I understand where you're coming from. Life is too short to be unhappy. Sometimes the "logical" decision isn't always the right one. I'm glad that you're happier and can enjoy the game again. You're a great ambassador and you have great positive energy.
Rachel, excellent job of your path away from the game. This video must have been a load lifted from your shoulders. Almost all of us "change horses" as we transition into adult life. Yours has been extraordinary and still keeping your perspective on happiness in your life. Coach Tom
I can't ever relate to not loving basketball at any time of my life no matter how hard life gets. It's a love affair. It's the best sport. More than a game to me.
I watched this like 5 years ago as a kid. It completely blows my mind away that I’m literally in the exact situation today now that it’s on my recommended. Thank you Rachel.
Thought you were going to say you got pregnant. But this is a much better story. Reminds me of what happened to my sister who went to play for AlbanyU. Picked the wrong school and lost her love of the game.
Airjas Productions That's not true at all. You're confusing the GAME of basketball with the BUSINESS of basketball. The former is all about competing with yourself and others. The latter is a cut-throat game of politics, that only get's worse as you make it higher up the ladder.
Airjas Productions its not ridiculous actually. You can lose interest in something & still come back to love it in a different way, sort of the message of the video. Sort of like her example, if you've been married for 10 years & the spark between you & your partner just disappears, that in no way means you never loved your partner. It just means the spark you had is gone, as was her spark with basketball. There's nothing wrong with losing a love of something
Just reading through the comments and listening to the video on reasons why they quit basketball, and I'm happy to say I will never end up like that. Basketball has made me a better person. From someone in 6th grade coming to a new school since I'm in the military and move around a lot, to the next year being the most popular person in our middle/high school because of basketball. I'm not quiet anymore, even after I moved again, I still have a lot of friends because of me not being quiet and also from playing.
I've been following you since you were on that Elle and Blair online show and found you to be a great and entertaining on air personality and that's a part of why I stuck around. It's been awesome to see how far you've come despite all these challenges. I'm so proud of how you have taken your passions and merged them together for the better! Thanks for sharing this part of your story! Very inspiring!
I think it's smart that you do what you wanna do. We only have so long to live and if you can't enjoy that time then you're not doing yourself any favors. I've always heard people talk about how they wish they would've done something different with their life and I'm glad to see someone who's actually trying to do what they love. I'm 18 and I have been struggling lately on my major in college because my heart tells me journalism but the people surrounding me tell me doctor or lawyer and I just had to learn to do what I want to. Thanks for the testimony Rachel.
Beautiful message to people making tough decisions and trying to follow their dreams Rachel. It takes a ton of courage to face those who put you in a mold and need you to stay there. It's hard to make that decision that is right for you while running the risk of disappointing those around you who can't possibly understand what is going on inside. Thanks for sharing your story.
THANK U SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS. quitting basketball was my hardest decision too. Basketball was my everything and it was the only thing I knew. But it wasn't making me as happy anymore. College basketball is it's own animal. So cool to know many have the same story as me. God bless u. Keep inspiring.
hi! I just want to say that I understand where you are coming from!! your analogy of the relationship and basketball was spot on!! I have been playing ball since 6th grade and my junior year season tryouts are in 4 days. I used to love basketball with all my heart. that was all I ever thought about. I went to practice everyday, even after school practices I would go home and practice more. I scored 18 points almost every game. my 9th grade year came up and I just didn't have interest anymore and I didn't love it like I normally do and it was sad. but it wasn't what I wanted. it didn't make me happy. I played for everyone else to be happy. my dad would force me to play. I never told him I didn't want to keep playing because I was terrified. the other day I finally told him that it wasn't what I wanted and that he keeps forcing me to play and I'm not happy doing it anymore. he got mad and disappointed and he just tells me repeatedly that I could get a full ride to a D-1 college and I could do what I love and get all my schooling paid for. but I didn't want to play My whole college playing bball and not being happy. he doesn't understand and still tells me to play but he doesn't understand I don't want to anymore. I don't know if I should try out this week or just take a break from ball and find out what is in the future for me and what I will end up doing and doing what I love. I need help making a decision. please answer back and help.
