PHOTOS BY: SHAHANAH ZAYNAH AND KIRSTEN ROY

As Dimemond Mentality is brought to the end of year of 2015, year one of being an active platform and brand, showing off driven, ambitious, authentic individuals, we wanted to end with a bang.

We wanted to end the year, with sharing a motivational,and  inspirational collaboration and story. It had to be deep, in depth of details of growth, diverse qualities and the various stages one may go through, in order to find themselves.

With this being an important concept and goal for the collaboration, we formally introduce you to Gabriel 'G2' Gibbs.

Gabe Gibbs has been putting in work and time in the last 3 years, focusing on his goals of being an committed, serious, inspirational and a motivational pillar to the athletic training realm. His end goals, like many individuals which are featured on Dimemond, is to be a successful individual, making his own pathway, and creating his own lane, but his real focus is continuing to create a unique network, and making a ripple effect of success.

DETROIT VS. EVERYBODY

Born and bred in Detroit, Michigan, raised by a single, full-time working mother of 4: Ramon, Andrew, Gabriel and Elijah. She worked at both the mail/post office, and as well as Little Caesars management, in order to provide, raise and support Gabe and his brothers. Gabe claims he gained his "mentality strength", from his mom; the hustle and grind in which she demonstrated when he was younger. Some of the attributes Gabe describes that his mother embossed in him include, knowing how to speak up, voicing your opinion regardless of what others think, and most of all, take a stand for what you believe in.

At the young age of 7-8 years old, that's when basketball was introduced to Gabe and his brothers. Although, it was the environment in which that was surrounded him, that made the experience of playing the game so young, that really stuck out remembering the good times of playing basketball, back in Detroit.

He recalls his neighbourhood having a fair mount of ballers from all corners of the area. All the basketball players from around the way were known as "hood ballers". But back in the day, the Gibbs family had the really good hoop, where everyone would come and play.

Surprisingly, the very home-made esque basketball hoop the Gibbs family had, lasted for 8-10 years; enough time for Gabe and his brothers build up their skill level, and find passion in the sport of basketball.

Basketball at this ripe age, also allowed Gabe to stay out of the streets. He even remembers having scrimmaged with various guys who were from the hood, and individuals who sold drugs. This very sport, helped Gabe escape the drug dealing life, in which he says a lot of people fall into, in order to make money, and make a life.

Going through middle school, Gabe remembers not making the team. He actually did not qualify to make a basketball team until grade 11 and grade 12. His brother, Drew Gibbs, was well known to be the athlete of the family, and the one Gibbs brother who was known for throwing down on the court. However, with brothers naturally having each others back, Drew alway vouched for Gabe, to get him in the game and playing. At times, Gabe only got to play because "he was Drew's brother", but Gabe found this a pathway in which led him to become the athlete he is today, and couldn't be more thankful and appreciative that his brother had his back, in a selfless way. Gabe and Drew Gibbs, both played basketball for Detriot Community High School.

As high school was coming to a closed chapter in Gabe's life, he always knew he wanted to leave the Detriot area, and seek growth outside of his stomping grounds. With that being a focus, Gabe received a full scholarship to Glenville State College for basketball after attending EMU and completing his junior year, and headed to West Virigina, to begin a new chapter in both academia and basketball! Gabe Gibbs attended Glenville State College for two years, and then headed to Toledo at Junior College Owens CC Express, in Ohio, for another two years. During this time of studying, Gabe studied pre-med first, focusing in chemistry, but then had a change of interest, and majored in Psychology. At this significant point in Gabe's life, this is where he begins his true basketball pathway.

As Gabe was enrolled in a Statistics Class during completing his program for Psychology, he recalls a fellow student in the class, staring at him. Little did he know, that this particular individual, would introduce him to the City of Vancouver.

Tanya Johnson, a fellow Vancouverite, studying at the same University as Gabe at the time, approached him about his ability on the court. She mentioned she watched games, in which Gabe stood out from his team mates and other athletes on the court, and told him he could "dominate the basketball league out in Vancouver". Coincidently, Tanya's husband is a massive name in the coaching game within the Vancouver and overall British Columbia basketball realm, Frank Konig. During this time, Frank came to one of Gabe's games, and from then on, it was a mission to get Gabe growing further in basketball from the base in Vancouver BC. Today, Gabe still calls Frank and Tanya family, as they played a major role in his transition from the States to Canada.

