Phil Dalhausser was born in Switzerland and moved to the U.S. at a young age. As he got older Phil started playing beach volleyball and enjoyed a break-out year in 2006 when he partnered with Todd Rodgers, an 11 years veteran of professional beach volleyball. Since teaming up, the duo has become one of the best beach volleyball teams of all time.

In the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, Phil and Todd won the gold medal match two sets to one against Marcio Araujo and Fabio Luiz Magalhaes of Brazil. Dalhausser made nine blocks in the championship match, with five coming in the deciding third set, putting the U.S. up to a 9-1 lead and eventually winning it 15-4. Dalhausser was named tournament MVP. Phil’s nickname on the tour was the “Thin Beast” and later became “Beijing Beast” after his performance in China.

Phil’s hobbies include XBOX, fantasy sports, tennis, and volley pong. He says if he weren’t playing volleyball he would be, “sitting behind a computer crunching numbers”.  Phil is married to beach volleyball player Jennifer Corral. Phil and Jennifer have two kids and live in California.

Art Eddy: You won an Olympic Gold Medal in 2008 in the sport Beach Volleyball. Tell me about the training leading up to that season.

Phil Dalhausser: Every year it is basically the same. From January to March we have our training season. We practice four to five times a week on the beach. Straight from the beach we go to the gym. That is the day basically. From April to September is when we travel and play all the tournaments. Once the season is over I don’t touch a volleyball. I am over it physically and mentally. Then I start back up in January.

To answer your question I really didn’t do anything that differently. I literally have been doing the same thing for ten plus years now when it comes to training.

AE: You won your Gold Medal with Todd Rodgers. In that sport you need to work together and be on the same page. What did you learn from Todd as your partner?

PD: I learned a lot from Todd. When I started playing with him I was more of an athlete than a beach volleyball player. Todd’s nickname is The Professor in the beach volleyball world. So he is known for his technique and his mental game. He took me under his wing and taught me how to become a beach volleyball player and more importantly a pro athlete. Getting in the gym, stretch and getting a massage. I can’t just name one thing that he taught me because it was a lot.

AE: At what age did you know that you were going to fully commit to competing in the Olympics and did you know about all the sacrifices going into it?

PD: I was 26 when I started playing with Todd. The whole goal for him was to get into the Olympics. He was part of the third team in 2004. You only take two teams from one country. He wanted to qualify for Beijing. He thought I was the guy that would be able to help him. We ended up qualifying and being the number one seed and we came home with the gold.

AE: Switching to fatherhood now, what were some of the first few thoughts that popped into your mind when you found out that you were going to be a dad?

PD: Well I am not going to lie. I freaked out a little bit. (Both laugh.) I talked to my buddies who have kids and they told me it was life changing. Your life revolves around your kids and not what you want to do or whatever you feel like doing. I did freak out a little bit, but at the same time I was super excited. To have a little Phil running around was exciting for me.

AE: What are some of the core values you look to instill in your children as they grow up?

PD: I read a great book called Mindset by Carol Dweck. In it she basically talks about how having an open mindset as opposed to a closed mindset. People with an open mindset tend to have more success in life in general. So I try to teach them to have an open mindset. They can basically do anything they want as long as they are willing to work for it.

AE: What advice do you have for new dads?

PD: The biggest thing for me when my wife was pregnant with our first child I would talk to him in her belly. For me I was able to connect with him. So when he came out I felt like we were connected because I would talk to him every night.

I didn’t do that as much with our second child. When she was born I didn’t feel that strong of a connection with her right off the bat. So I would say my one big thing would be to talk to your baby when he or she is your significant other’s belly.

Life of Dad Quick Five

AE: Do you guys have a favorite family movie that you all love to watch together?

PD: Our go to movie right now is Finding Nemo.

AE: Do you guys have a favorite song that you all like to sing to or dance to as a family?

PD: No, not really we don’t actually. Maybe we have to look into that and come up with one.

AE: Describe the perfect family vacation.

PD: I would have to say some tropical island, probably Hawaii. It is not close. It is about five hours away from L.A. My wife and I got married in Hawaii. We try to go back once and a while. So I would say a vacation in Maui.

AE: What was going through your mind when you received your Gold Medal?

PD: There are a few things that I remember. First one was holy crap this is actually happening. I have an actual gold medal around my neck. (Both laugh.) Second, the guys that we beat who came in second place were crying. I remember thinking I liked that. Third, I got emotional I put all this work into this one tournament. It happened to work out. All of that work came into fruition. It was an amazing feeling. Think of the best feeling and times it by a thousand.

AE: Other than volleyball, what is your favorite Olympic sport to watch?

PD: I like to watch Track and Field. I like sprinters.

Follow Phil on Twitter at @PhilDalhausser and go to his website at phildalhausser.com.