We recently connected with Max Adelman and have shared our conversation below.
Max, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Developing my confidence and self-esteem came through years of trial and error, as well as learning to accept that if the people around you don’t embrace your true, authentic self, then it’s time to walk away. Confidence is an internal process—something you have to actively work on every day. In today’s world, where distractions and external influences are everywhere, it’s easy to lose yourself trying to fit in. Society is set up in a way that encourages people to be copies rather than originals. That’s why spending time alone, reflecting on who you really are and what kind of presence you want to bring to the world, is essential.
Looking back, I went through different phases—trying different styles, running with different crowds, and attending certain events just because I thought they would add value to my life. But I eventually realized that any time I felt a lack of confidence, it was because I wasn’t being my authentic self. Whether it was on the basketball court, at a social event, or even in professional settings, I lacked confidence when I was trying to play a role instead of just being me. A big misconception about confidence is that it’s about external validation. But real confidence is internal—it comes from knowing yourself and trusting yourself.
Self-esteem is closely tied to self-belief. When I first got to Vanderbilt, my freshman and sophomore years were tough because I didn’t get the minutes I wanted. That affected my self-esteem and made me question if I was good enough. I started doubting whether I had chosen the right path. But over time, I realized that if you base your self-esteem on results, you’ll always be on shaky ground. You can’t control every outcome, but you can control your mindset and your belief in yourself. Looking back, I wouldn’t change those tough moments. They were the times that tested me, shaped me, and ultimately built my confidence.
Every great entrepreneur, athlete, artist, or creator has gone through that moment of doubt—the “Do I really belong here?” question. The key is to recognize that the only opinion that truly matters is your own. If you believe in yourself, confidence follows. I’ve continued both my basketball journey and my entrepreneurial ventures because of the lessons I’ve learned from failure. Every loss is a lesson. Every setback is a stepping stone. And those moments of struggle? They’re the ones that make you.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Well, first and foremost, I am a college basketball player. I’m currently in my fifth year playing at Rhodes College while majoring in anthropology and sociology. Basketball has been my primary focus throughout my college years, and I am now preparing to pursue a professional career overseas after this season. Everything I do revolves around basketball in some way, but I’ve been fortunate to have people in my life who have encouraged me to explore my passions beyond the court. That encouragement led me down an entrepreneurial path, and over time, I’ve realized that my interests in business, people, and culture are just as strong as my love for the game.
During my sophomore and junior years, I served as the head of marketing for an NBA agency. That experience was invaluable—it gave me insight into the agency business, connected me with people who continue to influence my life today, and taught me firsthand how the industry operates. One of my biggest takeaways from that role was understanding how much of the agency business is driven by relentless competition. It’s a cutthroat industry where people are constantly fighting for players, families, and contracts. That was my first real exposure to an industry that operates with an “every man for himself” mentality. The financial success of an agent depends entirely on which players they sign and the contracts they negotiate, so teamwork often takes a backseat to individual success.
While I learned a lot from that experience, I also realized that I wanted to focus my efforts on something more human-centered. As a sociology and anthropology major, I’ve always been interested in people, culture, and how communities function. I started thinking about ways I could apply my skills to projects that felt more collaborative and impactful rather than just transactional. That’s what led me to my latest venture—one that I’ve been fortunate enough to work on with my mother, Rebecca Adelman, and Gina Barker.
Most recently, I’ve been involved with Guide Path, a company founded and ran by my mother, Rebecca Adelman, that focuses on transforming senior living through education, risk management, and cultural change. One of our most exciting projects is Guide Path Global Certification, an initiative that launched in Nigeria in partnership with Hands 4Life. This project represents a major shift in how senior living is approached in underserved areas, particularly in communities where traditional caregiving structures are evolving due to modernization.
The Guide Path Global White Paper, which outlines the work in Nigeria, highlights Guide Path’s mission to create sustainable senior living solutions that blend cultural traditions with innovative caregiving practices. One of the most unique aspects of the project is how it brings together older adults and orphaned children in a shared living environment, fostering meaningful relationships that benefit both generations. Being involved in this initiative has been eye-opening. It’s shown me how business, social impact, and education can intersect to create change. Seeing this model succeed in Nigeria has inspired me to think about how I can continue to contribute to projects that focus on human connection, sustainability, and serious long-term impact.
Next up for me is an exciting opportunity to represent the United States in the 2025 Maccabiah Games in Israel as a member of Maccabi Team USA’s National 3-on-3 Basketball Team. As soon as my season at Rhodes College ends, I’ll begin preparing to head to Israel this summer, where I’ll be competing against top Jewish athletes from around the world trying to bring home a gold medal. This won’t be my first international competition—I previously won a gold medal in the 2019 Maccabi European Games in Budapest, Hungary—but this will be my first time competing in the official Maccabiah Games, which are held only once every four years.
