Sometimes it only takes a moment to knock you flat—and force you to question everything.For Greg Stern, that moment came not with clarity, but with exhaustion and the quiet collapse of a dream he’d chased for years. What followed was a shift sparked by a few powerful words from his father and the support of mentors who reminded him of the gifts he carried.In this episode, I reconnect with my childhood friend to talk about the role basketball played in shaping his identity, the setbacks that challenged him, and the resilience it took to find his way forward.Whether through mentoring youth with Rise Above or advocating for mental health with the John W. Brick Foundation, Greg is using his story to drive real change.This conversation is about failure, mentorship, and the quiet courage it takes to begin again—again and again—and how the foundations we lay in our hardest seasons often shape the greatest impact we leave behind.00:00 The Turning Point: Overcoming Self-Doubt01:01 Introduction to Greg Stern's Journey01:41 Reconnecting After Decades02:10 Childhood Memories and Early Influences03:33 The Impact of Mentors and Early Sports Experiences10:11 The Harsh Realities of Youth Sports Today22:04 Struggles and Triumphs in High School23:29 Facing Adversity: The College Basketball Experience31:14 The Aftermath of Failure and Finding New Purpose37:03 A Life-Changing Accident and Its Consequences43:14 The Aftermath of the Accident44:16 Dealing with Guilt and Emotional Turmoil45:55 Struggles with Depression and Quitting48:35 A Father's Tough Love53:35 Finding Purpose and Mentorship56:05 The Power of Connection and Empathy59:28 The Podcast Journey01:08:43 Lessons from Mentors and Giving Back01:16:07 Final Thoughts