Pivot Podcast The Pivot A Part of Fanatics

With May being Mental Health Awareness month, The Pivot has had several guests focus on emotional wellbeing from Michael Beasley to Ryan Mundy to Solomon Thomas and more as Mental health remains stigmatized in sports today, but more and more athletes are beginning to break the silence surrounding it and change cultural perception.
In 2018, one NBA star released an emotion-filled tweet that created waves throughout the league, generating awareness of vulnerability while garnering support as the message and impact was felt far beyond the game. Ryan, Channing and Fred sit down with six-time NBA All-Star DeMar DeRozan to talk about his mental health advocacy as well as his journey to the league. The 15-year veteran shares stories from his upbringing in Compton, California and reflects on defining moments from his career.
DeMar mentions the influence of figures like Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle in his life and talks about how he is driven to inspire the next generation as well and what kept him from giving up during the darkest times. The guys ask about his trade from the Raptors to the Spurs and he reflects on the difficulty of the move, his legacy after spending 9 years in Toronto and how he handled his father's passing while the NBA pressures continued to build. Many people consider him an NBA star and an all-time clutch player, but DeMar talks about the importance of sharing real stories and being seen as a human being, which he hopes to spotlight in his upcoming book Above the Noise.
DeMar touches on how a difficult environment growing up eventually caught up to him many years later by never coping with loss and how people always tend to believe ultimate highs don't come with ultimate lows. He speaks the truth about the place he comes from, and opens up to Ryan, Channing and Fred on mistruths and misconceptions sharing how Money and fame don't measure happiness but it's through experiences that strength is built and understanding is developed. Never giving up and always wanting to be a light of hope for his family, especially his children, DeMar continues to prove people wrong with his efforts off the court and teaching through conversation.
Only 4 teams left in the NBA postseason as the Eastern and Western Conference Finals jump off today. And our partners at Fanatics Sportsbook are giving away a VIP Experience for the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Download the Fanatics Sportsbook app and opt-in, that's it. Entry 5/21/24-5/22/24. It's easy and you too can get in on the playoff action down the stretch!
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms 
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Big Big Day!! As the guys said, the end of our MixTape Era now the album drops....To kick off our new partnership with Fanatics, hosts Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor, and Channing Crowder sit down with none other than the 7x Super Bowl champion and NFL icon, Tom Brady. While the world has seen glimpses of Tom's personality, most recently on Netflix's "Greatest Roast of All Time", The Pivot Podcast dives deep into who Tom really is off the football field and beyond the headlines and storylines.
Reflecting on last week and his takeaways from doing the roast with former New England teammates and coaches, Kevin Hart and other celebrity comedians, Tom is learning to let go of the control he used to have as Quarterback and learning to live in the grey area of life, learning but improving on the decisions he makes each day. Fanatics and The Pivot gift TB with a special memorabilia from the 1981 NFC Championship that brings him back to the innocence of his childhood when his reality was just a dream but a dream ignited by passion for football and love for competition leading him to be one of the greatest to ever step on the field.
After commanding the field for 22 years, Tom became a master of the sport, but our conversation reveals how he continues to evolve as a man, friend, and father away from the game. He discusses the importance of personal growth and reflects on the lessons learned throughout his illustrious career with a strong focus on the quality time with his kids and being there for them in anyway possible.
Opening up about the profound influence his parents had on him, instilling his drive and motivation to succeed from a young age. From his humble beginnings to his meteoric rise in the NFL, Tom shares the difference makers in his life that kept him focused and determined throughout his career.
To celebrate Fanatics Sportsbook going live in its 20th state, starting from 14th May for 20 days, they are offering over $5m in customer bonuses as well as a number of extra special surprises along the way. Simply download the app to get involved. This episode is brought to you by Fanatics along with Cymbiotika, the #1 leading Wellness Brand creating the best, high-quality supplements without any artificial fillers or toxins. Get 20% off the supplements taking the industry by storm using code Pivot20.
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m. ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms.
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From massive rap beefs to the Roast of Tom Brady and a full media debate between football and basketball players, it’s been a week full of different controversies in pop culture. Ryan, Channing and Fred are back themselves to check in on one another and give their takes on some of the biggest stories. First, it's caps off to congratulate Freddy T, who full-filled a promise to his late grandmother of going back to college after 26 years to get his degree, a special moment for Fred and his family as well as our Pivot Family, sending an invaluable message to so many.
The comedy and football scenes had a crossover with Netflix releasing the much-anticipated Roast of Tom Brady, and the guys give their reactions to the show. NFL locker rooms can have roast sessions of their own, but Ryan talks about why he could never be associated with an event like that. Channing is in the comedy scene himself, though, and he discusses how the comedians changed the way the roast was approached.
In another major American sport, Austin Rivers made headlines with comments that said there are many more basketball players who could play football than vice versa. The guys agree that both take athleticism and skill, but Ryan and Fred emphasize that the difference between the sports comes from the culture of toughness, and that NBA guys could not take hits like them.
