MacDonald doesn\u2019t delve into the adult side of things; instead, her account is full of modelling and volleyball content, while there is a platform called OnlyFans TV where she supplies videos of her training. <\/p>\n
She also has other requirements, such as sharing posts on other platforms promoting OnlyFans branded merchandise.<\/p>\n
Olivia Macdonald: ‘There were times my bank account would hit zero.’ Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old is back in New Zealand as the Beach Ferns prepare for two exhibition matches against India in Auckland and Mount Maunganui. Speaking to the Herald, MacDonald explained how the partnership has changed her life.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople don\u2019t agree with it, but this opportunity has completely changed everything for me,\u201d MacDonald said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was really struggling. I had my gym requirements to hit, I was running out of hours in the day trying to compete and train as professional, working two jobs to make sure I can fund this. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere were times my bank account would hit zero, because I was getting paid once a month. And so as soon as my money would come in, it would go out, because I\u2019d be potentially paying for flights.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved working. I\u2019m not saying poor me. I know that beach volleyball is a choice, and I\u2019ve made this choice, and I want to go hard. So, I\u2019ve done what I can. I\u2019m not asking for handouts. I\u2019m getting it done myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
Olivia MacDonald during a volleyball tournament at Main Beach in Mount Maunganui. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n
Beach volleyball now receives funding from High Performance Sport New Zealand \u2013 that wasn\u2019t always the case \u2013 but it can only go so far with the amount needed to travel the world and compete.<\/p>\n
\u201cPreviously we\u2019d get super excited, because we\u2019ve had good results and we\u2019d be like \u2018Okay, this time, someone will sponsor us. We\u2019ll put a proposal in, would send it off\u2019. And it was just year after year of just getting rejected. No one wants to support you, or no one replies. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not something that I\u2019m trying to promote to younger athletes. I decided for myself at 29 years old that after getting a college degree, working, competing professionally, travelling the world and funding a lot of it myself, that this is going to put me in the best possible position right now. <\/p>\n
\u201cFor any athletes curious about it, I do think it\u2019s a cool avenue. But it still has the stigma around it. Like there\u2019s still a whole world of OnlyFans that people, I guess, don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Being an OnlyFans athlete has also opened doors for MacDonald, giving her opportunities she never would have otherwise.<\/p>\n
Her most recent was modelling at LA Fashion Week, where she got to walk down the runway, as her management company owns a bikini company.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just opened crazy doors, not only in beach volleyball, but outside as well,\u201d MacDonald said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing able to compete not only for New Zealand, but on other international circuits as well, ones that necessarily aren\u2019t funded by High Performance New Zealand, I can go to these events on my own dollar and benefit hugely from the experiences. <\/p>\n
\u201cI do reflect sometimes, and I\u2019m like, \u2018man, if I had not taken this opportunity, like, and I had just kept doing the same thing\u2019. It\u2019s like, \u2018Only an idiot does the same thing, expects different results\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n
MacDonald admits she is one of the lucky ones, having had the chance to become an OnlyFans athlete thanks to fellow players who were riding the wave of success in the United States.<\/p>\n
While the sport is currently getting some help, she believes more is needed to keep Kiwi athletes in the sport.<\/p>\n
Volleyball is the second-most-participated sport in high schools, but limited opportunities afterwards mean many don\u2019t continue.<\/p>\n
She believes more support is still needed to help the next generation and show that there are avenues for athletes to chase.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lose so many players because of the financial struggles,\u201d MacDonald explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealand has such a good reputation internationally for beach volleyball, but it\u2019s much harder for us to succeed because we\u2019re so far away and travelling is incredibly expensive.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I want people to see that this is a professional sport and that countries around the world invest in it. It\u2019s huge in Europe, there are courts everywhere, and I want young athletes here to know there are opportunities outside rugby, netball or hockey.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlayers have to sacrifice so much. I\u2019ve been able to put myself in a position where like, probably my family sacrifices more than I do, but in terms of like, if they\u2019ve got a partner at home, financially trying to support their families, like it\u2019s so hard, and we lose so many players because of these financial struggles.\u201d<\/p>\n
MacDonald believes more support at home can help make that dream achievable and that starts with the upcoming exhibitions against India.<\/p>\n
India is a developing nation in beach volleyball, but has been given funding to take part in the event, which is part of the celebrations marking 100 years of Unity Through Sport between New Zealand and India.<\/p>\n
MacDonald hopes it is a sign of things to come that the sport can make its return to the Commonwealth Games in Amdavad in 2030. <\/p>\n
Beach volleyball was part of the 2018 and 2022 Games, but didn\u2019t feature in the restricted Glasgow event earlier this year.<\/p>\n
While the Commonwealth Games will be a long-term goal, trying to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is on MacDonald\u2019s radar.<\/p>\n
The Beach Ferns have never qualified for the Olympics, so MacDonald wants to create history, but knows it won\u2019t be a walk in the park.<\/p>\n
An injury to teammate Shaunna Polley has impacted New Zealand\u2019s preparations and they fell just short in a qualifying tournament in China in September, although there are upcoming qualifying tournaments where they could sneak through.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, MacDonald hopes people leave this week\u2019s series with a greater appreciation of not only beach volleyball but the sacrifices athletes make chasing their dreams.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople think we\u2019re on holiday because we\u2019re playing on beaches in the sunshine,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s a fulltime job. We\u2019re in the sand five days a week, in the gym, seeing physios, sports psychologists \u2013 and we love it. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf sharing my story helps people understand that a little better, then that\u2019s a positive thing.\u201d <\/p>\n
The first leg of New Zealand\u2019s series against India starts on Thursday at Mairangi Bay, with the second leg in Mount Maunganui over the weekend.<\/p>\n