
🏀 NBA Trainer Reveals LeBron's Secret Weapon: Mindset 🧠 Join Sean Kelly as he sits down with David Nurse, elite NBA trainer and mindset coach! Discover the mental edge that sets champions apart and get insider stories about basketball legends.
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Austin James
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David
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Unknown Trainer
Safety info found @freestyle libre us. And I was working on Jeff Withey. He was in the NBA, a big guy. And he comes in with Carmelo Anthony and Melo's wearing this hoodie. Hoodie Melo. That is where it was born, right there. It's sweatpants tucked into his socks. And me and Jeff are like, what is this guy doing? This is goofy. Like literally like the next week, hoodie mellow was a thing.
Unknown Host
All right, guys, we finally made it happen. Got David and us here today. It's been a year we've been trying.
Unknown Trainer
To do this right and we have been going back and forth on Instagram messages, is trying to schedule and it's been my fault. So traveling too much.
Unknown Host
You're good, man. I'm very pumped for this. As a huge basketball fan, you've trained some of the best. Over 150 clients now, right?
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
That's impressive. Who was the first big client for you?
Unknown Trainer
You know, the first big client is an interesting one. So was a high school player and my friend coached in the Bay Area, Archbishop Mitte. He's like, hey, I've got this stud player. He's going to be a top 10 draft pick when he goes into the NBA. Do you want to come work him out? And I was doing basketball camps at the time. I just got done playing overseas. My overseas playing was more like a Will Ferrell semi pro league than it was an actual like close to the NBA. So I'm like, yeah, of course I want to get into NBA training and I go up there and I had this moment of just not feeling like I was able to do it. It's kind of like a confidence.
Unknown Host
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
Just a confidence of imposter syndrome. But really, man. And I walk out. I don't do it. I don't go work this guy out. My friend's like, hey, we're going back there tomorrow. We're going to film this thing. We're going to send it out to agents and NBA teams. The player was Aaron Gordon.
Unknown Host
Oh.
Unknown Trainer
So I was doing workouts for Aaron Gordon. He was awesome. We send this video out to agents and teams. I started working out more players doing pre draf lap. So the first guy you can look back on YouTube and have a laugh. I've got these baggy shorts on. This big oversized polo.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
Aaron Gordon was the first guy.
Unknown Host
Dude, that's legendary. What he's doing on the Nuggets now is awesome.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
Did not teach him anything to do with Doki. But yeah.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
Because he was nice on the Magic, right?
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
Messed for three years. But then his transition to the role player because he was the best person on the Magic and a lot of people struggle to make that transition as a role player.
Unknown Guest
Yeah. Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
So I mean it's been.
Unknown Guest
Yes.
Unknown Trainer
It's kind of transferred from there. Of training NBA players individually led to coaching with the Brooklyn Nets. Now it's an interesting dynamic coaching with a team. Most people think like that's the ultimate, but I mean, it is and it isn't. If you're with a good culture and good great coaching staff, it is. But a lot of the players, you would think, like they don't actually really want to work out. I like doing what I do now because the players will come to you. They seek you out instead of you trying to have to go drag them into the gym.
Unknown Host
Interesting.
Unknown Trainer
And it's one of the biggest difference makers, man. I have this thing, I call it. Literally it's. It's do I drag you to the gym or do you drag me? Is one of the first things in the first 10 minutes with a player. I can tell if they have the potential to be great. So the story that I tell with that I used to do NBA pre draft. That's when the guys are coming out of college and they're getting ready for the pros. Did it for Wasserman agencies so we'd have a lot of big names. But we had this guy who was kind of mid level. He was a freshman from Kentucky. You know, it wasn't really hyped.
Unknown Guest
Up.
Unknown Trainer
But the very first workout with these players, we try to crush their soul, like, see what they're made out of, see how tenacious they are, and just put them through this killer workout. Most guys want to go back to the locker room or pass out on the floor. And this. This kid comes up to me afterwards, he's like, when are we going tonight? Like, he wants more.
Unknown Guest
Whoa.
Unknown Trainer
This player, Shai Yogis Alexander.
Unknown Guest
Wow.
Unknown Trainer
From that moment, I was like, this guy is special. He's going to do something great. And now he's probably one of the best players in the NBA.
Unknown Host
He almost won MVP this year.
Unknown Guest
Should have.
Unknown Host
I think he got second, right?
Unknown Trainer
He got second, but he won the ESPY for best player. Wow.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
People think he came out of nowhere, but they don't see that behind the scenes.
Unknown Trainer
And that's the thing. That's what's the cool thing about training NBA players. You see behind the scenes of who actually loves training. And that, like DOMASA bonus in 2020, when the world shut down, he came out to LA. All the gyms were shut down in LA. We found these like old little Jewish community centers and snuck in at 7am every morning. But he's not posting that on social media.
Unknown Guest
Right.
Unknown Trainer
It's. It's that type of differentiator that stands out a lot.
Unknown Host
Have you ever trained Kobe?
Unknown Trainer
No, man, I would love. And I've got some great Kobe stories. I've got some great.
Unknown Host
One of them.
