Justin Ochoa Justin Ochoa

S2E10: How Max Landis went from walk-on to All-American to Overseas pro with adversity & odds stacked against him.

Max Landis is a pro basketball player from Indianapolis, currently signed with FC Porto in Portugal through 2025. After a great high school career at Perry Meridian, Max decided to go to Gardner-Webb to start his college career. After 2 seasons there, he decided to transfer closer to home and finish his career at Purdue Fort Wayne (IPFW at the time). Max joins us to tell his story of adversity and triumph throughout his basketball career.

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Justin Ochoa Justin Ochoa

S2E9: Kelsey Barlow the author, illustrator, producer and pro hooper talks basketball, life and more.

Kelsey Barlow — aka Stambi — is much more than a pro basketball player. Growing up in Europe, Kelsey didn’t specialize in basketball — or sports — at a young age. First it was piano, then horse-back riding, then way down the line basketball eventually became his passion. And that passion has taken him back to Europe & all around the globe over the last decade+ of his pro career.

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Justin Ochoa Justin Ochoa

S2E2: Ty Harris of the Connecticut Sun talks WNBA vs. Overseas, her main focus in the upcoming offseason and playing for the legendary Dawn Staley at South Carolina.

Today we’re joined by ⁠Ty Harris⁠ of the Connecticut Sun to discuss her journey to the WNBA -- reflecting on her rookie season in The Wubble, her draft-day experience, the growth she’s had on and off the court and her professional goals as she becomes a “vet” in the WNBA.

Ty is one of the most genuine and down to earth people you could ever meet. Hopefully you guys enjoy this episode getting to know her!

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Justin Ochoa Justin Ochoa

S2E1: Jordan Walker talks climbing the ranks in European basketball, essential guard skills to become a pro & the mindset of an overseas hooper

We’re back! Super excited to kick off Season 2 of the Gem Sessions Podcast – The Athlete’s Season. For the next several weeks, we’ll be catching up with basketball players all around the world, learning their unique journey & story, getting the behind-the-scenes look at the basketball lifestyle and getting to know these hoopers for the humans they are.

In today’s episode, we have Jordan Walker on the show coming to us live from Belgrade, Serbia. Jordan is currently a Guard for Košarkaški klub FMP in the AdmiralBet ABA League - the top league in Serbia.

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Justin Ochoa Justin Ochoa

Ep. 25: The Season 2 Intro

Gem Sessions is BACK! We're back with Season 2 -- The Athlete's Season.

Over the next few months, we'll be releasing podcast episodes with hoopers. We're talking basketball - on and off the court - with basketball players, learning about them as a humans and not just the talented athletes they are.

Also, in this episode is a SPECIAL announcement about the Gem Sessions coaching app! Available for Apple and Android users, the Gem Sessions app features both pre-built & customized programming options for basketball players who are looking to take their development to the next level. Make sure you tune in to get the full details on the app!

This episode is packed with good info on what to expect. I can't wait for you to tap in, I know you're going to enjoy!

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Justin Ochoa Justin Ochoa

Ep. 24: “good podcast” w/ Bobby Whyte

In episode 24, I’m joined by the one & only Bobby Whyte! Bobby is the owner of HyPower Performance and the creator of Good Drills - delivering skill development & strength and conditioning training to hoopers all around the world.

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Justin Ochoa Justin Ochoa

Ep. 23: Basketball Speed, Agility & Movement w/ Lee Taft

Episode 23 is truly packed with gems! This week, I’m joined by world-renowned speed coach, Lee Taft. Lee is known all around the globe at THE SPEED GUY, and has influenced a vast majority of the way I look at basketball speed, agility and movement.

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Justin Ochoa Justin Ochoa

Ep. 22: Talking Basketball Rules & Shot Mechanics w/ Coach Nick Hauselman of Basketball Breakdown

Episode 22, I’m joined by Coach Nick from BBallBreakdown! Coach Nick built BBallBreakdown over a decade ago as a culmination of his all of his talents and interests both in the game of basketball and the world of media. Today, his brand reaches over ONE MILLION fans across social media and it continues to grow daily.

Nick has coached, trained and consulted any every level of the game, and brings over 20 years of knowledge & expertise to the podcast.

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Justin Ochoa Justin Ochoa

Ep. 21: My Appearance on The High Performance Hoops Podcast w/ Julian Lo Casto

Episode 21 of the Gem Sessions Podcast is a re-share of my recent appearance on the High Performance Hoops Podcast w/ Julian Lo Casto. We have a great conversation about all things basketball training. We get into my journey into S&C + basketball skill development, then dive in on the X's and O's of complete basketball development and end it with some fun hot takes!

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Justin Ochoa Justin Ochoa

Ep. 20: “Pivoting From the Court to the Studio” w/ DeMari Davis

In episode 20, I chop it up with my friend & former athlete, DeMari Davis. DeMari and I trained together during his basketball career and now he’s pivoted into his new career in modeling and music. It was great to catch up with him and get some updates on how his career in entertainment is taking off so quickly after stepping away from basketball.

DeMari is most known as a model, working with major brands such as Finish Line, Foot Locker, Don C, American Crew and Rockstar Original, but he’s also on the rise as a recording artist. DeMari has major talent in both and a bright future in both as well!

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Justin Ochoa Justin Ochoa

Ep. 19: “March Madness 2023” w/ Taylor Tannebaum

In episode 19, we’re breaking down the 2023 March Madness brackets with ACC Network / ESPN host, Taylor Tannebaum! Taylor the host of ACC PM on the ACC Network, after she spent the last several years here in Indy working sports for the local news channel WTHR.

Taylor was a member at my gym during her time in Indy and continues to be a close friend to this day, so it was great to catch up at the beginning of this episode before diving into the women’s and men’s tournament brackets.

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