Podcast Summary: The Interview with Leslie Heaney – "Live Your Dream" feat. Tamir Goodman

Release Date: April 2, 2025

In this inspiring episode of The Interview with Leslie Heaney, host Leslie Heaney engages in a heartfelt and motivational conversation with Tamir Goodman, famously known as the "Jewish Jordan." Tamir's journey from a passionate young basketball player in Baltimore to a professional athlete in Israel is a testament to perseverance, faith, and overcoming adversity. This detailed summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key moments, insightful quotes, and the profound lessons shared.

1. Introduction to Tamir Goodman

Leslie Heaney sets the stage by recounting her first encounter with Tamir Goodman during a trip to Israel. She marvels at his achievements despite facing significant challenges, including his strong Orthodox Jewish faith and dyslexia.

• Leslie [00:05]: "I don't know. For you older people, if you remember about 20 plus years ago, a young high school basketball player who was called the Jewish Jordan... he absolutely persevered and pursued his dream."

Tamir Goodman is introduced as an American-Israeli who has thrived in various roles—professional basketball player, coach, mentor, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and author.

2. Early Life and Passion for Basketball

Tamir delves into his early years in Baltimore, emphasizing the influence of his family and community on his basketball journey.

• Tamir [03:05]: "I started playing basketball because my older brothers played, and it was love at first sight."

He shares a childhood story illustrating his deep passion for the game, even practicing in the hospital after a serious bike accident to maintain his conditioning.

• Tamir [06:59]: "I went to camp with special creams all over my face to protect... but I went to camp with special creams all over my face to protect."

His mother's unwavering support is highlighted as a cornerstone of his early development.

3. Overcoming Dyslexia and Embracing Unique Strengths

Tamir discusses his struggle with dyslexia and how it shaped his basketball career. He explains how a doctor helped him view his dyslexia as an asset rather than a hindrance.

• Tamir [10:57]: "Because of my dyslexia, I had probably have, like, a unique intuition on the court."

This newfound confidence allowed him to excel on the basketball court, leading to a breakthrough moment at an invitational camp.

• Tamir [12:14]: "The dyslexia is, like, letting me see things on the court. It's letting me see fires that are open that maybe other people didn't see."

4. High School Recruitment and the Birth of the "Jewish Jordan"

The conversation explores Tamir's high school years, detailing his exceptional performance that attracted multiple Division 1 (D1) scholarship offers despite limited initial exposure.

• Tamir [13:23]: "Eventually, I was averaging over 30 points as a sophomore, so it was enough to get me invited to an invitational camp."

A pivotal moment occurs when a weather-induced change at the camp leads to scouts witnessing Tamir's exceptional skills, resulting in seven D1 offers by the camp's end.

• Tamir [14:52]: "By the time camp was over, I had seven Division 1 offers."

5. Choosing University of Maryland and Navigating Faith

Tamir recounts his decision to attend the University of Maryland, driven by his local roots and admiration for the team, but also touches on the challenges of maintaining his religious observance.

• Tamir [20:20]: "Because I'm from Maryland, and I grew up watching University in Maryland, and they were my favorite team... that was the one I was."

He highlights the mutual respect and accommodations made by Towson University to honor his Shabbat observances, setting a precedent in American sports.

6. Building Diverse Relationships Through Basketball

Tamir emphasizes the unifying power of basketball, sharing stories of friendships across cultural and religious boundaries, including his close relationship with a Muslim teammate.

• Tamir [26:02]: "So many cultures. Just through this just amazing game of basketball. And I felt like that was such a big blessing in my life... we're all created in God's image. We're all one. We're all family."

A notable anecdote includes his Muslim roommate assisting him during the Jewish festival of Sukkot, showcasing mutual support and respect.

• Tamir [27:05]: "Even though Muhammad wasn't Jewish, he carried my food for me on Friday night all the way into the Sukkah."

7. Facing Adversity and Reinvention in Israel

Tamir shares a challenging period at Towson University, including a devastating incident in the locker room that led him to leave college basketball. However, resilience leads him to a new chapter in Israel.

• Tamir [27:59]: "Very bad incident happened in the locker room. And I was broken."

With support from Coach David Black, Tamir secures a professional contract in Israel, reuniting with his grandmother, a Holocaust survivor.

• Tamir [30:28]: "I told them, I don't want that. I just want to live with my grandmother."

8. Personal Life and Family

Tamir discusses meeting his wife during his rookie season in Israel, illustrating the intertwining of personal and professional life.

