#20 Get Scouted And Create Your Brand with Momir GAJIC
EXPERT GAMEPLAN SESSION
(SERBIAN) FORMER PALM BEACH ATLANTIC UNIV. BASKETBALL PLAYER & GRADUATE, THEN A NBA SCOUT FOR THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES, CURRENT FOUNDER OF ITSMYPLAY.COM
BACKGROUND
I had the pleasure of meeting Momir at a movie set in Slovenia. It was a filming of a Serbian Basketball film where Team Yugoslavia that won the World Championships back in the day, had defeated the USA Men’s Basketball Team. I was acting as one the Team USA starting basketball players, and Momir's character was the Team USA head coach. As this was my first experience getting to know him, he was very professional, has very good English, and shows great work ethic in everything he does. In this episode you will learn how to sell yourself as a professional or amateur athlete and Momir has excellent solutions to get you going.
BIO
Born, Momir Gajic, from Belgrade, Serbia on September 5, 1978.
He chose to attend Palm Beach Atlantic University in Florida Where he was a standout and captain for the SailFish as well as a top scorer and rebounder. Momir graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in International Business.
Momir was one of the youngest intern-scouts in the NBA and spent the 2003/04 season working with the Minnesota Timberwolves. There he evaluated US and International Talent.
In 2006/07 Momir was a coach the Patterson School in Lenoir, North Carolina, whom was nationally ranked the #1 Prep School.
He was 1 of the 2 Serbian-Passport full time NCAA Division 1 coaches for the University of Rhode Island.
He is also the founder of ItsMyPlay Project which was placed in the Top 80 Most perspective start-ups in the Demo Conference located in Silicon Valley.
PERSONAL QUOTE:
“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.”
-Bill Bradley
MENTORS:
I had many influencers in my life. Picking different qualities from different people is my habit.
Key Discussion Points:
What is ItsMyPlay.com?
Were there a couple of mentors that stood out for you?
What is the biggest mistake an athlete can make leading to failure?
What were one of your failures/struggles and how did you get through them?
What was the moment you realized that you reached the right path?
Why did you think ItsMyPlay.com was needed?
How would it look if you don’t keep track of what you’re posting on your social media and how could teams view you after seeing a negative impression?
Key Lessons:
An athlete is their own entrepreneur
“They are representing themselves and in a way its a business. And so whatever they are pursuing, a scholarship, a professional contract, in a way they are entrepreneurs." -MG @ (11:51)
Pursue opportunities to network and meet with people that can be your mentors
Mentors can motivate in more than one way and help you have a balanced and healthy career
Being persistent is key
“the main advice from experienced and successful people was being persistent and through all the challenges that in most cases are going to count and you are going to face.” -MG @ (12:20)
Take advice and tips from others even if they are in the same field, industry, or business as you.
“Every constructive advice is worth a lot of money”- MG @ (16:04)
Athletes as well as everyone recognize the negative people in their life and avoid surrounding themselves with them
Positive Energy is very essential to our lives and can be sucked away by negative people
“It gives us that boost, it makes us wake up at 5am, it makes us work hours and train long hours.” -MG @ (12:34)
Finding time to mediate will keep your body and mind healthy.
Try to avoid uncertainty and impatience, as it can be destructible mentally and physically
Ask others who you think that can help you, but also be ready for criticism
“Seek for advices, seek what you need to do or what others think you need to do to get to another level.” -MG @ (26:17)
GUEST'S TIP JAR
What personal habit contributed most to your success?
Prioritize the night before each new day and find the time during the week to meditate, visualizing where you want to be.
What is the best advice you ever received?
"When you think there is no chance and all the percentages are down or there is no more air to breathe, that’s where things are handed, that’s where things will start going for you. Be persistent and don’t give up on your dreams."
How do add value to other people?
"There are no rules to it. We all should be aware of people around us. These are spontaneous acts of kindness. The other day I saw old lady sitting down on the sidewalk waiting for the bus. It was raining and she was soaking wet. The bus station didn't have the bench and roof cover. I stopped and offered to drive her home. She accepted. I never plan these actions but I react with my instinct when I see people in the need of assistance. "
Recommended App:
Name THE person you feel has been MOST influential in your life to reach higher and be better?
I had many influencers in my life. Picking different qualities from different people is my habit
A learning resource you love to use...
Give a tool/habit you love to use to stay healthy:
Drinking a lot of water
A useful tool or tip for eating on the go -OR- for traveling in general?
Raw almonds are one of the best nutrition snacks you can have while on the go
INFO
Charity/Organizations They Add Value to:
UBA Basketball Camps in Turkey
Business/Work:
Founder of ItsMyPlay Project
Past/Current Teams:
Past: Minnesota Timberwolves, University of Rhode Island
Recommended Guests:
Ganon Baker - One of the world's best trainers
Cody Toppert - NBA Pre - Draft trainer
Alexis Levi - Top 100 the most influential African-American women in the sports industry
Advice:
Athletes are in essence entrepreneurs. I would like to provide tips relating to mind set that every athlete should have while going through challenging times.
Contact Guest:
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Email Momir | Guest's Personal Website | CV/Resumé