Key Takeaways

  • Gary Forbes’s ‘because’ is optimism, a superpower he cultivated from a young age through his father’s encouragement and his own athletic experiences.
  • Despite being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, Forbes maintained an optimistic mindset, viewing it as a challenge to manage rather than a disability, which allowed him to continue his basketball career.
  • Forbes transitioned his athlete’s mindset and optimism into entrepreneurship with ‘Soul Survivors,’ a platform aimed at empowering youth with chronic health conditions.
  • His father’s consistent affirmation, ‘You’re a Forbes,’ instilled a belief in his potential, which Forbes now aims to pass on to the next generation.
  • Forbes emphasizes the importance of a resilient mindset, viewing setbacks as opportunities to learn and reiterating that ‘your present situation is not your final destination.’

Segments

Early Influences and Athletic Journey (~00:05:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Forbes’s father instilled in him a strong sense of self-belief and potential, often telling him ‘You’re a Forbes,’ which shaped his optimistic outlook and drive to excel.
  • Summary: Gary Forbes reflects on his childhood and the influence of his father, who consistently reinforced the idea that his potential was inherent in his family name. He recounts his early passion for basketball, inspired by watching the NBA, and how this led to a successful high school and college career, including being named Conference Player of the Year at UMass.
Navigating Type 1 Diabetes (~00:20:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Despite the challenges of a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, Forbes approached it with resilience and optimism, viewing it as a manageable health challenge rather than a career-ending disability.
  • Summary: Forbes details his diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes during his college years and the initial fear and uncertainty it brought. He shares how his father’s own experience managing diabetes without visible limitations, coupled with his own stubbornness and belief in his abilities, motivated him to continue playing basketball and manage his condition effectively, including overcoming his fear of needles.
Transition to Entrepreneurship and ‘Soul Survivors’ (~00:30:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Forbes leveraged his unique experiences, including playing in the NBA with Type 1 diabetes, to create ‘Soul Survivors,’ a platform dedicated to empowering youth with chronic health conditions through shared optimism and resilience.
  • Summary: After his professional sports career, Forbes transitioned into entrepreneurship, founding ‘Soul Survivors.’ He explains that coaching alone didn’t fulfill his purpose, and he wanted to use his life experiences, including overcoming a diabetic coma and multiple surgeries, to impact the youth. The platform aims to instill confidence and optimism in children facing chronic health challenges, drawing from his own journey as one of the few NBA players with Type 1 diabetes.
Mentorship and Inspiring Others (~00:40:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Forbes realized his capacity for mentorship through interactions at diabetes awareness events, where he learned his story inspired a child with Type 1 diabetes to pursue basketball.
  • Summary: Forbes discusses how he discovered his role as a mentor, initially without consciously seeking it. He shares a touching anecdote about a parent telling him how his example, playing in the NBA with diabetes, gave her son the courage to try out for basketball. This realization solidified his commitment to sharing his journey and helping others, particularly athletes managing similar health challenges.
Advice for Overcoming Adversity and Pursuing Dreams (~00:45:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Forbes advises individuals facing difficulties to remember that ‘your present situation is not your final destination’ and to ‘doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith,’ maintaining a child-like enthusiasm and belief in their goals.
  • Summary: In the final segment, Forbes offers advice for listeners facing adversity, emphasizing the power of a positive mindset and resilience. He shares his guiding principles: ‘Your present situation is not your final destination’ and ‘doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.’ He encourages athletes to maintain the same passion and belief they had as children when pursuing their dreams, even when facing setbacks or uncertainty.
Rapid Fire: Hot Five with Gary Forbes (~00:55:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Forbes identifies Brooklyn as the best borough for basketball players and expresses a desire to have played for the New York Knicks, highlighting his deep connection to his hometown.
  • Summary: The episode concludes with a rapid-fire ‘Hot Five’ segment where Gary Forbes answers quick questions. He names Brooklyn as the best borough for basketball players, cites ‘Cuts and Slices’ as his favorite pizza spot in Brooklyn, and reveals the New York Knicks as a team he wished he could have played for. He also names Al Harrington as his best teammate and reiterates his father’s advice, ‘You’re a Forbes,’ as the best piece of advice he’s received.