What does it take to pursue a dream that other people think is unrealistic — and stay grounded when you actually achieve it? In this episode of The Unstoppable CEO Podcast, Dr. Paul Reed sits down with former NBA first-round draft pick and Gonzaga All-American Dan Dickau for a conversation about faith, family, discipline, resilience, leadership, and doing the work when nobody is watching. Dan's basketball journey took him from Vancouver, Washington, to the University of Washington, Gonzaga University, and ultimately the NBA. But the conversation goes well beyond basketball. Dan and Paul explore the principles behind that journey — and how those same principles have shaped Dan as a husband, father of seven, broadcaster, entrepreneur, coach, and business owner. Dan shares how faith became part of his routine during the demanding NBA schedule, including making pregame chapel services a priority even while constantly traveling. Today, he and his wife Heather continue making faith and family priorities as they raise their seven children. They also unpack one of the most powerful lessons from Dan's career: Sometimes you need to be a little "delusional" about what you believe is possible. As a kid, Dan told people he wanted to play in the NBA — and people laughed. Instead of allowing someone else's expectations to define his future, he continued pursuing the goal. His perspective today: what's in your heart is yours, so dream as big as you want. But dreaming wasn't enough. Dan talks candidly about broken bones, transferring schools, sitting out an entire season, grinding through practices when there was no spotlight, and learning that some of the greatest growth comes through failure and challenge. In this episode, Paul and Dan discuss: Dan's journey from Southwest Washington to Gonzaga and the NBA Why basketball became the dream he couldn't walk away from Meeting his wife Heather in high school and building a family of seven children Maintaining faith while navigating the travel and pressure of professional sports Why family and church remain priorities in the Dickau household The work ethic required to compete when nobody is watching Why failure and adversity can become powerful teachers The danger of comparing your real life to other people's social-media highlight reels Why your dreams don't need to make sense to everyone else The value of setting goals so high that even falling short can take you somewhere extraordinary Taking a leap of faith into entrepreneurship Using business as a vehicle to create jobs, influence people, and impact a community How leadership creates opportunities to lift other people up Today, Dan owns Shoot 360 Spokane, where he's helping develop basketball players ranging from young children learning the game to high-level athletes. For Dan, business isn't simply about owning a company — it's another opportunity to influence people and create an impact in his community. This is a conversation about much more than making it to the NBA. It's about having the courage to dream big, developing the discipline to keep working when nobody sees the work, staying grounded in faith and family, and using whatever platform you've been given to make an impact. Listen now and ask yourself: Are you dreaming big enough — and are you willing to keep doing the work required to get there? ABOUT DAN DICKAU Dan Dickau is a former Gonzaga All-American and NBA first-round draft pick whose career took him to professional basketball's highest level. Today, he works in broadcasting, business, coaching, and basketball development while raising seven children with his wife and high-school sweetheart, Heather. Dan is also the owner of Shoot 360 Spokane, a basketball training facility serving athletes across multiple ages and skill levels — from young children beginning the game to professional and former Gonzaga players.
