Many have heard of the Mamba Mentality, but around here, people know about the Yanders Mentality.
During Kobe Bryant's reign in the basketball world, a term was coined: Mamba Mentality. Bryant was the most skilled, ferocious competitor we had seen since Micahel Jordan himself. The Mamba Mentality embodied not only extreme competitiveness but also the mindset that is required to be the best.
Here in the Midwest, many of us have witnessed or been touched by something very similar: the Yanders Mentality.
Rob Yanders was an extreme competitor in his own right. His desire for personal domination was unique, though, as he had an equal desire to elevate those around him. The Yanders Mentality certainly encompasses a competitive nature and voracious work ethic, but it also has the spirit of servitude.
Our time with Rob may have been too short, but it was more than enough to demonstrate the Yanders Mentality.
Rob held himself to incredibly high standards. He also held those around him to incredibly high standards, practicing what he preached about who you keep in the circle that surrounds you. We at The Basketball Movement continue his methods. If you come through our doors without the Yanders Mentality, you can turn right back around and find another elite training facility.
Hunger to improve your craft. Hunger to be the best that you possibly can. Hunger to improve the people around you. That is the Yanders Mentality.
After reading this, we want to challenge everyone to take a moment of self-reflection. Do you have a hunger for the things mentioned above? Are you feeding that hunger?
Some days, it is easier to grind on your craft and improve yourself than to improve others. That is what makes it so difficult to maintain the Yanders Mentality. We are challenging ourselves and challenging you to improve someone close to you today.
That may mean picking someone up who is down. It may mean telling someone something they may not want to hear but need to (another Rob specialty). If you are focused and intentional, opportunities present themselves more than you may expect.
The path is not always easy, but Rob never saw an obstacle in his path that he did not find the ability to conquer. We all miss him. But, we can honor him and keep his fire going by leaning on each other and living with the Yanders Mentality.