Podcast Summary: Mick Unplugged

Episode: Gary Forbes: Unlocking Success Strategies From the NBA to Entrepreneurship
Host: Mick Hunt (Realm)
Guest: Gary Forbes
Date: August 23, 2025

Overview

This episode of Mick Unplugged features Gary Forbes, a former NBA player, entrepreneur, diabetes advocate, and mentor. The conversation dives deep into Gary's "because" — the core drive beyond his achievements — and how his journey through professional basketball, living with type 1 diabetes, and launching the Soul Survivors platform has shaped his philosophy on optimism, resilience, and giving back. The episode is uplifting, full of practical insights for overcoming adversity, embracing leadership, and turning life’s challenges into opportunities for impact.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovering Your "Because" (01:18 – 03:43)

• Gary’s Core Motivation:
  Gary sees “optimism” as his true superpower. From an early passion for basketball to navigating new responsibilities as a father and entrepreneur, he credits a mindset focused on seeing every challenge as an opportunity to win or learn.

  "I think the world is missing optimism. I feel like that's one of my superpowers. I just look at every opportunity or every situation as an opportunity to either win or learn." – Gary Forbes (01:59)

• Early Lessons:
  Lessons from loss in sports and his father's belief in him (rooted in family pride) instilled confidence that achievement was an expectation, not a surprise.

  "He would never be surprised if we did great things...You're a Forbes. You're supposed to do these things." – Gary Forbes (04:20)

2. Upbringing, Basketball Origins, and Missed UNC Dream (05:18 – 07:23)

• Early Basketball Inspiration:
  Gary started playing basketball after moving to the U.S., practicing obsessively and being inspired by NBA games in New York parks.

• Almost a Tar Heel:
  He wore a UNC shirt daily in high school and was set to commit before another player filled his spot, reflecting on how close he came to his "dream school."

  "Every single day, I would wear it under my practice jersey...the week before I go there, Rayshawn Terry commits." – Gary Forbes (06:36)

3. College Success and the Psychology of Winning (07:37 – 09:28)

• Player of the Year at UMass:
  Gary focused on winning above all, embracing any role necessary — scoring, rebounding, whatever it took.

  "I was just so driven at being the best at every single thing...I felt like, yeah, I am the best player in the conference." – Gary Forbes (08:04, 09:06)

• Optimism as Mindset:
  Looking back, he saw his confidence as optimism rather than arrogance.

4. Overcoming Type 1 Diabetes as an Athlete (09:28 – 13:05)

• Facing Diagnosis:
  Gary shares the story of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a college athlete and the initial disbelief and family support that helped him push on.

  "The doctor said, you know, you may need to put basketball to the side...but, my stubbornness is like, alright, this doctor doesn't think I could do it. Alright, watch." – Gary Forbes (10:55)

• Learning from His Father:
  His father, also diabetic, set the model for resilience without ever appearing “disabled” or limited.

• Mind Over Matter:
  Gary struggled with injections but overcame his fears by focusing on possibility, not limitation.

5. Transitioning to Entrepreneurship: Soul Survivors (13:25 – 15:50)

• Creating Impact Beyond Basketball:
  After a diabetic coma and multiple knee surgeries, Gary felt called to something bigger than coaching — leading to Soul Survivors, a platform for empowering youth with chronic health challenges.

  "I knew that having a diabetic coma, six knee surgeries, being one of three players to ever play in the NBA with type 1 diabetes — this has to mean something." – Gary Forbes (13:41)

• Inspiring the Next Generation:
  Forbes wants to pass on optimism, confidence, and resilience to children, noting how unique his NBA achievement is and aiming for global impact, especially for kids with chronic conditions.

6. Authorship and The Next Chapter (15:50 – 17:40)

• From Athlete to Author:
  Facing fewer basketball opportunities, Gary channeled introspection and emotion into his next venture: writing a comic book series to inspire kids.

