CONCRETE VIBES: OLIVA’S WORK-LIFE BALANCE STARTS WITH A BALL

Meet Olivia.

Olivia Calderone is an experienced baller whose relationship with the game is rooted in good vibes and sunshine. 

Her journey with the beautiful game began in third grade – and it’s been part of her life ever since. For the past 15 years, soccer has become part of her identity. 

As a registered nurse working towards the ICU, Calderone balances playing with a demanding work schedule, oftentimes working late into the night. Despite this, she still finds time to play.

“I work the night shift”, she starts. “So sometimes…I’ll come home from work at 7:30am, maybe take a little nap, then head out to play.”

Work-life balance is important to Calderone. When she plays, she takes full advantage of the freedom it brings. Windows down, jamming to music with her roommate, soaking up sun on the bay, and enjoying tacos or quesaritos are all part of Calderone’s routine when she plays. 

“Playing soccer is important to my work life balance because it is a mode of therapy,” she begins. “We blast music, roll the windows down, and praise the Lord for a beautiful day to play some futsal.”

Calderone joined Chicano Futsal’s pickup community by chance after hearing about it from her old neighbors – and the rest, as they say, is history. 

“I enjoy playing in this community,” Calderone states. “Everyone is really out there to move their bodies and have a good time while also keeping a competitive spirit.”

Calderone values these communities because they bring people together. 

“It is important to have free access to soccer because people need a place to know that they belong.”

On the concrete – under the sun or moonlight – the beautiful game thrives and community is born.