Unknown Trainer
Let me give you this one. So first off, now, I'll give you two. I'll give you two to set the stage. So a buddy of mine was head Nike marketing guy for 20 years. He's a guy who landed Kobe, landed LeBron, landed KD. He said KD when they were landing KD. I mean, he's out in Baltimore. Under Armour's pitching him hard. They went out to Baltimore, rented this van, picked up chicken and iced tea, and went around with all his boys to all his old basketball gyms. And just hoot was at Katie's. The chill is just a pure Hooper.
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Unknown Trainer
Help.
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Unknown Trainer
Kobe wanted to. To know, like, everything that went into the shoe he wanted. He was studying sharks. They'd fly with helicopters above the water to watch how sharks move. Like what? Said he was one of the most just absolute genius human beings. This guy had been around, LeBron said, was the most difficult person. So they finally got the deal done at Akron at a diner, but they never actually got to talk to LeBron. And LeBron was like 17 or 18. Really kind of tells you a little bit right there. But so setting the stage in this Kobe story of how just incredibly smart he is. This is a story by way of Chip Kelly, the football coach. Yeah, he was telling me this last year and when he was out in Philly, said Richard Hamilton, who's, you know, had a good career and Kobe were in high school, they had this AAU tournament coming up where you could be ranked. So Rip, Richard Hamilton said, hey, Kobe, like, if you perform well this weekend, you're going to get ranked. And that's a huge thing for high school. And so Richard goes out and plays really well, gets like a top 15 ranking, something like that. And Kobe, 15 years old, shot every shot with his left hand that weekend. What? With his left hand. And Rip was like, co. You know, what are you doing? You just blew this opportunity. And Kobe said, no. Here's the difference between me and you. You want to be the best in this class. I want to be the best of all time.
Unknown Guest
Wow.
Unknown Trainer
At that age, to have that kind of 15 vision and self awareness, dude, that's Elijah Barry.
Unknown Host
So he wanted the heat so he could be motivated more.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
And I think he's. I think he's the greatest mindset coach that doesn't get credit for being a mindset coach. There's. I don't even know if I'm able to say this, but I know somebody has collected all of the Kobe mindset and they're going to put it out. It's going to be a book. Well, it's going to be amazing.
Unknown Host
That's awesome.
Unknown Guest
Yeah. Yeah.
Unknown Host
That needs to be studied for. For athletes growing up.
Unknown Trainer
Well, that's. I mean, with my athletes, I send them on Instagram. You'll find the right ones. I send them just a lot of those type of quotes right in there.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
He doesn't get credit for the. The mindset stuff, right?
Unknown Trainer
No, no.
Unknown Host
And I feel like players these days, I don't know if it's because of social media, but it's not as prevalent.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
You.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
I mean, dude, he's amazing.
Unknown Host
Yeah, amazing. There's a lot of. I get it. Because there's a lot of social media trolls now. So these players are coming home after a bad game and D'Angelo Russell hops on Twitter and people are shitting on.
Unknown Trainer
It's. It's crazy. Like, one of the biggest things that coaches struggle with in the NBA nowadays is halftime with players getting on social media. Don't you think that just sounds crazy? But every team, the players get on social media. My boy Chauncey Billups just put something out on a podcast, I think like two days ago, said one of his players, they were 18 points down at halftime, but he caught his player posting a dunk of his in the first half, but they were down.
Unknown Host
You can't wait 20 minutes.
Unknown Trainer
It's crazy. But that's also the thing of, like, that's a differentiator in mindset too. Of if you look on social media at halftime, it's either going to, you know, it's probably not going to do you any good, but it can do you a big detriment.
Unknown Host
Yeah, for sure. It's all how you, I guess, interpret it.
Unknown Trainer
Right.
Unknown Host
When you were with the Nets, what year was up?
Unknown Trainer
2015, 2016.
Unknown Host
Was that when Ben Simmons was there?
Unknown Trainer
Just before that. So it was Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez got it.
Unknown Host
That was the older team, right? Yeah, but they did decent. I think they were the eighth seed.
Unknown Guest
And then.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah, we were okay. We didn't make the playoffs that year. They made the playoffs the year before. And then that was kind of like where the big Garnett, Paul Pierce, like one of the worst trades in NBA history.
Unknown Host
Oh, you think that was one of the worst?
Unknown Trainer
I would say it's up there as one of the words. Just based on what? Because you know Jason Tatum and he came from that trade. Oh, I didn't know the Dykes.
Unknown Host
And also they gave up a pick.
Unknown Trainer
They gave a whole lot of picks.
Unknown Host
They gave up like their future dude.
Unknown Guest
Yeah. Yeah.
Unknown Host
So that's one of the worst.
Unknown Trainer
So I was.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
In there to develop them.
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Unknown Trainer
It's funny, man. Like, when you think about, you know, being with an NBA team, like, oh, it's got to be amazing. But it's. Egos are so prevalent in anything, in any competition, business, or sports, even with the coaches. Like, I would work out some players because I was kind of, you know, I was green. I was like, you know, I just love helping guys working out. I have assistant coaches be like, what are you doing?
Unknown Host
Don't touch that guy.
Unknown Trainer
That's my guy.
Unknown Guest
Right?
Unknown Trainer
What? And then the trainer would literally want to have an impact and hold players out. So he felt like he had a.
Unknown Host
Lot of ego, Right?
Unknown Trainer
Ton of ego.
Unknown Host
And you were a shooting coach?
