"From George Washington and Professional Hoops to Hip Replacements: Catching Up with Mike Brown & Michael O’Reilly” Part 1 of 2

"From George Washington and Professional Hoops to Hip Replacements: Catching Up with Mike Brown & Michael O’Reilly” Part 1 of 2

Author: Brian K Butler April 3, 2025 Duration: 19:54

"Today on Part 1 of 2 of I Can't Believe I'm 60! From Hoops to Hip Replacement! I'm joined by two incredible guests, Mike Brown and Michael O'Reilly, who are not only former teammates from George Washington University but also lifelong friends of mine. “

Mike Brown's basketball career is legendary; he spent over a decade in the NBA and 14 years playing professionally. But he's much more than just a former pro athlete. Mike is a savvy businessman, world traveler, and fluent Italian speaker who has built a fascinating life beyond the game.

He's married to Esther, who hails from Spain and continues to compete in the Master’s Games, proving that his love for basketball never faded. He's also a passionate sports card collector and someone who seems to know a little about everything!

Michael O'Reilly, a Brooklyn native, has taken a different but equally impressive path after his playing days. He has spent almost 40 years in the financial industry, building a successful career while raising a family with his wife, Lyn, to whom he has been married since 1988. Together, they have a daughter and three sons. He once shared the court with Chris Mullin in high school before teaming up with me at GW. Recently, he embraced a different kind of challenge by undergoing two hip replacements within just three months!

Today, we'll discuss life after basketball, the realities of aging as former athletes, and the bond that has lasted over 40 years.


Brian K Butler never imagined he'd be hosting a I Can’t Believe I’m 60! From Hoops to Hip Replacement-Brian Butler’s-Podcast, but here he is. As a retired educator and former Division 1 basketball player, he's used to structured game plans, but the playbook for life after sixty is a whole different sport. This podcast is his raw, often humorous field report from the front lines of aging. You'll hear Brian grapple with the strange transition from coaching plays to managing his own health, swapping stories of athletic glory for the realities of things like hip replacements. It's not a lecture series, but a series of honest conversations that feel like talking with an old friend who isn't afraid to laugh at the absurdities. The discussions naturally weave through practical fitness for changing bodies, the mental shifts of this life chapter, and the continuous education of self-improvement. Each episode digs into the specific joys and undeniable challenges, from maintaining physical well-being to finding new purpose. Forget polished perfection; this is about the tries, the failures, and the small victories that define this decade. Tune in for a relatable, unscripted look at rewriting the rules when the conventional playbook no longer applies.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 17

I Can’t Believe I’m 60! From Hoops to Hip Replacement – Brian Butler’s -Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Kas Allen: From Hoops to Healing — A Hall of Fame Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:09
This episode, the first of season 2, in 2026 (#16 overall) is extra special for Brian. Kas Allen and Brian have been dear friends since they first met in 1983, back when she was starring on the women’s basketball team, a…
Kenny Barer's Story: From Hoops in High School, College and Professionally in France to Coaching, Family and Recent Heart Surgery... Approaching the BIG 60 Milestone With Optimism and Passion  - Episode 2 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:03
🎙️ Podcast Guest Bio – Kenny BarerKenny Barer is a former professional basketball player, coach, and lifelong friend of host Brian Butler. Born in New York City and raised in Roslyn, Long Island, Kenny played college bas…
Kenny Barer's Story: From Hoops in High School, College and Professionally in France to Coaching, Family and Recent Heart Surgery... Approaching the BIG 60 Milestone With Optimism and Passion - Episode 1 of 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:43
🎙️ Podcast Guest Bio – Kenny BarerKenny Barer is a former professional basketball player, coach, and lifelong friend of host Brian Butler. Born in New York City and raised in Roslyn, Long Island, Kenny played college bas…