Julie Vanloo has had a turbulent few months. Shortly after winning the European Championship gold with the Belgian Cats, the West Flemish player was fired from her WNBA team, the Golden State Valkyries. Vanloo had skipped the celebration with the Cats to return to the United States as quickly as possible, where, shortly after arriving, she was told she had to find another employer.

Her dismissal came as a bolt from the blue. “The hard part about being fired is that you have no control over it. I had just come off a huge high with that gold medal with the national team, and I did everything I could to get back to the States as quickly as possible. To then hear that you’re being fired was the hardest part for me. I didn’t even have time to enjoy my achievements with the Belgian Cats.”

After an incredible turnaround, the Belgian Cats were crowned European champions for the second consecutive year at the end of June. © BELGA

Vanloo, who seemed to be facing uncertain weeks, was almost immediately snapped up by the Los Angeles Sparks. This provided financial and athletic security, but it didn’t necessarily benefit her mental peace. “After my release, I had to rush around so the Sparks could sign me. I had to go, go, go. It’s like I never really found peace.”

Mental and physical strain
Due to the WNBA’s overcrowded schedule, Vanloo hasn’t even had time to process and digest everything that happened to her in recent weeks and months. “We just don’t have time to think. This week we played Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and then Tuesday again,” Vanloo said in her YouTube vlog. “That’s five games in eight days. It’s a positive thing that you can’t dwell on a setback, but also not on a positive performance.”

“That’s something I’m struggling with right now. I haven’t been able to process anything yet of what’s happened to me these past few weeks. In fact, I’ve been going non-stop for over two years without much of a break.”

© NBAE via Getty Images

“I haven’t been home for a while. I’m having more and more days where I’m homesick. Being so far away from my family isn’t easy for me,” Vanloo added.

Yet, the Belgian Cat doesn’t want to complain too much. “I’m very positive, optimistic, and grateful. Everything happens for a reason. It’s okay to be mentally unwell sometimes. A lot of positive things have happened because of my layoff. I’m now with a team that really loves and cares for me. I’m building a close friendship with Julie Allemand.”

In the vlog, it’s clear that Vanloo is having a great time with the LA Sparks. She’s very popular in the locker room and has a blast during the trips.