‘I Am Second’ Honors Olympian Storytellers
In Recognition of the 2024 Olympics, Global Storytelling Organization Highlights Olympian ‘Seconds’
WHAT:
In honor of the 2024 Olympics games, renowned global storytelling organization I Am Second is proud to highlight the Olympian athletes who have shared their inspirational stories with the world through the platform. These White Chair Film ‘Seconds’ have not only experienced astonishing accomplishments of a lifetime but have also undergone relatable challenges of the human experience through the process.
In sharing these Olympians’ stories, I Am Second hopes to extend profound encouragement to others, showing that ordinary people are created for extraordinary things.
WHO:
Shawn Johnson East shared her story with I Am Second, titled The Weight of Perfection, detailing her young “life in the limelight,” beginning with the 2008 Bejing Olympics, where she won the silver medal in gymnastics. The pressure and expectations Shawn felt from the public in the next season of life caused her to “try and change everything” about herself, leading to her to an emotional “all-time low” in the midst of her second Olympic run in 2012. It was in this depth that her perspective was profoundly changed.
Paralympian Jessica Long was featured in I Am Second’s Anger Defeated, detailing her life’s journey – from getting adopted, to struggling with anger, to becoming a competitive swimmer, to her recruitment into the 2004 Olympics at age 12. The youngest in her race, Jessica won the gold, setting precedence for her to gain sponsorships and achieve various world records. Yet, despite her successes at the time, loneliness overwhelmed her to the point of crying out for help. In her second Olympic stretch, Jessica was presented with the opportunity of a lifetime, redeeming a once-severed relationship with her birth parents in Russia. Over the course of her Olympic career, Jessica has earned 23 Paralympic medals.
Scott Hamilton, winning Olympic figure skater, chronicles his story in the White Chair Film, Facing Down Fear; he details what it was like to grow up with a mysterious disability that ultimately led him to become an award-winning figure-skater. Scott also shares the depth of sorrow he faced in his mother’s death, his critical examination of the Bible, overcoming a battle with testicular cancer and his journey into new fatherhood, followed by a sudden brain tumor diagnosis. All in all, it took a radical shift in perspective on trust to make Scott see things differently.
Morolake Akinosun, 2016 Olympic relay gold medalist, shared her ‘Second’ journey (Moving Too Fast). After choosing an upright lifestyle following her first Olympic run, Morolake experienced a devastating “career-ending injury” before her opportunity to attend the Olympics for a second time. Yet, it was in her supportive community that Morolake found unexpected hope, the catalyst for her healing and eventual personal records.
WHEN/WHERE:
To watch and share these inspirational films around the Olympic season, visit I Am Second and watch their stories:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
About I Am Second
I Am Second is a nonprofit launched in 2008 that ignites hope and inspires people to live for God and for others. Its website, iamsecond.com, features written and film-based stories of more than 190 athletes, actors, models, musicians, cultural influencers and everyday people who have stepped in front of the camera and declared, “I Am Second.” For information, visit iamsecond.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
For more information on I Am Second, or to schedule interviews with John Humphrey, Vice President of I Am Second, email Victoria Johnson at victoria@alarryross.com.
Country Songwriter Casey Beathard Shares Pivotal Story of Son's Passing in New ‘I Am Second’ Film
How Tragic Loss Brought the Nashville Artist to a Point of Surrender
PLANO, Texas, June 6, 2024 — In the new White Chair Film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, Songwriter Casey Beathard shares about faith, fatherhood, the tragic passing of his son and the unexpected journey of healing from the depths of unthinkable devastation.
Casey met his wife, Susan, while working at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Shortly after getting married, the artist began to evaluate his relationship with God, resulting in the couple finding a suitable church where they would eventually bring up their children in the Christian faith.
As their family blossomed over time, Casey found himself consumed with making sure he was doing everything in his power to raise his children in the right way through nurturing their God-given passions and pushing them to be their absolute best in every facet of life.
“Little did I know that they were becoming such major idols in my life,” says Casey. “We were hanging out all the time, and it was ‘family, family, family’...but I was losing control of my children.”
Casey recalls a key conversation with his wife, just six months before their son’s death; she had offered encouragement and gentle wisdom, suggesting that he relinquish some of that control, allowing God to ultimately guide and lead their children.
“Oh, you mean, ‘Let go and let God’?” Casey recalls his response. “I don’t know how to do that.”
