A Conversation with KD about Life and Basketball

We had the pleasure of speaking with Kamaldip Gill, aka KD or @ballsnbells on Instagram recently. KD is a personal trainer that focuses on kettlebell work and basketball training. KD has a positive infectious energy that shines through when you speak to him.

KD’s fitness journey started in high school when he fell in love with basketball and daydreamed about being in the NBA. “My older brother played basketball and was a big sneakerhead and that’s how I was introduced to basketball.” By high school, KD knew a career in basketball was not for him but that didn’t mean he loved the sport any less.KD shared how he realized the NBA was not in his future but knew that he wanted to help others get better at basketball and strength training. “My fitness journey started with basketball but later moved to a focus on athleticism and that’s what I do today too.”

“My fitness journey started with basketball but later moved to a focus on athleticism and that’s what I do today too.”

KD shared how as he got older he started going to the gym and lifting but that quickly got monotonous and started to feel boring. He went on to share that “this was when I started getting into kettlebell training. There is a whole culture around kettlebell training. It took me about a year to perfect my style”.

Today, KD’s personal training focuses on kettlebell work and basketball training. KD spoke about how “basketball was my first love and I still play as much as I can today. It’s my favorite form of cardio. I get my cardio from a sport because I find it the most engaging.”

We went on to talk about the lessons KD learned in basketball that he has taken into life and he shared that the big lesson for him was the importance of consistency. “There is no way you make any progress if you do things just once or twice a week. You need to keep showing up whether it's for a career or your fitness. If you are not consistent you are going to keep feeling like you are always playing catch up. If you can be consistent you are no longer going to feel like you are always behind.”

“If you are not consistent you are going to keep feeling like you are always playing catch up.”

KD shared with our team that he has been working on his consistency for so long now that he longer needs to rely on routine to get him to show up for his practice. KD said, “It’s more of a routine now. Even on the days when I don’t feel like working, I’ll still do a little something small because it’s a part of the day I look forward to.”

Our conversation with KD was enlightening and so positive. KD started his career with a love for a sport in middle school and has held to some of that energy in his career today. He is a beautiful example of someone who is willing to explore where life takes him and is fearless in his pursuit to love the work he does.

You can connect with KD on Instagram @ballsnbells. We are so excited to watch him grow as he continues to shoot for the stars!