Full Transcript for Stop Pushing Through Pain: Shayna Hammond, Host of The Grounded CEO

Respect. 00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:26.160 Okay, go ahead. 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:27.519 I did. 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:28.160 I did. 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:30.079 I had my children back to back. 00:04:30.160 --> 00:04:31.439 They're only 18 months apart. 00:04:31.600 --> 00:04:31.920 Okay. 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:35.360 And I needed something to get me just kind of back, you know. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:37.920 I hadn't been working out like I normally do. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:40.160 I do genuinely just love sports. 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:41.680 I love being active. 00:04:41.839 --> 00:04:43.920 And one of my girlfriends had done one before. 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:46.879 And like you, I was like, what is a sprint triathlon? 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:48.399 First of all, what's a triathlon? 00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:49.439 Let's start there. 00:04:49.680 --> 00:04:52.000 And then what is a sprint triathlon? 00:04:52.240 --> 00:05:03.519 And she explained to me that basically it's a triathlon where you could do it as a team, where someone could do the swim, another person could do the bike, and then another person could do the run. 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:03.920 Okay. 00:05:04.079 --> 00:05:07.439 And I was like, Bet, because I am not a swimmer, not yet. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:07.839 Right. 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:11.199 That is one sport I have not conquered, not yet. 00:05:11.360 --> 00:05:14.720 Um, and so I said, you know, I really would love to get on a bike though. 00:05:14.800 --> 00:05:16.800 I haven't ridden a bike since I was like nine. 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:18.000 So I was like, you know what? 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:20.079 I'm gonna cycle and I need to run. 00:05:20.160 --> 00:05:23.920 Like, I do need to do some cardio, and cardio is not my favorite. 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:27.600 So, but there's nothing like a race, like a competition to motivate me. 00:05:27.680 --> 00:05:29.279 So I said, you know what, sign me up. 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:35.759 So my girlfriend did the run, and I did the bike, uh, or she did the swim, uh, and I did the bike and the run. 00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:37.360 So that's what a speech I did. 00:05:37.839 --> 00:05:38.079 Wow. 00:05:38.160 --> 00:05:41.360 See, I thought you you say that again, say that in part again. 00:05:41.600 --> 00:05:43.199 And we ended up doing that together. 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:44.560 We did that four times. 00:05:44.720 --> 00:05:46.160 You did that for four years. 00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:47.120 Oh no. 00:05:47.360 --> 00:05:50.720 See, I thought that I thought that was I thought it was earlier in the game. 00:05:50.800 --> 00:05:56.800 I so you just your your level, my level of respect for you just like really went here. 00:05:56.959 --> 00:06:00.480 So, what lessons did you learn as a young athlete that showed up later? 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:03.439 Because you became a principal at just 25 years of age. 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:06.480 I mean, did the kids even respect you at 25? 00:06:06.560 -->

00:06:10.000 Because you look, you you still look so young today. 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:11.360 Then they're probably like, whatever. 00:06:11.920 --> 00:06:12.560 Oh, they did. 00:06:12.720 --> 00:06:13.199 Oh, they did. 00:06:13.360 --> 00:06:15.360 They they straight up thought I was one of the students at first. 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:16.000 It's hilarious. 00:06:16.160 --> 00:06:20.160 Whenever I wore like the school uniform, yes, a parent came up to me and said, I'm looking for Ms. 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:20.800 Hammond. 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:23.360 Um, can you tell me what she is? 00:06:23.839 --> 00:06:25.519 It's like I'm I'm her. 00:06:25.759 --> 00:06:29.360 Um, no, but you know, sports really treats teaches you. 00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:38.319 I talk about this a lot, you know, I I'm very grateful that at a very young age I had really good body awareness um and body confidence. 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:44.879 And so I'd always, you know, I learned gymnastics teaches you to be aware of kind of where you are in time and space. 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:55.040 And I didn't realize until looking back later how that really gave me the confidence to step into a situation like being a principal for the first time at 25. 00:06:55.360 --> 00:07:01.040 I just applied the same kind of principles I had learned really early on of okay, I do need to focus. 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:06.079 I need to learn a lot about people, about leadership, about systems. 00:07:06.240 --> 00:07:09.759 Um, and so I read a ton of books when I wasn't in front of my staff. 00:07:10.319 --> 00:07:16.240 Um, I called people, I had about four, you know, four or five lifelines, people who had been in leadership for a while. 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:19.040 And I would say, hey, you know, here's the scenario. 00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:20.319 Um, what would you do? 00:07:20.399 --> 00:07:21.519 I had a coach at the time. 00:07:21.600 --> 00:07:25.199 That was one of the very first things is I hired a leadership coach. 00:07:25.360 --> 00:07:29.120 Um, and then, you know, you just have to do it, you know, just like Nike. 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:37.040 I mean, it's one of those things you learn by doing, and I just use my inner confidence that you know sports had given me. 00:07:37.199 --> 00:07:39.920 Um just learning a long way. 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:44.319 And yes, definitely. 00:07:44.560 --> 00:07:49.600 I think a lot of athletes have the same kind of mindset, right? 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:51.040 My my sport was basketball. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:59.199 I played, played since I was a kid, but unlike you, I played because my cousins did not allow, they will make me play, but then they wouldn't allow me to touch the ball. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:05.759 So it was one of those things where they needed an extra person, and they were, and I'm sitting there and they're and they had to like keep an eye on me. 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:10.240 So it's like, you come get on the court, and then don't touch the ball accidentally came my way. 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:11.839 They were like, hurry, hurry, get the ball back. 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:13.120 You know, you can't touch the ball. 00:08:13.519 --> 00:08:16.079 So I was like, I'm gonna teach myself basketball. 00:08:16.399 --> 00:08:28.480 But it started something in me that I didn't realize until much later because when you really love sports and you're really even just having fun with it, not even thinking, I can actually go to college, I can actually do all these things. 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:29.920 You said focus. 00:08:30.079 --> 00:08:37.919 It is the thing to make you go go in there and show up in that gym every day, and you can't do the thing, you know, you're shooting the ball, it never goes in the hoop. 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:41.120 You know, you maybe you're doing a flip, you can't land on your feet. 00:08:41.600 --> 00:08:45.279 Um sports is such a good trainer for life. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:48.960 Because you keep doing it, you keep trying it, you you keep going. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:09:02.399 Um some people don't, some people like this is not for me, which is fine, but I think I think it instills in you who you're who you're how you're going to run your life as as life moves on. 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:08.000 Was there a coach, a teammate, or a sports moment that really shaped your leadership style? 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:09.759 You know, it's interesting. 