Unknown Trainer
Shooting coach, yep.
Unknown Host
Got it. I've seen Lethal Shooter videos. I just saw his recent one where people always ask him, how much would you average in the NBA?
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
And he actually only said, like, six points. I think.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah, I, I, I respect his honesty of that. I mean, I think I would have to say, who can he play defense? I mean, there's two ends of the game.
Unknown Guest
Right.
Unknown Trainer
But, yeah, if you spotted up in the corner, he might, he might be able to. Yeah, I think he's done a really good job relationally watching those guys like Brickley and, and, and Lethal Shooter. They're just really good relational people. I'm sure they're good trainers, obviously. I'm not saying that. I think they're, they done a great job building the business. I think some of the best, though, are the ones you don't see. Like, there's many guys that I know are just phenomenal. Like, Chip England doesn't have a show. I never heard Russians. He's a guy who built Kawhi. Tony Parker, wow. He was a secret for the Spurs. He's now with the, with the Thunder, like, probably the best shooting coaches. Wow.
Unknown Host
And now the Thunder are killing it.
Unknown Guest
So.
Unknown Host
Yeah, there's something there. Holy crap.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
I see Chris Brickley everywhere. That guy's kind of revolutionized the space, right?
Unknown Guest
Yeah. Yeah.
Unknown Host
Was he the first kind of social media trainer?
Unknown Trainer
I think so. I think he's the first big one. Right. I remember doing a workout in Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills High School, and I was working on Jeff Withy. He was in the NBA, a big guy, and he comes in with Carmelo Anthony And Melo's wearing this hoodie. And Hoodie Mellow. That is where it was born. Called.
Unknown Guest
Right.
Unknown Trainer
Hosier. It's sweatpants tucked into his socks. And me and Jeff are like, what is this guy doing? This is goofy. Like, literally, like the next week. Hoodie Mellow was a thing.
Unknown Host
He didn't want to be recognized.
Unknown Guest
Right.
Unknown Host
That's why he did it.
Unknown Guest
Yeah. Yeah.
Unknown Host
That was funny. That was a final meme.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah. And I think that's kind of one of the things that sparked Chris. But he's just, you know, he's got a spot in New York and he's. He's with. You're good. The main thing I see with trainers is if you can garner a player's trust, you probably can trade him. It's all about trust. Do they really, like, do they trust you with their livelihood?
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
That's a boringer. I was Mark Cuban's jump shot.
Unknown Trainer
I. I worked with him on court.
Unknown Guest
I wonder.
Unknown Trainer
Him on court.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
Before the Dallas Mavericks game, unknowing that it was him.
Unknown Host
Oh.
Unknown Guest
What?
Unknown Trainer
Yes. So Shark Tank wasn't big at the time.
Unknown Guest
Oh.
Unknown Trainer
And, like, I didn't know Mark Cuban. He was kind of just Shark Tank was coming out. He gave me his business card afterwards. Obviously, I'd looked at it, and then like, oh, my gosh, this is Mark. I mean, he owns the Mavericks. And I emailed him the day after, just thanking him, and he got back to me in, like, two minutes.
Unknown Guest
Wow.
Unknown Trainer
So it's like, I tell that story and talks a lot of the power of serving people without expecting anything in return. Like, I was just helping this guy with a jump shot because he wanted to work on his jump shot. Right. And then turn it comes back to like, hey, he's a friend. I can. I'll send him business ideas. He's never said yes to one yet.
Unknown Host
But he said no to me too. I'm set to at least one, maybe two. But he has, I've heard, invested in, like, cold email outreach.
Unknown Trainer
Oh, I think he probably will. I mean, he takes them seriously.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
Like, he. I mean, he. He used to send me back one responses.
Unknown Host
Now he's 1:40. Just got $4 billion richer. So I think his time's a little more valuable these days. I was surprised when he sold.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah, I thought.
Unknown Guest
Yeah, I thought.
Unknown Host
Because he's known for, like, being that guy at the Mavericks.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
But I think he'll probably still be that guy, right.
Unknown Host
Yeah, he'll probably still have a hand in it.
Unknown Trainer
Praise with them.
Unknown Host
They made a good Run this year.
Unknown Trainer
Interesting. I. I thought they'd take it a little bit longer. I just thought their, their toughness was just next level.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
I mean they must have just ran out of steam.
Unknown Host
I think they did. I really like their centers, how they played with energy, brought a little spotlight to the centers because the centers have been kind of.
Unknown Trainer
He goes like that, like DeAndre Jordan and Vertical spacing is what they call it. So they know that lob can come. It sucks in the side. Then they have shooters and kind of went away for a while, but. But now they're kind of bringing the Dallas back.
Unknown Guest
Yeah. Yeah.
Unknown Host
Now the centers have to shoot threes.
Unknown Trainer
Have to.
Unknown Host
Which is crazy.
Unknown Trainer
At least have to be a threat.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
I mean, think about how to hold for like when he came, that dude couldn't shoot a lick. Bam. Adebayo. I saw him in his pre draft workouts. Like that dude couldn't shoot it off.
Unknown Host
Now he can shoot.
Unknown Trainer
Oh my gosh.
Unknown Host
The daddy's are lights up.
Unknown Trainer
The development like it's crazy.
