My guest Kelsey Scott is a fellow graduate of Florida A&M University, my line sister (we pledged Delta Fall 93), and my friend. I wanted to release this episode around the premiere of Insecure where she plays Felicia, another attorney who works with Molly at a law firm.
Part of my podcast is to feature guests who have overcome obstacles to make it to their finish lines. Kelsey has done just that. She has an amazing story of triumph and literally reaching for the stars.
In this episode she shares her love for screen, working in Hollywood, the importance of fighting for your purpose, losing her mom, meeting the love of her life, and how movement is vital in her life.
You can’t miss this episode!
Episode Highlights:
How she started her acting career
Moving from local theatre to TV at a young age
Studying at FAMU
Her favorite work as a screenwriter and how it changed her life
Her role in Twelve Years A Slave
Losing her mother, navigating pain while on the job
Working with Viola Davis and her role in numerous hit-shows
Her role in Insecure and her biggest lesson from working with Issa Rae
The word ‘NO’ and why it shouldn’t break your dreams
How she met her husband, their wedding and appearing on Essence Magazine
What fitness means to her and how she stays active
Guest Bio
Two-time Emmy-nominated actress and screenwriter Kelsey Scott began her career in the theatre scene of her hometown of Atlanta.
Best known for her role as Anne Northup in the Oscar-winning Twlve Years A Slave and her two-season arc as Wes Gibbins’ mother, Rose, on How to Get Away With Murder, her credits also include: Insecure, NCIS, Dynasty, and True Detective. She is a 2019 Daytime Emmy nominee for her Guest Star role on Giants. In 2017, she received a Primetime Emmy Nomination for her leading role on Fear the Walking Dead: Passage.
On stage, Kelsey originated the role of Ann Madison in Pearl Cleage’s political romance, “What I Learned in Paris”. Additional stage credits showcase her work as a vocalist – with productions like “Once On This Island”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “The Wiz” and a touring company of “Dreamgirls”.
As a public speaker, she has shared platforms with such accomplished individuals as Oprah Winfrey, Jesse Jackson, the late Maya Angelou, and departed political pioneer Shirley Chisholm.
Kelsey penned the Sony Pictures thrillers Motives and Motives 2: Retribution. A former screenwriting professor, she consults for studio and private clients and continues to write commissioned scripts – in addition to shepherding her slate of original projects.
Kelsey is a firm believer in the power of artistic expression as an avenue to personal and educational growth, and joins Ty Burrell as an Ambassador for Kids in the Spotlight – a non-profit organization that enlists professional filmmakers to train foster care youth to create, write, cast and star in their own short films. She also enjoys an ongoing relationship with WriteGirl, a non-profit, that matches professional women writers with teenage girls who would not otherwise have access to creative mentors.
Get a copy of the book Running Is Cheaper Than Therapy: A Journey Back to Wholeness 👉🏾here. It is available in hardback, paperback, and newly released audio form
Today is a very special day for a number of reasons. It’s my anniversary. One year ago today, I launched “Running Is Cheaper Than Therapy Podcast”. The day is also significant, in that it is the day that my mother passed away with breast cancer, October 27 2008.
I decided to launch the podcast as a way to celebrate her memory versus being sad. She inspired me to be the woman I am today. So today, I honor the late great Mae Robinson Brown.
This week’s guest is Reginald Smith. We both started seriously running after a family member passed. For me, it was my mother. For him, It was his oldest brother. Following the death of his brother, he started to love running.
Over the years he has increased his distance, as well as his overall knowledge of running. Reggie also has a love of black history, and he seeks to represent black stories while running.
If running has helped you overcome personal tribulations, tune in!
Episode Highlights:
Why Reginald joined the Navy
Losing his older brother to gun violence
How Reggie started running to lose weight and cope with grief
Why the New York City marathon remains his favorite race so far
What’s on his running bucket list
His most significant running injury
How he represents black stories while running
Seeking therapy during his divorce and why therapy matters
Guest Bio
Reginald Smith has always been a runner, given that he’s a Navy veteran. After the death of his oldest brother, he gained a significant amount of weight. He discovered his love of running during the time that he was running to get back into Navy weight standards. Over the years, he increased the distance he runs as well as increased his knowledge of running. Moreover, Reginald has a love of Black history and seeks to represent Black stories while running. This lead to the start of a tee shirt design business that has done well. Reginald is the proud father of two daughters and a proud alumni of Florida A&M University.
Get a copy of the book Running Is Cheaper Than Therapy: A Journey Back to Wholeness 👉🏾here. It is available in hardback, paperback, and newly released audio form
Max Fennell is the first African American professional triathlete to earn his pro card. A former soccer player, Max stumbled upon the sport of triathlon in a coffee shop, of all places. After a year of racing, he was addicted.
He is also the CEO of Fenn Coffee which provides premium coffee to elite athletes, weekend warriors, nature lovers, and adventure seekers.