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:14.720 I'm so glad you shared more about that because it also brought me back to my basketball days. 00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:18.879 So, you know, I started basketball later in life for most kids. 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:21.519 So I quit gymnastics, you know, when I was 10. 00:09:21.679 --> 00:09:26.559 I didn't really pick up a basketball until I was maybe 12 or 13. 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:27.039 Okay. 00:09:27.519 --> 00:09:37.840 And um, so I but I was an athlete, you know, I was strong, I was a quick learner, but I didn't have, you know, the skills and that a lot of other girls my age had. 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:41.600 And I'll never forget, you know, having to play catch up. 00:09:41.919 --> 00:09:50.480 Um and, you know, leaning on my athleticism as much as I could, but for the first time, I wasn't the standout star, you know, on my team. 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:53.360 I had to really work hard to get playing time. 00:09:53.519 --> 00:10:01.679 And I'll never forget, you know, we were on a an award-winning team, my junior and senior year, our senior year, we were undefeated, 33-0. 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:02.240 Oh, wow. 00:10:02.399 --> 00:10:05.919 Um, and we had five, oh, we had an amazingly stacked team. 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:08.080 Two of our players went to the WNBA. 00:10:08.240 --> 00:10:08.720 Oh, amazing. 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:14.080 And um, but I myself rode the bench for much of that season. 00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:16.799 And it was a very humbling experience, right? 00:10:16.879 -->

00:10:27.440 And that's what team sports teaches you is that everybody has a role to play, you know, and you have to be ready to step up when it's time to step up and step back, you know, when it's time to step back. 00:10:27.519 --> 00:10:27.759 Yeah. 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:34.000 And even though I didn't get much playing time, I was usually the first one at practice, the last one to leave. 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:36.559 I was the first one finishing those suicides. 00:10:36.720 --> 00:10:39.840 Like I never stopped trying though, you know. 00:10:40.000 --> 00:10:41.840 I never, never gave up. 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:45.200 But it was a very, it was humbling, and I think I need I needed that. 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:47.600 And each level is humbling. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:11:02.639 Each each level, you're the star, you go to college, or even from going from middle school to high school to college, like you you kind of start on the bitch, and it's like, and you got to get out of your own head, like, okay, you ain't all that. 00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:06.720 You might have been, you might have been last year, but you're there, but not over here. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:12.000 But how does that how does that translate to uh to leadership, to entrepreneurship? 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:23.120 Yeah, I think for leadership, um, something that I I've always gotten feedback around is that I have had a healthy balance between confidence and humility. 00:11:23.279 --> 00:11:25.039 Um, I'm a very self-assured person. 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:40.559 And when I say self-assured, I mean that my confidence more so comes from my anchoring, my belief in God, my belief in myself, my belief in how I start my days, and not as much based upon external motion. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:12:00.320 And I really had to go through those tougher times to really understand the importance of really having that inner confidence and that inner drive, um, and not so much rely on the wins or rely on the praise to really feel like I belong in any one space. 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:10.240 And so, my you know, leadership style is very much about authenticity and about uh raising your consciousness and how you treat the people around you. 00:12:10.320 --> 00:12:15.840 It's really an inner um uh practice first before it even shows up. 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:16.960 I love that. 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:17.840 I love that. 00:12:18.080 --> 00:12:18.879 Thank you. 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:20.639 We will be right back. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:23.200 Want more of what you're watching? 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:30.159 Watch us on Roku, Amazon Fire, or listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio to name a few. 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:47.360 This is where Shayna made her biggest moves. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:50.720 So sports teaches us to leave it all on the court. 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:55.120 Founding lead for liberation, and then indigo unbound were huge plays. 00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:59.840 Share with us a time when you had to give everything you had, win or lose. 00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:04.080 Oof, you're taking me back to gymnastics days now. 00:13:04.720 --> 00:13:08.159 Um, I was trying to learn a new skill on the high beam. 00:13:08.320 --> 00:13:10.639 High beam was my weakest event. 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:14.320 Um, it was the event that really stirred up the most fear in me. 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:20.000 And I had to do a series, um, two backhand springs in a row on the high beam. 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:22.159 And I was so nervous. 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:23.759 I thought I was getting away with it. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:26.559 I would always kind of go to the restroom and it was my turn. 00:13:26.960 --> 00:13:29.200 You know, I would make excuses not to go. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:31.200 And I thought, no, I thought I was winning. 00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:34.559 Like sometimes I would switch rotations and didn't have to do it. 00:13:34.799 --> 00:13:40.240 And then one day uh we get through rotations, and I, you know, I'm like, who I didn't have to do it today. 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:41.039 I think I'm good. 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:41.440 Yeah. 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:46.080 And my head coach says, Um, all right, everybody, it's nine o'clock. 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:47.440 Everybody's, you know, it's time to go. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:50.240 He said, Everyone can leave except Shayna, you're with me. 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:54.240 And then I look over into the stands, my parents are gone. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:56.480 He said, I sent your parents home. 00:13:56.879 --> 00:14:04.159 You're staying here with me, and you cannot leave until you stick 10 series on that high beam. 00:14:04.320 --> 00:14:05.200 Oh no. 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:10.240 It's like, no, the tears started welling up. 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:15.919 He's like, Wipe your face, get up there, you're gonna move through the sphere. 00:14:16.320 --> 00:14:17.679 And we stayed there. 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:21.440 There was no one in the gym, just my coach and myself. 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:28.000 And he stayed there for an additional at least two to three hours until I stuck it 10 times. 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:30.720 But I will never forget that first time that I did it. 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:33.360 I because I really believed, I did not believe I could do it. 00:14:33.440 --> 00:14:36.879 Yeah, I was like, there's just there's just no way, I'm not ready. 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.720 And I'll never forget the feeling. 00:14:38.799 --> 00:14:39.840 He said, You can do this. 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:41.759 I wouldn't stay here if you couldn't. 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:43.519 And I stuck it. 00:14:43.679 --> 00:14:49.440 And I will net that feeling of oh my goodness, I I can do this. 00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:53.120 And of course, every single time I did it, it got easier and easier. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:56.159 And it's just like the most beautiful metaphor of life, right? 00:14:56.240 -->

