Mike Morrison: Pro Volleyball Player

Take one look at Mike Morrison and you’d think he grew up playing volleyball on sandy California beaches. But nothing could be further from the truth. Raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, Mike grew up playing lacrosse and football – though his true passion lay with more extreme sports like skateboarding and snowboarding. In fact he hoped to one day become a professional snowboarder… until he found volleyball.

During his last year of college at Western Michigan University where he earned his degree in marketing, Mike decided to join the college’s indoor volleyball club after frequent volleyball games with friends at local parks. In the summer before graduation, Mike took his involvement in the sport to the next level, and started competing on the beach in the Midwest Professional Volleyball Association (MPVA) tour. Though his experience on the pro tour was a humbling one, – “I got my butt kicked,” jokes Mike – it fired him up to continue pursuing the sport. So after graduation in 2002, instead of moving to the mountains to become a pro snowboarder, Mike was westward bound and moved to California, the birthplace of beach volleyball.

“Even though my family was really supportive, I think they just thought I’d go off and have fun for a few years before settling into a career. But they’re beginning to understand how serious I am about the sport now that I’m earning sponsorships and trying to win a spot on the U.S. Olympic team,” says Mike.

It was a tough road at first, competing against people who had grown up playing volleyball on the beaches and had years of practice to fine-tune their skills. But what Mike lacked in experience, he made up for in dedication and hard work. And the balance, coordination and general physique Mike gained from snowboarding and other sports made him an excellent athlete, helping him to quickly excel at volleyball. Additionally, Mike drew inspiration from his father, who courageously battled thyroid cancer for over 20 years after being given six months to live by doctors.

“From the time he got the diagnosis, he always had a glass half full attitude. He ran a successful business and raised a family, all while fighting this disease. No matter how bad things got, he always focused on the good in life, and I try to take as much of that positive attitude as I can from him. I think in sports as well as in life, it’s important to function that way, or you’re really going to face a rough road ahead,” says Mike.

Now, after seven years of competing on the pro circuit, first with the California Beach Volleyball Association (CBVA) and currently with the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP), Mike is one of the top men’s beach volleyball players in the country, and was ranked as the number three blocker out of all the active players nationwide in 2009. Mike hopes to continue improving his rank on the AVP domestic tour, and has also set his sights on competing internationally in 2010 in hopes of earning a coveted spot on the U.S. men’s Olympic team in 2012. Recognizing the important role proper nutrition plays in his training, he’s partnered with Twinlab to help get him there.

“Working out in the sand requires the use of many more muscles to pull and accelerate your body than if you were working out on a solid surface. So in a sport like volleyball, it’s important to get the right nutrients so you’re not wearing your body down. Personally, I take Glutamine Fuel® to help with muscle metabolism and recovery, and Joint Fuel® and Twinlab Glucosamine to keep my cartilage, knees and shoulders healthy from all of the repetitive jumping and hitting movements I do.* Also, Electrolyte Fuel® and Endurance Fuel® help me maintain the levels of electrolytes, carbs and sugars I need to perform anaerobic movements throughout my tournaments and training sessions,” says Mike.*

We’re excited to welcome Mike to Team Fuel, and look forward to supporting him on his journey to become an Olympian!