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Jimmy Gavin’s path took him from crushing self-doubt and a life-changing health diagnosis in high school to seven seasons of pro basketball across Europe, through a humbling tech-sales gig, and now into a leadership role directing sports initiatives. Along the way, he discovered that raw honesty, relentless hustle, and a tight-knit support crew can flip every “end” into the start of something even bigger.

In this episode, we talk about:

- Ego vs. Teammate: Why Jimmy’s drive to build himself up sometimes clashed with coaches and peers, and how he learned leadership by first becoming a follower

- Early Adversity: How Crohn’s diagnosis and a family tragedy wiped out his high-school basketball dreams, then sparked a comeback that led him to JUCO, Division I, and NBA workouts

- Pro Life Abroad: Rookie jitters in Lithuania, adapting to European training (yes, judo at dawn), and finding his true role by leaning into his strengths

- End of the Court: Health complications that forced him to hang up his sneakers, and the therapeutic 50,000-word manuscript he penned to capture that “roar of the crowd” feeling

- Tech Sales Wake-Up Call: What it’s like to swap the hardwood for CRM dashboards, discover you’re not great at it, and question your sense of self all over again

- Friends as Coaches: How three brothers who trained alongside him helped Jimmy rediscover his passion, with one impromptu coaching gig reigniting his energy and sense of purpose

- New Venture: From late-night book drafts to joining Goldfinch Capital as Director of Sport Initiatives, and why relationships, responsiveness, and being the best follower can unlock unexpected doors

- Career-Transition Advice: The single most practical tip Jimmy offers young athletes, show up, stay responsive (yes, reply to that coach’s text), and treat every next thing as the most important thing you have

💎 GOLDEN NUGGET:

"Give it everything you’ve got, even if you’re ‘the least qualified person in the room’—that irrational belief will at least get you through the door.”

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Ready to explore your own second act after sport? Connect with Ryan Gonsalves and the 2NDWind Academy to discover how your athletic experience can become your professional advantage here: www.2ndwind.io