00:15:03.360 Like you just have to do things scared, and then once you do it, it becomes easier and easier and easier. 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:05.200 Talk about coaches for a second. 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:16.000 I mean, we know there are bad coaches and there are good coaches, and what I've always learned from my sports days and even coaching is that you have to understand your players. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:22.879 You have to understand the kid that can stay for three hours until they stick a move. 00:15:23.120 --> 00:15:29.679 You have to understand which kids you can yell at, which ones you need to put an arm around and go and talk to in private. 00:15:30.080 --> 00:15:31.440 Coaching is super important. 00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:37.200 I've seen bad teams, you know, horrible teams become the best teams because they have a good coach. 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:46.879 So we got to give it up for the coaches out there that are really doing it from the from a space of I want to see this person get better. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:53.759 How does that um how does that pivot act as a strategy when when business is not working? 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:57.039 Oh my goodness, it's it's what I go back to. 00:15:57.279 --> 00:16:01.360 You know, um, just like you said, you know, you have to know your players in business. 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:03.679 You have to know your you have to know your clients. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:05.440 Yes you have to know your team. 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:10.559 And your team has to match the client base that you're trying to reach. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:20.639 And so anytime we have run into a challenge and we run into many of them, yes, and we notice maybe sales are down and we're we're not sure which way to go. 00:16:20.799 --> 00:16:26.159 Um, I've had to step back and say, okay, uh, what are we listening well enough? 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:28.399 What are they saying that they actually need right now? 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:32.320 And how might we need to pivot our services to meet where they are? 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:35.600 And then once we pivot the services, I have to look at my team. 00:16:35.840 --> 00:16:42.960 Is my team configured in such a way that we can deliver these services and still deliver it in a high quality way? 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:43.360 Yeah. 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:45.200 Um, and sometimes the answer is no. 00:16:45.360 --> 00:16:47.519 And then that means we have to pivot. 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:47.919 Exactly. 00:16:48.159 --> 00:16:52.559 And so I just literally pivoted my team, I bit pivoted my business model. 00:16:52.720 --> 00:16:56.720 Um, and I'm getting better and better as I, you know, do it more and more. 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.240 The first time was the scariest. 00:16:58.320 --> 00:17:02.879 I called them the dark days because I don't I didn't know whether we were gonna survive on the other end. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:12.400 And of course we did, we soared, but you know, and now here

I am at another pivot point, and I feel more confident because we've had to do this before. 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:14.799 And so I'm like, all right, I know what to do. 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:23.920 We need to shift the business model, need to shift the team configuration, shift how we serve, you know, our services, and then we're gonna rise again. 00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:24.799 Yes, yes. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:27.039 So let's let's get really real formatted. 00:17:27.119 --> 00:17:39.119 You and I have been in conversation this year, has um I can't, I can I can't curse on camera, so I can't really I cannot articulate this year. 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:46.880 Um but we have been kind of just holding each other up and checking in with each other and and you know, checking in. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:49.920 That's not a lot we can say right now because it's been so crazy. 00:17:50.720 --> 00:18:00.079 So I know that as you were looking toward closing Lead for Liberation, um part of my pivot is is what I'm doing today. 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:03.359 Um, and we have to be open to those things. 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:21.039 So I want to ask this question what parallels do you see between closing something that you have birthed, lead for liberation, if if you decide to go that route, um and an athlete losing a tough game or having that career-ending injury? 00:18:22.160 --> 00:18:32.640 It's tough because just like in sports, your your sport becomes a big part of your identity, you know, and your business is like your baby, it becomes a part of your identity. 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:38.079 And so there's a grieving process that has to happen and that you have to kind of honor. 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:41.839 And it was so helpful to have you, you know, as part of that process. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:47.599 I mean, there were times when I was angry, there were times when um, you know, I was incredibly sad. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:50.720 Um, and it comes and goes in waves. 00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:54.880 And but I always kind of you know stepped forward. 00:18:54.960 --> 00:19:02.960 I knew I had to just keep moving forward, and I did have to be okay with and consider letting it completely go all the way. 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:07.920 And that's what brought up the the strongest feelings, you know, of anger and sadness. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:14.400 It's like, but I built this and now I, you know, uh, because of external forces, now have to make a shift. 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:14.720 Yes. 00:19:14.880 --> 00:19:17.119 And it was really, really, really hard to do. 00:19:17.359 --> 00:19:19.759 Where I am today, though, I'm so thankful. 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:29.359 I'm not as, you know, time has healed and just also just some research, talking to different folks like you, other entrepreneurs who are pivoting. 00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:39.039 And I am starting to see, okay, there is a way for us to move forward and to shift our services from B2B to B2C. 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:46.559 We're looking into a possible membership um opportunity, uh, but most importantly, a strategic partnership opportunity. 00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.039 Yes. 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:52.240 And um, but again, it's that piece because it's so tied to your identity. 00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.599 Um you have to be careful. 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:56.000 And that's why I go back to that inner piece. 00:19:56.160 --> 00:20:06.079 You know, I had to kind of remind myself and remind myself over and over again that you know who's really in charge, you know, and I have a huge faith base. 00:20:06.319 --> 00:20:06.400 Right. 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:11.519 Um, and at the end of the day, if it's if I still have it, that means it's still my assignment. 00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:19.680 And so I need to, you know, find a different way that's gonna work for both our team and it's gonna work for our audience. 00:20:20.160 --> 00:20:21.359 You know, it was crazy. 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:28.720 One day we were on the phone and you were talking about closing, closing uh Lead for Liberation. 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:36.240 And I remember getting off the phone thinking, gosh, that can't even be an option for me because there's there's nothing else. 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:37.359 What am I gonna do? 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:46.000 And I was I was talking to my partner about it, and then it hit me like out of nowhere a couple of weeks later, like, it's already done. 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:52.720 It's already done because you you are not you're not doing the thing in the way that you built the thing. 