Redefining failure and the pursuit of multiple dreams with
Warren Ward
From professional basketballer to podcast host, Warren Ward’s story is one of transformation
In life, we often find ourselves chasing dreams with relentless passion, believing that the culmination of our efforts will bring us ultimate fulfilment. But what happens when the journey we’ve poured our hearts into takes an unexpected turn? When the path you’ve walked for years suddenly reaches a dead end, how do you find the strength to redefine your purpose? My name is Warren Ward, and my story is a testament to the power of resilience, the necessity of adaptability, and the beauty of reinvention. As a former professional basketball player who faced the abrupt end of my athletic career, I want to share with you the lessons I’ve learned about embracing change and finding new dreams beyond the ones that faded away.
What do you do when the life you’ve been striving for suddenly comes to a halt? Do you give up, or do you continue to dream? I offer you a raw and inspiring glimpse into what happens when your dreams come true but end sooner than you envisioned. As a former professional basketball player, my journey is one of unwavering determination and resilience.
From being named Canadian Player of the Year to becoming a Toronto Raptors analyst and now hosting my podcast, You Only Die Twice, I prove that there is life after sports. My story teaches that while we cannot control what happens in our lives, we can control how we respond to it. Join me as we explore how failure can be redefined and motivate us to pursue multiple dreams.
I was the second child of Guyanese parents, growing up in the peaceful suburbs of London, Ontario. As a child, I had big dreams but realised early on that academics were not my strong suit. A lack of confidence and support from teachers taught me that traditional education might not be my path to success. Inspired by my older sister’s athletic achievements, I started playing football. However, it soon became clear that my skills weren’t at a professional level. Undeterred, I explored other sports, eventually finding my calling in basketball. Standing tall at 6’3″, I quickly became a high school standout. Despite my growing skills on the court, my confidence lagged behind. After receiving offers from various schools, I chose the University of Ottawa, where I blossomed into the star player.
My confidence soared as I created a legacy for myself at the University of Ottawa. But then, disaster struck: a serious injury sidelined me for a year. During this challenging period, I discovered that basketball had much to teach me beyond the court. My time at the university became a crucible of adversity, communication, and leadership. I learnt that with great power comes great responsibility. While basking in the glory of victories, I also had to shoulder the blame when things went wrong. This period of growth taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and accountability.
After my time at university, I graduated and had my sights set on the NBA. Due to be one of three Canadians to have ever entered the league, I spent time at a training camp in Las Vegas to prepare. However, my dream was cut short as I learnt I was ineligible. Players are given a specific draft year and my prior injury meant that I had missed mine.
When the NBA was no longer an option, Europe came calling. I spent several years playing in France and Germany, where I once again faced the intense pressures of being a team’s star player. Sleepless nights, panic attacks, and mounting stress meant the European Dream became a nightmare and I went back to Canada. After two years and earning a Canadian Player of the Year trophy, I decided to give Europe another shot.
Spain, home to the best basketball league in the world outside of the US, became my new home. I thrived in Spain. Excelling in my new team, I had my sights set on the ACB, the top league in Spain. However, life had other plans. On 18th January 2018, I suffered a devastating injury and tore my ACL, the same day I received an offer from the ACB league. The dream was over and my professional basketball career came to an end.
So, what do you do when everything you have worked for comes to an end? For me, basketball had been my life for over a decade. Faced with an abrupt change, I knew I had to leverage my name and reputation whilst they still mattered. My love for the game is what kept me involved in the industry and I transitioned to a role as an Analyst for the Toronto Raptors. Despite my new direction, self-doubt lingered.
I describe a time in life where days would go by and I would look in the mirror, seeing a failure staring back at me. In these dark moments, the conception of my podcast You Only Die Twice was created. My podcast became a platform to explore the struggles athletes face when their sporting careers end. I explain that no matter how much money or success one achieves, athletes often become by-products of the sport, dedicating their lives only to have it all end one day.
With a new purpose in life, I look towards the future and how I can help other athletes post-career. I plan to continue growing the podcast, telling the stories of thousands of athletes. My commitment does not stop there. Looking ahead, I plan to create a consultancy company to help athletes transition out of sports. My story shows that life does not end when our dreams do. Instead, we can use the skills, the lessons and fears to create a new dream for ourselves. Life is about reinvention and helping others along the way.
Through my journey, I’ve come to understand that the end of one dream can be the beginning of another. Adversity and unexpected changes are not just obstacles but opportunities for growth and new beginnings. My story is a testament to the idea that we are not defined by our setbacks but by how we rise above them. I hope to inspire others to embrace change, find new passions, and help those around them navigate their own transitions. Life is about continuous evolution, and I am dedicated to using my experiences to support others in finding their path after sports or any other significant life change. Let’s redefine success together and create new dreams beyond what we once imagined.
