In this episode of the Coach D Podcast, I’m joined by overseas pro hooper Baylee Steele, who shares powerful lessons from his journey playing in Japan, Poland, Hungary, and China.
Baylee opens up about his adoption story, the father figures who shaped his mindset, and how sacrifice, discipline, and perspective have guided his basketball career. We dive into the reality of professional basketball as a business, the importance of being smart with money, and why players must prepare for life beyond the game.
From off-season training and skill development to fueling your body properly and building a personal brand, this episode delivers real insight for hoopers who want to grow on and off the court.
Episode Highlights
🏀 Basketball life lessons that translate to the real world
🌍 Playing overseas in Japan, Poland, Hungary & China
🧠 Why mastering simplicity separates good players from pros
💼 The truth about pro basketball being a business
💰 Being smart with your money as a pro athlete
💪 Off-season workouts & staying game-ready year-round
🥗 Fueling your body for performance and longevity
📖 Adoption story & lessons from strong father figures
⏳ Why pros can’t play forever — and what’s next
🌱 Building your personal brand beyond basketball
In this episode of the Coach D Podcast, Mya Proctor shares her inspiring journey from her early beginnings in basketball to becoming a professional player with the London Lions. She discusses the importance of physical and mental health, the role of leadership in sports, and the challenges she faced, including injuries and the transition from college to professional basketball. Mya emphasizes the significance of defense, skill development, and basketball IQ, while also highlighting the need for empathy and teamwork in the sport. Her insights provide valuable lessons for aspiring athletes and anyone looking to grow in their respective fields.
Episode Highlights 🔑🏀💪
Fernando’s journey into strength & conditioning 🛤️
What “strength” really means for athletes ⚡
Building muscle the right way for hoopers 🏗️
Injury prevention tips & must-do exercises 🚑
How to spot weaknesses in your body & fix them 🔍
Mobility, recovery & nutrition secrets 🍎🧘♂️
Advice for hoopers to maximize their game 🎯
🎧 Episode Highlights w/ Michelle | Coach D Podcast
🔥 Former 🇵🇹 pro baller turned GB Strength & Conditioning Coach
💪 How Michelle came back stronger after battling Spondyloarthritis
🧠 The mindset behind elite performance & bouncing back from setbacks
🚫 Common mistakes hoopers make in the gym
📈 Upcoming S&C trends every athlete should know
🙋♀️ Empowering female athletes through strength & confidence
⚡ Tips to boost explosiveness, prevent injury & train smarter
🎯 Why personalised training beats one-size-fits-all programs
Whether you’re on the court or in the weight room — this one’s packed with insight! 💥
#CoachDPodcast #BasketballTraining #FemaleAthletes #StrengthAndConditioning #HooperTalk
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✨ Episode Highlights with Jada Lewis ✨
🏀 Her introduction into basketball growing up in Sacramento
🎓 Lessons from playing at Portland State & San Diego State
🌍 Rookie year overseas in Finland + 36-point breakout game
💪 Transitioning from college to pro—mental & physical growth
🦁 Excitement about joining the London Lions Women’s team
🎯 Top 3 skills every guard needs to dominate
💡 Advice for aspiring athletes chasing the next level
🧠 Mindset > Talent: Why intentful practice changes everything
🔥 Building real work ethic in today’s athletes
💬 Self-talk tips to stay confident under pressure
📉 What many athletes are missing mentally today
🛠️ Cindi’s go-to tools for pre-game focus & post-game recovery
🎓 Lessons from her D1 journey that shaped her coaching
🎯 How to train your mind like you train your game
🎙️ Episode Highlights – Cassandra Brown Returns 🔥
🏀 Competing at the highest level in 3x3
🌍 Life as a pro overseas & adapting to new styles
🍁 The rise of Canadian basketball & the Toronto Tempo
🧠 Building a pro mindset & leadership on the court
📈 Advice for young hoopers chasing the next level
💬 Real talk on growth, culture, and what it takes to win
Tap in for elite insights and next-level gems! 💎🔥
Episode Highlights with Shanique Lucas
Coach D Podcast
From Bangkok to the Pro League 🌍🏀
5-sport athlete turned elite hooper ⚽️♀️🏃♀️🏐🥎
Scored over 3,000 points in high school 🔥🎯
Adapting from U.S. college ball to UK pro life 🇺🇸➡️🇬🇧
How multi-sport training shaped her game 🧠⚡
Staying sharp during the season 🛠️⏳
Balancing the player vs the person ⚖️
Advice for the next generation of hoopers 📈✨
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Email For Business : coachdbasketball23@gmail.com
🎙️ EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS – Carl Wheatle on the Coach D Podcast 🏀🇬🇧
⚽ From football to basketball: Scouted by Crystal Palace as a goalkeeper
✈️ Turning pro at 15 & moving to Italy—leaving family behind
🇮🇹 Inside the Italian basketball culture: skills, structure, and mindset
🔥 Competing at the EuroCup level with Reyer Venezia
💪 Off-season vs in-season grind: How he stays ready year-round
🧠 Underrated habits young hoopers should lock into
🔢 The story behind jersey No. 24
🇬🇧 Representing GB Basketball & the growth of the UK game
🎓 Wisdom for the next generation of pros chasing the dream
Tap in for elite-level gems, mindset shifts, and a powerful journey from South London to the European stage 💎🎯
