Volleyball Champion Kelly Cheng Shares Swimsuit Photo Feeling the Heat

Volleyball star Kelly Cheng (maiden name Claes) is used to dealing with hot weather when she’s competing—but sometimes it’s a lot even for this Olympic champion. Cheng, 27, loves sharing pictures and videos of her training and competition events, and posted a snap of herself posing with fellow champion Sarah Hughes, wearing an athletic black and purple swimsuit. “Battling in this heat is no joke 🔥🔥,” Hughes captioned the post. How does Cheng maintain her strong and toned physique? Here’s how she trains, eats, and relaxes.

1. Holistic Wellness

Cheng has learned to incorporate wellness into every aspect of her life. “It didn't really click with me until I was a Junior at the university that there were a lot more factors to wellness,” she says. “I would wear the Intelliskin a lot to study and to get my posture in check, but I didn't really think about food as a huge factor or how sleep and recovery could greatly affect my performance. There are so many little nuances to wellness and I've begun to integrate that focus into my life.”

2. Plant-Based Protein

Cheng swears by plant-based protein to support her health and training. “When it comes to your body’s daily function, it doesn’t matter where you get your protein from,” says Dana Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD. “But data show that eating fewer animal products and more plant-based proteins is associated with increased longevity and decreased morbidity.”

3. Balanced With Partner

Cheng loved the balance she and previous partner Sarah Sponcil brought to the game. “We bring such different ideas to the table,” she said. “And I think we both do a really good job seeing each other’s strengths and really working hard to emphasize those strengths. And we both really know our weaknesses and we both try to cover up each other’s weaknesses. We want to dive in and get better as volleyball players and as people. So it’s been fun, being very similar ages and being in very similar walks of life and get to go on this journey together.”

4. She Wears a Pulse Oximeter

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Cheng wears a pulse oximeter after being diagnosed with SVT (supraventricular tachycardia) at age 14. “During matches, when emotions run wild and my heart races, I can put the MightySat on my finger and it gives me peace of mind that the measurements I am seeing are accurate. By looking at the numbers, I get reassurance about where my heart rate is and whether it’s in my normal range,” she says. “It’s comforting.”

5. Spiritual Health

When the Tokyo Olympics were out on hold, Cheng spent time working on her spiritual health. “I’ve spent a lot of time reading and journaling, and I’m diving into the Bible a little bit more, and this quarantine has given me a lot of time to dive into the word, and my relationship with him, and it’s been really fruitful,” she said. “I think my growth as a person has been really exciting. I’ve tried to use this time to grow in opportunities where I haven’t previously given the time to do so.”

Stanford University volleyball player Kendall Kipp had an unforgettable trip to Mykonos, Greece over the summer, and shared some dreamy pictures from the vacation. Two time All American star Kipp posted snaps of herself posing on a yacht in a blue bikini, against a stunning ocean background. Other pictures show her playing around with friends and jumping into the water. “Found paradise,” she captioned the post. “The best place on earth,” wrote player McKenna Vicini. Here’s what Kipp thinks about living a fulfilled, balanced life.

1. Love For Stanford

Kipp knew she belonged at Stanford University from day one. “From the first time I stepped onto the Stanford campus I felt like I was at home,” she says. “I loved the team and coaching staff. I also loved how all the players and staff talked about the importance of academics- that we are here to be students first, then athletes. Stanford athletes are very humble which makes for an amazing and unique culture. Everyone is striving to be the best they can be in every aspect of life and pushing each other to be better.

2. Pre-Match Rituals

Like many athletes, Kipp has pre-match rituals that give her a confidence boost. “I always put everything right on first; then left,” she says. “I always listen to music, drink a coffee, and eat a pack of fruit snacks! Outside of volleyball, I'm passionate about exploration and travel. Whether that's skiing, camping, hiking, or relaxing on a beach, I love trying new things and seeing new places.”

3. Swimming Background

Kipp says swimming would be her sport of choice if she wasn’t playing volleyball, as she swam for 14 years. “I thought I was going to be the next soccer star or swimmer,” she says. “I tried everything out there. I tried dance, gymnastics until they kicked me out and said, You're way too tall. But I was convinced that I was going to play any other sport but volleyball. And I think that probably came from one, me being stubborn, and then two, just growing up getting dragged to all those long volleyball tournaments.”

