Meet Pat Freeman

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Pat Freeman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Pat , 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.

Confidence and self-esteem are built through reps—just like anything else in life. The more you show up and do the work, the more belief you build in yourself. At first, things feel awkward or uncertain, especially when you’re not seeing immediate results. But over time, the consistency adds up. Every rep, every session, every moment you choose to keep going instead of quitting is a step forward. When you chase failure and lean into the discomfort of being bad at something new, you gain real growth. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being brave enough to keep showing up, again and again.

One of the biggest shifts in my journey came when I stopped worrying about what other people thought. When you let go of judgment—both from others and from yourself—you free up energy to focus on what actually matters: improvement. I used to think confidence came from success, but I learned that confidence actually comes from effort. The mindset became: “If I want to make it, all I have to do is try.” That small shift changed everything. Each day became a chance to grow instead of a test to pass. No matter where you’re starting from, if you’re willing to try and keep showing up, confidence will follow.

A few years ago, I stepped way outside my comfort zone. I was nervous, unsure, and didn’t really know what I was doing when I started hosting Zoom basketball training sessions. Speaking on camera felt unnatural, and the fear of messing up was real. But I kept going—one session at a time—and with each rep, I got a little more comfortable. Fast forward to today, we now train over 200 kids each day. That never would’ve happened if I waited to feel confident before starting. I built confidence by starting. Trying something new and embracing the challenge didn’t just grow my skills—it grew me.

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?

At MBT, we run five basketball training facilities across the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area with one goal in mind: helping kids build confidence on and off the court. We believe basketball is more than just a game—it’s a vehicle for life skills, leadership, and personal growth. Our training is designed not only to improve skills like shooting, ball-handling, and defense, but also to develop mental toughness, character, and self-belief in every athlete we work with.

What makes our program special is our people. We have a team of over 50 dedicated coaches and staff who consistently put others first. Every member of our team is committed to creating a positive, supportive environment where kids feel seen, valued, and motivated to improve. We’re proud to say our culture is built on care—our staff doesn’t just teach basketball, they invest in each player’s overall development. It’s not about wins and losses, it’s about helping every kid become the best version of themselves.

We also use a proven training curriculum that tracks progress and helps kids get better faster. Whether it’s our intro programs for beginners or advanced invite-only sessions, we’re intentional about setting goals, providing feedback, and celebrating growth. As we continue to grow, we’re excited about upcoming events, expanded training options, and deeper community partnerships that will allow us to reach even more kids across the metro area. If you’re looking for a place where your child can build confidence, improve their game, and be part of something bigger than basketball, we’d love to have you join us.

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?

ChatGPT said:
Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been dreaming big, outworking everyone, and staying consistent. It started with a vision—I always believed that we could build something special through basketball, not just for players’ skill development but for their confidence and character as well. That big dream gave me purpose and direction, even when the path wasn’t always clear. Dreaming big doesn’t mean you need all the answers right away—it means you’re willing to think beyond limits and chase something meaningful.

Outworking everyone became the standard. I didn’t have the most experience or resources when I started, but I could always control my effort. That meant showing up early, staying late, being willing to learn, and doing the things others weren’t willing to do. Whether it was leading a training session, organizing gym space, or building out new programs from scratch, I committed to doing the little things with excellence. That work ethic built trust and momentum—and over time, it made a difference.

But above all, the foundation of everything has been 20 straight years of consistently working each and every day. No shortcuts, no skipping steps—just showing up and putting in the work. That kind of consistency builds credibility, growth, and long-term success. My advice for anyone starting their journey is this: dream big, then back it up with relentless effort and daily action. Don’t wait for the perfect moment or try to get everything right at once. Just start, keep showing up, and let your consistency become your superpower.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was lead by example and create an environment that taught real-life lessons without even trying. My dad worked incredibly hard—he showed me what it means to be consistent, disciplined, and dependable. My mom always put family first, and that taught me the value of relationships, connection, and showing up for the people you love. Together, they modeled a grounded life that wasn’t about material things but about values, work ethic, and character.

We didn’t grow up with cable TV or video games in the house, and looking back, that was one of the best gifts they gave us. When we got bored, they just sent us outside. We had to figure things out, create our own fun, and solve problems without a screen in front of us. It sparked creativity, independence, and resilience—and honestly, it helped us grow up with a sense of curiosity and responsibility that’s harder to find today.

Those lessons stuck with me. They helped shape how I view challenges, how I work with kids today, and how I’ve built my life. It wasn’t about big speeches or moments—it was the little things, done consistently, that taught me how to live with purpose.

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