Trying out that 'Mamba Mentality'

First, let me set the scene…

Last week, I shared stories from my Philippines trip, not to mention the consequences I faced when I got back. If you haven't had a chance to read it, you can check it out here: When in… Philippines?

This week, I telling you about the fight I head insight my head. It was a tough fight, but I won and more importantly I become a lot stronger (more so mentally, because I still struggle to do one push up).

Dear Younger Self,

Basketball is more than just a game to me.

It's a defining part of my identity.

My basketball journey began during my first year of high school. Now, I play at a national level and coach three teams, which is why I've chosen to title my current mental state "Mamba Mentality."

Coming from a netball background, I quickly fell in love with basketball's aggressive intensity and freedom from constant whistle interruptions. After experiencing significant growth that first year (both literally and figuratively), I never looked back. Basketball became my passion, and today I play in the Queensland State League, with dreams of reaching the national level.

Yet, the path to confidence and success hasn't always been smooth. At 15, I was selected for an under-16 representative team I'll call "Team A." The girls on this team had known each other for years, creating an environment where I felt distinctly unwelcome. Our coach was another challenge, he appeared to be channeling his life's frustrations into shouting matches directed at teenagers who, I would say, were entering the prime puberty phase and experiencing complicated emotions. Needless to say, it was a tough time.

Fast forward to today, and my preparations for the new season have intensified thanks to my dad's dedication. Since January 6th, 2025, my sister and I have been rising at 5 AM for rigorous training sessions focused not on basketball skills, but on something equally crucial: mentality and fitness. 

Early sessions were brutally challenging. Boxing, explosive drills, and strength conditioning left me exhausted, often wondering if I could continue. Yet I learned that even when my body felt broken, my mind could still push forward.

Which I now re-referenece to the whole - mentality and Kobe Bryant vibe.

May rest his soul.

A man known for his relentless grit and obsession with greatness. His "Mamba Mentality" symbolises incredible determination, an unyielding focus on improvement, and the relentless obsession of excellence.

Which, I quickly want to presence, often as a basketball player, people ask who my favourite team or player is in the NBA or WNBA. Truthfully, I don't follow any particular team or player closely. While I deeply admire the dedication, capability, and community spirit required for athletes to reach a professional or national level, at the end of the day, they're performing their job. Instead, my admiration focuses more on individuals, not for their profession itself, but for their mentality, dedication, and approach to their craft. So while I don't have a favourite team or player, I profoundly respect Kobe Bryant, whose mentality continues to inspire me greatly.

Now, since returning from recent travel and battling jet lag, I struggled through initial team practices. My fitness felt diminished, making the return even harder. But as Dad would remind me, it's always "mind over matter." Despite setbacks, from cyclone lockdowns forcing indoor isolation to rainy hill runs where each step felt heavy and draining, I persevered.

After one particularly tough run, though physically spent, I chose to keep pushing forward. Running beyond the point my family had stopped, proving to myself that mental grit could override temporary pain.

This mental toughness, the essence of the Mamba Mentality, has become foundational to my approach to challenges on and off the court. I'm learning to appreciate setbacks not as defeats but as critical moments that test and ultimately build character.

While physical strength is essential, I've come to realise the mental game carries far greater weight, around 70% mental, with only 30% purely physical.

Reflecting further, I acknowledge how past experiences with harsh coaches and unwelcoming teammates deeply impacted my confidence.

Yet, from these adversities emerged valuable lessons: your immediate reaction to a setback matters far less than how you choose to move forward afterward. 

Whether fighting to regain possession on the court, pushing through exhaustion during a run or just trying to get out of bed in the morning, resilience and determination define true strength.

Life is, in essence, a continuous series of mental games.

Embracing the Mamba Mentality means approaching each challenge with relentless determination, understanding setbacks as opportunities, and consistently striving to become better. So, as I continue to push toward my goals, I encourage you to consider your own mental battles. Recognise the power of your mindset, acknowledge your strength, and remember - greatness comes not from avoiding failure, but from relentlessly bouncing back stronger each time.