Gabe remembers not thinking this instance was real. He always wondered how anyone would give a Detriot character like himself, an opportunity. It was a blessing in disguise; an opportunity which could potentially change direction for him, in a positive way.

As Frank continued to show Gabriel around Vancouver, introducing him to the Universities out in BC, it came to the point where Gabe had to head back to Glenville State in Virgina, to graduate, and receive his certification from his academia part of his life. He mentioned he is "the only one that walked across the stage in [his] family". It was a big, an important moment for him. He received a Bachelors degree of Science, majoring in Psychology and Sociology

From here he began to pursue becoming a Financial Aid officer in the states. But he constantly had Vancouver in the back of his mind. Gabe claimed there was not much for him in Detriot, and wanted to seek growth outside of Michigan state. In May 2012, he took the plunge, and moved to Vancouver BC. Although, Gabriel calls Detroit home, it made him who he is today; you can take the kid out of the city, but you can't take the city out of the kid. He's forever Detroit, but he knew in his instincts that his calling was outside of home.

Continuing to make his name out in Vancouver, he continued to focus on getting his basketball identity to the surface within the city, while simultaneously working at Capilano University/College as a financial officer.

Little did Gabriel Gibbs know that this opportunity of slowly becoming a Vancouverite, would forever change him, and his goals!

JUNE 2012 - THE INTRODUCTION

It was June 2012, and Gabe was a financial officer at Capilano College/University. He went through a phase of wanting more life, career wise, goal wise, success wise, passion wise.

At the time, he was using various social media platforms and outlets. At this point and time, he was using Twitter.

During his time tweeting, he briefly saw that Ron Artest, at the time also known as MettaWorld Peace, was in coming into Vancouver BC.

Now for individuals who are fully unaware of who the infamous Mr. MettaWorld Peace is, he is a significant NBA player, more specifically, at the time June 2012, he was currently drafted on the Los Angeles Lakers. He was known for hustle and bustle on the court, and is definitely an OG when it comes to NBA history, past, present and future. He is known for his defensive efforts, and always having his team mates back when it comes to putting in the effort and passion. 

Gabe seeing Ron Artest's tweet, sent him tweet, asking if he was looking to run some drills and play a pick up game. Little did Gabe know, that Ron Artest would reply, asking where and when.

The only thing Ron Artest needed, was gym gear, and he was there. In this instance, this is what Gabe remembers the most, providing Mr. Artest with a tank top, gym shorts, and basketball kicks to run a scrimmage. For two whole hours, Gabriel had made a monumental moment for himself, and has not regretted it since.

It slowly began a routine for Gabe and Ron Artest to link up, whenever Artest was in Vancouver.  Artest would message Gabe about meeting up to workout and practice; they became work out partners. It slowly turned from an unrealistic experience to a great friendship and a new opportunity for Gabe. It made Gabe reconsider his focus, his career path, his ambitions.

He remembers going to church, specifically on May 5th, praying for guidance, and asking "what's coming next?". Within the following hour, from his church visit, he received a text from Artest asking "what's your plans for the summer? I need a sports assistant". And that's when a new chapter opened for Gabriel Gibbs.

LOS ANGELES + METTA WORLD GANG

Gabe had moved down to LA, where his position from a sports assistant, morphed into becoming Ron Artest's personal assistant and trainer. His daily routine was changing from business casual outfits, shirts, ties and slacks to putting on his dryfit tops, gym shorts and his Adidas basketball shoes. He was grinding, and remembers the whole experience as being great.

He met great, quality people. He recalls meeting Phil Jackson (coach of Michael Jordan, Scotty Pippen, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal, Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers). Gabe was very humbled that Ron Artest always included him in everything. Artest was more than his boss, and Gabe was more than just a trainer and assistant, they built a friendship, a network.

Vegas, Miami, Los Angeles, and New York, were only some of the many places he was able to experience, and work in. Gabe became an essential trainer with Ron Artest, that he was even able to scrimmage with some of the great NBA players we see in the league today including: Blake Griffin, Matt Barnes, Amir Johnson, Nate Robinson, Trevor Ariza, JJ Reddick, Demar DeRozen, Brandon Jennings, Kris Humphries, DeAndre Jordan, Chris Paul and many others.

One monumental experience was watching Floyd Mayweather train in Vegas, for 3 hours.

A lifetime memory for Gabe, was Ron Artest inviting him to come and train in China.

The experience became a dream to a reality. Gabe knew from this point on, he found what he was meant to be doing.

