Bill O’Brien: “Adapt to Pressure, Seek Opportunity”

I spoke recently to two-sport star, Bill O’Brien. Here’s what this fascinating personality had to say.

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Bill O’Brien is young, but he has accomplished so much in life–whether it’d be in college football, the National League Lacrosse, or in corporate life. I had an opportunity recently to interview him.

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Jordan: How is your season going in the Arena Lacross League?

Bill: It’s going pretty well. We’re undefeated at 11-0, so you can’t get much better than that.

Jordan: What has been the biggest difference from playing in the Arena League to the National Lacross League?

Bill: I think the biggest difference is the amount of high-level talent. In the NLLy, every player is the best at each position, but in the ALL there’s a big talent drop off at certain depths. So, for instance, with your top five offensive guys, three or four could play in the NLL. But it’s still a great competition. Game-in-and-game out is a great battle. There are hungry guys and it’s a younger league, so there are a lot more guys running and gunning. It’s a bit faster back and forth.

Jordan: Do you view your time there as a way of getting back into the NLL? Or do you see yourself playing in the Arena League and, then, doing other things?

Bill: Yeah, I definitely see myself back in the NLL. I’m a big, physical defender and the NLL is going through that trend like the NFL went through. At one point, the NFL was all about defense and running the ball, and now you have the run-and-gun where they’re airing it out. The quarterbacks are super-protected and there are a lot more flags for high hits and things of that nature. So I needed to take a step back and go to the ALL to develop my passing game and my transition ability to score goals on the run. You know, the kind of skills I can bring back to the NLL. Before, I was just a big, strong defender. But, now, I need to be a better all-around player as the league evolves and takes a step back from things like fights and other things of that nature. So it’s a way for me to hone my skills and be ready for next year

Jordan: I appreciate that. I’ve always liked that part of your game–the ground and pound. That’s what really got me into the NLL. Now, of course, the other big development in lacrosse is the outdoor leagues. Have you ever thought of going in that direction? 

Bill:  Yes, it’s definitely something to be a part of. I’ve had a couple of opportunities. The Boston Cannons have reached out and want me to come to play in Major League Lacrosse. So I have decisions to make this summer. (Note: Since the time of this interview, O’Brien was drafted by the Cannons in the MLL Supplemental Draft. He is committed to playing for the Cannons this summer.)

Jordan: What other things might come up?

Bill: I’ll definitely be playing box lacrosse, probably with the Onoganda Redhawks.

Jordan: You and Kong (O’Brien’s older brother, who also plays lacrosse) are a tandem pair inside and outside, right?

Bill:  That’s it, you know! Dangerous!

Jordan: I know you played football at Sacred Heart. How did that help in you, not only in lacrosse but also in business? I know you co-founded a business, Thompson Brothers Lacrosse, with your cousins.

Bill: Sacred Heart was a great opportunity. I have earned two degrees in business administration and marketing. In football, I was a two-year captain and all-conference as an outside linebacker and defensive end. Football taught me a work ethic and also how to have controlled aggression. I’ve been able to apply those traits to lacrosse.

You know I love to make big hits. I love to be physical because that’s a big part of my game. I’m a big guy. I’m fast. I’m strong. So when lacrosse players cut through the middle, I lay a big body hit as a linebacker would. That wakes up people and clears out the middle. They don’t want to cut anymore, and it’s one way I can impact the game–using the skill set from football.

Also just watching film helps develop my game. I love watching really good players who have been successful in the NLL, like Steve Priolo. I watching him play and the reads he makes. Then I try to emulate his game.

Film work is getting bigger and bigger in lacrosse. My football experience gives me a leg up on players who aren’t as familiar with film work as a way to improve their game.

Jordan: So I mentioned Kong earlier. I see on social media that you’re a big family guy. What’s the best part of getting to work with your family on a daily basis?

Bill: I’ve stepped away from Thompson Brother’s lacrosse, but I’ve started Thrilla Nation, a supplement company.  We’ve also started a nonprofit organization, The Aspire Project. In everything I do, I want to involve my good brother, Kong. His loyalty, ability to learn, and desire to succeed is second to none. You can’t teach that to someone. I could hire someone randomly but, at the end of the day, being able to build something with my big brother is special. It also gives me a chance to watch out for him and to know he has my back. No other employee can offer those things. I’m huge on family. Without our family, what are we? Being able to connect business and family is huge.

Jordan: Let me switch to another topic. At LaxCon–and particularly at the Wings game–the announcer said something unfortunate, ”Snip the ponytail!“ Everyone in the lacrosse community was shocked. What did you make of that then? How do you think about it today?

Bill: You know, I’ve talked to quite a few people about it, and I even wrote a blog post at Thrill Nation.com. I think we have to educate. It’s a responsibility.

