The Sportz Lounge

Basketball to Entrepreneurship

This episode explores journey of mental health from being in a dark place to a happy place in life. Transitioning from sports to life after sports can be challenging. I had the opportunity to interview Jessica Ogunnorin. She's a top-notch serial entrepreneur from Dallas, TX. We talked about her journey from playing professional basketball to taking over the world with her multiple businesses. We discussed her trails, tribulations and mental health from playing basketball for multiple colleges an...

Basketball to Real Estate

This episode explores mental health and politics in college sports and transitioning to life after basketball. I had the opportunity to interview the great Kiara Jackson. She is a top-notch Loan Officer from Sacramento, CA. We talked about her journey from playing basketball for UC Riverside to transitioning to Real Estate world. We discussed her trails and tribulations and mental health from navigating through her basketball scholarship, dealing with politics in her basketball program, to takin...

16. Tackling the stigma of mental health

This episode explores mental health in sports, on and off the field. I interviewed Deatre Rogers, a top-notch social worker from the San Francisco Bay Area who specializes in mental health. We talk about her work in the field of mental health and resources that are available to athletes. Deatre Rogers is active in the community and talks about her work with Soul Space in Berkeley and Sacramento, Calif.

15. High school hops

I had the opportunity to interview the great Elijah Ingram. He is a community activist and the Founder of The City Lounge & Restaurant in Newark, NJ. Ingram is a top-notch D1 athlete from St. John's University and New Mexico State University. We talked about his journey from high school basketball to playing on courts internationally. We discussed his trails and tribulations, mental health and journey to owning the best bar and lounge in Newark, NJ. Highlights: Community Activist, Founder/CE...

14. Follow your calling

In this episode, I sat down with professor, diversity trainer, TEDx Speaker and entrepreneur Dr. Shaun J. Fletcher who talked about his football career, mental health and transitioning to life after sports. Dr. Fletcher shares his journey as a top-tier collegiate athlete for San Jose State University, and later following his calling to become the Assistant Professor of Public Relations & Sport Communication at San Jose State University. Dr. Fletcher also runs the successful ShaunJFletcher Co...

13. Hoops, hops and cops

Kelvin Gibbs, a top-notch police officer for the City of Berkeley, Calif., talks about his superstar career as a college basketball player for Pepperdine University and playing professional basketball overseas. Mr. Gibbs shares his journey to law enforcement and talks about giving back to his community as a successful track coach for Oakland Pal Track Club and Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, Calif.

12. Raising a family after football

I had the honor of interviewing the great James Williams from Eastern Oregon University. The All-Conference Nose Tackle and Defensive MVP talked about his journey from football to mentorship and education. Williams detailed his transition from football player to successful businessman and family man. This episode is about achieving the best mental health, focusing on family, and raising your kids the right way.

11. Nets and regrets

Curtis Haggins, point-guard-turned-CEO of Catch and Shoot Sports, and President of the Roadrunners Sports Club, talks about beating the odds at Woodside High School and Western Illinois University to become a highly acclaimed coach and executive. We talk about overcoming regrets and winning after sports.

10. Mental fitness on and off the field

Bay Area Track & Field Coach Todd Ross from Emery High School and Oakland Pal Track Club explains his coaching style, shares tips on what coaches expect from their athletes, and talks about what players can do to maintain their mental health after sports. We discuss his passion for community and how he’s helping youth find success on and off the field.

9. Touchdowns and degrees

Former wide-receiver Jayshawn Gates shares his transition from playing college football at Montana State University to attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from San Jose State University. He talks about the challenges of playing college football and how education contributed to his success.

8. Football and boardrooms

Kamal Greene made his mark as a wide receiver for Washington State University before finishing his career with Brigham Young University. He talks about earning his Master’s degree after football and developing his popular communications app, Poly Platform.

7. Tackling an identity crisis

Malik Jackson is a former star running back for Utah State University, who transitioned to law enforcement with the City of Pittsburgh Police Department. He talks about the importance of education, never giving up and planning for life after sports.

The Sportz Lounge (Trailer)

6. Ballin' beyond the odds

Andre Guzman rebounded from a career-ending football injury to become a top tech executive at Facebook. He talks about his road to Silicon Valley and how he’s sharing his love for the game as a youth mentor in East Palo Alto.

5. Focusing on the sprint

Late 90s all-star sprinter Gary Overton made his mark at Sacramento City Junior College and later at UC Davis. Gary shares his journey from track and field to becoming a successful project manager at one of the largest construction companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. We talk about the importance of staying focused and share tips on how networking can create opportunities after sports.

4. Coaching and community

Lauryn Jordan Seales, athletic director of Delta College in Stockton, Calif., talks about her career as a triathlon champion at the University of Oregon and how she found her way to coaching. Today, Lauryn gives back to her community by helping junior college students secure scholarships to four-year universities.

3. Becoming your own boss

Mobile barbershop owner Raoul Lindsay began his football career as a defensive player for San Francisco City College and later accepted a full scholarship to play at Arkansas State University. We talk about the importance of a strong work ethic, academic excellence and transitioning to a life of entrepreneurship.

2. Basketball and barbershops

Lawrence Bains transitioned from an all-star basketball player for Southern Nazarene University in the late 90s to become one of the top professional barbers in the San Francisco Bay Area. He talks about making power moves and living the good life after college basketball.

1. Reinventing the game

Cedrick Dawson, CEO of Dawson Digital Art School in Palm Springs, Fla. talks about life after the game and his road to art and entrepreneurship. He shares how he transitioned from a sports career as an all-star Division 1 linebacker for Idaho State University from 1998 - 2003 to founding a school that serves students from seventh grade to adulthood.