We had the good fortune of connecting with Betsi Flint and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Betsi, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
* My current result-oriented goal is to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games! However, the main goal is fulfilling my “why”. I’ve heard from so many Olympic athletes that they feel unfulfilled and often depressed after the high of winning medals or just being at the Olympics. For me, tapping into my “why” has already helped me along this challenging journey. I am a mom to my 2.5 year old daughter, and part of my why is to inspire her to chase her passion with determination and courage to take risks. I am constantly betting on myself! We travel internationally very frequently, oftentimes in a qualifier where we are guaranteed no money, no hotel or support from the tournament. Recently, we played in an Elite 16 Event in Montreal (Elite 16 is the top 16 teams in the world competing at a tournament), we finished our qualifier match at 9 p.m. Fortunately, we won securing a hotel paid for by the tournament and a spot in the main draw where we earn prize money. We went on to win a Silver Medal and now are ranked #9 in the world. Unfortunately, we saw our Brazilian opponents rolling their luggage out of the venue at 9:30 p.m., with no hotel room or place in the tournament. That’s how our sport works. I have taken so many risks and have lost so many of them, but from these risks, I have also won! The mental strength and resilience I have because of the risks I’ve taken have helped me in my career and motherhood. It’s difficult to leave my daughter for tournaments, especially after the losses, but one day I hope she can look back and see the example I’ve set for her.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud of who I have become after becoming a mom, which was one of the biggest challenges in my career. We decided to start our family during COVID-19 when the world and my career were on pause. I was uncertain if I would be able to come back and continue to play at an elite level after growing a baby. I continued to work out during my pregnancy with the goal of competing postpartum. No one can truly prepare you as a new mom, the mental and physical toll it takes on our body is indescribable. I had so much self-doubt and constantly questioned if getting back into training and competing was worth the sacrifice. I stayed disciplined and reassessed my “why”. Fast forward to 2 years later through plenty of ups and downs, my career has taken off and I’ve learned more about myself after becoming a mom than I have my entire life. Now I seek to inspire my daughter and other young women and girls to pursue their dreams and find success in both motherhood and their careers.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love food, so that would be the focus!
For breakfast, I would go to Uncle Bill’s in Manhattan Beach or Señor G’s in Playa del Rey. Then go straight to the beach to go on a long walk to the Manhattan Beach Pier, where my name will be cemented on a plaque this time next year for winning the 2023 AVP Manhattan Beach Open!
We’d then refuel at The Point in El Segundo, which has some of the best quick, healthy food options like Cava, Mendocino Farms, Tocaya, etc. There is some good shopping at The Point as well!
After lunch, we would go walk around on the campus of Loyola Marymount University, my Alma mater. From the bluff, you can see a great view of downtown, the Hollywood sign, Playa Vista, Santa Monica, and a lot more.
For dinner, we would go to the best Thai Food Restaurant I’ve found in LA: Ayara Thai in Westchester!!
Finally, we would go pick up Ginger’s Ice Cream (the vegan dark chocolate peanut butter flavor is to die for) and watch the sunset at the Santa Monica pier.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would not be able to do what I’m doing without the support and sacrifice from my husband, Chase. He is often the primary caretaker for our daughter because of my travel schedule, and he is one of the only people I can talk to after tough losses. I also wouldn’t be able to chase this dream without the help of my mother-in-law, she often flies into town and works remotely when I leave to help my husband juggle his work and parenting. I really appreciate my sponsors and their belief in me both as an athlete and a person; Vea Resort & Spa in Newport Beach, Left on Friday, GoMacro, and Edelson PC.
Instagram: @BetsiFlint
Image Credits
Lisa Dietrich