(Part 7) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (Old-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

It started with a kiss, which later became a rape charge. That is the sad part of the Brian Banks story. He’s a one-time high school football standout who went to prison on false accusations. He spent five years there before the accuser changed her story. Now Banks hopes to play in the NFL someday.

This was not how things should have gone. Banks was set to play for USC. But he lost his scholarship and had his reputation damaged. He maintained his sanity while waiting for the nightmare to end. Banks can now reinvent his game and refresh his name because he knows what he wants to achieve.

He’s always dreamed of playing in the NFL. There’re at least four teams that have some interest. The Seattle Seahawks have already invited him to tryouts. So Banks has been getting in shape and losing some weight. He shows how reinventing your game is about building on your skills and talent.

Pete Carroll, the Seahawks Head Coach today would have been Banks’ USC coach back-in-the-day. Carrroll says “making the team is a long shot but he’s willing to give him a chance.” It’s as if Carroll knows that reinventing your game and refreshing your name is about going after what you deserve.

Banks is moving past his jail time career derailment. For some people the hurdle to overcome is of a layoff. Banks’ determination is a powerful example for living your dreams. You can make it through anything by knowing what you want, working what you have and going after what you deserve.

(Part 7) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (New-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

First it started with a kiss. Then came a rape charge diss. That’s what makes the Brian Banks story sad. Somehow he’s gotten over being mad. As a one-time all-star football jock. He was college scholarship stock. Spent five years in prison before being set free. Now hoping to play in the NFL for a fat fee.

This was not supposed to be. Banks was set to play for USC. Lost his scholarship due to false accusation. It was enough to damage his reputation. But he held on to his sanity. This nightmare could have been a calamity. Banks can now again believe. Reinventing his game by what he wants to achieve.

He’s always dreamed about the NFL gridiron. At least four teams interested like the Lions. The Seahawks looked him over in tryouts. As he’s getting in shape losing weight in workouts. Banks is showing guts and inner will. Reinventing himself by building on talents and game skill.

Pete Carroll, the Seahawks Head Coach today. Would have been Banks’ USC coach back-in-the-day. Says “making the team is a long shot.” But he’s willing to see Banks’ career be hot. Maybe Carroll’s thinking about him as a reserve? Well, reinventing yourself is about going after what you deserve.

Banks moving on from this derailment. Looking past jail time to higher attainment. For some the hurdle is of a layoff. In trying to find their new blast-off. Banks gives us a powerful reason. Of how living your dreams has its season. You can still make it if you try. Going after what you deserve will make you fly.

Tip: Reinventing your game means knowing what you want, working what you have and going after what you deserve.

Talkback: What more should society be doing to help those affected by a bad job market?

(Part 6) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (Old-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

Who would have thought that Iyanla Vanzant still had something left in the tank? She’s getting ready to return to TV on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Vanzant was a regular guest on the Oprah Show years ago. Then her career and life went haywire. Is she working on a comeback by releasing her inner Dr. Phil?

Vanzant has seen many highs mixed in with some lows. She lost her house, husband, book deal and a sense of balance. Many remember her public apology to Oprah for leaving Harpo to do her own talk show. Like so many people who’ve lost their job, she made it through with personal ambition.

She tells the story of “getting through what you’re going through.” It almost seems like her life took a detour. Then came a ‘stop sign’ where she had to make some decisions. Vanzant didn’t want to remain stuck in the past so she set some goals to help move her towards the future.

As you fast-forward in time you’ll see that she’s come full circle. Vanzant is using her life’s journey and professional story to chart a new road to glory. It just goes to show that a loss, a layoff or a life lesson can be turned into new money as you reinvent your game and refresh your name with a sense of purpose.

And so where did she end up? She’s back on TV, on Oprah’s Network, using her skill-set to help shift people’s mindset. She knows about finding a place of peace on the inside and an opportunity connected to her passion on the outside. Now that’s something to talk about especially if it were your story.

(Part 6) Reinvent Your Game, Refresh Your Name: (New-School Flava)
Celebrity Profiles of Success in Business, Career and Community

Who would have thought? Iyanla Vanzant didn’t think she would’ve been bought. Still having something in the tank. Returning to TV with fresh money in the bank. Once a regular guest on the Oprah Show. Then things went sour and out of flow. Is she working on a comeback? Releasing her inner Dr. Phil in the black.

Vanzant has seen high and lows. So you know how that goes. Losing house, husband and book deal. Even a sense of balance for real. Making a public apology about messing-up. Telling Oprah it was her way of fessing-up. Like so many in a job loss or other condition. Seeing it through with personal ambition.

That’s how she now pays her due. With the story about “getting through and through.” Seems like life took a detour. Then came a ‘stop sign’ decision and getting off the floor. Vanzant didn’t want to be stuck in the past. So with the right goals she set her future free at last.

Fast-forward in time and here’s what we see. Vanzant’s gone full circle and feeling more glee. Using her life’s journey and professional story. To chart a new road of guts and glory. A loss, layoff or life-lesson mission. Can be turned into new money commission.  When there’s a sense of purpose and inner vision.

And so where did she end up? No more sorrows, just suck-it-up. Back on TV using her skill-set. To help shift other people’s mindset. Finding a place of peace when times were cold. Connecting opportunity and passion for a shot at gold. Now that’s something worth a holla. Or maybe even an example to follow.

Tip: Reinventing your game starts by finding an example to follow and having a new reason to holla.

Talkback: If Iyanla can do it then who else would you like to see make a comeback?