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65-Elvis Akpla, on being more than a black athlete, overcoming poverty, and racism in sports (part 2)

June 24, 2020 by Kendall Johnson in Podcast

In this episode, we are keeping it rollinnnnnn with part 2 of the interview with deep thinker, incessant learner, former NFL player Elvis Akpla. 

Last week, Elvis gave us a look into the neglected parts of American history and how he believes we can end racism (Listen to Part 1 HERE). 

Today, he tells his fascinating personal story from growing up in poverty to finding a way to be successful and happy.  

Elvis has a pretty incredible and challenging background that has helped shape him into the man he is today. 

In this episode, Elvis talks about: 

  • The stark differences in racism between his home town and Africa and the United States

  • Why he frequently slept over at 10+ different family friends throughout high school 

  • The key ingredient that helped him overcome poverty and be successful

  • How being an athlete protected him a bit from racism

  • The last minute track and field scholarship her earned that eventually led him to the NFL 

  • The importance of athlete’s using their platform to share their voice 

And more.

Listen on iTunes HERE 


Resources

Follow Arrow Living on instagram

Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical content HERE 

A list of the 11 books that have had the biggest impact on my life as an athlete HERE


Share the love

If you feel compelled, I would be so very grateful if you took two minutes to leave me a review of the podcast. Here’s what to do.

  1. Click HERE

  2. Click “view in itunes”

  3. Click the “ratings and reviews” tab

  4. Click “write a review” and show me love <3

    Thanks for being here <3

June 24, 2020 /Kendall Johnson
Elvis Akpla, Philadelphia Eagles, football, racism, NFL, athlete
Podcast
Comment
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64-Elvis Akpla, on racism, Black American history, and dealing with different viewpoints than your own (part 1 of 2)

June 17, 2020 by Kendall Johnson in Podcast

New podcast episode with the deep thinking, passionate, former pro football player Elvis Akpla. 

 Elvis is one of the most curious, intellectual, constantly-expanding guys I know. Like, we’re talking photographic memory, constantly engaging in thought provoking convos, and will talk your ear off-in the best way- about the stuff that lights him up.  

 Today he brings that fire to offers his unique perspective on the neglected parts of American history, and how he believes we can end racism and reconcile people who have different opinions than our own. 

 Elvis was born in Dakar Senegal on the west coast of Africa. At a young age, his single mom and him moved to the United States-the first place he ever experienced racism. 

 Elvis’ mom made sacrifice on sacrifice on sacrifice to ensure he received a good education. He ended up earning a last minute scholarship for track and field at University of Oregon. Freshman year, he walked on to the football team. He later transferred to Montana State where he became an All-American and graduated with a degree in cellular biology and neuroscience. After college, he had a brief stint with the Philadelphia Eagles, b and is currently earning two masters degree in Special Education and Biomedical Sciences. 

 Elvis is full of knowledge and is just getting started. Shoutout to his beautiful fiancé Kara who low key to high key is his better half :) . 

 This interview is split into two parts.

 In this episode (Part 1), Elvis talks about: 

  • The, often neglected in school, historical context that has led black people to be so oppressed today

  • How the American constitution was created by slave-owners and was built for English slave-owning settlers 

  • Why blaming others for oppression is the worst way to create change 

  • The slogan “Make America Great Again,” and poses the question when was America ever great? 

  • Why educational opportunities is a key component to ending Black oppression 

And more!

Listen on iTunes HERE 


Resources

Follow Arrow Living on instagram

Be the first to know when a new podcast or article drops, and receive other magical content HERE 

A list of the 11 books that have had the biggest impact on my life as an athlete HERE

Share the love

If you feel compelled, I would be so very grateful if you took two minutes to leave me a review of the podcast. Here’s what to do.

  1. Click HERE

  2. Click “view in itunes”

  3. Click the “ratings and reviews” tab

  4. Click “write a review” and show me love <3

    Thanks for being here <3



June 17, 2020 /Kendall Johnson
Elvis Akpla, NFL, racism, Black American history
Podcast
1 Comment

Praise

“There isn’t anything Kendall does without pouring everything she has to offer into it. She cares enough to not be scared to say what you might not always want to hear. She’s already been a great mentor. She is someone I admire so much. She doesn’t make excuses and will achieve what she is after.”
— Allie Long, USWNT World Cup Champion
“Few people have positively impacted me on or off the field as much as Kendall. She has a unique ability to help elevate all of the lives she comes in contact with. Through her own pursuits, triumphs, and trials, she has accumulated a wealth of different approaches to professional and personal growth. It is impossible to spend time with her and not walk away as a better version of yourself.”
— Michelle Betos, NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year
“In the world of professional athletes, you are surrounded by self-motivated people who are all working to a varying degree of “obsessive” to push themselves as hard and far as they can physically, mentally, and psychologically go. This doesn’t even begin to describe Kendall’s approach to all aspects of life. She lets nothing slip through the cracks and has a natural ability to put her passion to practice. Anyone who sits down in a conversation with Kendall will leave smarter, challenged, and with their perspective on life considerably altered.”
— Emily Menges, NWSL Champion
“I met Kendall at a challenging time in my life, and from the start, I felt comfortable sharing those challenges with her. After I first opened up to her about it, it was easy from then on out because she always helped me see my feelings are valid; my experiences and my story are my own, and I can make them to be what I want. She helped me find the beauty in times of struggle and she somehow managed to respond to my life hurdles, and her own, with an open mind and a good laugh. She has helped me to believe life works for us, not against us, and my life has become better for that. She is an amazing teacher.”
— EJ Proctor, Duke goalkeeper

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