In this episode, we delve into sports, entrepreneurship, archery and why he writes 10 goals each morning.
If you need inspiration for starting over, no matter your age, this episode is for you.
Episode Highlights:
His background in soccer
How a knee injury accidentally got him into endurane sports
Becoming a professional triathlete
The importance of writing down your goals
Running for State Office in Menlo Park
Why archery and hunting have a deeper meaning to him
Get a copy of the book Running Is Cheaper Than Therapy: A Journey Back to Wholeness 👉🏾here. It is available in hardback, paperback, and newly released audio form
People fall into endurance sports for different reasons. For Chris Tubbs, physical activity was badly needed to turn his life around.
He started training in his 40s and it has completely changed his attitude towards life. He says he’s like a ‘joyful volcano’ each time he hits the road.
In this episode, Chris shares how he got into endurance sports, triathlons in particular, why he founded the Houston Childhood Walk for Apraxia of Speech, and how an unexpected diagnosis changed he outlook.
If you need inspiration for starting over, no matter your age, this episode is for you.
Episode Highlights:
How Chris started endurance sports to turn his life around
Training for the triathlons and hiring his first coach
Overcoming mental blocks and imposter syndrome as a ‘new’ triathlete
Getting his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Minnesota
Founding the Houston Childhood Walk for Apraxia of Speech.
Prostate cancer and the importance of regular screening in men above 40
The link between proper nutrition and performance
Guest Bio
Chris recently found joy in training for and racing endurance triathlons. He doesn’t have a strong background in athletics, and only found the sport when he hit a low point in his life. The training gave him focus and an outlet as he navigated becoming healthy again.
He grew up between Chicago and Los Angles, then moved to North Carolina to attend North Carolina Central University, an HBCU. After graduation, he served as a bartender before being accepted into the PhD program North Carolina State University. Although his doctoral road was long and hostile, he was successful in becoming the first African American to earn a PhD in Biochemistry in the history of the university.
Being a science nerd at heart, he’s had the joy and the fortune to be a part of the discovery and development of new drugs that now cure diseases and address serious unmet medical needs. He’s had the honor of founding the annual Houston Childhood Walk for Apraxia of Speech. He started the walk to be a resource that connects families and professionals that are supporting children who have to overcome this rare genetic disorder. He’s also an active member of the Houston real estate investment community.
Outside of work, the bulk of Chris’ time is spent training for triathlons. After a year and a half he completed his first full distance Ironman in November 2020 at IronMan Florida. A few weeks later he underwent radical prostatectomy as a consequence of a prostate cancer diagnosis that he received one month before the race. Ironman training prepared him well for the difficult road back to racing. Exactly 6-months after his surgery, he ran is 1st race (an Olympic distance) and got a 40 min PR! His physician says that he recovered way ahead of schedule. He’ll test himself again at Lubbock 70.3. and is now focusing on preparing for IMFL in November 2021.
Get a copy of the book Running Is Cheaper Than Therapy: A Journey Back to Wholeness 👉🏾here.It is available in hardback, paperback, and newly released audio form
How far would you go to fight for your dreams? For Dillon Shije, running has always been a part of his culture and tradition and now he’s on a journey to become the first medical doctor in his community.
Dillon’s love for running and his Native American Community has literally taken him to the White house. He has been featured in the news, magazines and in a documentary
Life was not always has not always been great for Dillon. A dark time in his life led him to depression after suffering from injuries. Dillion shares why there is a need for mental health practitioners specializing in helping Native Americans, and others from diverse backgrounds.
If you need inspiration for chasing your wildest dreams, this episode is for you.
Episode Highlights:
The spiritual aspect of running
Becoming one of the top Native American runners in the country in high school
How resilience got him into the University of Colorado
Being honored at the White House and meeting President Obama
How a nerve impingement impacted his running career
Battling depression and seeking therapy
Using education as a tool to empower the community
His goal for young Native Americans in the country
Why he wants to be a doctor
Guest Bio
Dillon is a prior Professional Runner and Division I Cross Country National Champion (honored at the White House during the Obama Administration) and advocate for visibility for Indigenous Runners and Athletes. Dillon Shije is currently a Wilma Mankiller Fellow with the National Congress of American Indians specializing in Government Relations. He also serves the All Pueblo Council of Governors as a Health Policy Advisor to the 20 Pueblo Indian Tribes of New Mexico and Texas. Prior to this,Dillon was a Partner in an Impact Consultancy called Zia Impact. He is also the founding Board Member of Pueblo Development Commission. He is a Councilman and an enrolled tribal member and looks forward to a lifetime of serving his home community and relatives in all capacities. Dillon holds dual Bachelors degrees in History and Integrative Physiology from the University of Colorado – Boulder and Pre-Med Postbaccalaureate work from the University of New Mexico.
Get a copy of the book Running Is Cheaper Than Therapy: A Journey Back to Wholeness 👉🏾here. It is available in hardback, paperback, and newly released audio form
