From Setbacks to Leadership: Toni Rodriguez’s Journey Through Resilience and Human Design for Coaches

In this week’s #FlashbackFriday episode of What I Meant to Say with Wendy Jones, we dive into the inspiring story of Toni Rodriguez, a professional beach volleyball player and founder of Level Up Volleyball. Toni’s journey, marked by multiple injuries, surgeries, and an unshakable commitment to becoming an effective leader, offers powerful lessons on resilience, adaptability, and self-discovery. What makes this conversation even more profound is how it aligns with Human Design (HD)—a system that provides insights into how we navigate challenges, lead others, and find purpose in our lives.

Toni’s Journey: A Story of Determination and Growth

With a seven-year collegiate volleyball career at LSU, Toni battled through two ACL tears, two shoulder surgeries, and a severe post-surgical infection. Despite these setbacks, Toni led her team with unwavering strength, ultimately transitioning to professional beach volleyball and founding a platform to guide aspiring athletes. Her story highlights the importance of perseverance, self-awareness, and finding strength in adversity. Additionally, Toni's journey underscores the responsibility she took in leading her team and making pivotal decisions.

Memorable Quotes from Toni’s Story:

• “I didn’t feel like they needed me to play; they needed me to lead.” (34:45)

• “What we plan for is not what is going to happen.” (47:20)

• “Don’t let anyone decide what you are going to do in life.” (63:00)

Early Life and Influences

Toni Rodriguez was born on September 13, 1996, to Charles and Lori Rodriguez. Growing up in a family with strong ties to Louisiana State University (LSU)—both her father and sister, Brandy Brewer, attended the institution—Toni’s path seemed destined to intertwine with LSU. Her early years were marked by a passion for sports, excelling as a three-sport athlete in volleyball, women’s basketball, and track and field at St. Amant High School. These formative experiences as a student-athlete not only honed her physical skills but also laid the groundwork for her leadership abilities. The discipline, teamwork, and resilience she developed during these years would become the bedrock of her future success, both on the court and in her professional endeavors.

Human Design Insights: Resilience and Emotional Intelligence in Action

Toni’s experiences resonate deeply with the principles of Human Design, offering practical insights for athletes, coaches, and parents. Leaders can develop their skills and confidence by fostering problem-solving abilities and providing adequate resources and training. Below are key takeaways, mapped to HD concepts:

1. Leadership Styles of Effective Leaders Based on Energy Type and Profile Lines

Toni’s Quote: “I think you can be born a leader, or you can learn to be a leader.”

• HD Insight #1: Leadership is expressed differently across HD energy types:
• Manifestors initiate bold changes.
• Generators/Manifesting Generators lead by sustaining mastery and energy.
• Projectors excel as insightful guides.
• Reflectors reflect team dynamics and encourage improvement.
• HD Insight #2: “Everyone can learn to be a leader…” illustrates how this can be true based on many different aspects of an individual’s Human Design BodyGraph Chart, including but not limited to: Energy Type, Defined Centers, Channels, Gates, and Profile Lines.

• HD Insight #3: Toni embodies the 4 Line (building connections and opportunities) and the 6 Line (maturing into a role model). When Toni says “Every time I was on that B side, I was trying to crush the A-side, I was trying to make them better,” it highlights Toni’s competitive spirit and her commitment to growth—not just for herself but for her entire team. Being on the "B side" in volleyball typically means playing against the starting lineup (the "A side") during practice, often as a substitute or backup. Instead of seeing this as a lesser role, Toni reframed it as an opportunity to push her teammates, strengthen their skills, and elevate the team's overall performance. Her mindset reflects a deeper understanding of leadership that goes beyond individual achievement—it’s about serving the collective.

2. The 4/6 Profile in Action

The 4 Line, The Opportunist, in Human Design represents individuals who thrive on connection and creating opportunities through relationships. Toni’s dedication to improving her teammates’ performance reflects this energy. By challenging the A-side, she didn’t just work on her own skills but fostered an environment where her teammates could grow. This is the hallmark of a true Opportunist: someone who leverages interpersonal dynamics to uplift the entire group. A team leader embodies these qualities by mentoring and guiding team members, focusing on relationship-building and organizational skills.

The 6 Line, The Role Model, represents a lifelong journey of growth, wisdom, and eventual role modeling. Early in life, individuals with a 6 Line often experiment and learn through trial and error. Toni’s journey through injuries and setbacks mirrors this phase, where challenges served as learning experiences. Over time, the 6 Line matures into a role model who leads by example, inspiring others with their resilience and perspective.

3. Embracing Setbacks with Inner Authority

• Toni’s Key Moment: Returning stronger after injuries by trusting the process.
• HD Insight #4: Athletes with Sacral Authority thrive by tuning into their body’s yes/no responses, while those with Emotional Authority learn patience through their emotional waves.  Discover your authority at bebetter.life/human-design-bodygraph. 