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:54.559 That that is gone. 00:20:55.119 --> 00:21:01.680 You know, we've experienced a wave in in the world of DEI that I've been in for 27 years. 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:12.160 We we're experiencing it in a way that I just never, you know, you plan for the the the years that are gonna be not that great, you know, maybe you know, income's gonna be lower. 00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:15.839 You do not plan for total annihilation of a business. 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:26.880 And so when you started talking about going through that grieving process, and then I started talking to my partner about that, and she said to me, You're grieving. 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:46.799 And it just and it's as crazy as that might sound like, okay, money's not coming in, you're not on stage, you're a person that talks 60 to 70 times a year, you've talked, you've spoken twice, like it already died, but but I I I couldn't see it because the athlete in me says, You gotta keep going, you gotta play through the pain. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:52.960 When do we stop playing through the pain and realize it's time, it's time to it's time for a different play. 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:54.480 Oh my goodness, yes. 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:58.079 And that's where for me, that's when faith comes in, steps in. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:01.200 And you know, and I just Had to be ready. 00:22:01.599 -->

00:22:07.119 And that's what you were hearing me in my call to you about, you know, I'm I'm ready to let it go. 00:22:07.680 --> 00:22:13.519 Um, and just constantly stepping in and asking spirit, you know, what will you have me do? 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:18.559 At the end of the day, I understand, you know, what it was is over. 00:22:18.799 --> 00:22:26.400 Um, regardless of how it happened, that chapter is over and I am here and ready and I surrender to whatever's next. 00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:30.799 And if that means letting it go, that means letting it go, you know. 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:38.720 And I'm really grateful that, you know, I have other businesses, you know, and I am pivoting to those other businesses. 00:22:38.880 --> 00:22:49.440 So, you know, indigo unbound is now my main business, which I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, where that is the business that I'm spending most of my time in. 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:58.160 Um, and so and and once we kind of identify that grief, that's when we're able to see, like, oh, wait a minute, there's there's an opportunity here. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:23:04.480 There's something that's trying to emerge that probably would not have emerged if if that hadn't come to an end. 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:04.880 Yeah. 00:23:05.359 --> 00:23:05.680 Yeah. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:07.519 And I wish I had that much grace. 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:09.200 I went kicking and screaming. 00:23:09.279 --> 00:23:12.240 I was not just like, you know what, whatever is next. 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.839 I was like, hell no. 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:15.680 I did this. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:18.079 I built this issue for a minute. 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:18.640 Yes. 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:22.160 I'm like, I'm I'm doing this because I don't know. 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:34.160 I didn't know how to allow something to go because that's one thing that I honestly think in sports that we have to figure out is sometimes you don't need to play through the pain. 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:37.119 I don't think that's the best thing for us to learn. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:41.359 I think sometimes you need to go sit down and and deal with the pain. 00:23:41.599 --> 00:23:45.039 And then one of the things about me is my word for the year was unshakable faith. 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:55.680 My partner kept saying, stop saying that God don't you know, not unshakable faith, because you're gonna face all the things so that you can be tested in unshakable faith. 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:57.599 It's so true. 00:23:57.680 --> 00:24:00.000 You get the opposite, so you can demonstrate it. 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.680 I know, I know, yeah. 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:13.759 It it's yes, so you got to be really, really careful what you're praying for, what you're meditating on, what you're putting into the universe because it has a way of of of backing that thing up on you. 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:16.640 I mean, it really does. 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:27.039 And you know, we both share that practice where my word last year was surrender of all words, and so I was already kind of in this mode of like, well, I guess I gotta surrender that too. 00:24:27.359 --> 00:24:32.799 Yes, you know, and I've so many things were placed in my path to actually surrender. 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:33.279 Yes. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:37.279 Um, and it was a process, it was certainly not overnight at all. 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:43.359 You know, I've been on a spiritual journey for for decades now, I mean, for a really long time. 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:54.400 And I didn't realize how much from sports, while I'm so grateful for what sports have brought me, but to your point, there are some things about being an athlete um that I've had to heal. 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:56.480 And part of that is pushing through pain. 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:56.799 Right. 00:24:56.960 --> 00:25:05.759 And some of that is also, you know, working too hard or working too much, you know, and really understanding that, oh, wait a minute, there is a law of least effort. 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:06.400 What is that? 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:09.039 You know, like my coach would have been like, What is that? 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:15.119 Okay, before you tell us, before you tell us, we're gonna have to cut and we're gonna come right back so you can tell us a little bit more about that. 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:16.559 Okay, all right. 00:25:17.920 --> 00:25:19.039 Want more of what you're watching? 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:26.079 Watch us on Roku, Amazon Fire, or listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio to name a few. 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:49.119 Now, looking back, looking back, the biggest lesson that sports taught you that you still rely on. 00:25:50.960 --> 00:25:55.920 The biggest lesson that sports taught me that I still rely on. 00:25:56.640 --> 00:26:08.720 Um, I mean, I think it's really just it comes back to that when you are hurt or when the play doesn't work, um, you really don't have time to kind of wallow in it. 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:11.039 You have to give it, you know. 00:26:11.200 --> 00:26:18.799 Um, and there are so many challenges right now, you know, external, internal, so many challenges. 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:25.839 And while I have learned to, you know, allow myself time to feel and to move through emotions, you have to act. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:32.000 Yes, you know, um, I'm so glad I'm not someone who will kind of stay still too long. 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:46.559 Um, I know that at some point I just have to get up and do it and do it scared and do it imperfectly, and just you know, rely on the fact that I'm gonna receive some feedback and to implement that feedback and then try again. 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:50.960 And sports really teaches you that over and over and over. 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:59.279 There's always a new skill, there's always a team that you, you know, didn't anticipate was as good as they are,