Unknown Host
And even LeBron's shooting threes now.
Unknown Guest
Yep.
Unknown Host
Well, he's getting older, so he kind of asked to. Yeah, but they just did a boat on the best player on the USA team yesterday and he got five votes. He got the most votes.
Unknown Trainer
He got the vote for the best.
Unknown Host
Player so far in the preseason games.
Unknown Trainer
I guess so. I mean, he's kind of brought him through down the mire.
Unknown Guest
Right.
Unknown Host
He's won two games single handedly, pretty much last minute.
Unknown Trainer
What do you think about that? What do you think about USA versus the world? The development, like the vision of the future.
Unknown Host
That's scary. Everyone's catching up. They. I don't know if the win is here, dude. They had a couple close games already.
Unknown Trainer
It's not that given.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
Well, do you. What do you think about like, I mean, you see the, the development in France? I mean, what's coming in Africa?
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
Like, you think that's a. I think.
Unknown Host
It'S a threat, dude. I mean we have the most talent obviously, but these countries just like the way they play with the synergy because they've been playing together their whole lives just like kind of competing with it.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah, and I think so too. A good friend of mine, BJ Armstrong, was a point guard with Jordan on that team. He's. He's been over there. He's kind of a visionary thinker and he's like, dude, you would not believe this, but there's guys walking around that look like Giannis and they're starting to get into development programs. Like, they've gone up to pairs. That's why they've had the last two number one draft picks. Like, he's. There's. It's going to be more and more. Giannis is like that.
Unknown Host
Wow, dude.
Unknown Trainer
It was crazy.
Unknown Host
I get crazy videos. I'm on my Instagram. It's kind of random, but these guys in Africa are like pogo sticks, the way they jump. I'm talking like a foot, dude.
Unknown Trainer
I did a camp down there a long time ago, like 12 years ago. I did some camps in Kenya and Uganda, and I kid you not, they came down from all over, no shoes on, like seven foot tall. I have no idea how old they were. And they were just flying around. It's wild. It's wild.
Unknown Host
That's nuts.
Unknown Trainer
It's scary for any short, unathletic white guys than ever.
Unknown Host
You got to probably be 6'six now to make the league going forward. And that's for any position.
Unknown Trainer
Well, hey, speaking on LeBron, who is the greatest of all time? I think this is one of those fun. This is one of those fun debates. You can go. I mean, both sides can go for days.
Unknown Host
I think LeBron still has a chance to get that title.
Unknown Trainer
What do you think puts him over the top?
Unknown Host
One or two more chips and if he can win this gold medal and be the best player on the team.
Unknown Guest
Yeah, okay.
Unknown Trainer
One or two more. Yeah.
Unknown Host
What do you think?
Unknown Trainer
Yeah, I think there's a camp that's never going to let him have it. Right, Right. I mean, just for. I think it's an interesting thing, and I've got a little different take on it in terms of, like, Jordan came at a time when the NBA needed somebody to. To progress it forward. Like when it was really like nothing. And then it became hot. Nike played a big role in that. I mean, you can create a character, you can create a brand. Obviously, he's phenomenal. I would probably put him as the greatest, you know. Yeah. Greatest change maker of all time in a sport. But I think pound for pound skill set and also the impact that he's had on the league, I think Steph Curry needs to be in the conversation. Think about this. The game wasn't shooting threes like they are today. Analytically, it was still throw the ball into the big man until Steph changed that. And Steph, I mean, he literally took a. A team that was, you know, terrible, turned them into a dynasty. They were bought, I think, when he was a rookie or a first year by Joe lako for like 450 million.
Unknown Guest
Wow.
Unknown Trainer
They thought it was a crazy buy. They're valued at $7 billion there. Craps.
Unknown Host
Are they 15x or 17x?
Unknown Trainer
I don't think there's a player that has done what Steph has done to transform an entire sport, which I don't think gets talked about as the greatest of all time and skill set wise. Tell me a better. Best shooter ever. I mean, is anybody better? Like ball handling from the dribble to a shot. Like skill set wise, he's gotta be right up there as the best of all time.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
I never hear him in the debate. I'm not sure why that's a valid point though, what he's done. I think if he can get one or two more, he'll probably be, you know, in that conversation way more like he's at 4 now, right?
Unknown Trainer
I think so, yeah.
Unknown Host
And LeBron's at 4, so yeah, he should be in it more. That is surprising.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
Let's see how he does in this Olympic run. And let's see how he does without Clay too. It's a good port because Clay was there a whole pound.
Unknown Trainer
That's a good point.
Unknown Host
What do you think of Clay, Leslie?
Unknown Trainer
No, I mean, I guess he has to do it for a fresh start as the media kind of just got way down on him. I mean, he's coming back from multiple injuries.
Unknown Host
The true worst, apparently.
Unknown Trainer
Burger Hub. Yeah. I mean, I think he still would have been a great asset, but maybe not to the capacity he was in. His crime.
Unknown Guest
Right.
Unknown Trainer
I don't think many people are still in their prime after whatever, 14 years in the league.
Unknown Host
You know, he didn't seem to want to embrace that bench role, that six man role.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
Probably needs a fresh start.
Unknown Host
Yeah, we'll see. Where'd he go?
Unknown Trainer
To Dallas.
