A day in the life of an ex-Google political science graduate turned professional volleyball player

Have you ever heard of an athlete entrepreneur? 

Well, let me introduce you to beach volleyball player and ex-Google and ex-Amazon employee, Celine Collette. 

Born and raised in northern France, Collette had two dreams: working abroad and playing her favourite sport, beach volleyball.

To achieve the first goal, she chose a master’s programme in political science focusing on international relations at the Institute of Political Science, also known as Sciences Po Lyon.  The five-year master’s programme included a year abroad.

During her third year at Sciences Po Lyon, she moved to the US and attended the University of California, Santa Barbara. Later she returned to France, but that wasn’t the end of her global adventures.

Collete worked at Google for seven years and three months as a new business development manager, strategic partner manager, international growth manager, and head of operations in Google local services ads. Source: Celine Collette

“I resigned from Google and started doing beach volleyball full-time”

Collette would later join the ESSEC Business School’s Advanced Master in Strategy and Management of International Business in Singapore — a stint that would lead to her staying in the high-tech island nation for the eight years after graduation.

In Singapore, Collette worked as a business development manager for a Hong Kong retail company and then as a business development and project manager for a French company.

But, just two years into her career, she was given the opportunity to work at Amazon as a regional manager. The best part about this job? She was part of the pioneer team that built Amazon Global Selling from the ground up. 

Two years later, Collette joined Google as a new business development manager in Singapore. It was an exciting time, especially working for a tech giant known for their great career perks.

Two years into her time at Google, she moved to New York City and then Los Angeles.

However, after spending seven years at Google, she reached a point where she found it hard to balance both her career and her love for beach volleyball.

During her corporate career, Collette dedicated some time in her day to practising beach volleyball. But that would mean she had to wake up at 4:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. to train before work. 

“There was a lot of pressure chasing a dream job of many. My job was in a very competitive company and with my sport, I was training to improve myself. I’m also 32, so I resigned from Google and started doing beach volleyball full-time,” Collette shares.

“When it comes to sports, there’s a time limit. I’ve been working for the past 10 years, and even if I were to leave my job and want to return to corporate later in life, that’s possible. For sports, it’s not.”

After resigning, Collette migrated to Spain, where she is currently based, to live out her dream of being a beach volleyball player. Today, her days are not as hectic as they used to be.

Collette often travels for beach volleyball competitions. She has competed in China, Belgium, Bulgaria, Tahiti, Brazil, and more. Source: Celine Collette

Here’s what a full-time volleyball player cum entrepreneur does in a day

A day in the life of an athlete entrepreneur often depends on the intensity of their training or season. For Collette , a calmer day would start a “little later,” at 7 a.m.

“In the mornings, I would journal as soon as I’m up and get some physical training done. That would include two hours of beach volleyball training, starting at 8:30 a.m., then an hour of gym or mobility training to help me build my muscles,” she says.

For lunch, Collette tries to be as healthy as possible. She cooks all her meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner herself. Towards the end of the week, she sometimes eats out.

Even when she’s out, she monitors the food she eats and avoids alcohol to stay healthy and keep her body going.

After lunch is her time for non-physical tasks. “I don’t have to do many physical activities in the afternoons, so I’ll rest a little. Sometimes I’ll have a physio session,” she says.

“I will also try to work on my side projects as my sport does not pay.”

Collette does not generate an income from playing beach volleyball.

It is by using her 10 years of experience in tech and international business management that she has found several side projects to help her pay her bills. 

Her projects include connecting with people, building her network and presence on social media, and working as a consultant for businesses or individuals looking to grow.

In between all of this, Collette finds time to learn Spanish and Portuguese and read about mental health 

“Learning a new language is like an adventure, and it’s also a way for me to learn new skills,” she says. “If I’m not working on my side projects or language skills, I’ll be reading about mental health. I work with a mental health coach to learn ways to build my confidence while on and off the court.”

Things are much more chaotic during competition season.

There’s a lot of travel and no set routine.

“Travelling as a beach volleyball athlete is complicated. We would need to plan our own travelling details, book our own flights and accommodations, and train on our own when we’re abroad as our coach does not join us on the trips,” Collette says. 

“We’ll often get tired from the time difference and travelling, so it’s hard to keep a routine an athlete needs. Additionally, when we travel we’re going to places that are kind of unknown, and it would often involve us taking two flights and a long drive or train ride to the location.”

Despite the fatigue, she will always remember why she left her high-paying job to pursue a non-paying sport. Collette has no regrets.

Chasing her corporate dream job wasn’t always rainbows and butterflies. Collette often found herself under pressure, which led her to leave her high-paying job at Google. Bring open to change was something she learnt along the way. Source: Celine Collette

If you’re thinking about studying abroad, here’s some advice

“If you get the opportunity to study abroad, go for it. It will be the best adventure you can give yourself,” Collette shares.

“Not only will you learn different things at university, but you’ll also learn so much about yourself.”

Moving abroad changed Collette’s life. In only a year, she improved her English skills and met people from all over the world.

This made her think that living abroad was something she was destined to do, making her feel different from others around her. Collette believes that once one steps out of one’s comfort zone, especially abroad, it will open up one’s mind, and it is the best gift one can ever give themselves in this phase of one’s life.

But she understands that it won’t be easy.

“I remember crying every day when I left home. It was scary. You’re leaving home knowing it will be a life-changing adventure,” Collette says.

“Take the risk and do it. If you get to learn a new language, do it. It’s a life-learning adventure, and you will have many opportunities. Jump in and enjoy yourself.”