‘Fastest Pastor’ Perseveres in the Race for What Matters Most in New I Am Second Film, ‘Chasing Hope’
Driver Don Wickstrum Shares Inspirational Back Story of Making it to the Top in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
PLANO, Texas, November 16, 2022 — Global storytelling organization I Am Second has released an exclusive short documentary that offers viewers an intimate look at entrepreneur, pastor and racer, 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.
“Even though life may not always seem to present you with the best hand, the best place to put that hand is in the hands of God,” says Wickstrum.
With uplifting messages that will encourage viewers in their walk with God, “Chasing Hope” releases just in time for families and friends to watch it together during the holiday season.
"This story is for anyone who is searching for hope,” said John Humphrey, Vice President of I Am Second. “We knew Don for several years before his diagnosis, and when we saw what he was trying to accomplish at Pikes Peak, we jumped at the chance to share his powerful story with a larger audience. Don represents his faith in an engaging, authentic way. He has a desire to share the eternal hope he’s found in Christ and he puts his faith into action. That’s an example for all of us.”
Growing up in a household that experienced significant hardship, Wickstrum wrestled with his faith and lacked a sense of hope for many years. Holding tightly to his childhood dream of racing Pikes Peak, he made a deal with his father to first go to college, where Wickstrum declared himself an atheist and set out to disprove religion.
“Probably midway through my sophomore year, I was getting really fed up with this whole Christianity thing because what I started to discover is that it wasn’t as easy to prove wrong as I thought,” Wickstrum recalls. “I specifically remember coming across this moral dilemma, thinking, ‘Okay, I admit it, the Bible’s true and this is legit, but I don’t know that I want to give my life to it.’”
One evening that he’ll never forget, Wickstrum had a powerful, divine encounter with God that would forever change the trajectory of his life. He surrendered his life to Christ and felt true hope in his heart for the first time.
In the following years, Wickstrum became successfully involved in racing, ministry and serial entrepreneurship, owning one of the largest robotic integrators in America. However, in late 2018, everything changed when he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of colon cancer, forcing him to sell his business and evaluate his future.
“As I prayed, I really felt like God was opening the door for me to race at Pike’s Peak,” explains Don. “I sought my wife’s counsel on it, and she asked me, ‘If eight-year-old you had heard of a guy like you that was facing a tough circumstance, and yet, he was able to accomplish his dream of going to Pike’s Peak, do you think that would have given you hope?’”
In pondering his wife’s profound question, the Fastest Pastor, as he’s affectionately known by church members and fans, committed to put the wheel in God’s hands and pursue Pikes Peak, aspiring to share his faith and inspire hope in others.
The second-oldest motorsports race in America, the Pikes Peak race has no equal. 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. Conquering the climb has been a dream of Wickstrum’s since he first saw the race on TV at eight years old.
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/film/chasing-hope/.
About Don Wickstrum
Entrepreneur, pastor and racer Don Wickstrum, known as the “Fastest Pastor,” serves as a leader in ministry, a counselor, mentor, husband and father. He currently races and shares the Gospel amid his ongoing battle with cancer in hopes of inspiring and ministering to others. To learn more about Don’s story, visit fastestpastor.com. Follow Wickstrum and his journey on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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 150 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:
Julie Shutley
972-267-1111
Steven Curtis Chapman Reflects on the Mountains and Valleys of Life in New I Am Second Film
Christian Music Icon Offers Encouragement, Says He Still Has Stories to Tell Through Music
PLANO, Texas, October 27, 2022 — In the new White Chair Film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, Christian recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman shares how brokenness, grief and his tendency to be a “fixer” influenced his music over his career that has spanned 35 years.
With a remarkable 49 No. 1 singles, Chapman is the most awarded artist in Christian music history.
“Really my songs have just been kind of tearing pages out of the journal of my life, and saying, ‘This is what I'm learning, this is what I'm struggling with,’” said Chapman. “I'm taking three steps forward, I take two steps back. Some days, 20 steps back. I'm going to talk to you about that journey as honestly and as vulnerably as I can.’”
Over the course of his life, the singer, songwriter and musician has experienced mountaintops beyond anything he could have imagined and deeper valleys than he would ever have expected. Building a family with his wife, Mary Beth, included the blessing of three biological children and later adopting three more. When a tragic accident took the life of their five-year-old daughter 14 years ago, it resulted in a long season of the deepest grief imaginable.
“For a guy who's a fixer to ultimately face the most unfixable thing you could ever imagine as a parent, and as a husband... I asked God, ‘Are we going to survive this?,” said Chapman in the film. “How am I going to lead my family through this?”
