Overseas Famous Newsletter

Hey Imports,

Hope you’re all staying strong and chasing those dreams. We’ve got some exciting updates for you this week, so let’s get after it!

🏀 Next Week’s Podcast: Overseas Star Trey Drechsel

Next week’s Overseas Famous Podcast features Trey Drechsel, one of the most promising overseas basketball players right now. Trey takes us through the twists and turns of living and playing overseas, from adapting to different cultures to the mental challenges of being away from home. It’s real, raw, and insightful.

Here are some highlights:

• Life Overseas: Trey talks about the realities of moving from the U.S. to Europe and how he’s adjusted to new environments...both on and off the court.

• Staying Focused: The mental toughness it takes to perform, especially when dealing with the unknowns of overseas basketball.

• What’s Next: Trey’s thoughts on the future of overseas basketball, and what advice he’d give to players eyeing a similar path.

Catch up on previous episodes here!

🌍Community Update: What’s New at Overseas Famous?

We’ve been hard at work behind the scenes to level up the Overseas Famous community with even more support, resources, and connections. Here’s a look at what’s coming your way:

• New Membership Options We’re introducing membership options tailored for both athletes and businesses. Expect exclusive content, valuable resources, and networking opportunities that give you direct access to experts who know the overseas sports game inside and out.

• Partner Spotlight We’re thrilled to announce partnerships with top financial advisors and sports consultants who genuinely understand what it takes to be an overseas athlete. These experts will be there to help guide you in managing finances and planning for life after sports.

• Enhanced Resources Our content library is getting a major upgrade with practical advice on everything from negotiating contracts to building your personal brand. Whether you’re looking to grow your career or sharpen your business skills, you’ll find resources that you can put to work immediately.

With these new offerings, Overseas Famous is here to empower you at every step, making sure you’re equipped for the journey both on and off the court.

💡 Pro Tip of the Week: How to Leverage Your Overseas Experience

Playing overseas doesn’t just grow your game, it builds your entire personal brand. This week, we’re sharing a few tips on how to use your international experience to stand out:

• Tell Your Story: Whether on social media or in interviews, lean into the unique parts of your journey. Fans and brands are interested in the hustle, the challenges, and the wins—on and off the court.

• Build Relationships: Overseas, your teammates, coaches, and even your fans are part of your network. Nurture those connections. You never know who might open a door for you down the line.

• Expand Your Brand: Partner with local brands, showcase your lifestyle in your host country, and use your platform to connect with global audiences. The opportunities abroad can be bigger than you think.

🔥 From the Blog: The Start of Lonely Season: An Overseas Athlete’s Guide to Surviving the Holidays

We’re officially entering that season. Where the air gets cold, pumpkin-flavored everything takes over, and if you’re an overseas athlete… Well, the holiday cheer starts creeping in alongside a little thing we call homesickness. It kicks off with Halloween – or the Glass Joe level in this game of holiday survival. You’re scrolling through social media, seeing your friends dressed as pirates, celebrities, or whatever unholy combination TikTok has inspired this year, and it’s like, "Oh, great, they're all at Stifler’s Annual Halloween party with the last installment leading to the best night of 2023."

But you? You’re halfway across the world, suiting up for a game, because you know in Turkey, Halloween doesn’t mean a damn thing to your schedule. No costume. No beer pong tournament. Just you, a Thursday night game, and the “Happy Halloween” text from Mom (who always remembers).

Then, a few weeks later, it’s Thanksgiving, aka the second version of Bald Bull. If you’re from the United States, Thanksgiving is kind of a big deal…and in case you slept through history class, you would know Thanksgiving is only an American holiday. The Pilgrims didn’t land in Sicily. So while you’re out there in a country that doesn’t even do Thanksgiving, your family’s all gathered around back home, and yeah, the food isn’t perfect, and someone’s probably arguing politics at the table, but shit, it hits hard seeing everyone together. Meanwhile, you're on the other side of the world, doing a solo feast with canned cranberry sauce and a questionable turkey sandwich.