Unknown Guest
Oh.
Unknown Trainer
Which makes it interesting, right?
Unknown Guest
Whoa.
Unknown Host
There's a lot of ball dominant players on that team.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
Kyrie and Luka, floor spacer.
Unknown Trainer
He doesn't need the ball, Right?
Unknown Host
Yeah, he's a catch. New guy anyways.
Unknown Trainer
Yep.
Unknown Host
Okay. So they might make a run again this year.
Unknown Trainer
I would assume so.
Unknown Guest
Damn.
Unknown Trainer
I would assume. I'm putting money on my uncle's sixers. If M.B. chanhalti, I think. I mean, they made some good offseason moves. If Embiid can stay healthy.
Unknown Guest
Who?
Unknown Trainer
They pick up Paul George and they got Caleb Martin, who's a tough, tough nose defender from Miami. Obviously. They got Tyrese Maxey signed again. They got a couple other role players. They got big three.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
They can, they can beat the Celtics without squad inning. If Paul George stays healthy.
Unknown Trainer
Paul George, I mean, it all comes down to the hell, but there's a lot of bangers in the NBA.
Unknown Guest
Yeah. Yeah.
Unknown Host
You wonder how many Chef chips were won because the team stayed healthy, right?
Unknown Guest
Yeah. Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
That's funny you say that. I was with my uncle when they won the championship in 2019 with the Raptors of the warriors. And they were coming back. Golden State was coming back. And then Clay, Right. Blew it out.
Unknown Host
Same with LeBron on the. What was it on the. Was it the Cavs when Kyrie went out and kept.
Unknown Trainer
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Unknown Host
I feel like they would have won that year with them probably.
Unknown Trainer
Right.
Unknown Host
You know, because the warriors were so young that year.
Unknown Guest
So.
Unknown Host
Yeah, staying healthy is super important.
Unknown Trainer
And that's why we're at Next Health labs right here.
Unknown Host
Good little plug for them. I love it down here though.
Unknown Trainer
Did your optimization. Oh, dude, they're the best. Dude.
Unknown Host
I spent like a two hour thing before I filmed yesterday. I felt amazing getting that red light charger, red light iv, oxygen, cryo. I lasted the whole time this time.
Unknown Trainer
It's a whole interesting thing.
Unknown Guest
Right.
Unknown Trainer
Like, I feel like a new hot thing is how can you live healthy till like 150, right. I don't know. I don't know if you can push over 120.
Unknown Host
That's close to the world record, I think.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah, I think it's close to the world record. And there's something in the Bible, I don't remember where it says man will live to like 120.
Unknown Guest
Right.
Unknown Trainer
So I mean, is that playing God of trying to be able to crack that?
Unknown Host
Well, there are like these genetic things where.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
You're not supposed to technically live past 120 the way we're programmed because there's so many toxins, we're not even hitting 100 anymore.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
You know, so that's what we were talking about earlier too. Like we're here in LA or wherever you're at. You're probably getting all these toxins in you.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
So you're basically just playing for a tie.
Unknown Host
And you can't even see them these days. They're in the air. 5G Wi Fi.
Unknown Trainer
My whole, like, here's my goal and I, and I stand by this is move to a villa in Tuscany, Italy, all life.
Unknown Host
That's your plan?
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
You should actually look up houses over there or villas.
Unknown Host
Yeah, they're not crazy.
Unknown Trainer
I mean, they're expensive, but they're like 6 million for a 22 bedroom, 18 bathroom. I'm telling You Marshall, if you split that with a couple people telling you there's some deals over there, dude, that's not bad.
Unknown Host
You find out two, three people will split it with you won't even see them in a 22 bedroom house.
Unknown Trainer
Right. Exactly.
Unknown Host
Damn. Shout out to Italy, man. You've been out there?
Unknown Trainer
Yeah, we've been a couple of times. It's. It's amazing.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
I got to get out there.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
And on that list, Amalfi coast, that's.
Unknown Host
A blue zone, right?
Unknown Trainer
Might as well be.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
Somewhere in Italy.
Unknown Trainer
I think it's Sardinia is the blue zone.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
Which is close to the Amalfi coast.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
I had a mob guy on his dad left the 103 dude. Michael Francis. Dad.
Unknown Trainer
Michael Franzisi, as you had on.
Unknown Host
He came on yesterday. Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
Wow.
Unknown Guest
Okay.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah. Speaking agent. Is one of my speaking agents.
Unknown Guest
Oh, yeah? Yeah.
Unknown Host
Small world.
Unknown Trainer
Very cool.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
You're one of the top 50 speakers in the world right now.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
I would say number one. Okay. One more to know. You know, it's one of those things, like if you get on a list, you say that's dopest.
Unknown Host
Some of these lists are losing their appeal. Like I used to when someone said they got on Forbes like five years.
Unknown Guest
Oh, bro.
Unknown Trainer
Any list, like even like as being an author, you see the behind the scenes of it. Like there's so many things that are pay for play that you haven't I. Or it's hardly anything's pure anymore in life. I think there's always some initiative in the background. Or if you're trying to get all the list it's. It's my favorite one is when people post their picture in Times Square where it goes on the big jumbo board and they're standing there a perfect time. I'm like, wait, you just randomly knew that they were gonna post it for you. Like, you're not fooling anybody.
