You may remember my next guest, Tamir Goodman. Dubbed the “Jewish Jordan” by Sports Illustrated, Tamir made history as the first Orthodox Jewish player to play Division I and professional basketball without compromising his faith.
Tamir’s story is extraordinary. He refused to play on Shabbat — from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday — a decision that made headlines and set him apart in the sports world. Despite this challenge, he achieved his dream of becoming a professional basketball player while overcoming significant obstacles, including severe dyslexia.
Tamir exemplifies the power of faith, character, and resilience. Like all of us, his journey has been marked by setbacks and disappointments. Yet, his unwavering faith in God and belief in himself propelled him forward.
In this episode, Tamir and I discuss how basketball serves as a metaphor for life — with its ups and downs, fouls, wins, and losses. We explore how he overcame tremendous obstacles: navigating dyslexia, facing prejudice for being observant, and enduring professional setbacks. Through it all, he has built a life filled with faith, purpose, family, love, and professional success.
We also delve into his inspiring children’s book, Live Your Dream: The Story of a Jewish Basketball All-Star. The book highlights his journey with dyslexia and how basketball became a tool for empowering others. Tamir continues to inspire through his work with young athletes, showing them how to turn challenges into strengths.
It’s rare to meet someone as extraordinary and inspirational as Tamir Goodman. Trust me — you’ll want to meet him too. If you enjoy the show, please rate and review. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @TheInterviewWithLeslie. A new podcast is released every Wednesday.