Gabby Williams joins Matt on today's episode. Matt and Gabby have worked together since Gabby was 15 years old. They discuss what it means to be an athlete (on and off the court), how learning to deal with and adapt to high pressure situations can lead to long term readiness and maturity. We hear how playing professionally in the U.S. differs from Europe and Gabby's favorite part of the Pyramid of Success by John Wooden.
1:26 How Gabby got started in basketball from youth to professional. Success in high jump at the Olympic Trials at a young age.
5:30 What does it mean to be more than just an athlete? Physical and mental fortitude, talent plus work ethic equals success.
7:55 ACL injury allowed Gabby to get a new focus on recovery and preparation. Learning how to slow down and take care of her body.
10:07 UCONN: Enduring the experience of high pressure situation. Leads to readiness and maturity.
17:32 Dealing with year round training and playing. There is so much pressure to keep your place in the WNBA. Europe teams receive a lot of support from the community, whereas U.S. does not.
23:45 Matt's structure of Gabby's training programs. Back to the basics every time! You have to build and keep a strong foundation.
35:39 American training vs. European training. Mindful purposeful practice to gain improvement. Know your "why".
40:00 John Wooden and the Pyramid of Success.
42:16 Learning and realizing the importance of nutrition. Athletes eat and train, and what's happening on the outside may not be how you feel on the inside.
53:13 Covid 19 here in the U.S. vs France.
56:46 George Floyd and BLM. Gabby's perspective on why America needs to do better, we need change.
61:10 What's next for Gabby? Paris 2024

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