Chapman relayed that it was his foundation of faith and deep trust in the Lord that supplied the hope he and his family needed to endure and heal from their pain and grief. They held tightly to the knowledge that we only see a little part of the story, and the story isn’t over yet.
“The promise of God is that there's a day coming when He's going to wipe every tear from our eyes,” noted Chapman. “He's going to make all the things that are broken whole again. And He’s not going to waste any part of our story. As I’ve held onto that and written songs about it, I can’t shut up about it, because it’s what’s kept me alive. I want to keep telling that story. I want to keep writing those songs.”
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/film/steven-curtis-chapman.
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 150 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:
Julie Shutley
julie@alarryross.com
972-267-1111
Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks Chaplain Jonathan Evans Talks Winning, Losing and Finding Peace in I Am Second Film
White Chair Film Shares Story of Finding Purpose in Life’s Lows
PLANO, Texas, Sept. 29, 2022 — In the new White Chair film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, Jonathan Evans shares his story about facing rejection and failure and how he eventually found victory on a path he hadn’t expected. Evans, a former NFL player and Baylor Bear, is the Dallas Cowboys’ and Dallas Mavericks’ Chaplain.
As the son of pastor, ministry leader and author Tony Evans, Jonathan Evans grew up observing his family succeed in each of their own endeavors. Evans found himself searching for a false sense of identity in “winning,” specifically in the game of football.
“Winning. That’s what I had gotten used to from a very young age,” Evans starts. “I wanted to make sure that I shined and that people knew my name based on my athletic ability and what I was able to do. That's where I thought I would find my value and, ultimately, find myself.”
Evans' diligence and passion for the game led him to play football for Baylor University. From there, he looked forward to a hopeful future in professional football, only to find himself released from his dream NFL team — the Dallas Cowboys—and drafted to the European Developmental League, where Evans felt lost and without purpose.
While in Europe, Evans describes how in a peak moment of internal discord, he asked God to show him where he should be. In that very instant, a holy and indescribable peace washed over him as he knew that he was being called to something much bigger.
“It was a revelation where God was telling me, ‘You’ve been doing this for you all this time, and now you’re going to do it for me,’” Evans fondly recalls. “I realized, ‘That’s why God has me here; that’s why I play this game.’”
While this moment was a time of clarity, Evans, after returning to the U.S. and seeking a spot in the NFL, found himself grappling with his identity, suffering rejection, disappointment, personal losses and personal injuries. In obedience, Evans accepted his call to ministry and enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary. Five months in, he received a call from none other than his dream NFL team—the Dallas Cowboys. This time he would be walking through the tunnel onto the field as Chaplain.
“I was used to winning, and I had to learn how to lose in order to become a winner again,” said Evans. “God will use your greatest misery when he takes you to your greatest ministry. He never wastes anything.”
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/film/jonathan-evans.
About Jonathan Evans:
A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in Christian Leadership, Jonathan Evans is a mentor, author, speaker and former NFL fullback who serves as the chaplain of the Dallas Cowboys and co-chaplain of the Dallas Mavericks. As part of his commitment to developing the next generation of devoted Christian leaders, he travels the country speaking at churches, conferences, men’s events, banquets and student-athlete events.
Jonathan also serves with his pastor, friend and father, Dr. Tony Evans, both in the local church and the national ministry. Together, the two of them have written Get in the Game, and in 2021 he released his first stand-alone book, The Time Is Now. Jonathan’s newest book is Fighting Your Battles: Every Christian’s Playbook for Victory over Life’s Challenges. He and his wife, Kanika, are the proud parents of five children. The family resides in Dallas, Texas.
Follow Jonathan and learn more about his journey on Facebook @JonathanBlakeEvans, Twitter @EvansLegacy and Instagram @JonathanBlakeEvans.
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 150 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 http://iamsecond.com.
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Media Contact:
Julie Shutley
julie@alarryross.com
972-267-1111
Journey’s Jonathan Cain Shares True Source and Inspiration Behind One of the Most Popular Songs of All Time, “Don’t Stop Believin’”
New I Am Second Film provides context and meaning to the lyrics of songs that have impacted generations
PLANO, Texas, August 25, 2022 — In a new White Chair Film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, keyboardist and songwriter for rock band Journey, Jonathan Cain, explains how his relationship with his father, through the transcendence of his Heavenly Father, influenced the lyrics for the rock ‘n roll hit, “Don’t Stop Believin’”, “Faithfully,” “Open Arms,” among others.
Growing up, Cain’s father was an instrumental figure in his life, encouraging him that the best was yet to come in his life. Cain survived two near-death experiences when he was young including a school fire when he was in the third grade that killed nearly 100 of his classmates. These experiences rattled his still-developing belief in Jesus Christ.
