It is ok NOT to be ok, it is ok to ask for help. You should never be ashamed for having feelings and not always being able to explain.
You are worthy of all things good!
Don’t give up. Keep pushing forward!
2 years ago I was the heaviest I’d ever been at 356 and teared up leaving the doctor. I set a goal for myself and today, hit my goal of 225 pounds (pics coming). Nothing like going into the New Year a new version of me, and having to buy new clothes.
Excited to announce the next chapter will be starting in a couple of weeks …
I’m grateful to have the opportunity to join the team at
@WeAreSouth_JAGS
as the Associate AD of Strategic Communications beginning June 1.
I can’t wait to get started!!
Tonight is bittersweet as it is the last event covering Alabama State. I have put my heart and soul into covering this athletic department over the course of a little over six years covering 39 conference championships.
I am going to miss the friendships that have been forged…
Grateful and blessed to receive this award from the SWAC (
@theswac
) and the other SIDs.
Now the ultimate question - Do I leave it on my desk and get content? Or do I put it in the box and keep grinding and get better every day?
If you know me, you know what I already picked!
Well... we decided to launch a new YouTube channel with up to date info starting with women's tennis tonight. This will take the place of the older version, make sure and subscribe.
Can't wait to get content started on here.
Catch features from Hall of Famer Rob Jay here and on…
A shoutout to the staff for being able to put on 12 home events in three days, and stream multiple events like the one below.
We “only” had 46,000 views during the weekend on the Hornet Sports Network and picked up 1,100 new subscribers.
Thanks to all that made it happen.
As communicators, we build relationships with players throughout their careers and it’s never easy when you hear sad news. Current school, former school, doesn’t matter. Talk about a gut punch.
‘Bama State and the family of Awysum Harris need our prayers now more than ever.
#NewProfilePic
Those that know me, know I hate taking pictures. But this one is a little different - down 50 pounds since March and feel so much better.
The journey is just beginning.
A year ago …
I hit my knees and asked God to make a way for me. My world was in pieces. I was in a great place at work with great people, but it was all the little things that were mounting up. I was great at faking a smile when I needed to and the shield that all men know…
This wouldn’t be possible without a staff that works hard everyday to make sure we do things the right way, an administration who lets us be us, and coaches/athletes who give us the opportunity to tell their stories.
This is an award for all of
@BamaStateSports
, not just myself
What a difference three years makes. You can look at the scale all the time, but until you look at images side by side you may not understand the transformation. What a difference exercise and change in nutrition makes!!
Man what a night.
Packed house in the stands, press row and photography slots. Coverage from all over the country.
Appreciate all the help we brought in tonight to pull this off.
Great to see Hornet Nation show up and show out ‼️
Change is not always easy, especially when it is changing something you love to do. Today was my last day at South Alabama as I leave to put family first. It was not an easy decision, but one I thought was needed. I have enjoyed my time at South and things are in good hands. 👇
Early morning flight to Indianapolis to represent
#TheeILove
at the
#NCAAInclusion
Forum this week. Honored and humbled to have an opportunity to sit on a panel this week, and to soak in as much knowledge as possible in three days.
I know a lot of people have been reaching out and even asking others what’s up… just want everyone to know I am good. I made a decision long overdue in my career and let’s just say it has been good.
I am HOME‼️
More coming soon.
Man I remember the year
@Colton_Adams23
walked on to campus as a freshman, saw him battle through a pair of injuries and turn into one of the best defenders in FCS football. What a way to go out this year!
Someone give him a chance, you will be getting a warrior!
So ….
#TheeILove
family what do you want to see different or new on the communications side? We have a few new ideas but what so you?
Only real, tangible things - and to be safe … DM me your responses so the world doesn’t have to know and I don’t have to hide them.
I was miserable in October 2019 at 355 and when COVID hit, I decided to make a change. This morning I was 258 and decided to go for a little run that turned into a 5K.
Headshots are then and now, and I forgot how bad that hill was. But I feel so much better. Never again!
