The Lawyer’s Well-Being Brief. . .From the Edge of Giving Up to the Top of the Mountain

“Letting go is not loss; it is space for what is true.”-Jack Kornfield

Welcome (back) to the Lawyer’s Well-Being Brief! Each week, I share insights and practical strategies to help us cultivate well-being and flourish — both personally and professionally. Live well! Lawyer well!

There are stories about talent. There are stories about hard work. And then there are stories like Yaxel Lendeborg — stories about belief. The kind of belief that shows up when everything else is falling apart.

When the Dream Slipped Away

There was a moment when basketball was no longer the plan. Not because he didn’t love the game. Not because he wasn’t willing to work. But because life has a way of forcing decisions.

For Lendeborg, that moment looked like stepping away from the court and into a warehouse job. Early mornings. Long shifts. Repetition. Fatigue. The kind of work that doesn’t come with highlight reels or applause.

Just survival. For many, that’s where the story ends. Dream deferred. Identity reshaped. “What could have been” filed away. But Yaxel’s story didn’t end there.

The Voice That Never Left

Behind every comeback story, there’s usually a voice. Sometimes it’s a coach. Sometimes it’s a teammate. For Lendeborg, it was his mother.

When circumstances said “it’s over,” she said, “Not yet.” When reality said “be practical,” she said, “Keep believing.” Her belief wasn’t loud. It wasn’t flashy. It was consistent. Unwavering.

And that matters more than people realize. Because when you’re at your lowest, you don’t need hype — you need someone who sees you clearly… and refuses to let you shrink.

The Climb Back

Getting back into basketball wasn’t a movie montage. It was harder than that. It meant:

• Rebuilding confidence after doubt crept in

• Getting back into game shape while working real-life hours

• Facing the question: “Did I miss my chance?”

This is the part most people never see. The quiet grind. The uncertainty. The days where progress feels invisible.

But this is where something powerful happens — because when you fight your way back, you’re not the same player anymore.

You’re tougher. Hungrier. More grateful.

From Warehouse Floors to Championship Floors

Fast forward — and now the stage is completely different. Bright lights. Big moments. A national championship. The same player who was once on the verge of walking away is now standing at the top.

That contrast is what makes the story so powerful. Because it reminds us:

The gap between where you are and where you want to be is not always about talent. Sometimes, it’s about endurance. Sometimes, it’s about who’s in your corner.

The Power of Someone Who Believes in You

It’s easy to focus on the outcome — the championship, the recognition, the success. But the heart of this story isn’t just what Lendeborg achieved.

It’s how he got there. Through doubt. Through detours. Through moments where quitting would have made perfect sense. And through it all, his mother never let go of the vision.

That kind of support does something different. It doesn’t just motivate you — it anchors you. It gives you something to hold onto when your own belief starts to slip.

What This Means for the Rest of Us

Most people won’t play for a national title. But everyone will face a moment where:

• The plan falls apart

• The path gets unclear

• The easier option is to walk away

That’s your warehouse moment. And in that moment, two things matter:

1. Your willingness to keep going
Even when it doesn’t make sense. Even when progress is slow.

2. The people you allow in your corner
The ones who remind you who you are — especially when you forget.

Closing Thoughts

Not every journey is linear. Not every dream unfolds on schedule. But being “off track” doesn’t mean you’re done.

Sometimes, the detour is the development. Sometimes, the setback is the setup. And sometimes, the only thing standing between where you are and where you’re meant to be. . .is one person who refuses to stop believing in you.

For Yaxel Lendeborg, that person was his mom. And that made all the difference.

Forward Always!