“My father saw my sorrow right away and led me straight to music,” said Cain. “He told me, ‘Son, your life was spared for something greater and that must be music.’”
Cain’s father enrolled him in a music school where he embraced his dad's vision, leading to years of honing his craft. In his twenties, he found himself financially struggling and was ready to give up. He called his father who said three words that Cain will never forget: “Don’t stop believing.” He wrote his father’s advice in his lyrics notebook, not realizing those words would change his career forever.
Not long after, Cain joined the band Journey and was tasked with writing a song for their new album. He looked through his lyrics notebook and found his father’s inspiring words. He wrote a melody for them, teamed up with his bandmates to complete a full song, and the rest is Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame history.
When his father passed away, Cain wasn’t sure how he would carry on.
“I always wrote my songs for him,” he shared. “Everything I did, every note I played, I could trace back to my father. One day, as I was weeping at the piano, I sensed God saying to me, ‘No Jon, it was me. I’ve always been the source. I’m where it comes from. You please me with your music.’ I thought, how did I miss that?”
Cain realized there was someone else in the room when he was crafting the lyrics to his famous songs including, “Don’t Stop Believin’” “Faithfully,” “Open Arms,” and “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart).”
Suddenly Cain saw the lyrics differently. They had a new meaning. Following years of admiring his father’s steadfast faith in Jesus and wanting to impress him with his music, Cain realized his father’s influence in his life represented the love, guidance and inspiration of his Heavenly Father.
“That moment opened my eyes to the transcendence of a Heavenly Father reaching down to his son through his natural father. I know where it all comes from now.”
Today, Cain continues to tour with Journey and leads worship at his church. He aims to encourage others to press on toward their biggest dreams and never stop believing.
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/film/jonathan-cain.
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 150 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:
Julie Shutley
julie@alarryross.com
972-267-1111
New I Am Second Film Explores One Mother’s Battle with Grief and Depression After Pregnancy
Author Julie Thomas Offers Viewers a Detailed Glimpse of Her Postpartum Depression and Her Escape from a Living Nightmare
PLANO, Texas, July 28, 2022 – In the new White Chair Film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, life coach and author, Julie Thomas, talks about the shame and darkness that once gripped her and how she found healing in sharing her story with others who have experienced the devastating effects of postpartum depression.
A mother to two healthy baby boys, Thomas should have been happy, but with the arrival of her second son came heavy pangs of anxiety and confusion. A recurring vision plagued her mind where she would imagine herself pacing a hospital hallway with an empty baby cart at the end of it.
“This reel that was playing in my head was so consistent. There was no off-switch,” said Thomas. “I lost all control of me.”
As debilitating depression and a severe form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) began to consume her, it became difficult for Thomas to manage the realities of life and escape the nightmare in her head. In an attempt to cope with these complex emotions and the accompanying shame, Thomas hid.
“I tried to hide as much as I could,” said Thomas. “I did not make eye contact with people. I kept my house as dark as possible... That’s the kind of darkness that took over my life.”
Despite her efforts to silence the overwhelming chaos in her mind, Thomas couldn’t seem to escape, so she turned to other avenues. She describes how she would run away from home at night and even tried ending her own life.
“All that running – it didn’t help me,” said Thomas. “I was running away from me. I was running away from who I was and the person that was inside of me. And that person needed rescue.”
In the new film from I Am Second, Thomas shares how she came face-to-face with her loneliness and in her darkest hour, felt the light and presence of God. Although it was very difficult at first, especially because of her Indian culture and the pressures she felt because of it, she began to share her story with people. In doing so, she discovered that others were suffering from crippling forms of anxiety and depression, too. Her openness helped her bring healing to others and encounter the light herself.
“God, for some reason, has spared me. Perhaps to tell this story today,” she said.
CDC research shows about one in eight women with a recent live birth suffers from symptoms of postpartum depression. Another study done by Postpartum Support International reveals that approximately 9% of women experience postpartum PTSD following childbirth.
To address these realities, Thomas has since written the book “HOPE Inside Out,” which details her struggle with depression and PTSD, as well as the hope she was able to find in God.
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/film/julie-thomas.
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 150 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:
Julie Shutley
972-267-1111
julie@alarryross.com
New I Am Second Film Offers Hope and Redemption from a Troubled Past
Ex-Con Michael Molthan Shares Move From a 27 Mug-Shot Record to Helping Bring Restoration to Fellow Inmates
PLANO, Texas, June 23, 2022 – In the new White Chair Film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, charismatic speaker and daily talk show host, Michael Molthan, shares about his past struggles, addiction, reaching rock bottom and looking for a way out of his messy life, before ultimately turning from felon to phenomenon.
