I’m baaaccckkkk. And in a different country! Over the course of the summer, I did some traveling, spent a lot of time with my family, went to the Pan American games with Team Canada and now I have ended up here. And by here, I mean Brno, Czech Republic. I have signed my second professional contract with KP Brno and I have been living in Brno for about three weeks so far!
In some ways my summer went by in the blink of an eye, but also felt like an eternity. But isn’t that how is always seems to go? I have settled in to life in Europe again in the last couple weeks and we actually start basketball season this SUNDAY. Like for real, the first official game. We have had some preseason games at home and also in Slovakia and Hungary, (which are only a few hours away by bus) but this Sunday will be our first game in the Czech League, (EuroCup starts in the middle of October).
Leaving home always gives me mixed feelings because I love love love my family, but I know I have to move to the other side of the world to chase my own personal dreams. Sometimes I feel like it makes me selfish to pack up my bags at jet off across the ocean, but I truly love what I do and I think if you can find something you love like that, it would be a disservice to not follow it.
This past year being at home since November gave me the longest stretch at home since I was in high school, and I think it was beneficial in many ways. I was able to reconnect with my friends and family and the relationships that I had to maintain from a distance in college. It was so amazing to be around for Sunday family dinners or just nights hanging out with my friends and not having to do everything over FaceTime or text. I was able to spend the entire Christmas season at home and be around for all the holidays, instead of the limited time that being overseas and in college gave me.
Having all that time at home made leaving this time around harder in some ways and easier in others. It was harder because I feel like I really got into a rhythm of being with my family. I love spending time with them and I am so happy for the memories made the last 9 months. But also, it’s easier this time because I got to recharge at home and let everyone get annoyed of me being around and hopefully they won’t miss me as much haha! Every time I get to be at home I love the opportunity to reconnect, but I also know when it’s my time to go. In the back of my mind I’m always sort of thinking, “what’s next?” and I’ll keep chasing that dream until I can’t anymore.
In the month leading up to leaving I am usually always asked, “Oh aren’t you so excited to go?” And I understand this question because my career is not a normal one. I do not lead the average life. I live across the world and play a game and get paid to do it. It’s pretty amazing, and it is definitely exciting. But to do my job I have to leave all my friends and family behind, live in a time zone seven hours ahead and in a country where I do not know the language. So I felt like yeah, I’m excited but stop asking me about it. It’s just what I have to do for work. It’s just my reality.
So again, yes, I was excited, and I have loved being here so far, but it was that anxiety and stress of not knowing what to expect before I leave that kind of puts a damper on things sometimes. I try to be positive and let all my friends and family know that yeah I’m super excited!!! But to be completely honest, I was feeling kind of indifferent about it. I don’t want that to come across as ungrateful, because I truly am blessed to be healthy and playing basketball again. But I just moved to a different country, to a city I’ve never been in, to a team where I knew no one. It’s a lot of unknown initially walking in, but I am so glad to say I am LOVING IT!
This past year has been really up and down for me mentally, but I know there are a couple things that truly give me joy, and that is my family and basketball. So being out here in Brno, and being able to play basketball and be healthy, it really makes every day fun for me. At this point last year I had gotten injured and was trying everything I could to try to get back on the court, and now this year I am back playing and feeling really really good.
Sometimes during practice I do things and I remember how those movements used to hurt me and I realize how lucky I am to be healthy this season and really enjoy playing the game. Taking care of my body is a part of my job that I take seriously, but also being in the least amount of pain possible makes the game SO much more FUN. I no longer have to worry so much about taking four Advil before practice just to make it through ( I thought I was going to end up giving myself an ulcer or something), or being scared to cut or jump because I knew it was going to hurt… basketball is so much more fun this way. Haha who knew!
I can think back to the times back home in Winnipeg during the winter where I would head to the gym at 530 in the morning before work and I would try to do my rehab, and everything would just…hurt. I couldn’t do a step down without pain, or any type of lunge, and so many other things and I was really scared that my body wouldn’t be strong enough to play basketball again. That my knees just really didn’t want to move how they needed to. But every day I still woke up and went and did what I could and spent months trying to get all the muscles around my knee strong, while working on my mobility. Even as spring and summer approached I was still doubting myself, and I was really scared, that the pain I had been working so hard to get rid of, would come back in days or weeks, even after I put in months of work.
It feels really surreal now being here and it’s game week and I truly feel like I am BACK. and not just back like I was playing before, but I actually feel BETTER (maybe the injections in my knees have a little to do with it but haha I’m riding the wave). I feel like I am moving better than I ever have, and I am so thankful I trusted the process and made my way back through the slow grind. I’ve put in the work to get here and I am so excited to officially start my first pro season overseas.
So far in Brno I have played lots of basketball, and I have spent my fair share of time napping, watching Netflix, stretching, seeing the physio and the massage therapist. I bought some cute plants for my windowsill and hopefully I can keep them alive all year. I have been practicing my Czech every day and I am definitely not very good at it but Ill keep at it. I’ve read a couple books and I am always open to suggestions! I have eaten some great food and done a bit of exploring as well. Like I said we have already travelled to Slovakia and Hungary and this past weekend my teammate and I took a day trip to Vienna as well! It’s so fun being so central in Europe because so many different countries are only a few hours away by bus or train. I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated on all that is about to happen this season.
This year is definitely going to be interesting, and I am excited to officially kick it off this Sunday. Rookie season round two here we go!
Dejuku (thank you),
-Emily Potter
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