VITAL HOOPS Podcast

On episode 33 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Fernando elaborates on life in Cuba, the cuban revolution, racism, the embargo, and what is next for Afro Cubans. Book recommendation: "Contra El Silencio" by Quince Duncan VITAL HOOPS IG: VitalHoopsPodcast Facebook: Vital Hoops Twitter: VitalHoopsPod Email: vitalhoopspodcast@gmail.com https://www.vitalhoops.net VITAL HOOPS is 4 THE KULTURE

On episode 32 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Fernando begins by sharing his definition of Afro Veganism. Fernando then gives advise on summer hoops and how to train during the "off season". After that, Fernando shares his NBA Finals prediction and talks everything basketball from Victor Wembanyama to the retirement of the great Carmelo Anthony. Fernando ends on a serious note talking about p...

On episode 31 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Pierre Jacobs begins by explaining how he became a health and fitness coach. After that, Pierre and Fernando discuss their family vacation in Paris, France. Later on Pierre breaks down the 5 pillars of recovery for athletes. Pierre and Fernando finish the show by talking about the NBA playoffs and the importance of holistic health. Book Recommendation: Pier...

On Episode 30 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast, Fernando begins by talking about the war in Sudan and the latest "Panafrikan" (online magazine of the LP-U). Fernando then speaks on the Basketball Africa League and the EuroLeague before breaking down the first round of the NBA Playoffs and the match ups of round 2. Fernando finishes by sharing some of the good Hip Hop music he has been enjoying...

On Episode 29 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Fernando begins by talking about the meaning and importance of culture. Later on Fernando speaks about the Euroleague and the Basketball Africa League. Fernando finishes by talking about injuries in basketball before getting into the 2023 NBA playoffs first round match ups. Book Recommendation: "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe Social Media: Fa...

On Episode 28 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Justin Strickland begins by explaining where he grew up and what lead him to a plant based lifestyle. After that, Justin and Fernando speak on the various reasons people go vegan and the different types of vegan diets that exist. Justin finishes by talking about the myths on veganism, the benefits of going vegan for athletes as well as the benefits of going...

On episode 27, Rabb Love and Iz Balleto begin by talking about their upbringing and the way Hip Hop came into their lives. Later on they speak on the founding of Guerrilla Republik, the importance of the Haitian Revolution, and organising our communities through Hip Hop culture. Rabb Love and Iz also speak on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle before their book recommendations. Book Reco...

On episode 26 of the Vital Hoops Podcast Ekpe begins by explaining how he started playing basketball as a kid in Oklahoma and his journey from Michigan to Baylor University.  Ekpe then speaks on getting drafted to the NBA and playing both in the NBA and the EuroLeague.  After that Ekpe talks about his new experience playing in Japan and how he started his book club as an original way to...

On Episode 25 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Fernando begins by announcing that the new website is finally up and running. He then speaks on the 2023 NBA ALL Star Game and the recent NBA trades involving Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant.  Fernando also touches on Billboard's Top 50 Greatest Rappers of all time list and he mentions a few series he is currently watching.  Fernando finishes by pro...

On episode 24 Adubb begins talking about his journey, growing up in Detroit, playing college basketball with Fernando.  Adubb then speaks on the beginnigs of Finally Famous with Big Sean and the rest of the crew.  He later gets into more of his life story with IBGM and finishes by speaking on cannabis and urban agriculture .    Book Recommendation:  Adubb: "The 7 Habits of...

On Episode 23 of the VOTAL HOOPS Podcast mikeflo begins by talking about his youth in Chicago during the Michael Jordan era.  mikeflo and Fernando speak about Kwanzaa, "Unplugging from the matrix" and being "successful" through our own afrocentric definition.  mikeflo finishes by talking about his music career and all the projects he is working on including his work with "W2TL" and "dead...

On Episode 22 of The VITAL HOOPS Podcast Amzat talks about what Pan-Africanism is and how he became a Pan-Africanist.   Amzat then mentions 3 main Pan-Africanist figures to learn from.  Fernando and Amzat discuss the different trains of though when it comes to Pan-Africanism and African Internationalism.  To finish, Amzat speaks of the necessity for a new black consciousness mo...