He wants to become a figure who can improve individuals not only within the sport of basketball, but an overall athlete. He knew he could make people better, as athletes off and on the court. That was when G2 Training was born.

G2 TRAINING - IMPROVING YOUR GAME x SERIOUSLY COMMITTED

Gabriel Gibbs slowly started his own movement in Vancouver BC. With having a vast experience, and skill palette built with his growing resume of being a valued basketball player in Detroit, running and breaking sweat with Ron Artest, earning his way to scrimmage with some of the best players the NBA has been able to see today, he had a calling to continue to reflect that heightened quality, further within in his own way, his own brand.

G2 Training caters to helping athletes recognizing where they are on skills and abilities, and challenging them, to become better, improved and most of all, further understand what it means to be passionate and committed as an athlete.

His experience so far since launching G2 Training as a coming forth name for training camps and basketball clinics, has allowed him to teach and assist players as young as 8 years of age, to University players from local based universities such as Simon Fraser University.

He has also began to build a very successful platform using social media as a major outlet. He has built a reputation on Instagram, with over 10,000+ followers, who range in age, range interests and range in support. He's created a digital aesthetic of sharing his methodology, his training sessions and as well as pointers for the game of basketball. He always makes sure to not just focus on 'basketball based drills', but also incorporating various footwork methods which he takes from various sports, such as soccer, football and as well track-and-field based methods.

With Gabe being a very passionate athlete and trainer, it's quite evident, he wants to be the best in the city. He wants to bring the flavor he believes Vancity is missing when it comes to creating top quality athletes, with top quality training, and bring it to the surface, and show on a global scale that Vancouver has the strong individuals who want to follow an athletic passion.

Gabe is a strong believer that sports shouldn't just be taken seriously once money gets involved. In fact, he believes money makes it incredibly political, and takes away from what athletes can look up to and learn from. He believes in finding passion, and allowing that to bring greater opportunity when you go with your gut. 

It's clear Gabriel Gibbs gut, has gotten him very far in life (so far), and is going to take only take him higher. He cares not only about making himself better, but pushing others to reach their utmost potential. He is a self made, natural born leader, and teacher, and will only make moves going forth for the future of G2 Training.

He is currently involved and has become a major team member of the new coming fitness community based app, FitUnity, which will launch in the New Year. He also has just jumped on board as an official athlete and representative for RYU, an athletic tech apparel and lifestyle brand that has just moved and launched in the very base of both Dimemond Mentality and G2 Training, Vancouver BC.

3D EFFECT BASKETBALL HANDLING CLINIC - G2 TRAINING x CHRIS HYPPA BASKETBALL x KING HANDLES BASKETBALL - GALLERY BELOW

At some point in the future, Gabriel has mentioned he would love to create camps in Detroit, for teens and kids. He wants to be able to provide opportunities in Detroit which he didn't have at a young age.

Dimemond Mentality is very excited about having Gabriel Gibbs on the roster. He's helped further share and show what it means to be an authentic, quality and driven individual, and also what it means to have that WANT, to bring Vancouver BC on a recognizable level of being a city full of ambitious, creative individuals. We support G2 and his goals, his motives of continuing of becoming a motivational teacher, and an inspirational leader. Gabe Gibbs is currently underway of making multiple moves, but he's looking forward to every opportunity, as Team Dimemond is going to continuing working alongside him and his brand, G2 Training.

He's also a very proud father of one with Chrissy, and they can't wait to see her form into her own, independent self, as both parents continually create experiences not only for each other, but for their daughter. Big ups to Gabe, we see you!

How does Gabe Gibbs stay hungry?

GO BROKE: Experience the hunger through the struggle. Know what it means to not have money or know what it means to fear the unknown. It teaches you strength, focus, and how to stick to your goals and grow consistent in your passion.

DON'T TAKE NO: Don't take no for an answer, instead ask why? Know the why. "Don't listen to the no" - Arnold Schwarzenegger. Gabe is very fond of Arnold Schwarzenegger's life story and highly recommends to read about it. There's always another way to approach. Success can be found in different areas and ways.

COLLABORATE WITH GREAT PEOPLE: Work, network and surround yourself with great individuals. Constantly see people coming up with ideas. Stray away from the selfish, they just want their own benefits. Work as a collective and team. A table has 4 legs!

Follow Gabe 'G2' Gibbs on social media:

G2 Training on Facebook

Gabe Gibbs on Instagram