Meet Shawn Dyer

We were lucky to catch up with Shawn Dyer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawn, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

I fell in love with sports at an early age. I developed a passion for basketball early on and I realized I was one of the shortest guys. I didn’t grow until I was maybe a 10-11th grader in High School. Not many High School athletes play on at the next level (collegiate) nor do many 6’0 guys get an opportunity. However, I was determined to play somewhere in college. At this time, going into my senior year I really didn’t have much interest from schools unless it was Division 3 which I didn’t care too much about. Nevertheless, I was still working out, lifting, playing in open gyms with the thought that this is going to happen.

After a successful High School Season, I started to gain interest from Findlay University which was neat because I had spent time there in the summer with my high school team. My eyes were set on Findlay University. I just needed to take care of one thing. The A.C.T. I was never the best test taker but I knew I had to do this to get to where I wanted to go (college basketball). As a result, my score was not high enough for specifically Findlay. The coaches wanted me to play as a freshman. One problem was my score. Once they saw my score they were no longer interested.

This hit me hard. Still, I was going to the gym, working out, lifting, playing open gyms as if I already had a scholarship.

At this time, the summer of 2010, my dreams of playing college basketball are looking real slim. One summer a coach from West Liberty University called me. Long story, short he offered me to come be apart of their program. Backstory, I had an older brother who was successful with this same coach and same university. Coach Crutchfield made an offer to me I couldn’t refuse and at this time this was when West Liberty started to gain some success. He didn’t care about my test score because he usually redshirted freshman. This was his trademark. It was perfect. All I needed was to come down for a visit in the summer to meet the team, run some open gyms and I was set to be a student athlete at West Liberty entering the fall of 2010.

I give much credit to my older brother Corey, who set the stage with his career at West Liberty. Corey was inducted to the Hall of Fame there a couple years ago. Much credit to Coach Crutchfield for the opportunity. Crutchfield is the winngest coach in college basketball and still coaches to this day.

In the end, even when I didn’t have prospects knocking on my door for a college opportunity I still showed up day in an day out as if I already had a scholarship. Fast forward to today as I train basketball athletes with the brand called “WhateverItTakes University”. Whatever It Takes is all about systems, strategy and execution to get the desired results.

The system for me without realizing was still going to the gym despite my current situation. I showed up long enough to separate myself from my peers and to eventually receive the phone call from Coach Crutchfield.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I am a father to a 12-year old boy.

I currently work at his middle school during the say and I sell basketball training programs (private and semi-private) during the evening. Whatever It Takes originated from my experience in basketball and how I got the opportunity to play basketball. I have been training for 10 years and looking to open up my own gym someday. I think one thing I’d like people to know about my brand is that I will give you the roadmap to help you be successful but you have to be open minded and willing to do the work. Whether you are a JV player trying to play varsity, an 8th grader trying to make the team, a high schooler trying to play college or a 4th grader trying to learn the fundamentals of the game. So, each week I will send out a check-in that keeps a pulse on my athletes to make sure they are doing what we call the “minimum standards”.

It is funny sometimes because athletes will start to train with me and after maybe a month them or their parents think they’re game is already supposed to change or I have some magic pill that will immediately make them good. Basketball does not work like that and they see real fast what it takes IF they really want to make it.

While we do get after it each training practice, I think most athletes like “athlete’s choice”. At the end of each practice, I give the athlete an opportunity to work on anything they like. It could be a drill, a certain area (shooting, finishing, conditioning), something they saw or did with their own teams. It gives them some autonomy vs Coach Dyer doing all the directing, coaching, etc. I really enjoy seeing the athlete lead during this time.

Right now, in season-training athletes are working 1x/week. Our Hoops Hustle Program 1.0 is great for any athlete who is looking for serious results with their performance. The first step is to hop on the call with myself to see where you currently are and if we would be a good fit. If we are a good fit, then the next step would be to schedule in an person consultation to dive deeper on goals and lay out a roadmap to get you to your desired outcome.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I think number one the ability to be slow to speak, quick to listen. In a world where everyone wants to be the first to report something or know something what separates me is just being where my feet are / being present. I have learned that people are much more open or willing to share their challenges if you can be slow to speak, quick to listen.

Secondly, to not be afraid of putting yourself out there even if you fall flat on your face sometimes. In sports especially, many people from the sidelines like to tell you what to do or how to do it BUT they never actually get in the game or have any experience themselves. For me, getting those reps from middle school to high school, going to an innumerable amount of open gyms, competing against people better than me, playing at parks I had to get some respect in the game so I can tell the next Shawn Dyer how to become an elite player.

Lastly, finding something that takes your mind off of the hustle and bustle of life. Anytime you invest a ton of your resources (time, money, focus, attention, energy) there are going to be moments where you second-guess yourself especially when results have not yet been achieved. My outlet was the gym for me. A stressed day or a long day, I’d go to the gym. Even before some college basketball games I would lift. This was my sanctuary. This skill is called discipline. So not only was I being discipline, I was also preparing my body for the games. College basketball is 9-10 months if you’re lucky to be playing in the post season which I did each of my four years in college with a record of 126-15. Being available for my teammates was one thing I cared about. I think everyone has the ability to be discipline as long as they know their why.

For kids early on in their journey who are looking to develop or improve on these I’d say first pick up a book. Teaching in middle school it is astounding how many people do not like to read, know how to read, or don’t want to read. There’s so much knowledge, new words, insights you can get from an author that could fast track you on your journey. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are 8 billion people in the world and chances are someone has done what you are tring to do. Go read their experience and learn. Lastly, have faith, Over the past three years my spiritual life has grown which it always has not been the way. But, from the people I have met, athletes I have trained and the blessings that I have received I will always give God the glory for what He has done for me, what He will do and who He is. There is a bright future and hope for us all as along as we believe in HIm.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I am looking for former college athletes who are interested in training youth athletes and to help grow the Whatever It Takes University brand. There is a 5-Step system that is pretty easy to follow on how we help athletes get their desired outcome. If you are interested you can DM on IG/facebook. My page is whateverittakes_u or you can text me at 419-210-1014.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: whateverittakes_u
• Facebook: whateverittakes_u
• Youtube: whateverittakesU