On Episode 21 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Fernando begins by talking about celebrating Kwanzaa and then breaks down the NBA Christmas games.   He then speaks about the Euroleague, Victor Wembanyama, and why he decided to boycott this FIFA Worldcup.  Fernando elaborates on the new Ethics sneakers by Langston Galloway and also gives his opinion on the new Ja Morant sneakers.   Before h...

On episode 20 of The VITAL HOOPS Podcast Keith begins by talking about his love for basketball as a youth growing up watching the Seattle Sonics.  He then speaks on his journey and how he got to Hip Hop culture and the plant based lifestyle.  Keith explains how "Hip Hop is Green" was born and gives us details on how the 10th Element of Hip Hop came to life.  He finishes up by talkin...

On Episode 19 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Touty Gandega begins by talking about her humble beginnings in basketball.  She later explains how great it was to have played for the Mali national team following her sister's foot steps.   Touty and Fernando talk about the importance of playground basketball and the lack of toughness in many young players coming up in today's game.  After t...

On episode 18 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Rakeem Shabaz begins by talking about his beginnings in the Five-Percent Nation and explaining what the Five-Percent Nation is.  After that Rakeem and Fernando break down the Kyrie Irving situation from the link he tweeted to him still trying to find himself.   Later on the show they speak on people wanting to group Kanye and Kyrie together and wh...

On Episode 17 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Fernando begins by talking about various NBA teams and how it has been an exiting beginning of the season.  Fernando speaks a little on Brittney Griner and the denied appeal before getting into new music and some great artists to support.  The Kanye West topic comes up and Fernando later has a short message for all basketball players.  Before...

On Episode 16 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast REKS talks about his humble beginnings in Lawrence, MA and how basketball was always a part of his life. He talks about loving Isiah Thomas and the Detroit Pistons before becoming a Boston Celtics fan.  Later on the show, REKS talks about his first experiences in Hip Hop as a B Boy and he and Fernando speak on basketball being part of Hip Hop Kulture.&...

On Episode 15 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Damien begins by explaining how he started playing football and later became a basketball player before, then he speaks on his career overseas and the importance of having a good agent.  Later Damien speaks on how he got into Wellness and the importance of a holistic health approach for athletes.  Damien also talks about doing a 16 day supervised...

On Episode 14 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Fernando begins by talking about the importance of focusing on the little things we can do off the court when it comes to basketball.  Fernando then speaks on the WNBA Finals, the Robert Server drama, and the 2022 EuroBasket.  To end the show, Fernando speaks on billionaire rappers, the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and the importance of the Mau Ma...

On Episode 13 of the Vital Hoops Podcast Marv begins by explaining how he got into basketball and elaborates a little on his journey from player to coach. Fernando tells the story of how he ended up playing college basketball at Concordia University and how he may have never went there had he not met Marv. Marv later talks about the importance of sharing your work with the world even when it may n...

On episode 12 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast , Henri Lembe (CEO of HL Basketball) speaks on how he helps players make it all the way to the professional level.  Henri then speaks about common mistakes that players make when trying to reach the next level and how to correct those mistakes.  Henri and Fernando also elaborate on how players today have many more tools then they did 20 years ago...

On Episode 11 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Fernando begins by acknowledging August 11th, "Hip Hop Celebration Day" and talking a little bit about the Kulture.  Fernando then speaks on Brittney Griner facing 9 years in prison, the importance of NBA players in Summer Pro Am leagues, the drama surrounding Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and his comments on beating the 98 Bulls, and Etan Thomas standi...

On Episode 10 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast, interdisciplinary artist Bocafloja begins by talking about how and when he first became familiar with the game of basketball.  Bocafloja then speaks on Hip Hop and how the culture is present in all aspects of his work.  Fernando and Bocafloja elaborate on the African diaspora in Latin America and the importance of identifying as afrodescendents a...

On Episode 09 of the VITAL HOOPS Podcast Chiene talks about her trip to Cuba with Bobbito Garcia and Full Court Peace.  Later she shares how she first got into basketball in her hometown of New York and how she got into coaching and refereeing.  Chiene then talks about "Grow Our Game" and the empowerment of girls in New York City through the game of basketball.  The podcast ends wit...