You know we could name-call and say that the guy is ignorant–that he doesn’t know about the history of the game. But I prefer to be accountable. I prefer to take responsibility and share the game with people and educate them on where the game comes from. It’s a Native American sport. It’s a medicine game. And if played for the right reasons, it doesn’t matter if you’re Native American, African American, white American—it doesn’t matter. You can get the same benefits of that medicine when played the right way. By sharing, we can grow the game. That’s how to leave a lacrosse legacy.

Jordan: So where do you see the game going, particularly in terms of getting more people interested at the grassroots level? Where do you see lacrosse in 5-10 years?

Bill: Lacrosse is the fastest growing team sport in America. It’s going to continue to grow, but there’s a large attrition rate. I think that the elite, select teams push people away, but I also think you’re going to see a resurgence in viewership.

Jordan: So you did talk about lacrosse being an Olympic sport. Do you see yourself playing long enough to make a run at it? 

Bill: Hey! I’m gonna play as a long as I can. I stay in good shape, and good conditioning is my goal. I’d definitely play if the opportunity presents itself.

Jordan: On the amateur side of the game, I want to get your thoughts about Tehoka Nanticoke of SUNY Albany. A few weeks ago he was suspended for tagging a stringing company on his Instagram account. What are your thoughts on college lacrosse players and college athletes, in general? Should the NCAA allow players to market themselves? Do you think players should be paid? What are your thoughts on that whole thing?

Bill: I understand the strains of being a student-athlete. Not all the guys on my Sacred Heart team were on full scholarships. But, make no mistake about it, playing any college sport is a full-time job–but without the pay.

The NCAA is a multi-billion dollar business. Schools are raking in cash, and they’re doing it on the backs of athletes. Some guys have career-ending injuries in college. Other guys have injuries that will nag them the rest of their lives. The window for an athlete is so small that it’s important to get a livelihood. Compensation won’t corrupt the game. It didn’t corrupt the pros. The pros are very strategic in choosing with whom they partner. For instance, I’m a Nike athlete. I know the ethics I need to display to remain a Nike athlete. I’m not ever gonna’ speak out of turn and say something that doesn’t hold up to Nike ethics and values. 

Jordan: So I was looking at your blog and read about your main workout routine. Talk about that. 

Bill: In the offseason, I focus more on strength and building muscle. I’m not as much concerned about injury prevention or condition per se, although I still do condition. In season, I’m more concerned with moving really well as opposed to strength. I could care less about overall strength in-season because I can maintain my current strength and increase my mobility, increase power, and focus on muscular endurance. In-season, an athlete needs to be concerned about how he performs on that field. That’s why I focus on mobility, injury prevention, and being able to bring it day-in and day-out.

Jordan: You have new Apex nutrition pre-workout products. Brief us.

Bill: The Apex nutrition group, alpha formula, was about two years in the making. Before, I was taking about 4-5 supplements to maximize muscle growth and endurance, and for my recovery post-workout. Then, pretty much out of necessity,

I looked high and low in the marketplace but couldn’t find anything. So I decided to make my own. The formula is made from fourteen ingredients, properly dosed, and without preservatives, artificial dyes, or artificial colors. It’s literally everything you need going into a workout or a game. It will help you maximize your performance.

Jordan:  Because you’re a big travel guy how does the product work for someone who’s on the go and travels a lot?

Bill: We’re in the process of developing canned bottles so that you can buy it in a vending machine and buy it by the six-pack. I’m looking into ways to grow the company, and that includes making the product easier to buy and use.

Jordan: My last question is about the advice you’d give to anyone looking to model themselves after you–be it as an athlete or as an entrepreneur.

Bill: The biggest thing is this: you have to be adaptable. Things aren’t always going to go your way. So you have to adapt under pressure and constantly seek opportunities. If a cool opportunity presents itself, don’t be afraid to say, “Yes, I’ll take it!” You can figure it out on the go. It’s a lot easier to have just-in-time knowledge than just-in-case knowledge. JIT knowledge is figuring out what you need to know and then applying it. You don’t need to know it before you do a project, but you do have to know it as you’re doing a project. Pick up tips on the internet. Watch a video. Throw yourself into it. Develop the capacity to learn on the fly.

A few other things are vital, too. You have to work hard, be passionate about your work, put in the time, and prepare for adversity. Its gonna’ come, but it’s not gonna’ be easy. T

That means you need to develop mental toughness. If you develop that toughness, then you’ll be stronger from having faced adversity.

The true test of a person is during times of adversity. That’s when your true character comes out. You need to tell yourself four things. I’m strong enough. I’m on the right path. I’m gonna overcome this. I’m going to be successful.