Jamil Abiad is determined to make a difference in the lives of youth. This professional Global Basketball Trainer and Entrepreneur shows that hard work, dedication, and a strong mind can take a vision that can turn into a dream. He’s worked with athletes and trainers at all levels and has made an impact on the lives of players that he’s helped reach astounding levels of success.
With a career that spans from being a professional basketball player to a coach that empowers young players, Jamil Abiad is a powerful leader who helps others see what’s possible with the right training, and the drive to want the best. Today, with unique coaching training methods, this basketball star and motivational speaker is working toward a goal of impacting as many players as possible, while showing them hard work and dedication are as important as your technical skills.
Tell us about who you are and what you do.
As a professional Global Basketball Trainer, I have become well-known and respected throughout the Ottawa area and Eastern Canada. As a young boy growing up in Ottawa, I loved and played all sports. I was a standout soccer player and played at a very high level.
I was first introduced to basketball at the age of 12. I immediately knew this is what I wanted to do with my life. As I got older, I dedicated all my time to training on basketball with hopes of making my high school team.
Going into grade 9 at Colonel By High School, I faced a lot of adversity in my first year. It was all still new to me. I had lots of catching up & learning to do as a point guard. I spent the next summer training each day and watching films to learn and understand the game. By grade 12, I was a 4-time city all-star, and one of the top point guards in the city with numerous accolades.
Fast forward. A few years later, I was an RSEQ silver medalist, RSEQ Champion & 6th place winner at Nationals all with honorable mentions & awards. The 5 years at Bishops University taught me a lot as a player such as being a leader, time management, self-discipline, and how to deal with adversity. After my university career, I was fortunate enough to play a couple of years professionally overseas. After playing my last season I decided it was time to put up the sneakers and help someone else reach their dreams!
I developed unique training methods, all aimed at syncing the body and mind in preparation for competing against the best. I believe that a rigorous training system not only develops physical strength but also the mental stamina required to compete at the highest levels of the game. I’m constantly reading & learning to keep up with the latest training techniques and methodologies, along with consistently pushing my athletes to the limit.
Over the last few years, I’ve been able to travel around the world and learn from NBA players, NBA & professional coaches, and top trainers. I’ve also had the privilege to train many elite players that have gone off to play NCAA, USPORTS, CCAA & Professionally.
Another amazing privilege has been to do motivational speaking, talk about entrepreneurship & I’ve started a new competitive basketball program for “U17 & U19” boys here in Ottawa. As basketball continues to grow at a rapid rate in Canada, I look forward to helping as many athletes as possible reach their basketball dreams & goals!
How did you create your brand? What inspired you?
I started my brand back in 2018. The sole purpose was to help athletes reach that next level while giving them opportunities to get better at the game of basketball. Through my camps, clinics, and private training, I want these kids to be in an environment that challenges them to be better but also have fun at the same time. Being an ex-pro and having the opportunity to meet coaches, trainers, and elite trainers around the world, I’ve learned many things that I now apply to my daily programs.
Do you have a giveaway idea to help our readers?
My giveaway is to give the readers an idea about who I am, what I am currently doing, and give hope to anyone thinking of starting their own business. I want people to hear my story and be inspired. Understand that through hard work, vision, and perseverance amazing things are possible.
What challenges did you go through as you were building your business and brand? What daily challenges do you face today?
The biggest challenge(s) I have gone through while working on brand creation was gaining the trust of people, promoting the service, and having repeat clients. Being in an industry that is so competitive poses many politics. It’s something you have to go up against daily. You learn to adapt. What it’s done for me is to make me work harder. It allowed me to focus on parts of my brand that I never really thought was important and focus on them to be even better.
What’s the future vision for your brand? How far do you want to take it? What’s the next level for you?
My future vision is to take my brand globally. I want to help youth all over the world reach their goals and dreams. I want to create a platform that challenges the individual to reach the optimal potential but also become better people outside of the sport itself. I’d also like to eventually own my training facility where kids can come to at any point in the day and compete in a safe environment. That would be my dream.
Do you have a message for those who have a plan of creating something of their own and making a living through it?
The first thing I would say, right off the bat, is if you can’t accept failing don’t even try it. If you think this is a quick cash grab it is not. Creating a business or doing anything you love takes time and a lot of it. You have to be able to sacrifice a lot of things that you do to grow your business. Lastly, before getting started I think each entrepreneur needs to have a WHY. Something that you can look back at whenever you feel like you want to quit. This WHY should be the fire that pushes you through and is why you want to be successful.
What else should we know about you and your programs?
My basketball program — www.613believe.com to see the reason behind what I do and why I do it.
My training business — www.janlfitness.com
Company name: NL — Fitness
Website: www.jamilabiad.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jamil.abiad