In this vlog, professional basketball player Elijah Bryant takes viewers through his early days with his new EuroLeague team, Poltava V. He documents the logistical and emotional challenges of moving to a new city, setting up a home for his family, and adapting to new teammates, coaches, and playbooks during preseason. Bryant shares detailed snippets of his daily routine—including medical checks, practice sessions, film study, nutrition (breakfast of oatmeal, blueberries, honey, carbs after practice), and mobility work—while emphasizing the mental energy required to learn new systems. He reflects on the broader theme of embracing change, describing it as essential for personal and athletic growth, and repeatedly ties his motivation to his role as a husband and father. The vlog also touches on upcoming preseason games, the Winners Cup tournament, and the importance of film preparation. Throughout, Bryant interweaves his faith, gratitude, and a mantra of “be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” positioning the season as both a professional challenge and a family‑centered journey.
Chapters
Hey guys, we're back. Today I wanted to show you behind the scenes of my new team, the Poltava V. So I'll take you behind the scenes, some medical stuff, some preseason games, some practices as I meet my new teammates and we prep for a very, very special EuroLeague season. Let's get it. One thing that has been interesting being on a new team in preseason and learning new plays, you don't realize how much bandwidth you use when you're not in your normal routines, right? Like driving to practice, all the coaches your spots you eat, all that type of stuff. Use energy to figure it out. In the beginning, it's challenging because you're learning new processes, you're learning new systems. But I think for me, this is another reason why I wanted something different, or I wanted change, because I understand the scientific part of in change you grow, you know. So there's been multiple times during, you know, training camp, I'm like, God, it would have been so easy just to go back to where I was comfortable. To put your boy in the Volkswagen hatchback. We're grateful though. Keys here. Put the key in my bag. Drive. Oh, it drives really smooth. Ain't no way. The man himself. Members of society, welcome. New city, new team, new routines. Honestly, it feels like my whole life is shifting right now. But here's the thing. Change is good. Change means growth. So while I'm out here making sure my family has everything we need, like finding the grocery spots, setting up the house, and building baby cribs for the 100th time, I'm reminded of what matters most. Being a dad, being a husband. That's the biggest blessing in my life, and it gives me purpose no matter what changes come my way. So think about this. If you're going through a change, embrace it. It just might be shaping you into who you're meant to be. The main thing I would say in this is, like I always say, is be comfortable with being uncomfortable, but understand it's not going to last, right? Like, you're going to get comfortable and you're going to start to figure out people. And on top of that, learning new teammates. I had the same teammates, give or take, for the past 4 years the same core. So now obviously I know a lot of the guys, but it's just learning how to play with them, learning what they like, learning what they do for fun, learning what they do like with Shane, Roddy. So we're not talking about little things, we're talking about, you know, deeper conversations. So having those conversations and learning that stuff, that takes energy whether you like it or not, you know. So I think that's why it's been very new and very different for me, but very valuable at the same time. Because this preseason, even though they're longer in Europe especially with the new team, I think you really need it. So being that we're going to have, I think, like 19 players on this team, preseason is very valuable to know your teammates on and off the court. Because just as valuable as it is to know about if Molly likes to do A, B, and C, it's just as valuable to know what he likes to do off the court. So I think it's been fun, it's been valuable, it's been new, it's been— but I'm not looking at it in a negative way. I'm looking at it as an opportunity to grow. I don't think my younger self would— I think my younger self would be stressed, be nervous, be anxious, like, but at the end of the day, it's basketball. Basketball, and there's only going to be growth if you allow yourself to grow. Good morning, good morning. Day— technically day 3 training camp, but we've been doing 2 optional days, which has been actually good just because in terms of learning new stuff, the new team, a bunch of new players, you kind of need that time to do basic stuff. But it's been good. It's been interesting for me because for the past 4 years I had the same plays, right? So I'm just showing you guys this because a lot of people don't see this, you know. Especially mostly overseas contracts are 1 or 2 years, and I was blessed and fortunate enough to be in Turkey for 4. So we didn't have to deal with that, you know, arrive back, kids get to school within the next 2 days, I'm back in my routine, jet lag less. It's new, it's fun, keep you on your toes. It's exciting. So far it's been good. Super excited. Get there, get there! Okay. A plate around. It's not— Talk about eagle all the time. Tomorrow. We just finished practice, as you saw, and they got us some food after. Usually the salmon, but some pasta. I need some carbs now that I'm moving a lot. Decent. Either I'm really hungry or it's really good. Every morning I start my vitamins and electrolytes. Some I take on an empty stomach and others with food. Then it's time for my favorite meal of the day, breakfast. Oatmeal for long-lasting energy and blueberries for antioxidants. And honey refills muscle glycogen after basketball but also tops off your liver glycogen, so I stay sharper and more focused for the day. After that, I'll get into my mobility. And listen, don't stress. Mobility is whatever gets you moving. Stretch a little, step outside, feel the sun. Sunlight resets your circadian rhythm, gives you vitamin D, and just makes you feel alive. Motion is lotion, like Coach G said. Movement keeps you sharp not just for athletes, but for everyone. And finally, family. Today I'm putting together my kids' new toy because at the end of the day, the biggest blessings in my life isn't basketball. It's being a dad and a husband. Okay, push down your heel. Your heel. Back to watching film, right? And I know it's a preseason game, but it's so important just because I haven't played with these guys and it's new plays, like I said. So just seeing certain stuff on film allows me to digest and understand exactly what we're trying to get as a team, and also know how to get to my spots more efficiently and better. If you're not watching film, you're doing yourself a disservice. So we have the Winners Cup coming up, basically a few games, and then we go to a tournament. So it's like tournament style, you play a few games and then you finish the games right before that February break. Season's kind of underway and these games count. We have these games and then we have one more preseason game and then Barcelona at the end of the month. So super excited. Things are moving fast. Yeah, let's get to it. These are the Ishwayn Wright P's. You can wear them. You only wear one of them? Okay, PJ. Why are you following me? What are you doing? No paparazzi, bro. No paparazzi. Hey, I have no idea, but it's supposed to be very good. I have no idea. My son— no, I'm not. My father's Francis Otu. He lives in Woodbury, Minnesota. That's where my dad is. Get off me! Where the VVS is at? You had to take them off. I was shining too hard. The camera, they got a flash on. Okay, now give me one of the best. Damn, this joint look crisp. Can you just come out closer? I never took a year of playing the game I love for granted. Going into my 8th season, it's been full of memories, highs and lows. This year brings new challenges, new teammates, and new responsibilities. But I've learned that growth only comes when you're comfortable being uncomfortable. Through it all, my trust is always in the Lord. I'm grateful to be on this journey with my teammates, and especially for my number one teammate, my wife, whose sacrifices for our family and our boys make all of this possible. As always, you know, faith plus consistency.