Rachel!! It's been so long! I hope you're doing well! This video was so heartfelt and inspiring! I loved this video, thank you for sharing a part of your life! Hahah we never got to do our collab video!! Congratulations on all your success!!
This video is really great. I think it was very generous of you to share all this. Thanks for posting it. Kinda helps me with what I went through in the music industry.
Wow, just now watching this video. What you've shared makes you real, and human, and ultimately an inspiration to others. I see you've been doing exactly that for the past several years. Keep it up!
That's an uplifting story. Thanks for sharing in such a public forum. Your passion for hoops and helping people is as inspiring as the story itself. It's crazy how your influence in basketball is so much greater now than it ever would have been as a player. Now that you have a strong (and strengthening) voice in the basketball community; how can you use that power to help individuals, groups, and the community as a whole solve problems and shore holes in our "national basketball system" (AAU>NCAA>professional)?
i learned a lot from this video! I started looking at colleges and I get caught up in a school's athletic program and i don't really look at the academics or whether if i even like the school.This video helped me look at every part of a school not just one part. thank you! and happy birthday!!
Your story is a great example of a tough choice at a moment which became a great decision some time later. As soon as playing basketball isn't life anymore, you know that it is the time to do something else. As soon as the human being doesn't fit with the basketball player anymore, Something has to be done. Familly is important in these cases, and you were really lucky to have a great one who have your back when you needed it. I wish you a lot of success and happiness in your future. I think you deserve it ! :)
I wouldn't have known about you if I didn't know you had played basketball. The game still brought you great blessings. I'm happy that you chose to do what made you happy inside that takes great courage. Keep at it you rock!
ODU's an amazing school, but we're glad you're much happier! Can you do a video talking about your career journey from basketball to what you're doing now? From a career standpoint, you've inspired us as well :)
Dream of playing professional basketball? NBA is great if you can make it, but there are other pro basketball leagues in the world that you can earn a living. This is a response to some of the comments I read from some the guys. As far as Rachel, she made some challenging decisions that she took responsibility for and adapted to her new reality. When you take ownership of those decisions, the better your life will become. You will find your way and find a better fit for your life.
I love your channel sooo much and this video was so honest and open and amazing! You should make a Playlist Challenge video where you show us your favorite jams! :)
Wow!! this hit home for me.. Our stories are kind of of the same but different. I played my four years, but also had the opportunity to play overseas. That's when mentally I knew that basketball was over for me. Its more to it but that is the just of it. similar to your story.
I just wanted to say thank you for this video. I am going through a tough time in my life with a similar passion of mine I just don't love anymore(Cooking) and I will definitely take these words and apply them to my situation. It is hard to even think about something you invest so much of your life into as something that doesn't make you happy anymore but if you did it and became successful I believe anyone can do the same thing. Again, thanks!
This past December I decided to transfer from Hofstra University because they no longer had undergraduate classes I wanted to take. It was by far the hardest decision of my life, and it took me a couple of months to admit to myself that I wanted to transfer. I had a good scholarship there, and had wanted to attend Hofstra since I was 12 so to leave there was beyond difficult. I was so unhappy not being able to take sports related classes that even though I enjoyed everything else about the university the curriculum just wasn't for me anymore. I currently am attending the United States Sports Academy and have never been happier. Thank you for sharing your story and for your advice. Im sure it wasn't easy giving up basketball, much harder than anyone could express but it all worked out for the best it seems!
I respect the decision for you to quit early on, it's just not for everybody. But there are some people who don't have the simple choice of leaving and having family pay for the schooling. Not saying you're wrong for that or should be ashamed, obviously not. But for some, maybe a lot of D1 athletes, that could be the only way they get through school to graduate. It is a tough decision to stop playing for whatever reason though, but it has turned out good for you. You've made some characterizations about the media and a few other things I did not necessarily agree with but overall, it seems like you do a good job. Keep it up and I'm sure you will have a nice future ahead of you.
