Today’s Playbook

What a week! Our Euroleague game against Red Star was an epic showdown that went to overtime, and we clinched a huge WIN on our Road to the Playoff! What made it even better was having my family from the US in the crazy Belgrade atmosphere. Unforgettable! 

On a different note, we're all sending our best wishes for a speedy recovery to our teammate Roddy. We need you out there with us, get well soon!

Here’s what’s on my mind in this week’s newsletter:

• Stop Caring What People Think

• A Little Reflection of My No-Bread Season🌱

• YouTube ▶️ → Watch 20.000 PARTIZAN FANS breaking the sound barrier

• Weekly Q+A → @milkslayer2406 on YouTube asked…

Stop Caring What People Think

Have you ever held back from doing something because you were worried about what others might think?

Here’s a mindset shift that will set you free: People only see you through their own lenses.

I know this firsthand. Coming up in this game — I used to stress about it all the time:

• What is the coach going to think?

• What is this scout going to think?

• What is this person going to think?

But at the end of the day, everyone has their own insecurities, and they’re looking at you through the lens of their own self-doubt.

The same applies to how people see you. Their opinions are filtered through their personal experiences, biases, and beliefs. They’re not judging you objectively—they’re seeing you through their own lenses.

Perfect Example?

Look at Shedeur Sanders, future top-5 NFL pick. He recently went to the NFL Combine, did all his interviews, and some NFL executive said, "Oh, he’s too arrogant. He’s too harsh."

But that executive is seeing him through his own lens. Maybe that guy was a backup quarterback who never got the opportunity to be like Shedeur. And really, what do you expect? - Do you want your franchise quarterback to not have confidence? At the end of the day, people see you through their insecurities.

So why let those lenses control your life? Why hold yourself back because of someone else’s limited perspective?

The Takeaway

Stop worrying about what others think. Be who you want to be. Be your best self. The only perspective that truly matters is your own.

Faith + Consistency™. That’s the formula.

A Little Reflection of My No-Bread Season🌱

This season, I decided to cut out bread. It was one of those small changes I wanted to challenge myself with. At first, it started more as a mental thing — testing my discipline and consistency. But as the season went on, I started to notice some physical benefits too.

Bread, especially the processed kind, would sometimes leave me feeling bloated, especially after meals post-practice. Since cutting it out, my digestion has improved a lot. My stomach feels way better (less bloating), and I feel leaner without really changing much else about my diet.

That being said, carbs from bread — especially whole grain options — were vital for fueling my athletic activity. So, it was super important for me to find other ways to get those carbs in. I’ve been leaning on things like rice, potatoes, quinoa, and oats to make sure I’m still fueling properly.

Let me know if you guys want me to share some of the recipes or meals that have helped me stay away from bread while still getting enough carbs! And just remember — this is what worked for me personally. Everyone’s body is different, especially when it comes to the demands of athletes.

Here’s the link as always to my full list of guides, available to you as a part of the Playbook Community!

Playbook Guides (Workouts, Pro Tips, Mobility Guides, Recovery info, etc)

YouTube Journey▶

Partizan is European basketball. Without a doubt, it’s one of the loudest arenas out there, packed with insanely passionate fans. As the Road to the Playoffs continues, every win counts. Watch the video to see it all through a player’s eyes.

Q&A ❓

@milkslayer2406 on YouTube asked…

“Basketball IQ doesn’t just show up overnight - it’s built over time!

It comes from how much you really study the game, whether that’s through watching film or just getting reps and learning through experience.

Like they always say, Experience is the best teacher. And that stuck with me heavily when I watched the new episode of Mind the Game with LeBron and Steve Nash. There’s a moment where LeBron basically breaks down how he’s been able to stay at the top of the game for so long. Yeah, of course, he’s physically blessed—but the experience really separates him. He’s seen so much basketball that he can think the game at a level that most younger guys can’t, no matter how athletic they are.

And I feel that, the more film I watch, the more I understand spacing, timing, reads, tendencies — all those little details that help you play smarter, not just harder. That’s how you stay a step ahead!

For me, that’s why I’m big on studying the game — watching film, asking questions, learning from coaches and teammates — even younger players who might see something I don’t. Ego has no place if you’re trying to really level up your IQ.

That’s part of why we started Players' Corner — to create a space where hoopers can tap into knowledge and experiences that took us years to learn. So the next generation can speed up that process and become smarter players faster.”

God Bless! Faith + Consistency™

🚨Want to see your question answered above? Reply to the newsletter or reach out to me on social. I will group all the questions together and be answering them on the newsletter and vlog in the coming weeks. Cheers!🚨

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If you have comments or questions or suggestions, PLEASE respond to the newsletter about anything. I want to hear from you and I promise, I read every response. My goal is to continue making a great Playbook and building a great community where we all get better together. And you’re a part of that journey!

Let’s Build Confidence + Consistency™ , on and off the court!

Elijah