you know, and you gotta dig deep. 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:03.279 You know, you made me think of something in sports, things move really fast. 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:10.160 You have a 30-second timeout or a 60-second timeout to draw up a play, and you gotta go do the play win or lose. 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:13.359 That part is making me think about business. 00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:22.720 Should we be taking all the time that we're taking, or should we draw the play up and get out there and run the play and win or lose because at least you know next time? 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:27.839 Because I know I've spent way too much time running the play, drawing the play up. 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:31.039 I spent way too much time drawing the play up. 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:33.119 Sometimes you just got to get in the game. 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:34.640 That part, yeah. 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:46.960 And and it's the scariest, it's it's the scarier route, but it it really truly is the route to go, you know, is to act and just trust that you have enough information at the time and just move. 00:27:47.119 --> 00:27:54.720 And things more so have worked out when I've done that, as opposed to when I have ruminated, done more research, gotten another certification. 00:27:54.880 --> 00:28:00.160 It's like, you know what, enough with the certifications, enough with the sessions, just do it. 00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:01.359 Just do it. 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:08.640 So I want to get into this strong black woman schema because you talk about that in your book. 00:28:08.880 --> 00:28:12.000 So first of all, what is it? 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:13.759 I'm gonna let you answer that. 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.559 What is it? 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:15.519 I'll I'll start there. 00:28:15.680 --> 00:28:17.599 What's a strong black woman? 00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:23.519 The strong black woman schema is a construct that was actually born out of white supremacy. 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:35.920 So it's this belief system that black women are expected to be both the hardest working person in any one group as well as the most self-sacrificing person. 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:54.000 So taking it all the way back, you know, to when we were enslaved, we were expected to, you know, work in the fields at you know insane hours as well as take care of the plantation homes family and to put all of our emotions, all of our needs to the wayside. 00:28:54.400 --> 00:29:10.640 That has manifested century over century, generation over generation, still today, as black women oftentimes being the strong friends, oftentimes being the high achievers, the ones who we turn to when there's a problem, there's a challenge. 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:14.400 We we ask black women to step forward, and we oftentimes do. 00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:17.039 And we do that at the cost of our health. 00:29:17.359 --> 00:29:22.240 We do that at the cost of our emotions and what we actually really need. 00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:37.680 And what it's done is, but on the flip side, it's made us, you know, it invites us to be very hardworking, to be self-sacrificing, to silence when we're really, you know, in pain or tired or exhausted, we push through. 00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:49.039 And so when you take that schema on top of the fact that I'm an athlete, those pieces around the strong black women schema were so hard for me to break through. 00:29:49.279 --> 00:29:52.400 And I truly believe we're here to teach what we're here to learn. 00:29:52.720 --> 00:30:16.400 And so created, you know, a program and in a space where I can invite other black women just like me, who were working to shed some of that conditioning that we cannot, that tells us that we can't rest, um, that we can't put ourselves first and really, you know, tend to our self-care and really treat ourselves with more kindness and humanize ourselves. 00:30:16.720 --> 00:30:26.240 It it makes me think of my grandmother who used to say to me all the time, you need to know more, you need to dress better, you need to be just basically you need to be more. 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:30.000 And you carry that even if you don't think about it. 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:33.920 And then there's an old gospel song called 99 and a half won't do. 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:38.640 And my grandmother, we literally put that on her tomb because she would say that to me all the time. 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:40.720 You know, 99 and a half won't do. 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:43.359 You've got to give 100 all the time. 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:50.400 Now, while it helped shape me, and then I think about that all the time, like uh, you're you're not giving enough, you're not giving 100%. 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:53.440 Sometimes you need to go sit down. 00:30:54.559 --> 00:31:00.319 You need to go sit down, you need to rest, you need to, it's it's another thing. 00:31:00.400 --> 00:31:04.720 I know um I keep bringing my partner up, but one of the things I've learned from her is rest. 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.920 Because she rests. 00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:10.720 I don't really, I I don't really rest. 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:11.920 It's like let's take a nap. 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:13.359 I'm like, I can't take a nap. 00:31:14.079 --> 00:31:15.519 I don't even know how to take a nap. 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.960 I just lay there. 00:31:17.119 --> 00:31:27.200 Um because I feel like, especially in this time in my life where there's so much transition and things are um things are not going in the way that I would like them to be going. 00:31:27.519 --> 00:31:30.640 Rest seems like the last thing on earth that I need to do. 00:31:30.880 --> 00:31:35.680 But when we went on vacation, I rested, I mean, I was in the bed by nine. 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:39.920 I was I was uh I was taking naps all day. 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:41.680 Like she wasn't even taking naps. 00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:57.440 I'm just I realized I was exhausted, and so I'm resolved to really work

hard in making sure that I'm rest because making sure that I rest because one thing I realize is it makes the mind stronger to be able to have be able to have that space. 00:31:57.680 --> 00:31:59.279 So how do we balance, right? 00:31:59.440 --> 00:32:00.319 Endurance and rest. 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:03.200 Two of the things that athletes have to balance. 00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:06.720 How does that show up in in your current leadership philosophy? 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:10.480 Yeah, the other thing in addition to rest is self-compassion. 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:15.119 So I've also learned to pause and celebrate a little bit more. 00:32:15.279 --> 00:32:15.519 Yes. 00:32:15.680 --> 00:32:22.160 You know, we talked about how as athletes, you know, we're we're fast movers, we're fast processors, we're like, all right, what's the next play? 00:32:22.319 --> 00:32:24.160 You know, and that translates into business. 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:25.440 Okay, what's the next play? 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.400 Oh, that was great. 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:28.000 We just killed it with that client. 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:29.200 Okay, where's the next client? 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:31.119 And it's like, well, where's the pause? 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:33.759 You know, where are we where are we celebrating? 00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:35.680 So we've tried to do a better job. 00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:45.200 And I know personally I've tried to do a better job of pausing uh and celebrating and acknowledging the milestones that we have been able to celebrate. 00:32:45.279 --> 00:32:48.400 Yeah, um, because I, you know, I want to be at this for a while. 00:32:48.559 --> 00:32:59.759 And in order to sustain myself, you know, we I I have to pause and I have to give myself permission for my 100% also to look a little different on different days. 