Hi everyone,
I wanted to share something a little different with you today.
For many years, most of you have known me through basketball, whether through Ubuntu Basketball, my coaching work, player development, or the experiences and insights I've shared along the way.
But recently, I've been reflecting on something that has followed me throughout my life.
Some of the most important lessons I've learned through basketball have very little to do with basketball itself.
Growing up internationally, from my childhood in Kuwait to attending the International School of The Hague, I learned early on what it meant to adapt to unfamiliar environments, build relationships, and navigate change.
Basketball became an important part of that journey. It helped me connect with people, find common ground, and develop a sense of belonging, even when life kept moving me from one place to another.
Later, my military service, international scouting career, and years of coaching introduced me to different challenges.
And through those experiences, one lesson continued to emerge:
Working hard and understanding why you're working toward something are two very different things.
I've seen incredibly talented people struggle with decisions they were fully capable of making. I've also experienced moments when I had to question my own direction, values, and expectations.
More recently, I even found myself turning down a professional opportunity that looked attractive on paper because I needed to remain true to what mattered to me.
Those experiences made me realize something.
We spend so much time discussing performance, success, and achievement, but perhaps not enough time understanding the decisions, environments, and experiences that shape us as people.
That's why I've created something new: NEXT WITHIN.
Next Within is a small, independent digital publishing project built around personal growth, purposeful decision-making, adaptability, and reflection.
It's separate from Ubuntu Basketball, but the philosophy behind it comes from many of the same experiences that have shaped my approach to coaching.
My goal is simple: to make practical personal-development tools accessible to more people, without expensive programs or unrealistic promises.
I'm starting with affordable digital workbooks that combine real experiences with meaningful exercises readers can apply to everyday life.
The first publication is called The Confidence Reset.
It's a 36-page workbook exploring how we approach uncertainty, make decisions, respond to setbacks, and take meaningful action, even when we don't feel completely ready.
It includes personal reflections, practical exercises, a seven-day guided program, and a 14-day continuation tracker.
I've made it available for just €4.95, because I believe useful resources for personal development should be affordable.
📖 If you're curious, you can explore the workbook here:
https://zylvie.com/nextwithin/p/the-confidence-reset
But beyond the workbook itself, I'd genuinely love to invite you to follow this new journey.
I'll be sharing thoughts, experiences, reflection questions, and practical insights that I hope will be useful whether you're an athlete, parent, coach, professional, or simply someone trying to navigate life's challenges.
You can find Next Within here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/readnextwithin/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/next-within/
Our digital bookstore: https://zylvie.com/nextwithin
And one last thing.
I'm not stepping away from basketball or Ubuntu Basketball. Far from it.
I'm simply creating another space to share what I've learned, continue exploring new ideas, and hopefully contribute something meaningful beyond the sport that has given me so much.
If you've been part of my journey through basketball, thank you. Your support, conversations, questions, and perspectives have helped shape more of my thinking than you might realize.
And if Next Within resonates with you, I'd be delighted to have you along for this new chapter.
Make your next move meaningful.
Warm regards,
Founder — Next Within
Founder & Head Coach — Ubuntu Basketball
The next chapter is about more than performance. It's about the person behind it.
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