Love,

Le Hare

Get your highlighter out…

Originally, I intended this section to share key takeaways from my letter. Instead, I’m highlighting the “lifelights” of my week; the destinations or event that were quite memorable.

Places you might want to explore yourself.

Annoyingly, a cyclone come through this week which locked me inside my house and prevented me from visiting many places. That said, I have at least on for you.

Snug - As the name implies, Snug is a cosy little cafe nestled in a side street in Coorparoo, Brisbane. My first impression: the kitchen is tiny, yet somehow it works beautifully, with all the chefs collaboratively contributing to each dish. The atmosphere is incredibly lively, and the food is very delicious. I even ordered a pretzel to complement my brunch there, and it was AMAZING.

As someone who is addicted to matcha, I'd initially assessed the cafe’s vibe and assumed they would have matcha drinks. So, I was genuinely surprised to discover they didn't offer any matcha-based beverages. Perhaps, given that Snug is a Korean-inspired cafe and matcha originates from Japan, they chose to stay true to their roots. However, they do serve hojicha, which is roasted green tea leaves (also known as roasted matcha). Whatever their reasoning, it was undeniably a beautifully tasty experience.

LINK TO THEIR FAMOUS PRETZEL RECIPE

For a quick dopamine hit…

I’m a bit of a screen addict.

I constantly find myself staring at a screen, but like many of my habits, I aim to transform this into something beneficial, not just for myself, but for others too.

So, here are this week’s interesting discoveries I came across online that I think is worth your time:

This week I for some reason made it a mission to find the most ‘out of pocket’ youtube videos that in their own way are very interesting watches.

things I no longer believe in. - The creator (Yan) discusses various personal beliefs she has outgrown or discarded over time. She emphasises that unlearning is difficult but it’s essential for growth.

No friends is fine - EP 47 // Pretty Lonesome with Madeline Argy - This video explores the reality of feeling alone during your early 20s. To be honest, seeing this pop up on my For You page was a bit creepy at first. But it turned out to be exactly what I needed, as someone currently in their 20s experiencing similar, if not identical, hardships.

The video highlights how, after high school or college, friends often scatter to pursue different paths — jobs, university, or moving away — and the absence of these familiar faces can amplify feelings of loneliness. Ultimately, the message is about cultivating patience and self-reliance, encouraging viewers to frame their 20s as a decade of exploration where everyone is figuring life out at their own pace.

You’ll see this when you’re in between phases of life (then never again) - When I saw the title of this video, I was pretty reluctant to click and watch, but then I thought, it’s only about three minutes of my time. To be honest, for a video filmed straight from an iPhone (or at least that's how it seemed), I could clearly imagine the thought process: “I just need to get something off my chest, so why not share it with the world?” Needless to say, the video's core message is to stay calm and realise that this uncertain period is temporary and it's simply part of growing into your next chapter. I found it genuinely inspirational.

F*ck your wallet, go travel. - Goddamn, I've found plenty of relatable videos, but this one takes the cake. Not only does it capture my current life mission or soon to be mission at least, but I also deeply appreciate the video's quality and aesthetics.

You can probably already guess what it's about, but in this travel-themed video, the creator delivers a bold message: stop letting finances be an excuse and prioritise life experiences. He bluntly advises, “fuck your wallet, go travel.”

Of course, there's an underlying message here too, that we should seize travel opportunities whenever possible, embracing the moment instead of being paralysed by financial fears.

Strangers Heal My Crippling Need for External Validation - Until recently, I discovered the meaning of codependency, or more accurately, realised that I am very codependent. As much as I express that I am independent, I've come to see it’s actually just maturity. I often find myself needing external validation, even from complete strangers — a simple smile as we cross paths can make my day ten times better. That said, aside from the creativity, this video is confronting, comforting, and just really cool to watch.