1,290 for a basic service “Foundation”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://salavavolleyball.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salavavolleyball/
Image Credits
All Salava Volleyball archive
