Summary

Here I discuss the importance of motivation, goal setting, and overcoming excuses in the pursuit of success. I emphasize the power of gratitude, the need to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and the significance of taking ownership of one's actions. The conversation encourages you all to build a no-excuse environment and to train consistently, regardless of circumstances.

Takeaways

• Stop making excuses and start taking action.
• Gratitude can shift your perspective on challenges.
• Excuses weaken your resolve and hinder progress.
• Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
• Take ownership of your training and performance.
• Replace excuses with actionable steps.
• Build an environment that fosters accountability.
• Train consistently, even when conditions are not ideal.
• Be honest with yourself about your limitations.
• Success requires a proactive mindset and effort.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Motivation and Mindset
02:46 The Dangers of Complaining and Making Excuses
06:15 Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
10:18 Taking Ownership and Responsibility
14:24 Building a No-Excuse Environment
16:42 Overcoming Obstacles and Taking Action

What agents really do (and don’t) in basketball.
I sit down with Lithuanian agent Gytis Ruskevicius to unpack what an agent actually does, when (and if) you need one, how early signing can backfire with NCAA rules, and why physicality + S&C + playing hard matter more than chasing agents.

• Agents negotiate — they don’t create talent.
• Don’t rush to sign; focus on development.
• Attention matters: too many clients = less for you.
• NCAA path: avoid official agent deals before college.
• Get noticed by playing well, not DM’ing agents.
• Choose clubs with transfer history upward.
• Physicality separates youth from pros.
• Build strength, set hard screens, embrace contact.
• Play harder, earlier: even in Sunday/company leagues.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro & why this conversation matters
01:02 Who Gytis is (agency background, clients, markets)
06:07 What agents actually do beyond contracts
09:03 Do you need an agent? Best timing & expectations
14:10 NCAA vs. FIBA basics: why early contracts are risky
16:09 Verbal agreements, parents signing, staying flexible
17:48 How players get noticed (scouts are already watching)
21:34 After high school: where to play to move up
23:46 Beware traps: low leagues with “nice money” but no pathway
25:52 The key question: does this club move players up?
28:03 Biggest jump to pros: physicality (what it means)
32:05 Mental & on-court toughness: screens, box-outs, contact
34:29 Maturity, genetics, and practical ways to get physical
35:20 Smart hack: play Sunday/company leagues for men’s physicality
38:24 Final advice: discipline over agents; focus on controllables
39:18 Host summary: the 3 big points

Connect with Gytis on Instagram

@agentgytis

What are you training for?

It is not enough to just say, “I’m grinding” or “I’m working hard.” If you don’t know why you’re training, you will struggle to stay consistent when motivation runs out. In this episode, I break down the three types of goals every player needs:

• Outcome goals – the big dream you’re chasing
• Performance goals – measurable checkpoints along the way
• Process goals – the daily actions that build real progress

I also explain why your “why” has to be strong enough to get you out of bed on the dark, rainy mornings when you don’t feel like working.

🎧 Listen now, write down your goals, and start building your future.

Chapters:

00:00 Understanding Your Training Purpose
02:57 Setting Effective Goals
05:55 Breaking Down Goals into Actionable Steps
09:04 Finding Your Deep 'Why' for Motivation
12:11 Writing Down Goals and Taking Action