Arts
Kenny Dobbs is a professional basketball player, International Slam Dunk Champion, and the man LeBron James calls "the greatest dunker in the world." He's been a youtube sensation for years, and has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports, NBA TV, as well as the new TNT show The Dunk King. His spectacular feats of aerial creativity have garnered him sponsorships from Sprite and Nike. Kenny has toured with the NBA and Sprite as a celebrity dunker, performing in front of sold out stadiums during Halftime Shows, Celebrity Games, and NBA All Star Weekends (where he is frequently brought in as a creative consultant for the NBA players). His amazing dunk moves were used as the inspiration for the dunks featured in the NBA 2K13 video game. Kenny is also a motivational speaker, using his foundation "Uprise Youth Movement" to empower youth of all ages with a challenging, yet empowering message of hope. We cover a lot of ground in this episode including: • Growing up around drugs, alcohol, gangs and crime; landing in jail at 17, and making the decision to turn his life around • The value of taking stock of your life, writing down your goals, and being honest with yourself about whether or not the things in your life are helping you achieve them • Breaking down huge, audacious goals into smaller, bite-sized goals in order to get a plan of action • The sacrifices you have to make when you have a dream you're dead set on accomplishing • Using his past to make recommendations on effective substance abuse and gang prevention, receiving $3 million in grants to create a Youth Advisory Counsel, being appointed chairman for the state of Arizona, and being invited to Washington to speak to legislators • Breaking into big time Slam Dunk events after getting discovered at a local event by Shaquille O'Neil's cousin • Winning the LeBron James-hosted dunk contest at NBA All Star Weekend in Orlando with Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant watching, and being offered a tryout with the Dallas Mavericks • Learning about training and work ethic from Adrian Peterson • The value of looking at the bigger picture when dealing with injury • Getting creative inspiration from Dominique Wilkins and Vince Carter • The power of mental barriers, and what it takes to overcome them • Kenny's influence on the current crop of NBA dunkers, and how he's brought in as a creative consultant for them • How a lack of creativity, and an emphasis on props and gimmicks nearly ruined the NBA dunk contest • The subtle techniques Michael Jordan employed to make dunks look more impressive • Investing your time on bettering yourself, rather than wasting it on entertainment