How to Succeed Even If All Odds Are Against You with NBA Champion, Brian Scalabrine

Summary: 

NBA legend Brian Scalabrine joins us this episode to share his personal story and inspire us. The White Mamba didn’t have it easy growing up, but that did not stand in his way. He became iconic against all the odds. You can beat the odds too. 

Tune in to this episode to find out how to flip the narrative about your life with anecdotes from White Mamba’s childhood and his journey to triumph. 

Bonus: Brian Scalabrine also fills us in on his new venture Scal’s Vodka Lemonade!

Timestamps: 

03:17 A few words about 9/11

07:50 Our guest today: The White Mamba!

08:19 Why Coach Elix uses sports metaphors

11:09 Athletes use the power of visualizing to win, you can too!

14:50 How the pandemic is affecting the White Mamba

18:13 Mastering flipping the narrative (and one time White Mamba did it)

23:50 Do you care about what people think? Adopt this framework to reduce the noise.

28:36 What Brian would say to kids who don’t have a lot, but want to play for the NBA.

35:28 White Mamba’s tough childhood: how the people around you influence you greatly despite money

38:07 How hard are you actually working?

40:49 Why investing in people is White Mamba’s strategy

43:30 Why White Mamba thinks he can’t give you good advice

45:57 What does having a grip on life mean?

47:35 How Brian just gave us the best advice, even though he said he couldn’t. 

51:50 Connecting with White Mamba 

 

Key Takeaways: 

Athletes are great role models in getting comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Flipping the narrative, reframing a negative narrative into a positive one, is a great strategy to get comfortable with the uncomfortable. 

Don’t worry about what people think, it is more important that the people you work with respect you.

What people think matters, but only those who have a stake in your success. You can’t please everybody, but you can please those who care about you. 

Passion without direction doesn’t lead you anywhere. 

Look at what is around you and find an environment that is convenient and conducive to what you want in life. 

Finding a great environment is key to an athlete’s success. It’s the first step you must take. 

The people around you can help propel you forward, even if you don’t grow up around money. 

Finding the right environment is not about finding a wealthy or luxurious environment. It is about finding a healthy place to thrive. 

You get to choose your environment, no matter how hard the circumstances are. 

Having a grip on life means you are connected with something you love and in the midst of whatever the breakdown is, you find a way to move forward. 

Your life feels happier and lighter when you are doing something you are passionate about, no matter what else may be in the background. 

If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you. 

Living a life of passion is the best life you can give yourself:

“It is good in life that you get an opportunity to do something you love. So, if that entails you working your tail off on something you maybe don't like so that you can do something that you do like,  then that's fine. I do believe that your life has a different lens to it when you are living a life of passion. The grass looks greener, the trees look better, the weather is warmer, the skies look bluer.” -  Brian Scalabrine

How do you create a good environment for yourself? How do you try to flip negative narratives into positive ones?

 

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