# @buzzcityhoopsqld on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DdUz4TfT070
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/70520611-buzzcityhoopsqld-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/efe9b90b8c.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-09-15T22:59:29.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Carl Forbes (@buzzcityhoopsqld) — https://gondola.cc/buzzcityhoopsqld

## Caption

Growing up, I was what you would call a child prodigy in martial arts. 

Everything I learned, I mastered instantly. It came in handy where I grew up, but it also got me suspended from school more than once for fighting kids who kept challenging me.

Basketball wasn’t supposed to be my thing. It was just meant to keep me off the streets after school until Mum got home from work.

But here’s the thing… I was terrible at it. 🫣🤫

My first coach looked me dead in the eye and said: “You’ll never be a good shooter. Stick to martial arts.”

That pissed me off more than you could ever know.

You’re my coach. My teacher. You’re supposed to build me up, not tell me what I can’t do.

So I got to work. Hours of practice, every single day, just to prove him wrong.

Two years later, I was selected to represent my country for the first time at the international youth games.

That moment taught me something I’ve carried into every athlete I’ve ever coached: don’t give up on the things you’re not immediately good at. Growth isn’t instant, it’s earned.

Years later, that same teacher invited me back to my old high school. He walked me around, introducing me to every kid and teacher like he was showing off his own son, taking credit for almost a decade of work that was never his.

I stood in front of an assembly of over 1,000 kids and told them the truth:

“This teacher told me I would never play this sport, and told me not to waste my time. He was wrong. And nobody in this hall should ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Yes, you can, if you work hard and dedicate yourself to being your best self.”

I was never invited back to that school again. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Funny how the truth does that. 💩

Don’t let anyone, coach, teacher, parent, stranger, put a ceiling on what you’re capable of. Prove them wrong with your work ethic, not your words.

#BuzzCityHoops #motivation #QLDBasketball #yesyoucan

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 12
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## Tags

motivation, yesyoucan, buzzcityhoops, qldbasketball

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