What’s it like for an amateur athlete getting ready for international competition? 

Three-time Olympian and McMaster grad Mark Heese knows. Heese won bronze at the Atlanta Summer Olympics in 1996, and has been enlisted by the CBC to provide court-side commentary for Pan Am volleyball games. 

We asked Heese about his Marauder memories, what it was like going from varsity to international sports and what advice he’d provide to up-and-coming athletes. 

What is your most memorable moment with the men’s varsity team?

We won OUA in my 4th year, and I was co-captain. We were ranked third in country at the time. I would say that was our best moment as a team.

Balancing a competitive volleyball schedule with academics and university experiences can be daunting – what advice can you give to students who participate in varsity teams?

Life is about balance and juggling all our passions. You shouldn’t have to give up one passion for another. I believe there is always a way to follow more than one passion. They feed off of one another, pushing athletes and giving them a competitive edge. When you are committed to something you always find a way. Family and friends were important part of the overall formula for success in beach volleyball. Without them, it wouldn’t have worked.

What changed when you transitioned from a varsity athlete to one who competes in tournaments, and eventually the Olympics?

Everything changed, it became a full-time focus. I specialized in beach volleyball, which meant as an athlete I needed my focus to be on one thing – growing, strengthening and nurturing my skills as a beach volleyball competitor. This meant full time training, my days orbited around two things – my family and my beach volleyball. The biggest change was my time management, in order to be successful I had to commit to my sport.

Did anything remain the same?

My girlfriend, who is now my wife. We met at McMaster and have been together for 25 years. I had kids during my World Tour and Olympic career. She has been an incredible and integral support system for me through it all.

What is your involvement with the Pan Am Games?

I have been used here and there in some media promotions, as a former Olympic medalist. But my official role is a commentator/analyst with CBC as the host broadcaster. This means I will be courtside for every match helping call each match for the world broadcast feed.

What were your thoughts prior to the start of your Olympic debut?

It is nerve wracking leading up to the “biggest” tournament of your life, so a lot can race through your mind in the weeks and days leading up to the Games. That is when all the mental training needs to kick in… manage the distractions, stay focused

How do you mentally prepare for a big game?

It is a daily focus to remind yourself of all the important things leading up to the big game. These reminders will help keep you focused on all the things that make you strong and feel good. Distracting thoughts and doubts that can easily creep in, staying strong and focused mentally is a critical part of the strategy to win.

In your experience, how long does it take an athlete to prepare for an event like the Olympics, or in this case the Pan Am Games?

I believe it is a long process of building belief and properly preparing, especially for athletes that don’t have the natural physical and mental gifts. Those that have the natural ability to just show up and compete, can sometimes get it done despite not preparing properly or having years of experience. Those types of athletes are few and far between. I certainly wasn’t one of them, I needed to dedicate time to properly prepare. Once an event started, I learned to rely on being present and competitive regardless of how the training was leading up to the big event. My last Olympics in Athens was plagued with injury and inconsistent training patterns, but overcame it to have a very successful Olympics.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

From my Dad, who is also an Olympian and a McMaster Physical Education graduate, he said, “somebody’s got to win, so why not you?” It helped me realize that I deserve to win as much as the next guy, so take it if the opportunity presents itself.

Any final comments, or words of wisdom for the athletes?

Rely only on yourself, don’t put all success in the hands of others, or rely on others to help you get it done. At the end of the day, it will always come down to you and your own desire to be successful that will push you over the top.