A key seed for the eventual creation of THISENT.com was planted in 2017. That year Grand Kai and AOG2012 ventured to Chicago, IL to cover the 2nd Annual espnW: Women + Sports, Chicago event.
Invited by Cari Champion, the duo conducted interviews with top athletes and celebrities while being exposed to the more inspiring aspects of sports and entertainment.
Following the event, they conducted an interview about their experience that hasn’t been seen in 4 years … until now!
We hope you enjoy Grand Kai and AOG2012: The Lost Interview!
What have you learned about yourselves and from others about being inspiring?
AOG2012: Everyone looks at someone else and sees something they want or want to be like. While in actuality we are all on the same playing field and gifts aren’t fair, but hard work can bond people and gifts together. Be inspired in where you are, and discover your gifts.
Grand Kai: For me it’s really that we all have the capacity to inspire others. When I take action and no one else around me is, whether I realize it or not, I’m setting an example to others that they can accomplish something as well. From others, I am learning that it’s a daily choice to choose to be better than we were yesterday. That’s inspiring.
What was your initial thoughts when you were asked to cover espnW Women + Sports, Chicago?
AOG2012: What? Why us? Let’s do this!
Grand Kai: I was excited, but it didn’t hit me what we were actually doing until we got done with the event. It was surreal, but we were prepared and I think that set us apart. It didn’t surprise me as much as it was a confirmation that preparation matters.
How was the event both entertaining and artistic?
Grand Kai: I felt it was artistic because though not on a canvas, what these women do is an art form. You have a combination of reporters, comedians, athletes, speakers, executives, all of these things encompass what it means to be artistic – expressing themselves through a medium.
AOG2012: I think that this event was entertaining and artistic because ESPN successfully meshed athletic lifestyle with an educational summit. There was yoga, a 5k run, as well as qualified and I’ll add amazing panelists covering topics that matter; body image issues, leadership, and entrepreneurism to name a few. I learned a lot by listening to these elite athletes discuss difficult and important topics. It was eye-opening and informing. I hope to better communicate with my young daughter as she begins her journey into sports.
This espnW gathering was a pretty exclusive event. Did being there feel as exclusive to you as it was?
Grand Kai: It felt exclusive, but it also felt welcoming as a community of individuals that want to see each other win.
AOG2012: It felt very exclusive on purpose. There was no negativity, just an atmosphere for growth and open discussion on topics that matter to the sports community.
Tell us what impressed you most about the event.
AOG2012: What impressed me most were the comments of praise coming from the venue staff and security. For myself, I experienced a very well-managed and entertaining event.
Grand Kai: It was the community aspect and the support that the women had for each other that impressed me. You could tell they were genuinely happy for each other.
How did it speak to what you’re all about and looking to accomplish?
AOG2012: Every speaker at the event was inspiring for their athletic and/or corporate accomplishments, but each individual was just a person like you and I trying to accomplish and understand their purpose. We’re about sharing stories that speak to people’s journey to inspire others.
Grand Kai: Everyone has a story and at this event we got to hear from some why they do what they do, how they tick. And in that supportive environment the stories created a bond between the panelists and guests. That bond is what we’re about.
What’s next for you guys following this outing?
AOG2012: We hope to inspire others to start things and not be afraid to take risks. Work hard. We’re going to have fun and keep creating.
Grand Kai: We will create, tell more stories, and…take over the world! |THIS.
[By M.J. Walker]
POST CREDIT SCENE:
We’re sure the picture above has sparked your curiosity. Enjoy Grand Kai’s interview with Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez, filmed by AOG2012!