  "There has to be a way. There has to be something else. And it just clicked for me one day. I have to write a comic book." – Gary Forbes (16:35)

• Soul Survivors Book & Mission:
  The book aims to empower and represent kids with health challenges as heroes.

7. Mentoring and Leading by Example (17:40 – 19:46)

• Accidental Mentorship:
  Gary realized his role as a mentor after parents and athletes reached out, inspired by his journey with type 1 diabetes.

  "I was doing it the entire time without really knowing...I'm playing basketball. I'm doing something for the community, being a normal human being." – Gary Forbes (18:19)

8. Advice on Overcoming Adversity (20:13 – 21:31)

• Positive Self-Talk:
  Gary shares practical advice, rooted in personal mantras and reframing:

  "Your present situation is not your final destination." – Gary Forbes (20:18)
  "Always doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith." – Gary Forbes (20:41)

• Reframing “Disease” as “Challenge”:
  He refuses to call diabetes a disease, instead treating it as a “health challenge” to conquer.

9. Encouragement for Young Athletes (21:31 – 22:45)

• Persistence and Focus:
  Gary’s unwavering message is to make Plan A work, all the way from B to Z, by fueling dreams with childlike love and passion.

  "Plan A is to be...a successful business person...Plan B all the way to Z is to make plan A work. Always have that kind of mindset and vision and just that love." – Gary Forbes (22:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Resilience:
  "I remember everybody in the family was sad, obviously. I was like nervous...But my dad talked to me and I'm like, alright, I see my dad do it. I can do it." (11:55)
• On Mentorship:
  "Her son wanted to play basketball...his friend said, Gary Forbes has diabetes. He plays in the NBA. That still kind of gives me chills." (18:19)
• On Leadership Legacy:
  "You're a Forbes." (24:31)
• On Purpose:
  "I want to share that perspective and that mindset with the youth...there's a lack of confidence, there's a lack of optimism...so that's what I want to pass on." (14:51)

Lightning Round: Rapid-Fire Q&A (22:45 – 25:00)

• Best Basketball Borough:
  “I gotta go with home court. I gotta go Brooklyn.” – Gary Forbes (23:13)
• Best Pizza in Brooklyn:
  “Cuts and slices in Brooklyn. That's a promo.” (23:25)
• Team He Wanted to Play For:
  “New York Knicks...playing at the Garden would have been cool.” (23:51)
• Best Teammate:
  “Still my guy today, Al Harrington.” (24:09)

Soul Survivors and Ongoing Mission (25:00 – 26:01)

Gary promotes his platform, Soul Survivors, emphasizing a global mission to empower and uplift children with chronic health challenges. He highlights an upcoming diabetes awareness event and the importance of seeing every child as a hero.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Optimism is a Superpower: Practice reframing setbacks into opportunities for growth.
• Find Your Why – And Your Because: Go deeper than surface-level motivation to discover lasting purpose.
• Legacy of Leadership: What you do with your name and talents outlasts your immediate achievements.
• Plan A, Always: Persistence in the face of adversity separates those who succeed from those who stop short.

Key Timestamps

• [01:59] – Gary’s “because” and optimism
• [04:20] – Father’s influence and self-belief
• [06:36] – Almost becoming a Tar Heel
• [08:04] – UMass and player of the year insight
• [10:55] – Type 1 diabetes diagnosis & overcoming it
• [13:41] – Soul Survivors: platform and purpose
• [16:35] – Inspiration to become an author/creator
• [18:19] – Realizing his influence as a mentor
• [20:18] – Mantras for overcoming adversity
• [22:12] – Advice for athletes: Plan A mindset
• [23:13] – Lightning round: best borough in basketball
• [25:00] – Soul Survivors mission and call to action

Further Information / Connect with Gary Forbes

• Instagram: @GaryForbes_
• Platform: www.thesoulsurvivors.com
• Upcoming Event: Friends for Life (Orlando) – Diabetes Awareness

Listen for energizing, real-world advice on leadership, resilience, and creating a legacy of impact—anchored by Gary Forbes’ unfiltered optimism and actionable wisdom.