Unknown Host
I've done that photo and I got the billboard for free. It's not even.
Unknown Trainer
Oh, you did? That's amazing.
Unknown Host
Yeah, but it's not even like a big like people think it's a huge deal. You know what I mean? To get Is it just like a.
Unknown Trainer
Second that goes back.
Unknown Host
You could pay a th000 bucks for that.
Unknown Guest
Yeah. All right.
Unknown Trainer
You know, cool picture.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
No, it's definitely a flex. Like, it's like the normal person would see that. And I posted on Instagram, I got a ton of engagement, but I got it for free. I mean, I just. Yeah, it's not that expensive. There's A lot of things like that, you know, force 30 under 30 I used to really care about is that.
Unknown Trainer
122 you can buy.
Unknown Host
You could pay to get on that. I know people that have done it.
Unknown Trainer
If I'm 37, can I still get.
Unknown Host
There's a 40 under 40.
Unknown Trainer
Wanted the 30 and the 30.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
I feel like that's the best one. Like there's 20 under 20, but who cares about that? And then 40 under 40, you're kind of.
Unknown Trainer
You kind of.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
Midlife crisis.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah. 30 out of 30. Like you have potential, dude. Yeah, yeah.
Unknown Host
Funny.
Unknown Guest
Any.
Unknown Host
Anything you're trying to achieve though, that you haven't yet.
Unknown Trainer
I think a lot of things.
Unknown Host
Love that mindset, man.
Unknown Trainer
I just kind of like trying new things, trying to conquer new areas. You know, NBA coaching and speaking and writing books. I want to. My wife's in the acting and producing space now. I'm not going to say, hey, I'm going to drop everything and try to go act. I want to do some kind of thing in a show. I've got some ideas and some concepts that we're working on now. As you know, in la, everybody and their cousin has a show. They're.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
So I say that with a grain of salt. That's another thing just kind of continuing to grow to is being like the go to guy for mindset and high performance. If like a athlete needs someone to go to or a corporation leader like.
Unknown Host
The hired gun for that, that's needed, man. Because these athletes, some of them go through these mental hurdles and they never get out.
Unknown Trainer
It's. It's a lot.
Unknown Host
There's been a few like major ones.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah. And they speak out about it now and it's. It's interesting. So I think the disconnect there is teams have psychiatrists, but athletes don't want to go to psychiatrist. One, they don't know the sport, but two, they're hired by the team. And if the GM says, hey, go see the psychiatrist, what's that saying? Oh, we think you're messed up. Like they're gonna obviously report to who they're paid to. It's just a. It's a. They're checking the box with it. I don't think they're missing a lot. That could help a lot of athletes.
Unknown Host
Yeah. So what do you think the better system would be if an athlete is struggling mentally?
Unknown Trainer
I think it's better if you like Udonis Hasel, for example, played for the Heat and he was kind of just around the team for a long time, hiring Somebody like that that the players will look up to and respect and as being on staff. And they can go to him, he knows the game, he can talk to them. Someone who has that kind of acumen with the background of the sport. So. Right.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
The mental hurdles, it's interesting because they're still athletic, they still have the ability, but they're just a block. Right.
Unknown Trainer
It's a block, but I think it's so. I mean, it's heightened now.
Unknown Guest
Right.
Unknown Trainer
In 2012, when the social media thing kind of started going, and there's now this. This generation that's grown up with social media. So it's such an interesting dichotomy of do these people live and die with what they hear from others, from the outside world, or can they actually block it out? And it's. It's. It's kind of like, can you or can't you? And I mean, social media obviously is a great tool, but it's also. Can be just like anything. It's like AI or the Internet or. A hammer is an amazing tool to build a house. It's also the deadliest murder weapon.
Unknown Guest
Right.
Unknown Trainer
How do you use these types of things? And I don't think there's been much regulation on it, really. Right.
Unknown Host
Like, not at all that I could go. No, you could say whatever you want.
Unknown Trainer
You can say whatever you want. You can put whatever you want. Like parents these days, it seems more like you want to protect your kid and keep them in the house, but then they keep them in the house and they go on this whole entire other universe. Or social media, which is more dangerous than putting you out.
Unknown Guest
Oh, you're on it. Yeah.
Unknown Host
I'd rather let my kids play outside for six hours. That's what we did.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah, exactly.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
I didn't have phones going off about. These kids have iPads at 8 years old.
Unknown Trainer
It's dangerous, man. And danger, you just don't know where it's going to stop. It's a danger like. Like there's no horizon that says this is going to slow down.
Unknown Host
Yeah. LeBron has done great at ignoring the hate.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah.
Unknown Guest
Was.
Unknown Trainer
Ryan has. And I think his son has done great.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
I'm actually really impressed.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
He's getting interviewed every five minutes. He seems annoyed.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah. I mean, but he hasn't done anything that's been like, you know, off the rails or anything. He's just takes it because he's getting so. Oh, my gosh.
Unknown Host
That's the most hype I've seen in a while.
Unknown Trainer
Hype and hate.
Unknown Host
Well, People are always like, why do you get in the league? But yeah, LeBron. I mean, if you were in LeBron's position, you do the same thing.
Unknown Trainer
Absolutely.
Unknown Host
You know, it happens in business too.