By Christmas… We’re in Mike Tyson territory, or if you were not able to get the licensed version, Mr. Dream. I don’t care if you’re an adult, this one cuts deep. You’re watching your friends post their ugly Christmas sweaters, you FaceTime the fam as they open gifts, and you’re smiling, trying to be part of it all, but the truth is, you’re alone. And for a lot of us, that loneliness is the unsung part of being an overseas player.

So, here we are, the holiday season upon us, social media turning into a highlight reel of everything you’re missing, and the bitter sting of FOMO turning into full-on homesickness. And yeah, it sucks. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it. But over the years, I learned a few ways to deal with it, in case you’re out there feeling the same way.

1. Make New Traditions

If the locals celebrate something different, join in. Maybe they don’t do Halloween or Thanksgiving, but find out what they do for fun around this time. Ask a teammate or a friend to show you the ropes. Some of my best memories abroad were born out of doing something that was completely new and kind of weird but ended up sticking with me. I was still missing out on Thanksgiving back home, but I was getting into something else that made the holidays feel different but still special.

2. Zoom, FaceTime, All That Good Stuff

Listen, technology isn’t the answer to everything, but it helps. Plan a FaceTime session with the people back home. Call in during dinner, even if it’s awkward with the time difference. Pop in for a little bit to feel like you're still part of things. And if they’re doing a group thing, it’s not a bad idea to call a few people on different time zones so you can have multiple “mini-holidays.”

3. Throw Your Own Holiday Bash

You’re not at the family table, but you know what? Make your own. This one sounds a bit corny, but trust me, it works. Gather up the other expats on your team and put together a Friendsgiving or a Christmas celebration. Even if it’s a little different and you’re eating stuffing out of a casserole dish that’s technically for lasagna, that’s fine. You’ve got good company, food, and it beats sitting around being mopey.

4. Social Media Detox (or at Least Limit It)

This one’s big. Social media, as we all know, is just the highlight reel of everyone else’s life. They’re posting those warm, fuzzy moments, not the inevitable family drama. Take a breather from the endless scroll…you’ll thank yourself. Focus on your own game, your goals, and the people right in front of you.

5. Lean on Your Support System

Your teammates know exactly what you’re going through. You’re all in it together, living in a foreign country, missing out on the same traditions. Let them be your family during these times. Don’t be afraid to open up about feeling homesick; most of the time, they’ll relate. You’re not the only one scrolling through Instagram feeling like you’re missing out. This is the time to bond and share that struggle. It’s amazing how much it can help.

6. Get Busy with a Personal Project

If you’re spending too much time missing home, throw yourself into something that makes you feel accomplished. Explore the local traditions. , pick up a hobby, or even write about what you’re experiencing (talking from experience here). There’s power in taking control of your time. It helps to feel like you're doing something meaningful for you, which can help when you're feeling a bit lost in the holiday shuffle.

The holidays as an overseas athlete are a unique struggle. They take you from feeling like the most badass world traveler in the world to the loneliest kid at the lunch table in, like, a matter of minutes. What can’t be forgotten is that each one of those tough moments is a reminder of why you’re here in the first place. You’re chasing something big, doing what most people would never dare to do… living your dream, even if it means missing a few holiday parties along the way.

So when the holiday FOMO kicks in, remember that you’re out there representing your family and friends, and that’s a big deal. Enjoy the journey and the weird traditions…they are all part of this wild, lonely, beautiful adventure we signed up for.

🎙 ICYMI: Last Week’s Episode with Dan Carcillo

If you missed last week’s episode, we had a hard-hitting conversation with Dan Carcillo, former NHL enforcer turned advocate for natural concussion recovery. We talked about everything from hockey fights to healing with hallucinogenics. You’ll definitely want to give this one a listen. https://youtu.be/JnPGbt0C3js?si=AW8v6zdflQkNrny1

⚡ Final Thoughts

As we continue to grow the Overseas Famous community, our goal remains the same: to support athletes like you in all aspects of your journey, from contracts and sponsorships to life after the final whistle. We’re just getting started, and we’re glad to have you with us.

Make sure you’re following us on social media and spreading the word about the podcast. Together, we’re making sure every overseas athlete has the resources and support they need to succeed.

Catch you next week!

Stay Famous,

Kevin Owens Founder, Overseas Famous