Janez Veternik shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Janez, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
“A normal day for me is spent updating my community around the world about Luka Dončić and spending time with my kids.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Janez Veternik, and I proudly consider myself the biggest Luka Dončić fan in the world. Over the years, I’ve built the largest global community dedicated to our national hero, Luka Dončić. I’ve followed his journey since the very beginning—back when almost no one knew who he was or what he would eventually achieve. From day one, I believed he was on his way to the top, and I’m proud to say that belief proved true.
Today, my community reaches between 20 and 40 million views each month, and I’m truly proud of what I’ve built over the past ten years. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m excited to keep growing, sharing, and celebrating Luka’s story with fans around the world.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
In the last few years, I’ve been living outside of my beloved Slovenia. I spent time in the UK studying personal coaching and nutrition. Later, I met my beautiful wife, Jasna, and moved back to Slovenia. I’ve been dedicated to sports and training my whole life, and I can’t imagine even a single day without it.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain and started turning it into power during the years I lived outside my beloved Slovenia. Moving to the UK to study personal coaching and nutrition was exciting, but it also pulled me away from everything familiar—my home, my roots, and the sense of belonging I always felt. In that period, I faced a lot of quiet struggles, from loneliness to uncertainty about my future. Instead of letting those feelings break me, I decided to channel them into something meaningful.
That’s when my passion for Luka Dončić’s journey—and the community I was building around him—became even more important. I had been following him since the very beginning, long before the world knew his name, and watching his rise reminded me daily that challenges can shape greatness. His story inspired me to push through my own difficulties and to keep creating something big, something positive.
Eventually, I returned to Slovenia after meeting my beautiful wife, Jasna, and that was another turning point. It grounded me and gave me new strength. By then, the community I created had grown into the biggest Luka Dončić fan base in the world, reaching 20–40 million views every month. All the obstacles I faced—the distance, the doubt, the long years of work—became the fuel that helped me build it.
Sports and training have always been part of my life, and just like in sports, pain can either stop you or push you forward. I chose to let it push me. That’s when everything changed.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I am always authentic—unique and genuine.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
They would miss the passion, dedication, and insight I bring to following Luka Dončić and sharing his journey with the world. Over the past 10 years, I’ve built the largest community of Luka fans, providing updates, analysis, and inspiration that they can’t get anywhere else. Beyond that, they would miss the energy and authenticity I put into everything I do—whether it’s sports, fitness, or connecting with people through the community.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luka_global_?igsh=OGQzb24wdmI4dDQ5
- Twitter: https://x.com/AthleteLuka?t=Th8RrZHlFNA_29E7A5S6Kg&s=09
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lukadoncicslovenia
Image Credits
On the photo, you can see me and my friends in Slovenia and during our journey to LA. Some photos are from basketball games in Slovenia, where Luka was playing for the national team. Others are from LA: the Crypto.com Arena, Venice Beach, the Nike Innovation Center, and the Jordan Store in downtown LA.
Special thanks to our guide, Deanthiny Lengston, who made all of this happen. An interesting fact: he was in Space Jam with Michael Jordan, playing the Blue Monster!
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