Excellent point about don't just focus on the basketball. Consider what your majors might be and see if they have a focus in that major. Your goal was to get a scholarship and you achieved it, congrats. We like to believe that life is this linear progression and its not. Its not uncommon for teenagers to go through mental changes(struggles) when they hit 18-19. Being a parent of 3 teenagers, I just want my kids to think and based on your video, you are a very deep person and successful. Keep it goin.
Trying to sum up the overall theme of the video. Is it: "Do what's best for you, forsaking all others including teammates and family" or "Don't be afraid to walk away from your commitments to make yourself happy"?
that's a difficult choice and i'm so happy that you picked to quit. people might think that basketball is the obvious option for you to take because you won't know what's going to happen after you quit basketball and how much money you would've get by continue playing basketball. for me, a successful life isn't valued by how much money you make or how much money you make. it's all about what makes you happy and finding the place where you belong. i'm so proud of you :).
Very true, i stopped playing recently in a similar way, for similarish reasons. It's true, if you stop loving something, stop and do something else. Being known as a "basketball player" all through school and abit after, you do get alot of people wondering why you stopped. But, it's simple, to do other things.
You the shit for this ! This was me 3 years ago but not as an athlete. I just chose to drop out on my third semester because of many of the things you said like location of the school, fitting in and also not being able to pick the major that I wanted. 3 years later and I’m still happy with my decision. Even though I was getting a small scholarship and grants that helped a lot financially, this sounds corny, it just didn’t feel right in my heart. It sure was the scariest shit I’ve had to decide on in my life.
Rach, you're awesome, but you're also in a very fortunate position of being very beautiful and smart too, with a very supportive family.That isn't the case for many. A lot of college athletes aren't that, not that it matters in their love life in college, but that's a different topic all together. Then there is the pressure to live up to your parents expectations too to boot. I'm glad things worked out for you in the end with where you are currently nonetheless.
A happy you is most important. it also helps us spread our love better and easier to others. That's ultimately what we should aspire to leave behind when we're gone I think...
Hi, Rachel. I've been watching your shows for a long time, didn't know you graduated from AU haha. I'm currently attending AU for the quantitative analysis program. I wish you the best with your life and your career, and I hope I can make AU proud one day just like you. Haha I also played varsity back in high school, which was in Ruben S Ayala High school, Chino Hills. Same place the ball family is from.
Not a lot of people can say they were good enough to receive a D1 scholarship. Good job nonetheless, you went to Wadsworth I think? Just a few mins from where I went to school, Buckeye.
i quit basketball bcuzzzzzzzzz... haters, politics, bull crap, coach pets, coaches, practice, my teammates parents, my teammates, working out, never fitting in, stress, losing friends, and I had 2 become more aggressive, and i hate being aggressive I'm a nice guy😀, and I just really didn't like practices lol.
Alright man, what you gotta do is get better, and prove them all wrong! If you don't like your teammates, then get better than them, to where you lead them. Train hard, and the rewards will come
DowntownSplasher The coaches already had a favorite, and when I came on the teams I was always far more skilled than "the coaches pet" which was always the go 2 point guard, so most of the parents would be upset when the coach would play me over him bcuz the "coaches pet" has been playing on the team before I was there. I never had a problem when it came down 2 who was better, bcuz I worked super hard on my game and would practice for hours ever day. It just wasn't my passion and I didn't love it anymore after a while.
DowntownSplasher don't get me wrong I still love basketball, its just not m passion, and I have other passions and dreams that I love WAY more then basketball that I'm trying 2 accomplish right now😀.
I am actually in the exact same position that you are in right now. I am in my junior year of high school, and I just came back from my last AAU tournament like yesterday lol...and I think one of the scariest things to me is first, how exactly did you talk with your parents about quitting, and second, did you ever see your old teammates and/or coaches again...and if you did, was it awkward??
a similar thing happened to me but with softball. i committed to a school that i didn’t really love and i just lost love for the sport. when i was being recruited in 8th and 9th grade, i was in love with the sport and never imagined i’d lose love for it. lucky for me i foresaw that i probably wouldn’t be happy at the college before i got there and without softball i really got to pick a school that i loved and not one that i felt forced to go to. i haven’t regretted the decision for one second.
