Personal Best: SimBhullar- Staying at the top of his game
He’s an NBA player with a weakness for home-cooked Punjabi food and kaju rolls. Music helps him stay calm both on and off the court
If he had his way, Gursimran ‘Sim’ Bhullar would have his mom’s parathas, sarsonkasaag, butter chicken and burfis for every meal. But as the first player of Indian-origin in the National Basketball Association (NBA) league, the 7 ft 5 in tall Bhullar, weighing about 163 kgs, has to watch his intake when he’s training.
Last month, Bhullar made his debut on the basketball court during the closing 16 seconds of the game on behalf of the Sacramento Kings as they played against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Albeit brief, the 22-year-old’s debut is a milestone for the sport in India. Sharing his journey with Bangalore Mirror over an email interview, Bhullar recollects how even though his parents had moved to Canada much before he was born, he grew up like any other Punjabi kid, relishing cholebature and dal makhni. But as a professional basketball player, Bhullar needs to stay off his favourite Punjabi cuisine.
Working out two-three times a day seven days a week, the imposing Bhullar reveals some surprising facts about himself (he loves pedicures!) and wellness mantras that help him stay focussed on the game.
After waking up and brushing my teeth, I have my morning smoothie which has blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, some banana, spinach and yogurt. I then take my dogs out for a run (we have two German Shepherds, Tyler and Tyson, so sometimes they’re the ones taking me for a run) and a stretch is definitely needed before that. I grab a quick breakfast and head out for my workout.
Breakfast: Because I’m working out in the morning, I don’t like eating a big breakfast. So, I’ll grab some yogurt, cereal, oatmeal or some fruit and chocolate milk before I head out of the door. On the rare occasions or on my cheat days, I’ll have whatever my mom makes me – pancakes, parathas, etc.
Lunch: I also like to keep my lunch light because it is in between my workouts. I usually eat around 12:30 pm-1 pm and I’ll have two omelettes made with spinach, ginger, onions, tomatoes and some masala, cayenne pepper and salt before I head back to the gym at 2 pm.
Dinner: It’s always a big hearty salad with some type of lean meat, usually chicken breast or a salmon filet, and a protein drink.
Snacks: I snack on fruit, popcorn, almonds / peanuts / cashews during the day.
Fitness mantra
My weekly routine consists of working out usually two-three times a day, without missing a single day. My morning and afternoon workouts alternate between cardio and strength training but always include core work in both those sessions and evening workouts are always basketball.
Drink menu
I usually have my fruit smoothie and then we make orange juice at home as well; but I stick to water for most of the day and my protein shake which is a wild-berry / summer fruits flavour.
Guilty Pleasures
My guilty pleasure is Indian / Punjabi food. But the guiltiest pleasure is Indian sweets especially kaju roll or diamond barfi.
Skin splurge
I get a facial once or twice a week (at home) from my mom. I usually use Dove soap and Aveno moisturising lotion. Other than that, I’m not too fussy. I do, however, indulge in pedicures! I love them.
Down time
I love to hang out with my family and friends, play with my dogs at home or in the park, watch other sports on TV and play video games.
Wellness advice
What I would like to tell people is if you have a dream or a goal, stick to it. There will be many problems or obstacles in your way but for every problem there is a solution. You just have to be patient and hardworking.
Tricks of the trade
One thing I guess I follow – which isn’t really a trick – is just give it your all, work hard and leave everything on the court.
De-stress strategies
I don’t think I find myself stressed out that much, but to relax or just to get all the things running through my head to pause, I will hit the basketball court and put some shots up and listen to music. But if you know me, then one thing you know for sure is that I’m always playing my music on my phone, so I guess that always keeps me calm.
If he had his way, Gursimran ‘Sim’ Bhullar would have his mom’s parathas, sarsonkasaag, butter chicken and burfis for every meal. But as the first player of Indian-origin in the National Basketball Association (NBA) league, the 7 ft 5 in tall Bhullar, weighing about 163 kgs, has to watch his intake when he’s training.
Last month, Bhullar made his debut on the basketball court during the closing 16 seconds of the game on behalf of the Sacramento Kings as they played against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Albeit brief, the 22-year-old’s debut is a milestone for the sport in India. Sharing his journey with Bangalore Mirror over an email interview, Bhullar recollects how even though his parents had moved to Canada much before he was born, he grew up like any other Punjabi kid, relishing cholebature and dal makhni. But as a professional basketball player, Bhullar needs to stay off his favourite Punjabi cuisine.
Working out two-three times a day seven days a week, the imposing Bhullar reveals some surprising facts about himself (he loves pedicures!) and wellness mantras that help him stay focussed on the game.
Morning mantra
After waking up and brushing my teeth, I have my morning smoothie which has blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, some banana, spinach and yogurt. I then take my dogs out for a run (we have two German Shepherds, Tyler and Tyson, so sometimes they’re the ones taking me for a run) and a stretch is definitely needed before that. I grab a quick breakfast and head out for my workout.
Breakfast: Because I’m working out in the morning, I don’t like eating a big breakfast. So, I’ll grab some yogurt, cereal, oatmeal or some fruit and chocolate milk before I head out of the door. On the rare occasions or on my cheat days, I’ll have whatever my mom makes me – pancakes, parathas, etc.
Lunch: I also like to keep my lunch light because it is in between my workouts. I usually eat around 12:30 pm-1 pm and I’ll have two omelettes made with spinach, ginger, onions, tomatoes and some masala, cayenne pepper and salt before I head back to the gym at 2 pm.
Dinner: It’s always a big hearty salad with some type of lean meat, usually chicken breast or a salmon filet, and a protein drink.
Snacks: I snack on fruit, popcorn, almonds / peanuts / cashews during the day.
Fitness mantra
My weekly routine consists of working out usually two-three times a day, without missing a single day. My morning and afternoon workouts alternate between cardio and strength training but always include core work in both those sessions and evening workouts are always basketball.
Drink menu
I usually have my fruit smoothie and then we make orange juice at home as well; but I stick to water for most of the day and my protein shake which is a wild-berry / summer fruits flavour.
Guilty Pleasures
My guilty pleasure is Indian / Punjabi food. But the guiltiest pleasure is Indian sweets especially kaju roll or diamond barfi.
Skin splurge
I get a facial once or twice a week (at home) from my mom. I usually use Dove soap and Aveno moisturising lotion. Other than that, I’m not too fussy. I do, however, indulge in pedicures! I love them.
Down time
I love to hang out with my family and friends, play with my dogs at home or in the park, watch other sports on TV and play video games.
Wellness advice
What I would like to tell people is if you have a dream or a goal, stick to it. There will be many problems or obstacles in your way but for every problem there is a solution. You just have to be patient and hardworking.
Tricks of the trade
One thing I guess I follow – which isn’t really a trick – is just give it your all, work hard and leave everything on the court.
De-stress strategies
I don’t think I find myself stressed out that much, but to relax or just to get all the things running through my head to pause, I will hit the basketball court and put some shots up and listen to music. But if you know me, then one thing you know for sure is that I’m always playing my music on my phone, so I guess that always keeps me calm.
