LB is short for “Lil Bro.” Michael Loomis is my 3rd guest from the Man Overseas Retreat in Costa Rica. Michael & I have logged hundreds of hours on the phone, and I couldn’t wait to finally meet him. Plus, he reminds me a lot of a younger Man, hence the nickname—except he’s a lot taller and a little better-lookin’.
In this episode, we talk about his journey from Portland to Nashville, his faith that’s shaped who he is today. Then we go even deeper—he opens up about what it was like growing up with a mother who struggled with alcoholism & mental health issues, how that’s affected his view of love, reckoning with abandonment issues, and what forgiveness really looks like.
As a former collegiate basketball All-American, LB has strong opinions on the GOAT debate. He tells a story about sitting next to Danny Ainge at the SEC tournament a few months ago—if you love the NBA, you’ll appreciate this one. From Kobe’s mindset to Michael Jordan to Anthony Edwards’ rise, this episode has plenty for hoops-junkies.
Other topics discussed:
- Costa Rica Retreat experience
- Conversations on faith, spiritual growth & Christian education
- Moving from Portland to Nashville & following a faith-led path
- Starting a new life in Nashville & meeting his fiancée, Elyse
- Remote work flexibility & job continuity
- Buying a first home & learning to think in terms of net worth
- House hacking: renting out a room in one’s home
- Developing friendship & boundaries with a roommate
- Attending the SEC basketball tournament & love for basketball
- Sitting next to Danny Ainge & discussing NBA insights
- Basketball background & college career
- Playing pro basketball overseas & choosing not to
- Favorite basketball players
- Kobe Bryant’s influence on Michael
- Danny Ainge’s perspective on Kobe & NBA leadership
- Basketball player Zion Williamson
- Cinderella stories in March Madness
- Anticipation & vision for marriage and family life
- Healing from a difficult childhood & rebuilding family relationships
- Fear of abandonment & the impact of generational trauma
- Deep emotional & spiritual reconciliation with Michael’s mother
- Portable sauna & its perceived health benefits
- Investment strategy including real estate & VTSAX index fund
- Living with a partner before marriage
- Anthony Edwards’ NBA potential & comparisons to Jordan and Kobe
- Kobe Bryant’s legacy & generational influence
Questions asked:
- What do you think of the retreat so far? Has anything stood out to you as particularly impactful?
- Who would you say you’ve connected with most at the retreat?
- Has your faith grown stronger over the years, or have you gone through periods of doubt or questioning?
- Did you go to a Christian college? What was your experience with faith growing up?
- Have you ever had a period where you really strayed from your faith?
- What excites you most about getting married & starting a family?
- What would you say you didn’t get growing up that you most want to implement with your own family?
- If your mom were listening to this, would anything you’ve shared about your relationship with her be new to her?
- How do you know when you’ve truly forgiven someone?
- Did you ask Danny Ainge who he thinks is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in basketball?
- Did you ask him about Michael Jordan & who was the hardest player to guard?
- Did you ask Ainge about Kobe Bryant & how he compared to other competitors?
- Wasn’t Danny Ainge one of the best high school athletes of all time?
- Did you have aspirations of playing professional basketball overseas, like in Italy, if the NBA wasn’t an option?
- Were you a three-time All-American in college?
- Who is your favorite basketball player of all time?
- Do you and your fiancée agree politically & how do you navigate tough conversations in a polarized environment?
- Would you rather experience life as a high-level athlete or a performer in front of a massive crowd?
- Do top-tier performers like Jordan, Brady, or Tiger Woods seem happy?
Fun questions:
- If you could create a new holiday that celebrates a unique aspect of human nature, what would it be?
- If you could switch lives with somebody for a day, just to see what their life is like, who would it be?
- Is there a book that’s most impacted your life?
- What’s the coolest thing someone’s ever done from you?
- What’s the the best piece of advice you’ve ever received
- If Donald Trump asked for a piece of advice from you, what would you give him?
- If there were one person in your life you could recommend to attend this retreat, who would it be?
- If you could go anywhere in the world for 30 days, where would it be?
Books mentioned:
- The Bible
- The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer
Connect with Michael:
- LinkedIn: Michael Loomis
- Facebook: Michael Loomis
Listen here:
Leave a Reply