From Pro Volleyball to Filmmaking: How Dallas Soonias Rewrote His Playbook

Dallas Soonias spent over 15 years traveling the globe as a professional indoor volleyball player. From packed arenas to high-pressure tournaments, his career was built on precision, teamwork, and relentless drive. But when a career-ending injury took him out of the game just months before the Rio Olympics, he was faced with a challenge no training could have prepared him for; starting over.

Now, years later, Dallas leads a thriving film production company based in Calgary, Alberta, blending storytelling with the same intensity he once brought to the court.

The Loss No One Prepares You For

“You train your entire life to be the best at one thing,” Dallas says. “You structure your entire identity around performance, progress, and reaching a goal. Then one day, it’s gone.”

Dallas had already come back from two career-threatening injuries. But the third – a devastating blow just two months before the Rio Olympics – ended the dream for good. While teammates boarded flights to represent their country, Dallas stayed behind. Alone. Injured. Watching from the sidelines. “It was like grieving a death. Not just of my career, but of the version of myself that existed for decades.” This emotional fallout isn’t uncommon. In fact, research shows athletes are disproportionately affected by depression and identity loss during their post-sport transition. For Dallas, the pain was compounded by the suddenness of the shift. “There was no roadmap. No next steps. No direction.”

Finding His Voice in a New Arena

In the months that followed, Dallas began exploring the world of acting. “I was looking for a way to express something – to feel like I still had a voice, even if I wasn’t competing anymore.” He took classes, found an agent, and booked roles. Just like in volleyball, he committed himself fully to acting but found something deeper was calling. “I realized I didn’t just want to be in front of the camera – I wanted to shape the story.” That curiosity led to writing, and eventually, directing. While he didn’t have a formal background in film, he had grit, hustle, and curiosity.

From passion projects to independent documentaries, Dallas began building himself a portfolio. A few projects turned into a business and before long, he found himself leading a production team – applying the lessons of sport to every new shoot.

The Athlete’s Advantage

When asked what helped him most during his transition, Dallas points to qualities that every high-level athlete shares: resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering internal drive. “As an athlete, you get used to setbacks. You know how to take a hit, adjust, and keep going. That’s rare in the business world.” Dallas doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges. “It still hurts when you face rejection. When things don’t go your way. But athletes learn how to let it hurt – then turn that pain into motivation.”

It’s that mindset, he says, that’s allowed him to build a career in a competitive, creative industry. Although he didn’t attend film school,  he knew how to lead, how to work on a team, and how to push through.

Why Athletes Belong in the Boardroom (or the Studio)

Dallas sees a massive, untapped opportunity when it comes to former athletes entering the workforce. “So many companies overlook athletes because they don’t come from a traditional background. But they’re hiring for the wrong things. You can teach technical skills. You can’t teach drive, discipline, or leadership under pressure. That’s baked into athletes.”

Whether it’s on set or in a boardroom, he says, those “soft skills” make a major difference. “If I had access to a pool of people who already knew how to work together, stay focused, and own their role in a team? That’s gold. You can build something special with people like that.”

Why FreeAgent Matters

That’s why Dallas is so excited about platforms like FreeAgent. “There’s never really been a place like this for athletes,” he says. “A space that not only helps you transition, but shows the world what you’re capable of. That’s huge.” FreeAgent connects current and former athletes with companies, mentors, and peers – bridging the gap between sport and the next stage of life. For Dallas, it’s about visibility and empowerment.

“FreeAgent shows businesses what athletes can really do. And more importantly, it shows athletes they’re not alone. That this next chapter isn’t the end—it’s just the next challenge to rise to.” When asked to sum up the platform in a single word, Dallas doesn't hesitate: “Opportunity. For both sides.”

A Message to Athletes in Transition

Dallas’s story is a reminder that while sport may be one chapter of your life, it doesn’t define the whole story. “To anyone going through it right now – know this: you’ve already done the hard part. You’ve sacrificed. You’ve pushed through pain. You’ve led, followed, failed, and won. That doesn’t go away when your sport ends.”

“What you’re starting isn’t from scratch. It’s from experience. And that experience is more valuable than you think.”

Ready to Begin Your Next Chapter?

At FreeAgent, we help current and former athletes build their future with purpose and confidence. Whether you’re looking for a new role, building your network, or launching your own business – there’s a place for you here.

Join FreeAgent today and start writing your next playbook.