We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Irina Navarrete a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Irina , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I am honored to share this part of my story.
The star of this story is my Charity Nonprofit organization “Houston Volleyball Group” that I love with all my heart.
Sometimes to find a purpose we need to go through difficulties and challenges and this what was happening to me all my life.
I was challenged as a kid being different and not being able to be as physically active and strong as I could and as I am now. I was born with a heart condition and I had an open heart surgery when I was a little girl. It made me feel week. Even I wasn’t.
When I left my parents house I jumped into a very active lifestyle and I found it as my another passion besides my job. I got in love with a fitness and kickboxing when I was 23 and it developed with time.
When I moved to USA I accidentally met someone who played volleyball and it changed my life forever. Sergey, my friend, had an idea to organize games and practices for Russian speaking community and I clearly wanted it as well. But…I couldn’t play 😅 It didn’t stop me from being a part of this group and being an organizer.
It’s been 5 years since we’ve started the group and it grew so big. Serg lives in another state now and I’m the one who continues to grow and improve our community.
We have people from different cultures and countries and we call ourselves a big volleyball family.
So from a girl who couldn’t do any physical activities I developed to a very active athlete who leads a strong big sport group of people and getting ready to compete in a fitness bikini competition as well.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I was sharing a lot about my job and my business in previous publications and I want to focus on my nonprofit organization this time.
Houston Volleyball Group was born with love, passion to a sport and developed big friendship.
Our community helped many people to find their favorite hobby, meet new friends, find and build new connections, take care their physical and mental wellbeing and strength. It’s not only about playing a favorite sport, it’s a lot deeper.
Through our years together we organized many different events all over the Texas. Indoor and outdoor tournaments, practices and training sessions for beginners, fun activities and events including our group anniversaries and birthdays.
Some of the biggest events is our Texas tournaments that included Houston, Austin, Dallas, San-Antonio recreational teams.
One of the latest exciting events was our 5th anniversary tournament and celebration. We celebrated our friendship, bonding and fun times together.
Being a leader of such an amazing group of people is a big honor and responsibility. I give all myself to make sure that every event goes smoothly and well organized.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
To organize any event, small or big, can be stressful and challenging for anyone. Especially if it’s a big event and you have guests coming from other cities to join it.
To organize a group of people, even for a small volleyball practice, is a lot of work as well.
It takes a dedication and commitment, big love and passion for the thing you do, for the people and the goal you want to achieve.
The most important qualities for the organizer and a leader are patience, responsibility and goal orientation. Love and compassion are must have. For anything you do in life. If you miss it there will be no strong community and connection.
Being a good communicator and having diplomatic skills are very important as well.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
The big thing about me – I love trying different things and improving myself in different ways.
I am a very big example of becoming a strong person in areas where I thought or anyone thought I’ll never be.
I already shared a little bit of my story being born with a heart condition and now being a girl who leads a sport community. I improved and continued improving my volleyball skills. I’m building my body and preparing to compete in a fitness bikini competition.
I am an international model who got published in magazines all over the world. I am an international titleholder of the beauty pageant and I can continue a list of achievements that prove that no matter what circumstances you can achieve anything you want and nobody and nothing can stop you.
Go somewhere you never been and it will change your life. Same like me going to a volleyball court not knowing how to play and not knowing anyone in this place.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/houstonvolleyballgroup?igsh=MWlnejBpOWFkNWNlbg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/heXu6w2r1vcDm7Yz/?mibextid=K35XfP
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irina-n-4ba93037?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Photographers:
James Choi
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamescjc?igsh=MW95eGdmN2ZuY3BmNw==
Evgeniy Zavyalov
IG: https://www.instagram.com/you.wanna.photo?igsh=MXkxcjQxejV4Z2Z4Mw==
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
