Today we’d like to introduce you to Juliann Faucette Johnson.
Hi Juliann, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a professional volleyball player. I came to Austin to play and get my education from the University of Texas where I was a 3x All-American, National Freshman Player of the Year and Big 12 Player of the Year. After I graduated, I went on to play professionally overseas for ten years in countries like Japan, China, Italy and France. I played and trained with the US National Team for a while before I was cut from the team in 2016. In 2017, I decided to step away from volleyball to start a family with my husband. We had a son in March of 2020. After my son was born, I was contacted by a team in Italy and asked to come back to playing. I decided to give it a go and moved my family to Bergamo, Italy when my son was just six months old. I played a season and upon returning, we moved back to Austin where we could buy a home and raise our family. I currently am a Program Director of Volleyball and Sports Information Director, as well as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School here in Austin. I work as a mentor for students as well as keeping up with my own journey of fitness and volleyball.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No. I have had several injuries and mental breakdowns along the way. I have been cut from teams, felt to be not good enough and lost all confidence. Body image has been a struggle for me in the past as well as becoming a new mom and having to perform on the court. It has been a journey of believing in myself and learning how to cope with the judgmental voice in my head and of those who didn’t give me a chance. I had to pick myself up and work harder than most to get where I am.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a professional volleyball player of ten years, the sport has been a huge part of who I am. I was able to travel the world and meet so many amazing people from. I found myself through this sport and continue to be a part of it today. Currently, I am a coach and on the athletic administration team at a private school in Austin where I also have a position on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Team. I love what I do because it involves working with young people. It is a chance for me to give back to the sport and to the community that shaped me.
I also am super passionate about fitness and nutrition and believe that being a pro athlete has taught me so much in this area. Health and wellness are staples in my life.
One thing I am most proud of is being inducted into the University of Texas Hall of Fame in 2020. It is one of my greatest accomplishments.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I sing. I have written an album that lives on Apple Music and Spotify. I am sort of shy about it but also proud at the same time. I would love to sing more, but I am so busy with lots of other things that I never find the time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.juliannjohnson.com
- Instagram: juliannjohnson_
- Twitter: juliannjohnson_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jfaucette
Image Credits
Christopher Micheal Kentrell Stepney Chris Caselli Randy Anderson