So ... LIFE UPDATE (always wanted to say that) ... with all the uncertainties the last few months, I decided to do something a little different ⤵️
Time to start grad school and get that Masters degree I said nine years ago I was going to get - got accepted at 'Bama State
Congratulations to former Alabama State Athletics (
@BamaStateSports
) Director of Strategic Communications Travis Jarome for being named the 2021-22 SWAC SID of the Year
#SWACNews
It’s all about relationships… new state, continue and build. I appreciate
@TravisRae
for the opportunity to come to Starkville and bring some ideas back to
#TheeILove
to continue to elevate the brand
This … one step closer to where we want to take “The Standard” to a higher level… you asked and we delivered.
Small steps to elevate the game!
#TheeILove
Let me just say this - the
@theswac
community is a tight knit family. Thank you to all the SIDs, conference staff, coaches, fans, and anyone who came up to speak this past week in Birmingham. I appreciate all the love and support you showed to me over the last six days.
Came across this in my readings this morning …
A rattlesnake bit one of my sheep in the face about a week ago. The deadliest snake that lives around. The sheep's face was swollen and hurt like crazy, but the old rattle did not know the type of blood that runs in the sheep.…
Unbelievable series in Gainesville, what you miss as cameras pan to Florida celebrating is the Auburn players and coaches going to right field to pick up their freshman outfielder. That's what being a team is all about.
When you work in college athletics, particularly communications, you build relationships that last a lifetime.
This guy,
@carterbradley10
, is awesome. It was great to see him ball out tonight, but the best thing was catching up in person. This dude is a special football player…
Big weekend for
@GoJSUTigers
and continues today. Make sure to check us out on all our social media platforms. We will continue to add content and new ideas.
#TheeILove
@KC1400mg
Thanks for all the love tonight from everyone at
#TheeILove
… I will be in Birmingham tomorrow (have been all week), if you see me come speak. Can’t wait to get started next week, I’m blessed beyond measure for the opportunity to work at such an institution so rich in history…
Those that know me, know my journey since right before COVID with my weight. Got up today and eight days from my birthday, I am now just five pounds from a total loss of 100.
Hard to believe, but what an amazing feeling with a change in lifestyle to get to this point!
No better way to go out then watching these guys compete every day and walk away as
@theswac
champions
I can't begin to thank this staff enough for what they mean to me and my family!
Got told this weekend I seemed like I was rejuvenated… easy answer, without a doubt!
New city, new school, new opportunities.
The fun is just getting started. After 20 years in the business, I can say I’m as excited today as I was when I first started my career.
We can’t say “all lives matter” until we say “black lives matter.” Sometimes words aren’t enough but as leaders in our profession, especially when you work with the next generation, words need to be said. Sitting back and listening over the last 24 hours makes you realize more.
A year ago I was at one of the lowest points in my life, faking a smile most of the time to get through without any questions.
As time went on, the smile became part of my everyday routine.
But there was always something there to pull me out of the shadows. God was there…
Officially moved in as a resident of the state of Mississippi after 44 days. Been a crazy first month and a half, and if anyone wants to help unpack …..
ODA = Other duties as assigned 😂
Just happened to be walking behind the basket last night when they needed the floor taken care of.
Wasn’t expecting anyone to catch it but thanks to our photog David Campbell for showing people I know how to sweep/mop 😂
Big win today to set the table for tomorrow’s championship game, coupled with an announcement of hosting two nationally televised events on the same day/same time on on ESPN2 and ESPNU makes for an exciting day.
Have you joined the JSU by 40 yet
#TheeILove
family? Here’s your chance to give back to your university and to athletics
Why wait? I didn’t,
Join me and others by clicking the link
🔗 |
#TheeILove
|
#BleedTheeBlue
After sitting down 24 hours later, just have to say thank you to
@espn
and
@theswac
for showcasing
@BamaStateSports
yesterday on ESPN2 and ESPNU. Nice to be able to turn the channel from one to the other and see the brand being broadcast across the country.
Couldn’t be prouder … a year after missing out on the final cut, Riley put in the work and made the middle school volleyball team.
To see the excitement on her face and in her voice is something that is hard to put into words.
