We were lucky to catch up with Jeremy Gray recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jeremy, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was buying my late grandfather’s land in Opelika for $13,000 and deciding to turn it into The Curtis House. At the time, I had no blueprint, no major funding, and no guarantee anyone would support the vision. But I saw the potential to create a community hub for youth, seniors, and families.

Through self-funding, donations, and over $200,000 in resources, we transformed that land into a thriving center that now serves as a resource hub for East Alabama.

That experience—and others like starting Elevate Your Grind without business training, writing Yoga and Me, or running for office with no political background—taught me that risk is less about what you might lose and more about what you stand to build. For me, every leap has been worth it because it’s created opportunities bigger than myself.

Jeremy, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a yoga practitioner, former professional athlete, state legislator, entrepreneur, author, and community builder—but at the core, I’m someone who believes in creating opportunities where they don’t exist. My journey has been anything but traditional. I went from playing Division I football at NC State and competing professionally overseas, to finding balance and discipline through yoga, to stepping into leadership roles that connect policy, business, and community impact.

Today, I serve as a State Representative in Alabama, where my work centers on education, workforce development, technology, and wellness. But long before politics, I founded Elevate Your Grind, Inc., a lifestyle brand rooted in the lessons I’ve learned from sports and yoga: perseverance, discipline, and growth. Elevate started as apparel but has evolved into a platform for motivation, personal development, and Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) advisory for young athletes. I understand their journey because I’ve lived it, and that’s what sets me apart—I know how to help them navigate opportunities and pitfalls both on and off the field.

As a yoga practitioner, I also wanted to share wellness with kids who may have never been introduced to it, which led me to write my children’s book Yoga and Me. That project tied back to my legislative work overturning Alabama’s ban on yoga in schools. It wasn’t just about a policy win; it was about giving students tools for mindfulness, movement, and self-care that I know firsthand can change lives.

One of the projects I’m most proud of is The Curtis House, which I built on my late grandfather’s land in Opelika. I took the $13,000 property and, with more than $200,000 in funding, donations, and in-kind support, turned it into a resource hub for youth, seniors, and families. It now stands as a living legacy of my family and a model for how communities can create their own solutions when given the chance.

What I want people to know about me and my work is that I don’t shy away from risk, and I don’t wait for permission. Whether it’s passing laws, building brands, writing books, or opening doors for athletes, I focus on impact. My background in sports taught me discipline, yoga taught me balance, and community taught me purpose. Together, they fuel everything I do.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

My life has been defined by a series of pivots. When football ended, I had to pivot from being an athlete to becoming an entrepreneur, launching Elevate Your Grind with no formal business background. That pivot gave me the courage to create The Curtis House, transforming my grandfather’s property into a thriving community hub. From there, I pivoted again into public service, running for office to scale the impact I could make. And when the pandemic disrupted my business, I pivoted once more by earning my Executive MBA at Auburn, equipping myself with new tools for leadership.

What I’ve learned is that a pivot isn’t just a change in direction—it’s a chance to realign your purpose with new opportunities. The right pivot can open doors, expand your reach, and allow you to achieve things you once thought were out of reach.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience has been the thread through every chapter of my life. After my football career ended, I had to reinvent myself from an athlete into an entrepreneur. Starting Elevate Your Grind with no formal business training meant I had to learn by failing forward—shipping delays, supply chain breakdowns, and setbacks taught me persistence. Later, when I purchased my grandfather’s land and turned it into The Curtis House, there were moments when funding seemed impossible and the project felt too big. But I kept showing up, brick by brick, and today it’s a thriving community hub. Running for office with no political experience required the same grit—long days, little resources, but unwavering belief in the mission.

For me, resilience isn’t just about bouncing back; it’s about standing firm when the odds say you shouldn’t. Every obstacle has forced me to stretch, adapt, and grow stronger, and I carry that same resilience into everything I do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/repjeremygray?utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14Je7e26feZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/jeremy-gray-mba-80008682
• Twitter: https://x.com/repjeremygray?s=21&t=yIBLIXoMSZ-HnY5UO91OiQ
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@elevateyourgrind2906?si=NvHmmYGwCFInWw1x