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:00.079 Yeah. 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:03.839 Um it's just it can't look the same way every single day. 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:08.319 I'm a human being, you know, um, and just have to give myself that grace. 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:22.720 I um in 2016 was a was a tough year, and I remember going back reading all of my journals, and I realized that I had only written down the bad things that happened in business, and it depressed me, right? 00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:25.440 Because I'm just like, why am I still doing this? 00:33:25.599 --> 00:33:27.839 Like, obviously, this is not working. 00:33:28.160 --> 00:33:32.160 And I had not stopped to smell the roses, I had not stopped to toast. 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:37.599 And I so now when I journal, I put in the good stuff along with the bad stuff. 00:33:37.759 --> 00:33:40.960 Because if I ever have to go read that again, I need to know something was working. 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:48.400 So, and even if I have to toast by myself, even if I have to drink, drink by myself and say, Okay, Risha, you did that. 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:54.160 It's okay to pat yourself on the back because if you don't do it, you cannot keep moving forward. 00:33:54.480 --> 00:33:58.400 There are always so many things that that hold us back, so much BS. 00:33:58.559 --> 00:34:03.359 So, what's the BS that you are actively still working through in your personal culture? 00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:10.719 And and the way that I describe personal culture is the vibe that you are when you come in the room and the impact that you that you leave behind you. 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:11.039 Yes. 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:14.320 So, what what BS are you still trying to work through? 00:34:14.719 --> 00:34:19.920 The BS I'm working through is, and you know this, I'm working on being more visible. 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:27.280 You know, I'm so excited to be here on this show, and I'm working through what's behind that, what's behind that challenge? 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:32.400 And it's kind of what we talked about a couple beats earlier, which is you just have to do it. 00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:43.519 You know, I keep thinking, well, you know, there's so much I don't necessarily know about my type of business and what strategy for social media might be the best one. 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:50.480 And it's like, you know what, you just need to get out there and you need to try it, and you just need to show up more. 00:34:50.800 --> 00:35:02.400 And so I'm working on cutting through that BS, saying yes to invitations, and not just saying yes to invitations, but going out there and pitching opportunities to be more visible. 00:35:02.559 --> 00:35:04.639 You know, that's the BS I'm working through. 00:35:04.800 --> 00:35:06.159 It's like, okay, that's great. 00:35:06.239 --> 00:35:09.199 You said yes, Shayna, but uh you need to ramp this up. 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:11.039 What have you gone after? 00:35:11.280 --> 00:35:12.960 What have you initiated? 00:35:13.360 --> 00:35:13.679 Love it. 00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:21.679 And you know, said, hey, I'm gonna go ahead and put myself out there and go, you know, be a guest here or start this there. 00:35:21.840 --> 00:35:23.280 Um, but I'm still working through it. 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.000 I'm still in it. 00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:25.199 Well, I'm gonna check in on you. 00:35:25.920 --> 00:35:26.639 Keep checking for you. 00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:27.599 I'm gonna check in on you. 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:28.880 So okay, we have two minutes. 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:34.239 I want you to tell us a little bit about your spirituality and your ancestral ritual. 00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:39.920 So I know that that's something that's really important to you, and I wanna get that out. 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:43.760 So now you have less than two minutes, but go ahead and kill it. 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:55.280 Well, no, so I've mentioned it a couple times, you know, being a hard-charging athlete really early on um presented itself an opportunity to really grow spiritually. 00:35:55.599 --> 00:36:07.679 Because while it's great to be a

go-go-go person and a high-achiev person, I want to also be a happy person and a joyful person and not feel so burned out all the time and anxiety-ridden. 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:15.840 And it was really truly me deciding to heal and me deciding to really develop a closer relationship with God. 00:36:16.000 --> 00:36:21.360 So I start every single day um greeting my ancestors, um, lighting a candle. 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:26.480 The candle behind me is a candle for my ancestors and those flowers for them as well. 00:36:26.719 --> 00:36:34.239 Um, and I'd start each day before I, you know, I'm a parent, before I'm a business leader, before I'm doing anything like that. 00:36:34.400 --> 00:36:40.960 I'm Shayna, I'm a child of God, and I am co-creating the intention for every single day. 00:36:41.119 --> 00:36:45.039 Um, and in that intention, it's not just about what I'm gonna get done. 00:36:45.280 --> 00:36:48.079 More importantly, it's how do I want to experience this day. 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:48.320 Yeah. 00:36:48.480 --> 00:36:50.719 So I woke up this morning knowing we were gonna get together. 00:36:50.800 --> 00:36:58.159 I said, you know what, I want to have fun, I want to laugh, I wanna be authentic, I want to be a gift, you know, to whoever's there. 00:36:58.320 --> 00:37:06.000 And it's practices like that that soften me, you know, and and soften whatever it is that I'm doing that day. 00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:10.320 And I don't put so much pressure on myself to be perfect or be this. 00:37:10.480 --> 00:37:12.800 It's like, nah, today I'm gonna be me. 00:37:12.960 --> 00:37:15.280 I'm gonna be authentic, I'm gonna share. 00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:17.599 Yes, I'm gonna get these things done. 00:37:17.760 --> 00:37:22.079 Um, but I'm gonna pay more attention to how I want to feel while I'm doing it. 00:37:22.239 --> 00:37:25.519 And that's what the my growth and spirituality has helped me do. 00:37:25.760 --> 00:37:27.440 That was amazing. 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:29.360 We will be right back. 00:37:30.719 --> 00:37:31.920 Want more of what you're watching? 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:38.880 Watch us on Roku, Amazon Fire, or listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio to name a few. 00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:51.760 You know the real fun starts in overtime. 00:37:51.840 --> 00:37:53.679 These are quick hits, no filter. 00:37:53.840 --> 00:37:54.800 Let's go. 00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:58.559 Who is your all-time favorite basketball player and why? 00:37:58.880 --> 00:38:01.440 Uh, I mean, it's gotta be Michael Jordan, right? 00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:03.519 Like he's the greatest. 00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:06.960 I'm not accepting any comparisons. 00:38:07.119 --> 00:38:08.079 He's the greatest. 00:38:08.159 --> 00:38:09.039 Is Michael Jordan? 00:38:09.199 --> 00:38:12.159 I mean, he Okay, I know these are quick hits, but LeBron. 00:38:13.840 --> 00:38:15.039 Michael LeBron. 00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:18.159 No, to me, there's still no comparison. 00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:22.400 I have this argument with a couple of my cousins all the time. 00:38:22.960 --> 00:38:26.960 Um, no one will he has more rings. 00:38:27.119 --> 00:38:32.320 I mean, he what he did during his time, um, he transcended basketball. 00:38:32.400 --> 00:38:32.559 Yes. 00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:34.079 You know, he really did. 00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:38.480 And I can't necessarily say LeBron has transcended basketball. 00:38:38.559 --> 00:38:41.360 I respect what LeBron is doing in education, though, as an information. 00:38:41.679 --> 00:38:42.159 He's killing it. 00:38:42.239 --> 00:38:42.960 Yes, he's killing it. 00:38:43.199 --> 00:38:43.920 Killing it, right? 