043: Inside the NBA & Beyond – Lessons in Leadership & Adaptability with Brady Howe

“Your title doesn’t define you. In pro sports, the most valuable people are the ones who can solve problems and do whatever it takes.”

Brady Howe

Inside This Episode

From driving buses in the G-League to leading an NBA health and performance department, Brady Howe has experienced it all. In this episode of Finding Small Wins, we sit down with Brady to discuss the realities of working in professional and collegiate sports. His career path—from athletic training in college settings to heading high-performance teams in the NBA—provides a masterclass in adaptability, leadership, and professional growth.

Brady’s career serves as a blueprint for those looking to break into sports performance, and his stories reveal the true behind-the-scenes struggles and successes of working at the highest levels. Whether you’re an aspiring strength coach, physical therapist, or performance specialist, this conversation is filled with hard-earned wisdom on how to navigate the ever-evolving sports industry.

Meet Brady Howe

Brady Howe is a seasoned sports performance leader with an extensive career in athletic training, strength & conditioning, and performance management. He has worked in college athletics, the NBA G-League, and the NBA, serving as the Vice President of Health and Performance for the Phoenix Suns. Brady now works at Grand Canyon University while also consulting in mental performance, bridging the gap between injury recovery and mindset development. His journey through multiple levels of competition offers unique insights into career progression, industry challenges, and the future of human performance.

The Road to Success is Paved with Challenges, Adaptability, and Resilience

Success in sports performance isn’t about simply landing a job in pro sports—it’s about enduring the obstacles that come with it. Brady’s path from the G-League to the NBA was filled with unexpected responsibilities, including driving buses, handling equipment, and juggling multiple roles.

His story aligns with Angela Duckworth’s concept of “Grit”, which emphasizes passion and perseverance as key indicators of success. Many aspiring professionals assume working in sports is glamorous, but Brady’s experiences prove otherwise. Resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to the craft separate those who make it from those who don’t.

If you’re navigating a career in human performance, embrace the discomfort, take on challenges that others avoid, and view every experience—no matter how small—as a stepping stone toward expertise.

Networking Should Be Authentic—Relationships, Not Transactions, Open Doors in Pro Sports

The term “networking” often feels forced, but in Brady’s case, it was about building genuine connections rather than handing out business cards. His opportunity with the Phoenix Suns didn’t come from aggressively pursuing a job—it came from a whitewater rafting trip with colleague that naturally built rapport and trust.

In The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann, the authors highlight how true networking is about giving value before expecting anything in return. Brady exemplifies this philosophy, as he focused on being present, fostering relationships, and providing value—eventually leading to career-changing opportunities.

For those looking to break into the industry, be a person first, a professional second. Connect with people because you share common interests, not because you want something from them. Opportunities will follow.

“I didn’t get my NBA job because I sent a bunch of resumes—I got it because I built real relationships over time.”

Brady Howe

The G-League Provides One of the Most Unique and Demanding Career Development Experiences in Sports

Brady’s time in the G-League shaped him into the professional he is today. Unlike the NBA, where roles are specialized, the G-League requires professionals to wear multiple hats—athletic trainer, strength coach, operations staff, and even bus driver.

This mirrors the “T-shaped professional” concept, which describes individuals who develop both deep expertise in one field and broad knowledge across multiple disciplines. In sports performance, this balance is crucial—understanding both rehab and strength & conditioning, or performance and logistics, makes you an invaluable asset.

Young professionals seeking to build credibility should embrace these high-stakes, high-responsibility roles. The challenges they bring create unmatched opportunities for career growth.

Mental Performance is the Next Frontier in Sports Science

Brady’s work in mental performance is a reflection of where sports science is heading. While physical therapy and performance training focus on the body, mental skills training is becoming equally essential for recovery, resilience, and sustained performance.

Brady’s current work emphasizes identity, isolation, and pain perception in injured athletes—helping them develop mental strategies to stay engaged, reduce stress, and optimize recovery. The takeaway? Train the mind just as much as the body.

“Mental performance is the next frontier in sports science. If you’re not training the mind, you’re missing half the equation.”

Brady Howe

NIL & The Shifting Landscape of College Athletics

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals have reshaped college athletics into a semi-professional environment, making recruiting, team culture, and coaching more complex than ever.

Brady notes that the era of long-term program building is disappearing, as top athletes are more likely to transfer in pursuit of better financial opportunities. Tom Brady recently pointed out that coaches are no longer building programs, they’re assembling teams year by year.

For performance professionals in college settings, this shift means understanding player motivations beyond training. Developing a holistic approach to managing athletes—incorporating physical, psychological, and financial considerations—will be critical for success in the evolving landscape of college sports.

Subscribe & Stay Ahead in Human Performance

If you enjoyed this conversation, don’t miss future episodes of Finding Small Wins! Subscribe today for in-depth discussions on sports performance, rehab, and human optimization with industry leaders.

🔗 Stay connected with Brady Howe:
📍 Instagram: @brady_howe
📍 Twitter/X: @bradyhowe

Timestamp

00:00 – Introduction and casual catch-up between Adam and Brady

02:00 – Brady’s career overview and how he landed in sports performance

06:00 – The early years: Starting in the G-League and taking on multiple roles

10:20 – First lessons in professional sports: Learning adaptability and resilience

15:00 – How networking and relationships led to career opportunities

18:30 – The reality of working in the G-League compared to the NBA

23:00 – The role of mental performance in athlete recovery and return to play

27:15 – Moving to the NBA: How Brady transitioned to the Atlanta Hawks

32:00 – The leap to Phoenix: Taking on a leadership role in NBA performance

38:00 – Building a performance department: Challenges of leadership and management

42:30 – Lessons from the NBA bubble, high-performance culture, and handling setbacks

48:00 – Burnout, career shifts, and learning to manage stress in high-performance roles

53:00 – The impact of NIL on college sports and how it’s changing athlete management

57:00 – Brady’s current work in mental performance and consulting

60:00 – Final thoughts, lessons for young professionals, and where to follow Brady’s work

Another Episode on NBA Lifestyle

Enjoyed the conversation with Brady? Here is another great episode talking the ins & outs of the NBA, travel work perks of the NBA, and All Star Weekend with expert physical therapist and director, Maggie Bryant.

Listen here

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