Thrive, Not Survive: How to Grow Your Brand as a Former Athlete, ft. Samir Hernandez

Triple Threat: From Sports to Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship, ft. Taylor Burner

Summary:  This week’s guest, Taylor Burner, brought the energy and insights to make for a must-listen episode. From collegiate basketball in the U.S., to an overseas playing career in Israel, to starting her own women-led marketing and branding agency in Chicago, Taylor Burner has seen it all, done it all, and has learned tons along the way. The moral of the story: do what’s right by your people, be honest about your goals, and watch the results naturally come. Timestamps: “First half” 0:00 - 17:14 → New York City upbringing, finding mentors 17:14 - 28:38 → On & off-court adventures as a women’s college hooper 28:38 - 42:19 → Making a professional career in Israel “Second Half” 42:19 - 54:00 → Networking post-athletics, bouncing back from setbacks, and working with brands 54:00 - 1:08:32 → Lessons in entrepreneurship and knowing your value

A Competitive Drive: Helping Kids Get Their Win, ft. Chris James

Summary: Guest Chris James spent his childhood in the projects of Chicago playing basketball and football at local parks. He took this competitive drive and passion for sports with him to the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign where he soon recognized the disparity in academics for student-athletes. His experience sparked the inspiration to create the HEROH Foundation, an organization providing resources for both athletic and academic successes to young people. The HEROH Foundation has the mission of giving back to James’s childhood community and the surrounding Chicago Public Schools. Timestamps: 0:00 - 6:46 → Growing Up in the Projects of Chicago Playing Basketball  6:46 - 31:45 → High School Transition to Growing Skill and Reputation in the Football Recruiting World  31:45 - 44:57 → Life as a Football Student-Athlete at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign 44:57 - 50:22 → 30 second timeout: Getting to Know the Guest on a Personal Level 50:22 - 59:50 → Post-College Life: Coaching and Educating Athletes with the HEROH Foundation 59:50 - 1:17:11 → Lessons Learned as a Business Owner, Father, and Retired Athlete

Understand Your Why: Swimming into the Marketing World, ft. Kerhyl Gantt

Summary:  Kerhyl Gantt was an elite high school and college swimmer and has since channeled her passion for sports into the marketing world. In this episode, Kerhyl shared her experiences growing up in Houston, as a swimmer at an HBCU, and as a young adult working for Nike and Amazon Prime Video. For anyone looking to get into a career in marketing, you won’t want to miss this episode of The Second Half Podcast. -- Timestamps: “First Half” 0:00 - 11:25 → Accessibility and representation in youth sports 11:25 - 30:42 → Sport as a “way out” & HBCU Experience 30:42 - 48:38 → Transitioning into life after swimming “Second Half” 48:38 -  1:02:38 → Finding career path through Nike 1:02:38 - End → Career change and life advice

Thrive, Not Survive: How to Grow Your Brand as a Former Athlete, ft. Samir Hernandez

Summary: Guest Samir Hernandez is all about embracing life’s journey, staying humble and hungry, and building community-centered relationships. Throughout all his stages– college hooper, banker, Jordan Brand rep, and independent filmmaker, that competitive nature that was instilled in him as a kid in South Central Los Angeles never left.  Timestamps: 0:00 - 18:21 → Growing Up In the L.A. Basketball Scene 18:21 - 35:42 → Overcoming Challenges and Building Relationships 35:42 - 57:19→ Taking Risks In Post-Athletics Life 57:19 - End → Learning Across Industries & Putting Film Skills to Work

What’s Your Vision? Maintaining A Winner’s Mentality, ft. Garren Strong

Summary: In episode four of The Second Half Podcast, Jabari and Garren Strong have a conversation about how athletes can stay motivated and find their vision after their playing career closes. Strong was a wide receiver at the University of Oregon before transitioning into a career in marketing at Nike/Air Jordan. Now, Strong is going back and helping student-athletes just like his former self make the most of their college careers—both on the field and off the field—with his organization called Circle of Winners. The moral of the story? Surround yourself with the right people and keep that winner’s mentality wherever you go. Timestamps: “First Half” 0:00 - 16:46 Upbringing & Falling in Love with Sports 16:46 - 32:59 College Football Journey & Resilience “Second Half” 32:59 - 1:06:25 Post-Sports Life: Working with Nike 1:06:25 - End Entrepreneurial Venture: Circle of Winners