At 47 years old, Gean Medeiros has dedicated his life to both God and volleyball, proving that sports can be a powerful tool for improving the quality of life for certain social groups.

In addition to his priestly duties, Medeiros leads a volleyball program that helps thousands of young people and seniors in the Vala Velha neighborhood of São Paulo, Brazil.

Vala Velha is an underprivileged area full of social contrasts — the place where Medeiros grew up. At the age of 12, he discovered and fell in love with volleyball, eventually gaining recognition among some of the city’s top teams.

Although he chose to dedicate himself to religion rather than pursue a professional volleyball career, his love for the sport never faded — and over time, he found a way to combine the two passions.

While his main mission remains his church work, Medeiros founded the Piano Piano Volleyball School, where about 200 young people from the area train regularly. Since 2016, the school has offered young participants not only the chance to develop their athletic skills but also to grow personally and socially.

“Volleyball gave me so much, and I wanted to give back to my community,” he said in a recent interview, also discussing another project — a fitness program for the elderly that has already benefited over 400 senior citizens.

Even more impressive, Medeiros continues to be an active volleyball player, competing with the men’s volleyball team of São Paulo — the volleyball branch of the city’s famous football club. He participates in every practice (even wearing his priestly robes) and every match.