Yet, when tragedy struck in the form of their son’s murder from a double-homicide stabbing, the Beathard's lives came crashing down.
“That phone call that night was a parent's worst nightmare,” shares Casey. “It was hands-down the biggest crushing thing I could, my wife could, or my family could ever face...Everything I was trying to control was the happiness of my kids, and here we are in my house...the happiness was gone.”
Through an unexpected blessing of a broken entry gate to their residence, the Beathard’s found themselves unable to hide away from their community — a support system that ultimately brought the hope of God straight to their door during the darkest hour of their lives.
In further redemption, the Beathard’s witnessed something profound at Clay’s wake — a number of his friends surrendering their lives to Jesus. As an unexplainable peace and joy began to flood their lives, beyond that of human understanding or control, God was preparing Casey for deepened restoration. Later, the songwriter would be presented with the opportunity of a lifetime, face to face with the man who killed his son, made ready to act as a vessel of radical forgiveness, light and love.
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/film/Casey-Beathard.
About I Am Second
I Am Second is a nonprofit launched in 2008 that ignites hope and inspires people to live for God and for others. Its website, iamsecond.com, features written and film-based stories of more than 190 athletes, actors, models, musicians, cultural influencers and everyday people who have stepped in front of the camera and declared, “I Am Second.” For information, visit iamsecond.com.
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Media Contact:
Victoria Johnson
972-267-1111
'Fastest Pastor' Returns to Pikes Peak International Hill Climb for Sixth Consecutive Year
World-Famous Competitor and Centerpiece of the I Am Second Film, ‘Chasing Hope’ Available for Interviews
WHAT:
Pastor, entrepreneur and race car driver, Don Wickstrum, will return to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on June 23, 2024. Driven by the motivation of achieving the dream he has had since he was a child and improving in the race, Don will race for the sixth time.
Known as ‘The Race to the Clouds,’ Pikes Peak is the second-oldest motorsports race in America. Boasting 156 turns over a 12.42-mile course, beginning at over 9,300 feet and ending at 14,115 feet above sea level, the harrowing course has long served as a driver’s proving ground.
Notably, Don overcame all obstacles — even with a troublesome motor — and went on to finish 2nd in his class and 11th overall in the 2021 PPIHC. The next year in 2022, Don fulfilled a lifelong dream of reaching the Summit on the 100th running of the Pike's Peak International Hill Climb. Last year, Don came in 13th overall with an impressive time of 10 minutes flat.
Don’s story entails pushing through doubts, surviving crashes and coping with an aggressive cancer diagnosis. His journey of perseverance encourages audiences, old and young, to achieve their lifelong dreams — even and especially through adversity.
The weekend-long event features the International Hill Climb Race, Fan Fest and opportunities to meet the acclaimed racer himself. Fan Fest will be held on the Friday evening before Race Day, where more than 30,000 people will gather in the heart of Downtown Colorado Springs to experience this widely-anticipated 10-block street party. Don Wickstrum will serve as a key piece in this epic event weekend of innovation and competition, bringing excitement, encouragement and vision to audiences everywhere in this ongoing larger-than-life story.
WHO:
Don Wickstrum is a pastor, entrepreneur, engineer and competitor at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Don and his family live in Monroe, Wisconsin. Visit https://fastestpastor.com/ for more information about Don.
For more insight, Top Gear published a recent feature on Don Wickstrum in the latest issue, detailing his “message of hope” within his story, highlighting his profound goals and accomplishments in racing and leaving the reading audience with a desire for victory on all accounts for the “Fastest Pastor” and his ongoing journey.
WHEN/WHERE:
Fan Fest – Friday, June 21
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Colorado Springs, CO
Fan Fest Information Page: https://ppihc.org/fan-fest/
Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Race – Sunday, June 23
Event start: 2:00 a.m. - 5:30 a.m.
Race begins at 7:30 a.m.
Location: 5089 Pike Peak Highway, Cascade, CO 80809
PPIHC Tickets and Information Page: https://ppihc.org/tickets-camping-permits/
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
I Am Second is a nonprofit launched in 2008 that ignites hope and inspires people to live for God and for others. Its website, iamsecond.com, features written and film-based stories of more than 150 athletes, actors, models, musicians, cultural influencers and everyday people who have stepped in front of the camera and declared, “I Am Second.” For more information, visit iamsecond.com.