00:38:44.079 --> 00:38:45.519 Like you respect that. 00:38:45.760 --> 00:38:50.320 Um, but when we're talking just sheer, you know, basketball player, yeah. 00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:52.239 Um, I have to go with MJ. 00:38:52.719 --> 00:38:53.360 I agree with you. 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:54.079 I'm there. 00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:56.400 Okay, biggest lesson you learned. 00:38:56.559 --> 00:39:03.679 I have on the basketball court, but I'm gonna say you've done all the sports, so whatever, whichever one of them, that you still use in business. 00:39:03.840 --> 00:39:06.480 Biggest lesson you still use in business. 00:39:06.800 --> 00:39:09.360 Biggest lesson I still use in business. 00:39:09.519 --> 00:39:12.719 I would still say I have to go back to doing things scared. 00:39:12.880 --> 00:39:20.400 You can't wait for something to not be um scary, or you can't wait for something to not be as challenging. 00:39:20.559 --> 00:39:23.440 You just have to do the thing scared. 00:39:23.760 --> 00:39:24.079 Okay. 00:39:24.400 --> 00:39:28.480 If indigo unbound were a basketball team, what would the team motto be? 00:39:29.119 --> 00:39:31.039 Ooh, the team motto. 00:39:31.519 --> 00:39:33.599 What would the team motto be? 00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:35.119 It would be be free. 00:39:35.360 --> 00:39:48.639 Our values actually spell be free, and indigo unbound is all about being a space where people can set themselves free, free from any kind of fear or limiting belief that's holding them back from their divine next level. 00:39:48.880 --> 00:39:49.840 I love it. 00:39:50.159 --> 00:39:54.880 When the game is on the line, are you the one who takes the last shot or are you making the assist? 00:39:55.599 --> 00:39:57.039 Ah, depends. 00:39:57.440 --> 00:39:58.960 Can we say depends? 00:40:00.400 --> 00:40:06.159 No, but if my go-to, my instinct truly is to take the shot, you know, is to take the shot. 00:40:06.320 --> 00:40:11.920 There's this um uh strategy that I do when I'm doing something and doing it scared. 00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:17.760 I put my fingers like this, and it takes me back to a memory when I was playing softball, actually. 00:40:17.840 --> 00:40:19.599 It was the championship game. 00:40:19.760 --> 00:40:22.480 We're tied, it's bottom of the ninth inning. 00:40:22.719 -->

00:40:26.480 I'm on third base, and the ball goes past the catcher. 00:40:26.639 --> 00:40:31.599 And the third base coach doesn't say anything, but in my mind, I'm like, I can make it. 00:40:31.679 --> 00:40:34.320 Yeah, and I just can go. 00:40:35.440 --> 00:40:36.800 I was out there, right? 00:40:36.960 --> 00:40:37.679 And we won. 00:40:37.760 --> 00:40:39.039 We won the game. 00:40:39.280 --> 00:40:42.800 And I, you know, I go back to that memory. 00:40:42.880 --> 00:40:45.679 Um, that you know what, Shayna, that's your first instinct. 00:40:45.920 --> 00:40:48.480 Your first instinct is to bet on you. 00:40:48.719 --> 00:40:56.639 Um, and there are times though, you know, like y'all times forget, and there are times I'll pass the ball where I'll say no, maybe not yet. 00:40:56.719 --> 00:40:59.039 And it's like, nah, that's not naturally who you are. 00:40:59.199 --> 00:41:00.960 Naturally, you're like, yeah, I can do that. 00:41:01.039 --> 00:41:02.000 I got that. 00:41:02.159 --> 00:41:02.320 Yeah. 00:41:02.559 --> 00:41:06.719 And um I remind myself, I do this to remind myself when I forget who I am. 00:41:06.880 --> 00:41:11.599 You you took you took me back seriously because it is, I'm gonna take the shot too. 00:41:11.840 --> 00:41:17.280 Same thing, game is tied, there's no time on the clock, I gotta make the free throws. 00:41:17.599 --> 00:41:24.159 And so, but again, I also think there's a lot of pressure that sometimes you need to you need to assist. 00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:25.760 You I suck. 00:41:26.000 --> 00:41:27.039 I suck at assist. 00:41:28.480 --> 00:41:32.880 Yeah, sometimes you just need to throw that ball behind you and let somebody else take the shot. 00:41:33.119 --> 00:41:38.480 Now, would your teammates have called you more of a strategist or an energizer? 00:41:39.840 --> 00:41:41.199 That's a good question. 00:41:41.440 --> 00:41:45.280 Would they have called me more of a strategist or an energizer? 00:41:45.519 --> 00:41:47.519 Probably an energizer first. 00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:52.000 I think I would like to think of myself more so as a strategist. 00:41:52.159 --> 00:41:55.360 Um, but my I've always gotten kind of the feedback. 00:41:55.440 --> 00:41:59.360 I was the one who like would come up with the chants we would do before the game, you know. 00:41:59.440 --> 00:42:07.440 Like I'm the one who's like the hypest on the team, you know, we're freestyling in the you know, car before the game. 00:42:07.920 --> 00:42:10.320 You know, I'm hype, like I'm always hyped. 00:42:10.480 --> 00:42:12.800 So I think I would say the energizer. 00:42:12.880 --> 00:42:16.320 Like I'm the one who's like, yeah, we're down, but we got it, you know. 00:42:16.719 --> 00:42:24.000 Um we got it with the right strategy, but I'm always gonna come with the energy. 00:42:24.239 --> 00:42:24.559 Okay. 00:42:25.360 --> 00:42:25.679 Okay. 00:42:26.000 --> 00:42:30.480 What's something that we say or do in sports that you wish would go away? 00:42:30.639 --> 00:42:33.920 Just if I ever hear it again, it'll be too soon. 00:42:34.800 --> 00:42:38.480 Ugh, I mean, this whole notion to push through pain. 00:42:38.719 --> 00:42:41.840 Yes, I I really do think you know that needs to go away. 00:42:41.920 --> 00:42:54.480 I pay so much respect to Simone Biles um for really being an example, a worldwide example of what it means to say, no, I'm actually not okay, and I'm actually not gonna push through right now. 00:42:54.639 --> 00:42:54.800 Yes. 00:42:54.960 --> 00:43:04.320 And her not pushing through in those Tokyo games and coming back and killing it, yes, killing it the next time and teaching us all, yes, you know, that there are times you need to retreat. 00:43:04.639 --> 00:43:05.920 Can you imagine her mindset? 00:43:06.960 --> 00:43:21.760 Can you imagine her mindset during that time and all the internal turmoil of and everybody is saying everything, every news station, every sports station, every all social media channels to say, I need to do this, it's okay for me to do this. 00:43:21.920 --> 00:43:23.360 It took so much. 00:43:23.599 --> 00:43:50.000 And there was a WNBA player, and I don't want to get it wrong, so I'm not gonna say her name, but the one that chose to not play in the WNBA for one year so that she could go and play in another country because she needed to rest her body, and she caught pure hell because for one, they were paying her seven figures in that other country, and they paid her not to play in the USA. 00:43:50.719 --> 00:43:54.639 And she really, I mean, she she really took the heat for that. 00:43:54.800 --> 00:43:59.840 But I love those those two examples because sometimes you you just need to chill out. 00:44:00.239 --> 00:44:01.760 So you need to chill out. 00:44:01.920 --> 00:44:04.000 You need to take care and heal the pain. 00:44:05.599 --> 00:44:05.840 Yes. 00:44:06.000 --> 00:44:08.000 Stop stop playing through all the pain. 00:44:08.559 --> 00:44:08.800 Okay. 00:44:09.039 --> 00:44:13.280 Pregame ritual before a big meeting or a big coaching session. 00:44:13.599 --> 00:44:14.239 Oh, yeah. 00:44:14.400 --> 00:44:16.400 Breathing all day, every day. 00:44:16.960 --> 00:44:18.719 Connected, conscious breathing. 00:44:18.800 --> 00:44:19.679 I take breaths. 00:44:19.760 --> 00:44:23.360 I, you know, I have different kinds of breathing that I teach folks. 00:44:23.519 --> 00:44:29.119 But it's the, I always say what we the greatest resource we all have at any moment is our breath. 00:44:29.199 --> 00:44:36.079 And so I'll I'll breathe in for five, hold it for five, out for five, do that three times, um, and then I'm ready to go. 00:44:36.239 --> 00:44:39.440 My nervous system is regulated and we're ready to get it. 00:44:39.760 --> 00:44:46.079 I um I've been studying meditation for some years now, but and so I try to I try to start every day with it. 00:44:46.159 --> 00:44:47.599 But breathing has become more important. 00:44:47.679 -->

