The Soul Goals, Episode 40: Pri Lima

Pri Lima’s fiery spark is undeniable and that coupled with her passion for life and achievement has been her driving force for years.  Pri’s upbringing in Brazil and her connection to her Grandmother shaped her in to the woman she is today and taught her about resilience and tenacity.

As a teenage athlete, Pri dominated the indoor volleyball court in Rio.  She picked up beach volleyball at the age of 16, calling herself a “late-bloomer”, but quickly showed the community what she was made of, going undefeated for two straight years with her beach partner.  Landing in the US with a full-ride scholarship to ULL to play indoor volleyball, she began making her mark in a large way, garnering numerous collegiate accolades as well as achieving success as she played in the AVP main draw and represented Brazil in the South American Tour, the Continental Cup, and the FIVB Tour.

Pri will be quick to say that these accomplishments were second to the success that her wife, Michelle Piantadosi, achieved as she battled and overcame breast cancer.  Walking this road beside her partner, Pri dove in head first as Michelle’s number one supporter as her wife dealt with chemotherapy and a double mastectomy.  Watching Michelle fight to get to the other side and being an intimate part of her healing process, Pri takes nothing in life for granted and dedicates so much of herself to everything she takes part in.

Pri is the owner and director of Optimum Beach in St. Petersburg, a beach volleyball training program for all levels including young kids through professional players.  She is dedicated to growing the game and leaving her mark on the community in a big way.  Pri was named head beach volleyball coach for the University of South Florida earlier this spring and is excited to embark on and build a new program with her hand-picked athletes in the upcoming years.  Go Bulls!

One of Pri’s main missions is helping others realize that being a strong athlete encompasses more than just your physical game.  “Courage before confidence” is a mantra she claims and is the backbone of her life as well as the training she passes on to those who work with her.  Welcoming their beautiful daughter, Mila, in to the world last month, Pri  is reminded yet again of the preciousness of life.  This spicy Brazilian’s balance of hard work, passion, and tenacity is such a gift to those whose lives she touches!

Everyone has a story, and every story matters!