#ProudDad
Tigers win 18-1 in 7 inn.‼️
Back in action this Thursday @ 6:00 PM in a makeup game against Alabama State before starting the weekend series.
#THEEiLove
🐯
This is for all of the SIDs around the country that work tirelessly for your institution and for your student-athletes. For those that have mentored me, to those that I consider friends and to those I have never met keeping doing it big
#ThankYourSID
If you want to know how real it got, there is nothing like being a grown man and crying big ol’ elephant tears in a friend’s office in Mobile and understanding it was time, it was time to make a move and put family first. To walk away from something you loved and lived every day,…
Relax and soak it in.
The message for all my family in
@theswac
SID profession. This upcoming week at Media Day, make a difference. Tell the story of your student-athletes, coaches and school.
Push the envelope, but above all else ENJOY the process! Good things will happen.
Had a blast at Sun Belt Media Days today in New Orleans. It’s been 10 years since I was in the conference, but all the familiar faces today made it feel like home.
Can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Jags.
Think I'll call a day and head home ...
Six releases | Spring Football Game | Senior Day for softball | e-sports on campus
Think that is good enough for a Saturday❗
I’ve been blessed to see many places over the course of my career, and in 21 days will be starting year 6 at
@BamaStateSports
. Not to mention starting year 20 in athletics - a place where lifelong friendships have been forged 🙏🙏
Volleyball DAD (not SID) last night and refused to take pics while watching. Not much I would drive almost 3 hours for, but to support my daughter there is no limit. Had a blast watching her do something she loves to do last night.
Looking back at Spring 2021, a lot happened... Had a chance to travel to, or work:
SWAC - 🏀 / 🏈 / 🥎 / ⚾
NCAA - ⚽ / 🏀 / 🎾
FCS 🏈 playoffs
🥎 Super Regional
Promoted 9️⃣ 💍
Started 2️⃣ new shows
2️⃣,3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ new subscribers
Time for ALL in our profession to get some rest!!
Today officially started year 6 at
@BamaStateSports
. To say it has been a blur is an understatement, but it has provided some life-changing experiences.
I’m blessed to have met some great people, and blessed to have had great people on my staff to push me daily to be better.
What a powerful weekend in Nashville at
#AD4C23
, being filled with worship and powerful messages. All my administrator friends, if you aren’t a part of this group you should be. Ask me, I’ll tell you why. You need to be!!
Pulled off home football and basketball on the same day. Kudos to to everyone who played a hand in pulling this feat off.
One game ended and the other started 60 minutes later. Had some hiccups but hopefully got them worked out.
Awesome to see people grow in the profession and become rock stars at what they do, especially when you are around when they first get going.
Congrats
@Danielle_Faith
on your award. Keep up the great work. It was great to reconnect this week!
This is my WHY! I was given the most important job and the biggest gift 13 years ago and wouldn’t trade it for the world. Watching her grow up has been nothing short of amazing. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the week has in store with her.
It’s amazing how when you do something good for someone how it comes back ten fold.
Did something I’ve never done before, saw a homeless man who was starving and drove to a gas station to get him a pizza. The appreciation that was shown by him was unbelievable.
Do something…
Can’t wait until 2023 comes to a close. This year has been a year where I have been in some of the deepest, darkest valleys of my life - don’t let people tell you it’s not real because it is.
Thankful for the support of friends to get me through all of it.
Can’t wait to see…
“Jesus, You gave me purpose, Jesus, You told me I'm worth it
I never thought that I would ever see the day when every single chain would break or hear the voice of Heaven call my name”
When work becomes work and doesn’t become something you like to do, maybe it’s time to step away.
When you work for awards and not for the right reasons, maybe it’s time to walk away.
When you work for a paycheck and that’s all and you don’t build lifelong relationships along…
The scale has always been my enemy and never like to step on them. After my wellness check last October when I stepped on it, I decided to make a change ... that change has resulted in 38 pounds down since March. Time to keep grinding and get back to myself before I hit 30.
Just another day at the office with a pair of ESPN crews on campus.
@BamaStateSports
on ESPN2 and ESPNU tomorrow afternoon at 3:00. Two sports at the same time on the network.