00:44:49.119 I've in every shower now. 00:44:49.199 --> 00:44:50.480 I'm doing three breaths. 00:44:50.559 --> 00:44:55.199 I'm holding, um, I'm breathing in for four, holding for seven, then breathing out. 00:44:55.440 --> 00:44:58.880 But we love to use these central oils in the baths in the uh shower. 00:44:59.039 --> 00:45:02.480 So now I got this whole thing like get my essential oils up. 00:45:02.559 --> 00:45:06.880 I'm gonna breathe, and now I'm ready to actually start bathing. 00:45:09.440 --> 00:45:11.360 And I'm just like, I hope it works. 00:45:11.440 --> 00:45:17.599 At least I feel I feel like I've taken a few minutes at the very least to just get my thoughts together. 00:45:18.559 --> 00:45:22.719 Uh well, describe the leadership style in one single sports term. 00:45:23.760 --> 00:45:26.400 In one single sports term. 00:45:26.559 --> 00:45:27.760 Ooh, that's hard. 00:45:28.000 --> 00:45:28.800 Yeah, it's kind of hard. 00:45:30.559 --> 00:45:35.599 You know, I said one earlier, and I think I'll just I'll stay on this thread. 00:45:35.679 --> 00:45:36.880 I said just do it. 00:45:37.039 --> 00:45:41.360 You know, um, at the end of the day, I'm gonna cheat a little bit. 00:45:41.440 --> 00:45:45.519 Not before just do it, center yourself and then just do it. 00:45:45.679 --> 00:45:46.239 Yeah. 00:45:46.559 --> 00:45:50.400 Is the you know, thing that I've learned to put on the beginning side of that. 00:45:50.639 --> 00:45:50.960 Okay. 00:45:51.280 --> 00:45:52.000 I love it. 00:45:52.159 --> 00:45:54.320 Now, this is one of my favorite questions. 00:45:54.559 --> 00:45:56.239 What would your soundtrack be? 00:45:56.320 --> 00:46:04.159 Not soundtrack, a song, music that that uh you, if you were announced like a WMB NBA player, what's the song you want to come out to? 00:46:04.480 --> 00:46:07.440 Oh, what's the song I want to come out to? 00:46:08.000 --> 00:46:10.480 I was just having this conversation with a good friend of mine. 00:46:10.639 --> 00:46:14.719 I'm terrible at this because I don't remember the names of songs. 00:46:14.880 --> 00:46:20.719 If I hear it, I'll know all the lyrics, but don't necessarily know the name. 00:46:21.119 --> 00:46:26.159 Um, for whatever reason, the corniest this song is so corny. 00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:28.719 The one that just popped up, I'm like, really? 00:46:28.800 --> 00:46:30.559 I don't even really like this song. 00:46:30.800 --> 00:46:33.199 But the Eye of the Tiger just came up. 00:46:33.280 --> 00:46:33.840 I'm like, really? 00:46:33.920 --> 00:46:34.480 The eye of the Tiger. 00:46:37.440 --> 00:46:38.719 Okay, okay. 00:46:38.800 --> 00:46:40.079 I like Rocky. 00:46:41.280 --> 00:46:43.599 And I'm like, why is that coming through right now? 00:46:43.679 --> 00:46:44.960 That is not it. 00:46:45.360 --> 00:46:47.840 Listen, if Rocky is on, I'm watching it. 00:46:48.000 --> 00:46:49.440 So I I get it. 00:46:49.519 --> 00:46:51.519 I mean, it it does it. 00:46:53.679 --> 00:46:54.239 Yes. 00:46:56.079 --> 00:46:58.000 See, I'm motivation by TI. 00:46:58.400 --> 00:47:00.719 Yes, y'all, I like a little trap music. 00:47:01.599 --> 00:47:05.039 Motivation by TI is, I mean, that's it. 00:47:05.119 --> 00:47:05.519 I'm ready. 00:47:05.599 --> 00:47:07.519 I'm I'm ready to do whatever. 00:47:07.760 --> 00:47:08.400 Yes. 00:47:08.800 --> 00:47:09.119 All right. 00:47:09.199 --> 00:47:12.079 If personal culture were a basketball move, is it a crossover? 00:47:12.159 --> 00:47:14.559 Are you dunking it, or is it a fast break? 00:47:15.039 --> 00:47:16.480 Oh, it's a fast break. 00:47:16.719 --> 00:47:17.679 It's a fast break. 00:47:17.760 --> 00:47:19.360 I'm fast, I'm naturally fast. 00:47:19.440 --> 00:47:21.679 I'm like, I'm, you know, it's me against you. 00:47:21.840 --> 00:47:23.840 By the time we get down down there, it's one-on-one. 00:47:23.920 --> 00:47:25.119 I'm like, bop, bop, let's go. 00:47:25.199 --> 00:47:26.159 It's a fast break. 00:47:26.400 --> 00:47:26.719 Okay. 00:47:27.199 --> 00:47:30.880 One superpower speed, stamina, or accuracy. 00:47:31.440 --> 00:47:33.440 Speed, stamina, accuracy. 00:47:33.679 --> 00:47:34.320 Stamina. 00:47:34.719 --> 00:47:35.199 Stamina. 00:47:35.519 --> 00:47:36.800 Yeah, definitely stamina. 00:47:36.960 --> 00:47:41.199 Yeah, and I and that still that goes back down to my spiritual practices. 00:47:41.280 --> 00:47:42.480 That's what's giving me stamina. 00:47:42.559 --> 00:47:42.719 Yeah. 00:47:42.880 --> 00:47:43.760 Yeah, for the long haul. 00:47:44.000 --> 00:47:45.760 You gotta, you gotta have the long haul. 00:47:46.079 --> 00:47:47.599 Gotta be here for the long haul. 00:47:47.840 --> 00:47:50.800 Game day snack, sweet, salty, or both? 00:47:52.079 --> 00:47:52.480 You know what? 00:47:52.559 --> 00:47:53.840 I'm a savory person. 00:47:54.000 --> 00:47:54.880 So salty. 00:47:55.119 --> 00:47:57.360 Yeah, I'm a popcorn girl. 00:47:57.519 --> 00:48:01.039 You know, I want a little something, little something with a little twang to it. 00:48:01.280 --> 00:48:01.599 Okay. 00:48:02.400 --> 00:48:06.159 What is your go-to self-care routine after a long week? 00:48:06.639 --> 00:48:07.840 Ooh, journaling. 00:48:08.000 --> 00:48:09.599 I have to get it out of my head. 00:48:09.679 --> 00:48:18.320 You know, there's nothing like just stream of consciousness, you know, and I'm talking to God the whole time, you know, just this is what's going on, this is what's going on. 00:48:18.480 --> 00:48:20.400 I need you to take this, I need you to take that. 00:48:20.559 --> 00:48:26.880 I tried everything here and just trusting and having unshakable faith that God really does have it. 00:48:26.960 --> 00:48:27.360 Yeah. 00:48:27.519 --> 00:48:30.079 Um, and I no longer need to carry it myself. 00:48:30.239 --> 00:48:30.559 Okay. 00:48:31.519 --> 00:48:35.039 You could have court-sized seats to any historic basketball game. 00:48:35.119 --> 00:48:36.400 Which one would it be? 00:48:36.960 -->

00:48:38.800 Ooh, which historical. 00:48:39.119 --> 00:48:40.159 I you know what? 00:48:40.320 --> 00:48:45.440 I have never been to a live women's March Madness. 00:48:45.599 --> 00:48:46.559 Okay, I'm putting it out there. 00:48:47.119 --> 00:48:48.239 Me either happened. 00:48:48.800 --> 00:48:50.639 Final four series. 00:48:50.719 --> 00:48:53.119 Like, I want to see those two final games. 00:48:53.280 --> 00:48:54.159 Let's make a date. 00:48:54.320 --> 00:48:55.280 I've been saying this. 00:48:55.440 --> 00:48:56.480 Let's make a date. 00:48:56.719 --> 00:48:57.440 We are going. 00:48:58.639 --> 00:48:59.440 This is happening. 00:48:59.519 --> 00:48:59.679 Okay. 00:48:59.920 --> 00:49:03.199 The fact that it's yours too, it is it's happening, okay? 00:49:03.440 --> 00:49:04.559 That it's happening. 00:49:05.119 --> 00:49:10.239 Okay, if you were not in business, uh, what sport would you play professionally? 00:49:11.440 --> 00:49:12.400 Basketball. 00:49:12.719 --> 00:49:13.840 And it's interesting. 00:49:14.000 --> 00:49:15.840 So I was just having this conversation. 00:49:16.000 --> 00:49:22.239 Basketball is actually not the sport that I would say I'm the best in, you know, skill-wise. 00:49:22.320 --> 00:49:22.559 Yeah. 00:49:22.800 --> 00:49:24.880 But I love playing it. 00:49:25.039 --> 00:49:30.480 Like the basketball is just when I get out there, I feel most myself. 00:49:30.719 --> 00:49:32.719 It brings me back to being on the court. 00:49:32.880 --> 00:49:42.719 Also grew up with a bunch of guys in the neighborhood, um, you know, playing with them, trying to earn their respect on the court and getting much faster and better by playing with them. 00:49:42.960 --> 00:49:46.719 Um, it just brings me back to so much joy, you know, and freedom. 00:49:47.280 --> 00:49:50.559 Um, and you know, with basketball, there's so much improv with basketball. 00:49:50.639 --> 00:49:55.679 I've always said, you know, I'm best on the on the um, you know, cuff, off the cuff. 00:49:55.760 --> 00:49:58.079 And I think a lot of that goes from being a baller. 00:49:58.320 --> 00:49:59.440 Yeah, I love it. 00:49:59.519 --> 00:50:01.840 We are gonna end it on the note of joy. 00:50:02.079 --> 00:50:02.960 So I love that. 00:50:03.119 --> 00:50:06.079 Shayna, thank you so much for being here. 00:50:06.320 --> 00:50:08.320 I really, really appreciate it. 00:50:08.639 --> 00:50:15.199 Shayna Renee Hammond just gave us the real, from the court to the corner office, from leading schools to leading movements. 00:50:15.360 --> 00:50:24.800 What I love about her story is how sports, business, and life all came down to the same thing: showing up, playing your position, and creating culture everywhere you go. 00:50:24.960 --> 00:50:26.320 That's personal culture. 00:50:26.400 --> 00:50:29.840 It's not just who you say you are, it's how people experience you. 00:50:30.000 --> 00:50:37.199 Shana reminded us that no matter the setbacks, you can still make the comeback if you're willing to be better than your BS. 00:50:37.360 --> 00:50:42.320 Until next time, I want y'all to keep it real, keep it human, and keep being better than your BS. 00:50:45.599 --> 00:50:47.760 Got a mirror in the mind, reflecting the test. 00:50:48.159 --> 00:50:49.280 What's the truth in your soul? 00:50:49.360 --> 00:50:50.400 What's the light you suppress? 00:50:50.639 --> 00:50:52.400 Till the layers back, onion of success. 00:50:52.639 --> 00:50:57.360 Gotta shut that OC and no time to progress from the ballroom table to the block of the S. 00:51:00.239 --> 00:51:01.440 Want more of what you're watching? 00:51:01.679 --> 00:51:08.400 Watch us on Roku, Amazon Fire, or listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio to name a few.