Beyond the competition itself, I’m looking forward to the experience of being part of something much bigger. The Maccabiah Games bring together thousands of Jewish athletes from all over the world, representing a wide range of sports. It’s an incredible opportunity to meet people, build relationships, and connect with Jewish athletes from different backgrounds and cultures. That’s what makes opportunities like this so meaningful—not just basketball, but the connections, the shared experiences, and the lifelong memories.
To sum it all up, I think my story—both in basketball and beyond—is a reflection of something a lot of student-athletes go through. When you play a sport in college, it’s easy to limit your scope of interests because of how much time and energy your sport requires. But one of the things I’m most proud of is that I’ve continued to push myself beyond basketball. I’ve made it a priority to explore entrepreneurship, build relationships, and engage in projects that challenge me in new ways.
Stepping outside of your comfort zone, pursuing different passions, and connecting with great people—it’s all part of growing into the best version of yourself. And I think that’s what drives me the most. I’m always looking for ways to bridge my abilities across different environments, and that has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my journey so far. It’s also what continues to push me, whether in basketball, business, or life in general.
I’m incredibly grateful for this interview and the platform to share my journey. More than anything, I believe that the people you surround yourself with are what make an experience truly special. I’ve been lucky to work with amazing individuals, and I’m always open to new collaborations, conversations, and opportunities that align with my passions. If there’s anyone out there who shares similar interests or sees a way for us to connect, I’d love to be part of the conversation.
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?
One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was: “The journey is the destination.” Too often, people get caught up in where they want to be and forget to appreciate where they are. It’s easy to feel impatient and always chase the next thing. That’s why the first key quality I learned to develop was patience. Everything unfolds in time. Instead of constantly thinking about the future, learn to embrace and enjoy the process. Success isn’t just about the destination—it’s about how you grow along the way. I’ve learned that when you focus too much on what’s next, you lose sight of the moment. The biggest mistake people make is assuming they’ll be happy once they achieve a certain goal, but the truth is that fulfillment comes from the process itself, not just the achievement. Falling in love with the process is what makes the end result that much more rewarding.
The second quality is consistency. Whether it’s getting in the gym every day, putting in extra hours in business, or showing up for yourself in any area of life, consistency is what leads to results. It’s about doing the work every day, even when you don’t feel like it. I’ve seen firsthand how consistency breeds confidence. When you’ve put in the work day after day, there’s no doubt in your mind that you deserve the success that comes with it. I’ve watched my mom wake up at 5 AM to get her workouts in before work for my whole life, never missing a beat. That level of consistency is what separates people who succeed from those who fall short. Discipline and consistency go hand in hand. When you’re consistent, you create undeniable proof for yourself that you are putting in the work, and that proof builds an unshakable belief in yourself.
The third quality is listening. There’s a huge difference between waiting for your turn to speak and truly listening. One of the most overlooked skills in today’s world is the ability to absorb and process what others are saying instead of just preparing a response. We live in a time where everything moves fast, where people have short attention spans, and where we consume information in six- to ten-second clips on TikTok or Instagram. But real value comes from slowing down and engaging deeply with what’s being communicated. Listening isn’t just about hearing words; it’s about understanding intent, context, and emotions. Some of the best lessons I’ve learned have come from simply listening—whether it’s listening to a mentor, a coach, or even my own intuition.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
I love this question because it applies both on and off the basketball court. I believe that to truly succeed, you need to be great—or at least highly proficient—at one thing. Whether it’s leadership, marketing, problem-solving, or vision-setting, identifying your unique ability and honing it is crucial. Too many people spend time trying to be good at everything rather than focusing on what makes them exceptional. While it’s important to improve on your weaknesses to some degree, the real key to success is doubling down on what makes you unique.
This past summer, I attended a Strategic Coach Young Entrepreneur Workshop, and one of the exercises we did was about discovering our unique abilities—the skills and traits that set us apart. Through that process, I identified three key strengths of mine. The first was coaching people. I’ve always been a people person, and I love helping others grow, whether it’s younger players at basketball camps or people I work with in business settings. The second was big-picture thinking. I naturally step back and look at the broader vision, whether it’s in business or on the court. I like seeing how all the pieces fit together and helping others map out long-term goals. The third was problem-solving. I love tackling challenges, finding creative solutions, and integrating different perspectives to reach the best outcome.
Once you understand your strengths, the key is learning how to integrate them into everything you do. My best work happens when I align my passions with my strengths. That’s when things really come to life. One of my biggest inspirations is seeing how the most successful people across different industries use their unique abilities to stand out. The best athletes, entrepreneurs, and artists don’t waste time trying to be average at things they’re not naturally good at—they master what they are good at and build their careers around those strengths.
So my advice? Double down on what makes you unique. Build around your strengths. Weaknesses can be improved, but they shouldn’t take away from what makes you exceptional. Instead of trying to be everything, focus on what makes you you—and maximize that to its fullest potential.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxadelman_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-adelman-462ab6211/
Image Credits
1- Me and my mother Rebecca Adelman
2- Me and my dog Lola
3- Me playing this season
4- Father Theo and the Hands4Life Guide Path team in Nigeria
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