Had something similar in a way that I was capable of playing at a high level but coaches always never picked me. I played rugby for one of the best teams arguably in the country (btw in from England) All my teammates would be getting called up for regionals and even country. I was never called for anything, this made start to not enjoy the game anymore. Worst part was my dad is so passionate about the game, so to tell him I didn't want to play anymore was very hard for me to say. Luckily I found basketball, which was like the complete opposite to a point, i was finally getting the praise, coaches would finally see my potential and they wanted me to play for them (not playing regional or country though but it wasn't serious to me) but it made me happy and they would go out there way for me to get me on there team.
Thank you. About time we found out. Do you think had the situation been a little different (ie made better friends with the teammates, knew the area better) you would have stayed longer?
I feel I can show this to some of my players so they can see what some female players go into when it comes to picking a college and to what they are looking for when it comes to picking college. The first thing I will ask my students is where would you want to live for the next two to four years and what do you want to study. Rachel the reason I was watching your site is due to I'm coach here in South Colorado and when I watch most of the clips on you tube it's more young men doing drills and I coach girls so when I show any drills I would like for them to see a female doing the things they will be doing and how it looks. So thank you for the information.
my dream when I was a child to play in professional basketball I run to basketball courts to practice shooting and layups and dribbling skills all the day I love basketball I go outside and play some Bball with my friends but my other friends teasing me everytime I play basketball I start to think "should I stop basketball and change my paths? will I become great?. when I was a child I start watching Kobe Bryant and he such a great I want to become like kobe. one day I dream I want to be the best basketball player here in the Philippines (respect me who am i) I love basketball so much but when I realized I had to change my career I want to find a job and this day it's time to let go I will try my best to had a good life
Im 15 and I was gonna go out for my freshman highschool team. I went to all the summer events and camps the school had and to all the practices. Then after 6 months of working hard to ensure I had a spot on that team, I didnt try out. I went to the first 2 days of tryouts then just stopped. The reason I decided not to go is because I didnt want to play with the kids on the team. They were treating me like crap and acted as if I wasnt even there when we were on the court. When I did get the ball I would nail just about all my shots but they still acted as if I was invisible. That was 2 months ago and Im still debating whether I should have just tried out. Just like you its painful for me to watch the game. i dont know what to do for the next upcoming years. If I should try to make the team again or not. But watching this kinda made me feel a bit better. I dont know why but it just did. I was able to actually relate to someone who went through something similar.
stress and pressure are difficult. Sometimes you have to have struggles to appreciate how good you have it. Butttttt maybe youve just always had it really good. Others work harder and want it more. At least youre pretty. But what happens if that goes away? What will you want?
Great advice. Old Dominion is a horrible school and don't have teammates who are better than you. If you happen to be good looking it always works out in the end!
I'm a freshman in high school and I'm not really sure if I want to play basketball for my sophomore year and so on. Music is the thing that makes me really happy, but I've had a hard time keeping up with it since basketball practice was every day. I'm scared to quit though because my teammates and my coaches think I'm really good, and I just don't want to disappoint any of them. Any advice?
Given the last video where you mentioned a little bit about it I thought it was because of injuries. I remember you mentioning something about your body not feeling the same way and you had to consider your health in the future.
Thank you so much for doing this. You have no idea what this means to me. I know you must get this a lot but I just want to know if you know a way how I could convince my dad that I don't want to play basketball anymore. I'm in high school and they don't understand. It's okay to ignore this, haha. I just needed to tell someone.
Good for you walking away when you did I'm in a similar situation now I've played flag football for 6 years last year I tried out for high school JV team first tackle team and went through conditioningand practice and got cut taking this year off what is your advice for next year I'm not sure how much I want to commit to it what is your advice