4. Resilience and Undefined Centers

• Toni’s Quote: “We go back to our old habits; we go back to what’s easy.”
• HD Insight #5: Athletes with undefined centers, like the Head or Solar Plexus, may amplify external pressure or emotional energy. Awareness and grounding practices are essential.  Explore your undefined centers at bebetter.life/human-design-bodygraph.

Team Leadership and Empowerment

Effective team leadership is the cornerstone of any successful organization, and Toni Rodriguez exemplifies this through her journey. A great leader is not just someone who directs but someone who empowers their team members to take ownership of their roles. Toni’s leadership style is rooted in providing guidance, support, and fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration. By doing so, she ensures that every team member feels valued and motivated to contribute their best. Her ability to inspire and uplift her teammates is a testament to her understanding that true success is achieved when the entire team thrives together.

Team Leadership

A team leader’s role extends beyond merely guiding a group towards a common goal. It involves providing direction, inspiration, and the necessary support to help team members realize their full potential. Toni Rodriguez embodies this principle, consistently demonstrating that effective leaders trust and enable their teams. By fostering an environment where each member’s expertise and ideas are valued, she ensures that the collective effort leads to remarkable achievements. Her journey underscores that the best leaders are those who motivate their teams to strive for excellence, even in the face of challenges.

Empowering Team Members

Empowering team members is crucial for building a strong and effective team. Toni Rodriguez understands that when team members feel valued, supported, and empowered, they are more likely to take ownership of their work and strive for excellence. Great leaders, like Toni, recognize the unique strengths and talents of their team members and provide opportunities for growth and development. By doing so, they create a culture where everyone is motivated to contribute their best, leading to collective success and achievement.

Effective Communication and Building Strong Teams

Effective communication is the linchpin of building strong teams and achieving success. When team members understand the goals, expectations, and challenges of the team, they can work together more effectively to achieve their objectives. Toni Rodriguez, a talented outside hitter on the indoor volleyball court, knows the importance of clear communication whether you are indoor or on the beach.  She collaborates closely with her teammates to anticipate the opponent’s moves, adjust their strategy, and execute their plays with precision.

Emotional intelligence is another critical component of effective team leadership. Great leaders possess the soft skills necessary to help others manage their emotions, build strong relationships, and work collaboratively towards a common goal. By developing emotional intelligence, leaders like Toni can create a positive and supportive team culture that fosters success and achievement. Her ability to connect with her teammates on an emotional level ensures that they remain focused and resilient, even in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, effective team leadership and empowerment are vital for achieving success in any organization. By providing guidance, support, and opportunities for growth and development, leaders can empower their team members to achieve their full potential. Effective communication, emotional intelligence, and a focus on building strong teams are essential for overcoming challenges and achieving collective success. Toni Rodriguez’s journey is a powerful example of how these principles can be applied to lead a team to greatness.

How Human Design Transforms Coaching, Parenting, and Playing

For Coaches:

• Understand your energy type and unique strengths for authentic leadership.
• Tailor coaching and leadership strategies to each athlete’s HD chart.

• Recognize that success is about mastering technique and fostering self-awareness, not just winning.
• Schedule a free discovery call with Human Design Coaching Strategist, Ashley Clark, to discuss how Human Design can improve your team’s success!

For Parents:

• Understand your Human Design and how it may or may not impact your athlete’s design.
• Provide emotional and structural support aligned with your child’s HD Authority, Strategy, and Profile.
• Help them navigate challenges by building resilience through understanding their energy type and authority.
• Follow @thehealinghome_la for more parenting wisdom from Wendy Jones on human design, generational healing, and nervous system regulation for the home.

For Athletes: Beach Volleyball

• Understand how your energy type affects the role you play on your team and how you show up.
• Embrace the best way you learn through your Profile Lines.
• Trust your inner authority to make aligned decisions, especially during adversity and setbacks.
• Focus on your unique strengths and stay curious, as Toni did when learning to train with her left hand!

Key Takeaways from the Episode

1. Leadership through Adversity: Toni demonstrates that leadership isn’t about being the best player but about doing what you can to make the team better. In her final year, she capitalized on her experience and skills to significantly impact the team's success, showcasing key statistics and memorable performances.
2. Resilience in Setbacks: Human Design offers tools to help athletes navigate adversity with clarity and alignment.
3. The Power of Self-Awareness: Understanding your unique Human Design blueprint allows you to thrive in sports, life, and leadership roles.

Conclusion: Unlocking Your Leadership Potential with Human Design

Toni’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and the importance of self-awareness. By integrating Human Design principles, coaches, parents, and athletes can unlock new levels of success and fulfillment. Whether you’re an athlete recovering from setbacks or a coach striving to bring out the best in your team, Human Design offers valuable tools to enhance your journey.

Want to learn more about Human Design in sports? Stay tuned for more #FlashbackFriday blogs from What I Meant to Say, where we explore stories of growth, leadership, and self-discovery with a Human Design lens.

Links & Resources

• Listen to this conversation: Podcast
• Watch the episode and subscribe: Youtube
• Toni Rodriguez: Level Up Volleyball | Instagram
• Learn more: Alchemy for Athletes and Coaches