Our first “Meet a Dad” is Nate Jean-Baptiste, Program Director/Head of Player Development at High Rise Basketball. Besides spending time with his three children, he loves basketball (of course) and sharing that passion with the next generation. Read more to find out about his basketball career and his tips for staying active this summer!
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have 3 kids aged 5 months, 18 months and 5 years old.
What do you like most about raising a family in this area?
I enjoy the many different opportunities around the area that cater to children.
Tell us about your basketball career
I have played basketball since I was 10 years old. My career has taken me many places, from college ball to playing professionally in Europe. Basketball has done so much for me!
What do you love about the game?
I love the work ethic needed to compete at a high level. I love the competition. Most of all, I love how basketball can take you away from the everyday ups and downs of life. The game allows for a safe haven where nothing else matters at that moment.
Tell us about High Rise Basketball.
As the premier basketball organization in Fairfield County, High Rise Basketball is a 1-stop shop for everything basketball. We run programs year-round which include individual instruction, physical fitness training, small group sessions, clinics, camps, & teams for all seasons and levels. We cater to boys and girls in grades 1st – HS. For us, a safe and positive learning environment filled with energy is most important. Our goal is to help foster passionate, hard-working young athletes through the game of basketball!
What do you like about being Program Director at High Rise?
I love the opportunity to work with the next generation on a daily basis! Young children are the next generation and it is a huge & rewarding responsibility. I relish the opportunity to use basketball to teach life lessons and shape young lives for the future.
What are your tips for keeping kids active this summer?
Create a daily workout or physical activity plan and stick to it. It could be as simple as 25 pushups every day. Just push yourself to get it done EVERY day. If there are opportunities to join a program that promotes physical activity, you should join.
How do you balance work & family?
Balance is the key to life and for me it is an everyday adjustment. With such young kids it is hard to keep a consistent schedule, but my wife and I do a good job of staying on-point. I make sure to set aside time for my family every day and give 1 weekend day to them every week. It is not always ideal, but it allows for me to stay as balanced as possible.
What’s the best piece of “dad advice” you’ve gotten so far?
The best advice has been, “Appreciate the small wins, you can’t win them all!”.