4. Healthy Competition

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Kipp says comparison is the thief of joy when it comes to competition. “If I'm comparing myself to another player who I'm competing against to an extent that can motivate me to get in the gym and work harder and I can see what areas I might need to work on more,” she says. “But there's obviously a point where it gets very toxic and very dangerous quickly because at the end of the day, you are your own person. And if you're constantly comparing yourself, you're just going to be trying to match this other person and live up to them, when in reality, that's probably not even what you want to be doing.”

5. Mental Health Awareness

Kipp wants there to be a deeper discussion about the mental health of college athletes. “Mental health obviously has been a big topic as of lately, which is great, but I think it can still be talked about even more,” she says. “I think as an athlete, it's hard because being a student, you're living a normal life. You're essentially working a full-time job on top of it, which is being an athlete and the hours you commit to your sport, and on top of that, trying to maintain a social life and just your mental sanity, getting enough sleep, getting food, taking time to rest and be bored and not be constantly on the go is such a hard thing. And it's hard when you're struggling mentally to even just get by, let alone thrive. And you're not just trying to get by as a college athlete, you're trying to train and perform well and improve yourself and be there for your teammates. And if you don't have 100 % to give, then you're just going to keep draining that battery.”

Kayla Simmons is starting the week off with a swimsuit selfie. In one of her latest social media posts the volleyball star flaunts her amazing body in a black bathing suit with a plunging neckline. “Happy Monday,” she captioned the post with her followers. “Your gonna break the internet!” commented Nicole Pedra. “You are absolutely perfect,” commented another follower. How does Kayla maintain her physical and mental health? She abides by a few simple health habits.

1. Swimming and Snorkeling

Kayla is a water baby and can often be found in the ocean. Two of her favorite activities are swimming and snorkeling. In addition to being a great aerobic exercise and burning calories, other health benefits of putting on a mask and fin may include improved cardiovascular function, stress reduction, mood enhancement, and muscular toning.

2. Surfing

Kayla is a surfer. There are many health benefits of the sport including cardiovascular fitness from paddling, shoulder and back strength, which also strengthen from the paddling, and leg and core strength. “Once you’re standing up on the board, strong legs and a strong core will keep you up,” the Australian government’s Better Health says.

3. Body Confidendce

“Being a former college athlete & growing up around sports has taught me to push myself to the limit,” Kayla said in an interview. “College athletics was a great experience for me, but it also taught me some valuable lessons. I was told by my school administrators that the pictures I post are inappropriate because of my body, I was even asked to delete my Instagram at one point. I was torn bc I felt I couldn’t embrace my body & play the sport I love. I’ve since learned that you can’t let other people affect how you feel about yourself.” She added to The Post in July 2019 that she hopes younger fans “know that it’s okay to just be yourself and feel confident.”

4. Hiking

Kayla also enjoys hiking. “Hawaii has my heart,” she captioned this photo from one of her hikes. “Hiking is one of the best ways to get exercise. No matter what type of trail you find yourself on, hiking is a great whole-body workout—from head to toe and everything in between,” says the National Parks Service. Some of the physical benefits include building stronger muscles and bones, improving your sense of balance, improving your heart health, and decreasing the risk of certain respiratory problems. It also offers many mental health benefits, according to a Stanford University study.

5. An “All Natural” Body

Simmons, who has been dubbed the “world’s sexiest volleyball player,” addressed plastic surgery rumors during a Q&A on YouTube. “I got zero silicone. I’m all natural, I’m sick of answering that one, but yeah,” Simmons responded when asked, “How much silicone did you get?”

University of Wisconsin volleyball star Sarah Franklin spent summer back home in Florida, and even on her down time the athlete likes to stay active. Franklin shared a picture of herself paddleboarding in a green bikini top and shorts, looking vibrant and happy in the sunshine. “A quick trip home with adventures and sweet pea the baby goat🐐,” she captioned the post. Here’s how Franklin recovered from serious surgery to thrive in her sport and come back stronger than ever.

1. Love of the Game

Franklin has a whole new appreciation for her sport after getting surgery earlier this year. “I just feel overjoyed every day that I get to walk on the court and do the things I love the most with the girls I love,” she says. “It’s crazy to think about what the summer was because this just feels normal, it feels right. It felt like a fever dream. I’ve said that a couple times. But I’ve definitely grown and learned a lot from those weeks and the unknowns.”

2. Support From Team

Franklin had no choice but to have surgery after blood clots were found in her arm, and appreciated the love and care she got from her coach Brittany Dildine and teammates. “It’s nice to see that side of a coach, to know that they care for you that much and that they have your back as a human and not just as a volleyball player,” Franklin says. “Britt and I got very close over that period of time, which is very special and I cherish that now.”

