The Pro Journey

A baller's story from intense struggle and failure to achieving his dreams

Think of the hardest working person that you know…now work harder.

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Think of the hardest working person that you know…now work harder.

For me it’s my father. He is hands down the hardest working person that I know. He is unbelievable. He is simply super human. His work ethic fascinates me to this day. As a former British Soldier, he had cultivated these habits and unique set of skills while fighting for England. He has fought in the Faulkland war, in Popou New Guinea, Argentina. In fact, there was a story he would tell my brothers and I when we were little. He was in a swamp, pitch black at night infested with huge crocodiles. And all he had with him was his sword, gun and his rucksack. He said he was so scared since all he could see were there bright yellow eyes starting back at him. He was shivering and felt like was going to pee himself because of how scared he was. He and his fellow soldiers felt that they would attack them at any moment. But luckily none did and they made it safely through the swamp.

Along with my Mom, my Dad ran a successful Grocery Store business with my Mom for 16 years. During this time, he and my Mom would work 14 hours a day everyday for 16 years. They never took off and they would work even when they were so tired and sleepy. During the winter, my Dad would suffer from cracks in his hand due to the cold and washing his hands constantly with soap due to the fact he was constantly receiving and giving money to customers. My Dad even was held at gun point while working and was jumped by 2 guys outside of our store and was sent to the hospital. My parents worked so hard to provide a better life for my brothers and I.

Currently, my Dad works for a moving company called Oz Moving. Throughout the years, there have been times when he would wake up at 2 am to go to work, work all day until 12 at night. Eat, sleep then wake up at 5 to go do it all over again. This would sometimes be his shift for several months. The guy was a work horse, but he was committed to providing for his family and doing whatever it took to put food on the table for us and allow us to live a pretty comfortable life. But there have also been times when his whole body is hurting from all the heavy lifting he’s had to do while at work and I felt so helpless watching him wince in pain trying to eat his dinner. This sight would break my heart and I would give him a heat pack for his back which would work but only for a hour or so.

At home, he would clean things over and over again until they are shining. He would work on building things for the house.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, because he taught me the value of hardwork, dedication, being committed to providing for your family, to not make excuses, to never give up even when hope is gone, always keep pushing even when you’re exhausted as hell. He’s been working since he was 5 years old growing up in a small village in Nepal called Junbesi, through his 15 year army career, 16 year business career, and now with his 15 year moving career. His body is breaking down on him now at the age of 60 since he’s still working a hard labor job as a mover. He constantly says he wants to change his job since it hurts his body so much and so will be transferring to driving a TLC limo in the next year and then will be going into retirement a few years from now, which I will help him with.

So, when I think of my father and all the hardwork he’s put in which I saw with my own eyes it makes me push harder. And when I’m exhausted and feel I have nothing left in my tank I think of him working at his moving job carrying huge boxes and find that extra strength and that extra gear within me to push even harder. My father is an inspiration to me and one of my heroes.

Love you Dad.

P.S. Think of the hardest working person you know…now work harder.

 

Basketball Cone Drills that Helped Me Get Explosive, Tight Handles

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Check out these Basketball Cone Drills that helped me get explosive, tight handles. I created these cone drills by combining the cone drills I learned from Chris Paul, Steph Curry, and Damian Lillard.

This is my go-to ballhandling combined with shooting workout that I love to do. I love it because it is challenging, improves my handles, my stamina, my focus, and hand eye coordination and shooting off the dribble. I do this drill every other day to keep my handles tight and crisp.

They consist of:

1. The CP3 one bounce between the legs dribble from one cone to the next into elbow jump shot.
2. The CP3 one bounce between the legs crossover cone move into elbow jump shot
3. Steph Curry between the legs twice and behind the back move from one cone to next into elbow jump shot
4. Chris Paul protect the ball spin move into elbow jump shot
5. Damian Lillard explosive in and out move into elbow jump shot

But in this video, it’s toward the end of my workout so you see me only doing the Step Curry Drill, Damian Lillard Drill and setting up for the Chris Paul Spin move drill. But check out my other videos where you’ll see me doing all 5 cone drills from start to finish.

And remember when doing the drill, make sure you make 3 shots before moving on to the next drill. If you miss you have to go back to half court and start the drill over until you make 3 shots. It doesn’t have to be 3 in a row just make 3 off the dribble from the elbow.

I hope you found these drlls helpful and try them out next time you’re in the gym working on your game. It’s a challenging workout that I know will you get you better. And let me know what you thought of the workout and if you have any questions or feedback on how to improve the drills.

Hardwork & Dedication,
Sonam