As a child, Molthan experienced many hardships and trials from his father’s abandonment to his grandfather’s abuse.
“At a very young age, my grandfather started abusing me. It was the first time I kept a secret,” said Molthan. “I was being told by my parents that I was just like my grandfather – my mannerisms, the way I talked and even my handwriting. They told me I was going to grow up to be just like him. That was confusing to me.”
He struggled with feelings of loneliness, turned to drugs and alcohol, attempted suicide, and eventually landed himself in prison.
“In 2011, I had my first encounter with the law. I had arrived at a place I thought I would never go,” said Molthan. “After my first mug shot, I did everything I could to make it go away. I was becoming this man I thought I would never be.”
Over four years, Molthan accumulated 27 mug shots and was eventually transferred to a prison filled with murderers. In his four-by-nine cell, Molthan, overtaken by anxiety, paced back and forth; however, when he started reading the Bible, everything began to change. Then, one morning he awoke and describes an experience he had never had before.
“As I exhaled, all the hate, anger and resentment were coming out of my body,” said Molthan. “It was then that the Bible started making sense. I started reading to other inmates who could not read. The guards were amazed that we were so close and serving together.”
Three months after this encounter, Molthan was released from prison due to a paperwork error. He felt God tell him to go turn himself in, but the judge had heard about what Molthan had been doing in prison and gave him an unexpected assignment.
Recognizing that it was when he hit rock bottom that he found God, Molthan has now dedicated his life to helping others on their path to recovery by using his own personal experience, what it was like for him and how his life has changed today.
“Only God can turn a felon into a phenomenon,” he said.
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/film/michael-molthan.
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 150 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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New I Am Second Film Draws Attention to Military Veterans Coping With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Iraq War Veteran Ben Peterson Shares How He Moved from Rage and Depression to Living a Life of Purpose and Passion
PLANO, Texas, May 12, 2022 — In the new White Chair Film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Engage Your Destiny, Ben Peterson, shares his story about the emotional trauma he carried home from combat, and how he eventually found healing and a renewed sense of purpose.
Peterson was raised in a home that included a heavy amount of turmoil. As he grew older, a desire to fight back took root in his heart to such a degree that he yearned to become someone strong and intimidating — even dangerous. This pursuit led him to enroll in the U.S. military, where he served for eight years, including two years of deployment in Iraq.
Although Peterson had faith in God and served as an assistant chaplain in the Army, when he returned to the U.S., the emotional wounds he carried from the war were more than he was prepared to handle. He turned to destructive behaviors and, over time, his pain grew out of control to the extent that he was ready to end his life.
“Here I was, this chaplain assistant in ministry, a Christian guy who loves Jesus, but I was dealing with so much pain,” shares Peterson. “Between the nightmares and the overwhelming PTSD, I felt like a complete monster. I remember holding a handgun and processing whether I should take my life. I couldn't see another path forward.”
Just when Peterson’s anguish nearly overcame him, his mentor offered him an encouraging comparison to what Jesus’ disciples experienced when their Messiah was crucified. What they couldn't see amid their pain would soon be the greatest victory that the world had ever known.
"He said, ‘Ben, you're in so much pain and you don't understand why, but there's a victory beneath it,’” recalls Peterson. “‘If you hang in there, you're going to understand why you went through this and God will work it for good. There's going to be a resurrection day for your life. You're going to come back to life.’”
Peterson began to reengage with his faith and intentionally surrounded himself with people who could support him as he tried to heal from war. A renewed sense of hope for the future filled his heart.
What followed for Peterson was a deep calling to minister to other military veterans. He founded Engage Your Destiny, a nonprofit organization that leads active military veterans and their families into first-class resources where they can find hope, healing and identity through faith.
Several years ago, God gave Peterson a vision to honor Vietnam veterans who never received the tribute and celebration they deserved when they returned home from what was unquestionably a brutal and emotionally tormenting war. That vision has culminated into the Heroes Honor Festival, happening on Memorial Day weekend 2022 at Daytona International Speedway.
“We're going to give our Vietnam veterans the most incredible tribute and celebration that you can imagine,” Peterson said. “We're expecting tens of thousands of people, united in gratitude for the men and women who served, in many cases without choice, and didn’t receive the honor they were due. It’s one way that God can bring healing and hope to our veterans, to our active military and to their families.”
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/film/ben-peterson.
