Guests: Alex Smith and Shaun Livingston, former players for the San Francisco 49ers and Golden State Warriors

“I just thought, the best of my life is behind me.” That’s what former NFL quarterback Alex Smith recalls of a devastating leg fracture in 2018 that threatened to end his football career forever. Former NBA guard Shaun Livingston suffered a similar injury early in his career, and both men were told the only way forward might be leg amputation & retirement. They endured through depression, surgeries, and painful physical therapy, and both of them found their way back to pro sports. “I hopped on a bike,” Shaun says. “’Oh, I can do this!’ All right, I hopped on a treadmill. ‘Okay, I can do this.’ You give yourself these small victories that, over time, end up adding up.”

In this episode, Alex, Shaun, and Joubin discuss going pro out of high school, the pressure of expectations, talking about emotions, Joe Namath, gratitude for life, military medical care and “group suck”, the D-League, competing against yourself, losing well, “rah-rah guys,” no-look slants, Tom Brady, Kevin Garnett, and the difference between winning and losing.

In this episode, we cover:

• Alex Smith’s background (01:15)
• Shaun Livingston’s background (02:07)
• Alex on the fear of failure (03:23)
• Shaun on “the opportunity of a lifetime” (07:03)
• Imposter syndrome and burying emotions (10:44)
• Anxiety as motivation (13:41)
• Dysfunctional early seasons (16:10)
• Alex and Shaun’s leg injuries (18:57)
• Depression vs. “small victories” (23:51)
• Alex’s recovery process (25:45)
• Shaun’s stint in the NBA Development League (29:51)
• Teaching yourself to walk (31:58)
• Steph Curry and great leadership (36:19)
• Pat Mahomes and the “final shot” (41:05)
• Tough feedback (44:32)
• Recharging in the off-season (47:09)
• Daily consistency (49:41)
• Who Alex and Shaun think of when they hear the word “grit” (54:05)

Links:

• Connect with Shaun
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
• Connect with Joubin
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email: grit@kleinerperkins.com 
• Learn more about Kleiner Perkins
• This episode was edited by Eric Johnson from LightningPod.fm