3. Big Ten Player

Franklin was just named Big Ten Player of the Week after games against Rutgers and Maryland over the weekend. “Their entire team is just playing the game really well. It’s been fun to see how cohesive they are, with that young group,” Luke Fickell says. “It reminds me a lot of my 2017 team, but we weren’t playing the game nearly as well as these guys. It’s a little bit contrasting of styles, which should make it really fun and I’m sure the fanbases are foaming at the mouth on both sides-- they should be! This will probably be one of the more anticipated and most-watched college matches probably in recent memory.”

4. Motivation For the Next Year

Franklin is motivated for the future. “I feel that now I’m a lot more equipped to deal with any hardship, any little thing that gets in my way,” she says. “I’m on a mission. I know what it’s going to take to win a national championship, and I’m on a mission to complete that. Last year I didn’t know what it took. I didn’t know the habits, I didn’t know the organization, the time management. Now I feel like I can see everything piecing together slowly. The experience I had this summer, I feel even closer with the team even though I missed them for two weeks. I feel like everyone has backed me up, has been there. I just feel so insanely thankful for everything that has brought me to this point. It’s been a lot, but I think it was what I needed to feel ready for this season.”

5. Paddleboarding Fun

Franklin’s love of paddleboarding offers many health benefits. “Core is where everything stems from,” says Rachel Williamson, a physical therapist at UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies. “It is our body’s strong base. Back pain is a huge issue for a lot of people and not engaging the core well is often one of the major culprits of aches and pains. You may not get a six-pack (abs) from paddleboarding but you will strengthen those deep transverse abdominal muscles which act as your body’s natural back brace.”

Miami Heat cheerleader Chelsea Varsaci is gearing up for another NBA season by looking and feeling her absolute best. The dancer and attorney is seen wearing a brown swimsuit top and blue jeans, getting her hair ready for dance auditions (along with her fellow cheerleaders) at Brooke Vibrant studios. “Day in the life of getting my Miami heat dancers ready for auditions,” the stylist captioned the video. Varsaci seems to have it all—so how does she do it? Here’s how she has the energy and focus for both her day job and her dance career.

1. Forging Her Own Path

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Varsaci is an attorney as well as a dancer, and sees no reason to choose between the two. “I am currently dancing with the Miami HEAT and an attorney,” she says. “That was a journey of its own. Every step I’ve taken has gotten me to where I am today. One thing I say that has gotten me there was that I didn’t let people tell me the path I was supposed to take. I wanted to take my own path and decide how I wanted to do it. Being in law school and practicing as a HEAT Dancer, people will always say you can't do both and you have to give up one for the other. But I didn’t want to do that, I wanted to follow my dreams and do things my way.

2. She’s a Beach Baby

Varsaci is a Miami girl, so the beach is her second home. Being outside in the sunshine is good for both mental and physical health. “I often ask patients to take their mood temperature — a measurement from 0 to 10, with 10 being the best mood — before and after taking a walk outside,” says Susan Evans, PhD. “People are often surprised at how much their mood improves.”

3. Discipline and Focus

Varsaci says it’s possible to be in school and also dance—but it takes hard work and sacrifice. “So, you wake up in the morning and you go to school, if you want to dance you do your homework and dance, you do it all,” she says. “I was raised to have that dedication and determination in everything I’ve done. So, whatever it takes to reach that final outcome, it’s what you do. If you stay up late, if you have to make it work, if you have to talk to your coaches, talk to your employee's things like that when you have the understanding and passion behind it; other people will understand and are more willing to help you get to your goal.”

4. Snow Bunny

Varsaci refers to herself as a “snow bunny” due to her love for winter sports. “Skiing and snowboarding are thrilling activities and great workouts,” according to experts at the University of Rochester Medical Center. “Both sports are excellent cardiovascular exercises that strengthen the heart. Because they are also weight-bearing exercises, they strengthen your bones as they tone your muscles. Cardiovascular or aerobic exercises also work to reduce your risk for chronic diseases, and lower blood pressure. They also help you maintain a healthy body weight.”

5. Trailblazing Women

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Varsaci is proud to be thriving in a traditionally male-dominated space. “Being an attorney in a male-dominated career has been hard and it has presented struggles,” she says. “But one thing that women have gone leaps and bounds with and walking in and knowing their worth. Walking and knowing they did the same amount of work; they did the same steps as it took for men to get to the same positions. Now, the confidence they have brought behind that transformed the whole legal industry and women are now Supreme Court Justices and are at the top thanks to the women before us have laid that path, and now, it’s on us to follow that path and make it greater.”