How Brock Motum Turned Unrealistic Goals Into Reality: AIS, the Olympics and Klay Thompson | The Searchers Podcast
Episode 31 featuring Brock Motum and Lachie Dent
In this episode of The Searchers Podcast, Atem Bior and Kirron Byrne sit down with Brock Motum — Australian Boomers representative, 2016 Rio Olympics athlete, and professional basketball player who defied every doubt placed on him.
Cut from the Queensland U16 state team. Rejected by the AIS the first time he trialled. Told his goals were unrealistic. Brock Motum heard it all — and went on to represent his country on the world's biggest stage anyway. This is one of the most honest and inspiring conversations the show has had about what it actually takes to pursue an impossible-looking dream.
Kirron Byrne, who coached Brock early in his career, joins the conversation with rare behind-the-scenes insight into what he saw in Brock before anyone else did — and the unconventional training methods that helped get him there.
Topics covered:
Being cut from the QLD U16 state team — Brock's first real disappointment in basketball
Why writing down your goals is more powerful than most people realise
The training program Brock built after being rejected by the AIS
Kirron's most unusual training techniques — and why they worked
Klay Thompson's influence on Brock's game and mindset
Crying every day during his first month at Washington State — and choosing to stay
Being overlooked despite elite-level accomplishments
Fatherhood, marriage, and life beyond basketball
What athletes need to do differently to stand out in a season
The relationship with failure — and why it's the most important one you'll have
Timestamps: 0:00 — Pre-show banter 3:25 — Brock's first real disappointment in basketball 6:40 — When Kirron met Brock and began the quest for the NBA 7:17 — Brock's one and only goal: become a professional basketball player 8:30 — The importance of writing down your goals 14:40 — Brock's training program after not making the AIS 16:29 — Kirron's most unusual training techniques 21:12 — Why Kirron believed in Brock before anyone else did 23:33 — Brock's relationship with fellow Boomer Cameron Bairstow 24:20 — The advice Brock received from the AIS 27:24 — Brock's time at Washington State 29:47 — Crying every day in his first month of college — and why he stayed 33:13 — Klay Thompson's influence on Brock 35:20 — How Brock used to train as Klay 37:37 — Atem shares a heartfelt story about Brock 42:35 — Brock's willingness to help others on their journey 45:48 — Being overlooked despite your accomplishments 47:48 — Brock on being a father and husband 50:10 — The benefits of playing multiple sports growing up 58:10 — How athletes need to approach a season to stand out 1:03:53 — Athletes posting everything on social media — good or bad? 1:09:42 — The relationship with failure 1:14:14 — Brock's final message to people with big dreams
Listen on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