In wrapping up with a talk about the Drake and Kendrick rap beef, the trio talk about how Kendrick won the battle itself before mentioning the bigger culture surrounding hip-hop. Many people attach themselves to certain figures in the spotlight, and The Pivot team is excited for fans to see what’s in store for them very soon...
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms. 
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NFL stars are constantly in the limelight, appearing in articles, on shows and receiving large followings on social media. But this Hall of Fame Wide Receiver became a household name with one of the most iconic nicknames in sports, yet he was relatively unknown off the field. 
Ryan, Channing, and Fred sit down with Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin “Megatron” Johnson to learn more about the man Ryan refers to as the “urban legend” of football. Calvin Johnson, better known as Megatron, and one of the most iconic Wide Receivers to ever play the game talks about his Hall of Fame career despite losing seasons and how he overcame the 0-16 year in Detroit, purpose and passion for promoting cannabis and healing while sharing stories of his family, opening up about some of his dangerous hobbies and reveals why he had to retire from the NFL before marriage.  
Valuing consistency over talent and understanding that those who have both consistency and talent are the unique ones as Calvin explains his journey to the guys and shares the reason of why he retired before getting married. The man who was once the most feared receiver in the league has turned his football-based lifestyle into a way of life focused around his family and other endeavors. Calvin explains walking away from the game at an early age was a move he doesn't regret although it shocked the football world, he respects the game and describes how he continues to bring a level of excellence to every facet of his life based on his mental approach to the game. He may not be Megatron anymore, but fame was never Johnson’s focus anyways as it was always about camaraderie with the guys and consistency on the field. 
New episodes drop on Tuesdays at 12 p.m. ET and Fridays at 3:30 p.m ET on YouTube, with audio available on all streaming platforms including Apple, Spotify and Amazon.
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Ryan, Channing and Fred sit with JJ Redick to talk about how his life has revolved around hoops since an early age and as many aspects have transcended and faded over time, his love for the game and desire to be close to the sport still drives him everyday. From Duke to the NBA to basketball analyst to podcaster, the guys get JJ to open up in ways he hasn't shared before diving into his who, his why and his how and what's helped propel a white boy from Tennessee to sustain a reputation of respect and stardom in a sometimes unforgiving world of professional basketball and now broadcast television. The recent launch of his podcast “Mind the Game” alongside LeBron James shines a light on JJ's basketball IQ, but on this episode of the Pivot, the guys go far beyond his success on the court and break down where JJ's mindset comes from.
With the recent buzz around JJ's next basketball move in possibly becoming the head coach of the Charlotte Hornets, the choice may not be an easy one as the sharp shooter turned media star is fully aware of who he is and the life he's created after basketball through his various platforms and authentic relationships with current and former players alike.
Redick knew he wanted to be a Blue Devil after watching the 1992 NCAA championship between Duke and Kentucky, but without cable TV and money to put towards the game, he felt somewhat detached from it, but it was his family who continued to support him to fulfill his childhood dream. JJ found pride in working out of adverse situations, and he talks with the guys about how he developed his motivation and never lost that chip on his shoulder. Channing jokes with JJ about his A-hole type persona that he gives off, understanding Duke basketball players are often viewed as the enemy as JJ shares how he became the center of hate during his time with the Blue Devils. Despite his NCAA scoring title and notoriety, Redick was underestimated coming out of Duke and struggled to find a secure place in the NBA for his first few years but managed to prevail with a 15 year career.
Often looking back on what he didn't do vs what he did do, JJ points to several points in his life that he faced hardships, but his awareness, ability to constantly adapt and will to never be out-worked has brought him to the position he is today. Whether it was a missed shot in the 2004 NCAA finals against UConn or a 2009 Orlando Magic NBA Finals run, JJ has always had to bounce back from hard moments but one thing that has never been questioned is who he is as a leader on and off the court. A trusted voice during dark times, an advocate of right vs wrong and an innovator in the media space has elevated JJ to a place of respect and confidence that no matter what he says or does, he stands on it even if it's controversial or the unpopular thing to say.
Sharing many similarities with Ryan in his approach to media and journalism with respect to athletes and stories surrounding the game, JJ was the first active NBA player to start a podcast in 2016, and since has become one of the most respected and watched tv analysts. As his massive rise in sports media continues, JJ is now a part of ESPN's No. 1 crew preparing to call the NBA Finals which if he had to predict could be a Denver vs Boston series, although he's not counting out Minnesota just yet.
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Live from the NFL Draft in Detroit...watch with your favorite guys as we get into all the draft picks, stories and hear from the guys themselves after they get selected!
Ryan, Channing and Fred are in Detroit with real time reactions to NFL draft night, stories and special guests. Dan Orlovsky joins the guys for the first few picks, talking Quarterbacks from Caleb Williams to Jayden Daniels to the surprise pick in Atlanta of Michael Pennix as the guys reflect on their own careers and families through playing in the NFL to now. Special guests stop by right after being drafted with personal conversations with Malik Nabers and Dallas Turner that really speak to their journeys and relationships with mentors.
Hang with the guys in Detroit and catch all the action in real time and true reactions as the picks get announced!
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