Two years ago, I Am Second released “Chasing Hope,” an exclusive short documentary that offers viewers an intimate look at Don Wickstrum’s years-long journey to conquer the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb while leaning on his faith and battling an aggressive cancer diagnosis.
You can watch the film here: https://www.iamsecond.com/film/chasing-hope/
I Am Second has also partnered with Don Wickstrum and Chasing Hope Ministries to bring the Chasing Hope Tour, a nationwide tour with Don and The Band Reeves, to schools, universities, jails, conferences, business events, car events, fundraisers and churches to bring the message of hope, purpose and perseverance. For more information and to book the Chasing Hope Tour, visit: https://www.chasinghopetour.org/contact.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Don is available, per request, for interviews via Zoom, phone or in-person. For more information or to schedule an interview with Don Wickstrum, email Victoria Johnson at victoria@alarryross.com.
‘I Am Second’ Releases Two New Films Featuring Basketball Collegiate Bailey Maupin & Professional Charlotte Smith
Collegiate Athlete and Former Player-Turned-Coach Share Their Stories of Finding Identity in Faith
PLANO, Texas, Mar. 7, 2024 — In the two latest White Chair Films released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, collegiate Texas Tech athlete Bailey Maupin and former player-turned-coach Charlotte Smith each tell their stories about faith, basketball and identity.
Bailey Maupin’s White Chair Film - “Breaking the Press”
Bailey Maupin, amid a wholesome upbringing on a farm outside of a small Texas town, found her faith as a young girl within her Christian home. She aspired to play college basketball and was scouted midway through junior high school. As she began her college athletic career, she found herself lost and extremely alone. Basketball, the game in which she’d found her identity, had failed to fulfill her.
“It was culture shock for me, having to become [my] own person,” shares Bailey. “Finding your way in a world of sin and hatred and violence is hard...I [had] let my faith be held up by so many other things, and when I got to college, they were all gone.”
Consumed with the business, victories and pressure of basketball in an “environment that was hard...to find God,” Bailey eventually found herself neglecting her faith. Yet, following a sobering realization, she began to explore the avenue of online church to ultimately re-foster her relationship with God and point others to faith through her talents.
“I [hadn’t given] glory to God; I was glorifying myself,” continues Bailey. “In reality, I was good at basketball because that was God’s gift to me, and He is using my gift in basketball to proclaim his glory.”
Charlotte Smith’s White Chair Film - “Finding Balance”
Charlotte Smith, a “PK” (Pastor’s Kid), grew up in a sheltered home centered around faith, benevolence in community and love toward all people. Yet, as sports was also a second-nature interest for her family, Charlotte eventually began to place a priority on sports over everything else, ultimately modeling her life around her idol Michael Jordan. She recalls getting recruited to play for North Carolina Chapel Hill, winning the national championship and chasing the high of the wins — yet accompanied by a deep sense of conviction and emptiness.
“There’s a lot of temptations, a lot of distractions,” shares Charlotte, looking back on her career. “Unfortunately, because at that point in time I wasn’t strong enough in my identity, I fell into a lot of sexual temptation...I professed to be a Christian, but behind the scenes I was doing a lot of things that I knew my parents wouldn’t approve of—and I knew that wouldn’t make God proud.”
In the film, Charlotte opens up about her lowest point, amid her time playing for the WMBA, when she was forced to face the reality of losing herself amid her athletic career’s conclusion. As she grappled with what to do next, she ultimately found her purpose of giving back to others through a heart change of obedience.
“You finally hit that brick wall where you surrender to God, and you realize...He is my hope, He is my joy, and He is the love of my life,” continues Smith. “There comes a point in time where you have to make a decision...Are you going to give God your whole heart and fully surrender?”
Basketball, Second.
Each woman’s powerful story reveals a deeper sense of hope and fulfillment than that of a glorified court-centered identity, offering inspiration to individuals searching for more. To watch these exclusive I Am Second films, visit: - Bailey Maupin’s story at Iamsecond.com/film/Bailey-Maupin - Charlotte Smith’s story at Iamsecond.com/film/Charlotte-Smith
About I Am Second
I Am Second is a nonprofit launched in 2008 that ignites hope and inspires people to live for God and for others. Its website, iamsecond.com, features written and film-based stories of more than 190 athletes, actors, models, musicians, cultural influencers and everyday people who have stepped in front of the camera and declared, “I Am Second.” For information, visit iamsecond.com.
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Media Contact:
Victoria Johnson
972-267-1111