Episode Highlights:
What makes a great ball handler? ⚡️
Breaking down footwork & timing fundamentals 🦶⏱️
How to finish through contact like a pro 💪🏽
Creating real separation without over-dribbling 🛑➡️
Common mistakes players make with their handle ❌
Practical tips for guards to tighten their game 🎯
How Hunter teaches fluid movement & game-ready skills
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Email For Business : coachdbasketball23@gmail.com
Episode Highlights with Amy Goodson 🏀🥗📚
✅ How Amy got started in sports nutrition
🍎 Common myths about healthy eating for athletes
🥤 Hydration tips every hooper should know
📦 The ultimate nutrition starter pack for basketball players
🍗 Importance of protein, carbs & fats in performance
⏱️ Meal timing for energy, recovery & growth
💡 Budget-friendly nutrition tips for student-athletes
📖 Key takeaways from The Sports Nutrition Playbook
Fuel smarter. Play harder. Recover stronger 💪🔥
Website: TheSportsNutritionPlaybook.com
The Sports Nutrition Playbook YouTube
The Sports Nutrition Playbook IG and @amyg.rd
The Sports Nutrition Playbook Podcast
• Coaching at the highest level with the London Lions Women’s Team 🏀
• Lessons from the GB Youth System & international coaching in Spain 🌍
• Pre-season vs In-season mindset & training differences 🔄
• How to build real team cohesion and culture from Day 1 🤝
• What it really takes to represent your country at the national level 🇬🇧
• Advice for young players chasing the pro or GB dream ✨
• Insights every coach can apply right away to elevate their squad 📈
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Episode Highlights with Stephen Brown
PG for Nymburk | Basketball Champions League
From the U.S. to Europe: Stephen shares his journey overseas and adapting to international hoops ✈️🌍
Adjusting to the BCL: How the European game challenged and sharpened his skillset ⚔️🏀
Basketball IQ Talk: Why smart decisions separate good PGs from great ones 🧠🎯
PG Tips: Stephen drops gems for young guards to elevate their game 💎📈
In-Season Grind: Go-to drills & habits to stay sharp during the season ⏱️🛠️
Behind the Scenes: The reality of life as a professional hooper 🎥🕶️
Quick Fire Round: Toughest defender, favorite arena & more 🔥⛹️♂️
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🏀 Episode Highlights – Part 2 with Coach Nate Melendez:
1. 🔄 How Nate’s training approach has evolved since the last episode
2. 🧠 Pro-level habits that college & high school athletes should start now
3. 📊 The role of data and sports science in optimizing performance
4. 🧘♂️ New recovery tools & strategies to stay game-ready
5. 🚫 Common mistakes that hold players back—and how to fix them
6. ⚙️ How individualized training makes a real difference
7. 🔥 One thing every hoopers can do today to train smarter
Episode Highlights – Coach Gabe Macias on the Coach D Podcast
🔥 Catching Up – Gabe’s journey since our last conversation & the opening of his new gym 🏀🏢
🧠 Skill Acquisition – New training methods & how players can retain skills long-term 🎯
📚 Studying the Game – How Gabe learns, breaks down film, and stays ahead as a coach 📽️📖
🏋️♂️ Optimizing Workouts – How players should structure their sessions for real improvement ⏳💪
🚀 What’s Next – Future plans for By Any Means Basketball & the evolution of player development 🌍🏀
Tap in for elite basketball knowledge! 🎙️🔥
Follow Coach Gabe: https://www.instagram.com/byanymeansgabe?igsh=Z3pqNDBmb3J3bG5h
Follow Coach Dee: https://www.instagram.com/coach_dee7?igsh=MTNvcWhqdnRqaWZ6Ng==
Email For Business : coachdbasketball23@gmail.com
Episode Highlights: 🏀✨
From Iceland to Oaklands Wolves: Bo’s journey to the Superleague Women’s. 🌍➡️🐺
GB National Team Call-Up: Representing Great Britain at just 15! 🇬🇧🔥
Balancing A-Levels and Athletics: How Bo juggles academics and basketball. 📚🏀
Dreaming Big: Preparing for D1 basketball and a career in law. 🎓⚖️
Advice for Young Players: Building confidence, handling nerves, and improving skills. 💪🏀💡
Team Chemistry: Insights on adapting to new teams and fostering cohesion. 🤝🏀
Never Stop Improving: Why Bo’s love for the game keeps her striving for more. ❤️🔥
Episode Highlights with Haley Wright on the Coach D Podcast:
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Myles Hesson joins the Coach D Podcast to share his incredible journey from Birmingham to the world stage! 🌍 A true hometown hero, Myles has played professionally in Germany, France, Japan, and now Lithuania. He’s a Great Britain national team veteran and the man who sealed England’s gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with an unforgettable game-winner! 🥇
In this episode, we dive into:
✅ His journey from Birmingham to pro basketball across Europe & Asia
✅ Hitting the game-winning shot to win Commonwealth Gold
✅ Adapting to different leagues & cultures around the world
✅ His training routine & what keeps him sharp all season
✅ The current state of UK basketball & how we can grow the game
✅ Life lessons from the sport & advice for young athletes
✅ The honor of having a basketball court named after him in Birmingham
If you're a basketball fan, athlete, or just love inspiring stories, this one’s for you! 💯
📲 Listen & Subscribe:
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube
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Episode Highlights with Macy Spinks 🎙️
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