Unknown Trainer
It happens in everything. It's just at a heightened scale. But what's Bronnie supposed to be say like, no, you know, I bake it. Like, I'm not going to do it. I'm going to go to the G league or not play basketball. It's not his fault.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
Did you want your kids to, to be ballers?
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
So we haven't had kids yet and that's like, that's a thing I actually think about a lot is will the boy or girl be an Uber? Like, how do I introduce it the right way? How do I, how do I avoid other sports? Like, I'm not gonna show a horse to my son or daughter ever for the level of fear that's expected. You know, Take them out of the golf course. Have fun on the golf course. Take, take them to the basketball court. How do you make it fun for them that they won?
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
I'll report back to you.
Unknown Host
I think about it too. I don't have kids yet. One of my biggest fears is if my kid isn't athletic.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
Because then I have to go to their games, it kind of suffer. So I'm a little worried about that one. But my fiance played sports, so I think the odds are in our favor.
Unknown Trainer
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. They'll be.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
Especially.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
So my wife's athletic. She was a dancer. So it'll be. You're good.
Unknown Host
I think so.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
If you marry into good genes and.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
And if you train them early and you're tall too.
Unknown Trainer
How tall is your fiance?
Unknown Host
She's five, six. But my dad was tall, so I think.
Unknown Trainer
Oh, that's fine.
Unknown Host
I think you're should at least be six.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
I think we go into baseball.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
I, I get, I think tie the right hand behind the back, make him a lefty left handed middle reliever. Sign $100 million contracts for 10 years. Baseball contracts. There's no.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Trainer
You know, you sign crazy, you can get injured and get all your money.
Unknown Host
There you go.
Unknown Trainer
That's the move, man.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
I wonder if you could train your kid to be lefty. If you just start handing them stuff at an early age.
Unknown Trainer
Hire their right hand behind their pay. Like they don't remember anything. Ages one through five, right?
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
Well, they say you're born with the dominant hand, but who knows? Oh, Kyrie Irving said he Used to do a lot. He's both ambidextrous, right?
Unknown Guest
He's. Yeah, yeah.
Unknown Host
That's deadly these days. Basketball, no doubt. I think, I think in like five, 10 years, everyone that hoops is going to be ambidextrous.
Unknown Trainer
They're going to be 7, 3. Ambidextrous can shoot threes. Like, it's just. That's what I'm saying. Like we got to go to baseball.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
Go highlight my lifetime mentally. But I might have to hire you, man. Come on, I need a jump.
Unknown Trainer
Everybody has their price.
Unknown Guest
Yeah.
Unknown Host
David, what are you working on next and where can people find you?
Unknown Trainer
So big thing I'm working on next is I'm doing the, the most in depth study on flow state that's ever been done. Working with some really high level neuroscientists. And I've always been enamored by flow state in sports. And anything like what it is, obviously it's, it's getting into your zone basically into, you know, effortless effort. And Nihonacinski introduced it in 1984, had the book flow. Steven Kotler took it another level with his 22 cues of flow. But there's never been anything that said, here's a formula to actually tap into flow and stay in it longer. Now I've interviewed a lot of athletes and I ask them like, have you been in the flow state? Most of them said yeah. They'll describe that feeling and then I'll ask them, how did you get into it? They have no idea. There has to be a way. So we think we have. We're calling it the flow code and might, it might, you know, we're doing some testing, we're having. It's like actually a scientifically accredited study. So I'll report back to you in like four to five months, see how the findings were doing. The brain qeeg, where it shows the levels, but the difference in it is, you know, everybody talks now about like, you know, serotonin and dopamine and training those mental acuities. It's training the, the brain waves. There's five main brain waves like the alpha beta, low gamma, how to actually upregulate them and down regulate them. And that's what the formula will do. So I think it's going to be groundbreaking. Report back to you on that. That's a big thing that I'm working on.
Unknown Host
Can't wait to see that, man.
Unknown Trainer
Yeah, we'll put you in the flow code, dude.
Unknown Host
I used to be a runner and runner's highest that's that.
Unknown Trainer
That's it. You tap it.
Unknown Host
Yeah, but I could never figure out how to get there. But once a month or whatever, I'll get there and it feel like same thing with shooting.
Unknown Trainer
I just shoot and then you just get, you black out. But there has to be, there's something going on in the brain. Has to be a way to tap, trigger it. And I know there's, you know, novelty factor where you do something so many times the habit just becomes nuanced and subconscious. Like there's just, there's a way to do it. So. Yeah, but baby nurse.com. baby Nurse MBA on social media. Big new podcast with Dr. Daniel. Amen coming out. The doctor and the nurse.
Unknown Host
Perfect.
Unknown Guest
Love it.
Unknown Host
All that below, man. Thanks for coming on. Doing awesome. Yeah, thanks for watching, guys. And see Mark.
Digital Social Hour Podcast - Detailed Summary
Episode Title: NBA Trainer Reveals LeBron's Secret Weapon: Mindset | David Nurse DSH #993
Release Date: December 19, 2024
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: David Nurse, Renowned NBA Trainer and Mindset Coach
In this compelling episode of the Digital Social Hour, host Sean Kelly sits down with David Nurse, a distinguished NBA trainer known for his work with elite basketball players. The conversation delves deep into David's journey in the NBA, his philosophies on mindset and performance, and the evolving landscape of basketball training. Skipping the episode's advertisements and promotional content, the discussion offers invaluable insights for athletes, coaches, and anyone interested in high-performance training.
