Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jourdan Johnson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Jourdan, thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

First I want to start off by saying, life is interesting and I say that because when we are born into this world, we are subjects of what our family exposes us to. Fortunately for me, my family made the decision to expose me to sports at a very young age. Before i could walk I knew what the ball was and ironically enough my first word was “ball”. It’s no secret that love and connection is one of the core human needs, and as most of us athletes are brought up, our first love and connection in this world is the ball. In my adolescent years, it was safe to say that I didn’t have too many options in terms of what I wanted to be in the world. When I was growing up, if you were to ask kids who their favorite super hero was you may of got Batman or Superman for an answer, but in all honesty, I looked up to Chris Paul aka CP3 or Allen Iverson because those two were arguably top 5 in terms of shorter point guards in the NBA. My reality of being a shorter guard, it was only right I place those two as my north star. As years passed and my fascination for the game grew, my connection to the ball grew right along with it. Out of all the sports I participated in, I hit a point along my journey where I had to choose one sport as my vehicle to get to my desired destination; basketball it was. Due to my consistent encounters with the trials and tribulations the game had to offer, I became familiar with what it meant to be on the wrong side of basketball politics. However, my senior year of college was where I found favor and I received a scholarship to play under a coach who believed in my ability to play the game. With a great pre-season and the interest of an overseas agent, I felt I was playing at the top of my game; and then it was January 4th 2020. January 4th was a home game. I stood on the left wing as I received the basketball from my teammate. As the clock winds down from 10 seconds , I dribble towards the free-throw line and when I get to the free-throw line I abruptly stop and plant my right foot. As I plant my right foot, I feel a pop in my hip and I instantly fall to the ground. Fast forward a few hours later, I am in the emergency room listening to a physician explain that when I planted my foot, I exerted so much force through my leg to where my femur broke through my hip socket. They explained that the injury is typically seen in car accidents; and that was where my life froze.

From the age of 4 to 24 years old, I spent my entire life living out the narrative of what it meant to be a successful basketball player, but after my career ending injury, I entered a very dark space in my life as I not only faced the stage of reinvention, but I had to make a decision on who I wanted to be in the world. In any other career field, you would be considered an expert with 20 years of experience, so when I came to understand this truth I realized that I could start life from my experience and not be forced to start over. As I started tinkering with the idea of telling my story, I also started thinking of what kind of legacy I wanted to leave behind, what kind of impact I wanted to make on the world before it was my time to leave this earth, and what my true purpose was. It wasn’t until I found myself sitting in a black entrepreneurship class in Oakland, CA (shout out to 510Media/Hope Foundation & Courtsmith ) where it finally hit me; I had been living my life in what I call The Sports Tunnel. From that moment, I made the decision to write my book that is titled “The Sports Tunnel : Every Athlete Dies Twice”.

You know, people may have doubts in the early stages of creating a culture or establishing a product or service, but when you’ve lived your entire life in a space, that experience and footwork comes with confidence. I say that because although I am in the beginning stages of creating a movement, the traction I’ve gained, the feedback I’ve received, the opportunities that I’ve been blessed with and the change that I stand for are all motivators for me. I knew this journey was worthwhile for me because the days of athletes/sports will never end and the ball will always stop for every player. Going into this, I wasn’t thinking of it in terms of success, I thought of it in terms of “if I can shift the perspective of one player at a time, I’m on the right path”. So, the question of, why did I feel I could succeed? Wasn’t even a question for me to begin with, I just knew I was willing to put in the footwork.

Jourdan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Many athletes are steered towards a narrative that revolves around having nothing but a ball and a dream. The dedication to the games they passionately love often leads to a sacrifice of their identities, leaving them adrift when the ball finally stops. The motivation behind my book was to craft a valuable tool capable of shifting the paradigm, exposing athletes to alternative narratives of success and guiding them in seizing ownership of a journey that consumes a significant part of their lives. In my roles as an athlete, speaker, and author of “The Sports Tunnel: Every Athlete Dies Twice,” I’ve spent a numerous amount years navigating the complexities of being a successful basketball player. It wasn’t until I encountered a career-ending injury in my senior year of college that I realized the unique advantage I held in terms of achieving success. My unconventional journey in basketball, filled with extreme challenges, positioned me to be more relatable when connecting with and advising players and athletic organizations.

With two decades of personal experience and a thorough examination of the current sports system, I’ve identified a significant gap between the conclusion of an athletic career and the start of life beyond sports. While many advocate for alternative plans (such as plan Bs) or career readiness courses for student athletes, there exists an inadequately addressed space dealing with the post-traumatic challenges athletes run into upon separating from the game they’ve dedicated their entire lives to. The Sports Tunnel, both as a book and a platform, stands as a brand serving as both an accountability partner and an instructor. It consistently seeks opportunities to advance the understanding of cultivating new identities for everyday athletes. Through consulting and speaking engagements, I guide athletes, educators, and parents on a transformative journey through sports, leading them to a domain loaded with diverse possibilities, redefining what it means to be a successful athlete in a game that is familiar to all of us; the game of life.

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

The pursuit of navigating life without the presence of a ball in my hand marked a significant turning point in my journey. While much of my athletic career thrived on uncertainty, being stripped of an identity that had shaped, molded, and supported me thrusted me into a very dark place. It was a space where not only did I question God but also the very essence of my existence. Enduring two decades of relentless grind, sacrifice, discipline, and hard work, witnessing the decline of my athletic aspirations (as a student athlete) was/is an impact few can truly comprehend. Though it took a couple of years to enter on the path I find myself on today, I am truly blessed with the opportunity to take ownership of the resilience God has given me.

This resilience extends beyond just weathering the most significant storm of my life; it empowers me to pursue enhanced versions of myself daily, encouraging a commitment to a purpose-driven lifestyle. Transitioning from a life where envisioning existence without being a player seemed impossible to navigating the landscape of the sports business is a pivot I could never have predicted for myself. Yet, I consider myself blessed that the unfolding of this unexpected journey played out the way it did.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

This is a great question. To be honest, the most rewarding aspect of my work lies in the sense of fulfillment it brings. In a world filled with distractions and the enticement of current trends, it’s easy to lose sight of the path God has laid out for you. But for me, the pursuit of living authentic to who I am and positively impacting the lives of athletes provides a joy that’s challenging to articulate but thoroughly felt. Embarking on this journey involves overcoming mental challenges in terms of consistency and putting oneself out there for the world to see. However, the deep satisfaction I acquire from knowing I’ve made a difference in someone’s life or altered a perspective in a room acts as a powerful motivator to keep moving forward. Throughout my journey, numerous individuals have generously shared their wisdom and contributed significantly to my success. Now, as I navigate the path of making a positive impact, I recognize that, whether it’s knowledge, experience, resources, or tools, it’s my responsibility to pay it forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: thesportstunnel.com
• Instagram: transiti0n_jay (it is a number 0 and not the letter o in the IG handle)
• Linkedin: Jourdan Johnson

Image Credits
DeAnna Shipman (photos with letterman jacket) Josh Egel (black shirt headshot)