• Tamir [31:21]: "We met because there was a local hospital that the kids read about me... we both put faith ahead of sports... we got married two weeks later."

Their enduring relationship underscores the importance of love and support through life's challenges.

9. Transition to Entrepreneurship and Innovation

After a knee injury ends his professional basketball career, Tamir pivots to entrepreneurship, developing innovative products for the basketball community.

• Tamir [34:21]: "I invented a basketball training aid, and that training aid got stolen from me... so I just focused on Cam's clinic, speaking engagements."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he invents the AvivNet, an antimicrobial and moisture-wicking basketball net, enhancing safety and performance.

• Tamir [35:07]: "I created the avivnet and thank God that is changing basketball around the world."

His role as Head of Sports at Fabric, a mixed reality company, allows him to blend technology with sports, enhancing fan engagement and brand interaction.

10. Authorship and Mentorship

Tamir recently authored "Live Your Dream," a book aimed at empowering children with learning difficulties by highlighting the hidden strengths within challenges.

• Tamir [39:46]: "The book is there to let them know you don't need to feel crushed. There's a superpower there. There's a hidden blessing."

His dedication to coaching and mentoring continues to inspire the next generation, fostering resilience and creativity.

11. Living in Israel and Community Impact

The discussion shifts to life in Israel, emphasizing the collective spirit shaped by mandatory service and a culture of mutual support.

• Tamir [42:12]: "Everybody has to serve in Israel. Everyone is serving together."

He reflects on Israel's entrepreneurial success as a product of a community-oriented mindset, fostering innovation and cooperation.

• Tamir [42:12]: "That's also the reason that Israel is such a world leader in entrepreneurship and startups."

12. Reflections on Relationships and Purpose

Tamir shares his philosophical views on relationships and purpose, drawing from Jewish teachings to underscore the importance of community and divine guidance.

• Tamir [45:02]: "We humans are meant to be in relationships with people and friendships. It's such an incredible thing..."

He expresses profound gratitude for his journey, his wife, and the opportunities to make a positive impact through basketball and entrepreneurship.

13. Conclusion and Future Endeavors

Leslie commends Tamir for his resilience and inspirational journey, encouraging listeners to embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth.

• Leslie [37:35]: "It's such a beautiful saying and so poignant... How you just kept on going."

Tamir concludes by highlighting the ongoing success of his innovations and the positive feedback received from his book, emphasizing his commitment to helping others.

• Tamir [37:35]: "I'm still coaching all the time, helping players... I'm thankful."

Leslie wraps up the episode by promoting Tamir's book and his entrepreneurial ventures, expressing heartfelt appreciation for his guest.

• Leslie [46:34]: "I am buying it for everybody that I know and for my kids... thank you, Tamir."

Notable Quotes

• Leslie [00:05]: "I just feel like we could see, like, them just feeling so crushed, there's a superpower there."

• Tamir [10:57]: "The dyslexia is, like, letting me see things on the court."

• Tamir [14:52]: "By the time camp was over, I had seven Division 1 offers."

• Tamir [26:02]: "We're all created in God's image. We're all one. We're all family."

• Tamir [39:09]: "The challenges aren't there to break us, they're there to help us jump even higher."

Key Takeaways

1. Perseverance Amidst Adversity: Tamir's story illustrates how unwavering commitment to one's passion can overcome significant barriers, including religious observance and learning disabilities.

2. Faith and Community Support: The importance of a supportive family and community is evident in Tamir's achievements and his ability to navigate challenges.

3. Innovation Through Resilience: Transitioning from professional sports to entrepreneurship demonstrates how setbacks can lead to new opportunities and advancements that benefit broader communities.

4. The Power of Relationships: Building diverse and meaningful relationships fosters a sense of unity and collective strength, both personally and within larger societal contexts.

5. Empowering the Next Generation: Through his book and coaching, Tamir emphasizes the importance of recognizing and harnessing the hidden strengths within challenges, inspiring others to live their dreams.

Final Thoughts

Tamir Goodman's journey is a profound example of how dedication, faith, and resilience can transform personal challenges into avenues for growth and positive impact. His story serves as an inspiration for listeners to pursue their dreams relentlessly, embrace their unique strengths, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

For those interested in learning more or embarking on their own journey of perseverance and innovation, Tamir's book, "Live Your Dream," is a must-read, available on Amazon.

Listen to the full episode on The Interview with Leslie Heaney.