David Nurse begins by recounting his foray into NBA training, highlighting his initial encounter with Aaron Gordon.
[02:24] David: "When I walked out and decided not to work with this guy, it was a moment of imposter syndrome. But then we filmed the workout, sent it out, and Aaron Gordon became my first big client."
Aaron Gordon's development under David's guidance marked the beginning of his successful career, including his time with the Denver Nuggets.
[02:52] David: "Aaron Gordon was the first guy. You can look back on YouTube and have a laugh. I've got these baggy shorts on. This big oversized polo."
David's transition from individual player training to coaching with the Brooklyn Nets underscores his adaptability and expertise in fostering team dynamics.
[03:14] David: "Training NBA players individually led to coaching with the Brooklyn Nets. It's an interesting dynamic coaching with a team."
One of the standout segments of the episode revolves around the profound impact Kobe Bryant had on David's approach to training and mindset coaching.
[10:36] David: "Kobe wanted to know everything that went into the shoe he wanted. He was studying sharks, flying with helicopters above the water to watch how they move. He was one of the most absolute genius human beings."
David shares an inspiring anecdote about Kobe's relentless pursuit of excellence, showcasing Kobe's legendary mindset.
[10:43] David: "At 15 years old, Kobe shot every shot with his left hand that weekend. He said, 'Here's the difference between me and you. You want to be the best in this class. I want to be the best of all time.'"
This segment emphasizes the critical role of mindset in achieving greatness, illustrating how Kobe's philosophy continues to influence David's training methods.
Sean and David explore the pervasive influence of social media on players' mental health and performance, discussing both its benefits and drawbacks.
[11:30] David: "One of the biggest things that coaches struggle with in the NBA nowadays is halftime with players getting on social media. It's crazy."
The conversation highlights how constant exposure to social media can either motivate players or become a significant detriment to their focus and mental well-being.
[12:14] Sean: "It's all how you, I guess, interpret it."
David delves into the complexities of coaching within NBA teams, emphasizing the importance of trust between trainers and players.
[15:43] David: "If you can garner a player's trust, you probably can train him. It's all about trust. Do they really, like, do they trust you with their livelihood?"
Building trust is portrayed as a cornerstone for effective training, enabling athletes to fully engage and benefit from coaching strategies.
The discussion shifts to the transformation within the NBA, focusing on the evolution of player roles and the increasing emphasis on versatility.
[17:27] Sean: "Now the centers have to shoot threes, which is crazy."
David comments on the adaptability required from modern players, noting how centers like Bam Adebayo have evolved to incorporate shooting into their skill sets.
[17:56] Sean: "He doesn't get credit for the mindset stuff, right?"
This evolution underscores the necessity for trainers to not only focus on physical abilities but also on mental resilience and adaptability.
A passionate segment of the episode addresses the ongoing debate about the greatest basketball player of all time (GOAT), with David offering a nuanced perspective.
[20:08] David: "LeBron still has a chance to get that title. One or two more chips and if he can win this gold medal and be the best player on the team."
[21:26] David: "Steph Curry needs to be in the conversation. He literally took a team that was terrible and turned them into a dynasty."
David argues that both LeBron James and Steph Curry have unique impacts on the game that merit their inclusion in the GOAT conversation, alongside Michael Jordan.
Health remains a critical topic, with David emphasizing the importance of longevity and proper maintenance in an athlete's career.
[23:16] David: "I think they made some good offseason moves. If Embiid can stay healthy."
Addressing his own experiences, David highlights the role of modern health technologies and strategies in prolonging athletes' careers.
[24:03] Sean: "I spent like a two-hour thing before I filmed yesterday. I felt amazing getting that red light charger, red light IV, oxygen, cryo."
In the episode's concluding segments, David shares his groundbreaking work on understanding and harnessing the flow state—an optimal mental condition for peak performance.
[33:34] David: "I'm doing the most in-depth study on flow state that's ever been done. Working with some really high-level neuroscientists."
David introduces the concept of the "Flow Code," a scientifically-backed formula designed to help individuals tap into and maintain the flow state, potentially revolutionizing training methodologies.
[35:03] David: "We're calling it the Flow Code and might, it might be, you know, we're doing some testing, we're having. It's like actually a scientifically accredited study."
This innovative research aims to provide athletes and professionals with actionable strategies to achieve effortless performance and sustained excellence.
The episode wraps up with Sean expressing enthusiasm for David's ongoing projects and the potential impact of his Flow Code.
[35:44] Sean: "Love it. All that below, man. Thanks for coming on. Doing awesome."
David's insights into the interplay between mindset, physical training, and mental health offer listeners a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to excel in the high-pressure environment of professional basketball. His forward-thinking approach and dedication to advancing athlete performance through scientific research position him as a pivotal figure in sports training.
Notable Quotes:
This episode of Digital Social Hour provides a rich exploration of the factors that contribute to athletic excellence, emphasizing the inseparable link between physical training and mental fortitude. David Nurse's experiences and innovative research offer actionable takeaways for anyone striving to achieve peak performance in their respective fields.