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 150 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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New I Am Second Film Exposes the Emotional Trauma of Narrowly Escaping a Human Trafficking Predator
Sarah Taylor Shares How Authentic Forgiveness Helped Her Find Healing During Sexual Assault Awareness Month
PLANO, Texas, April 7, 2022 — In the new White Chair Film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second Sarah Taylor, sports mental performance coach and former San Diego Fox Sports reporter, talks about her emotional trauma following an attempted abduction and how she found healing.
Taylor’s story of being assaulted by a human trafficker is not widely known. An avid runner, it was during one run several years ago that her life was forever changed.
“I Am Second chose to release Taylor’s story in April 2022, in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month to give context to her story and in hopes of helping others who have gone through similar situations,” said John Humphrey, Executive Producer of I Am Second. “Taylor’s story ties into the goals of the annual awareness campaign that aims to prevent sexual violence and support those who are affected by it.”
In the exclusive film, Taylor shares a detailed account of her assault as well as how she escaped the near kidnapping – both of which offer important education and awareness messages.
Although Taylor’s experience successfully aided in the shutting down of a major trafficking ring, the aftermath of her trauma didn’t end there. She was left with intense nightmares, debilitating fear and an absence of all joy.
“I was kind of left to go on as normal,” shares Taylor. “And I quickly realized that there was no going on as normal. All the happiness and joy that I usually carry with me was just stolen. That’s when I decided to seek help.”
Through her church, she found a therapist and began a faith-filled journey toward healing.
“Genuine authentic forgiveness was so important for me,” acknowledges Taylor. “That’s truthfully the only reason I feel like I’ve been able to heal from my biggest wounds. Although it took me many years, ultimately forgiveness brought me so much peace.”
Along with her husband, Trent, who plays football for the Cincinnati Bengals, Taylor is committed to bringing awareness of human trafficking to those who are unaware of its prevalence in our country. She hopes that her story will help other victims of assault or trafficking find peace and joy again.
“I made a decision that I’m going to pick up the pieces and I’m going to be better as a result of this,” said Taylor in the film. “Not only am I going to regain who Sarah was, but I’m going to come back stronger.”
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/sarahtaylor.
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 150 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:
Julie Shutley
julie@alarryross.com
972-267-1111
NASCAR Fan Favorites Featured in Two New Films from I Am Second
Racing Personalities, including Daytona 500 Reigning Champ Michael McDowell, share about life on and off the track
PLANO, Texas, Feb. 14, 2022 – Leading into an exciting week of racing surrounding this year’s Daytona 500, I Am Second, a global storytelling organization, is releasing two new short films that share a glimpse of the competitiveness, comradery and enthusiasm of racing life as well as perseverance in the midst of the “crash and burn.”
The first short film will feature Michael McDowell, professional NASCAR driver racing the No. 34 Ford Mustang for Front Row Motorsports and 2021 underdog and unlikely champion of the Daytona 500.
“When you are in that zone everything slows down and gets quiet. Your brain is going faster than the wheels are. You are not just thinking about where that car is, where you are, but the move you are going to make, how you are going to make it, what you need to do,” said McDowell. “Even though you are 200 miles an hour, inches apart or inches from the wall, you feel like you are in complete control…until you are not.”
In McDowell’s I Am Second film, he walks through the mountains and valleys of his journey, from beginning in NASCAR as a rookie in 2008 and his near career-ending crash to his unexpected win in the 2021 Daytona 500.
“God spoke to me that these hard times I was facing were for a reason … God always has a plan, and it doesn’t always look how I want it to or how I expected it to, but God is faithful,” said McDowell. “I came to the racetrack week after week hopeful that I’d finally get the opportunity to win a race. It took a long, long time and a lot of trials to get there but my opportunity finally came.”
Compiled from footage from previously released White Chair films, the second newly released film features NASCAR personalities sharing insight into the highs and lows of the sport, including McDowell, David Starr, Trevor Bayne, Joe Gibbs, Darrell Waltrip and Aric Almirola.
“People call it cocky or arrogance. But you have to be that way to stay on top,” said Waltrip, three-time NASCAR Cup Champ, winner of 84 Cup Races, NASCAR on FoxSports Lead Commentator and member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “At least in that moment that’s what you think.
In the film, the NASCAR veterans describe their unique experiences of realizing their true identity, which was not found in winning or losing.
“When I had success at the racetrack, I was so excited but by Tuesday or Wednesday of the next week it was gone,” said Almirola, driver of the No. 10 Ford Mustang for Stewart-Haas Racing. “I was constantly chasing happiness and it was illuding me. If I did find it, it was short term.”
The personalities featured in the film each share of discovering hope and purpose through a relationship with Jesus.
“Having a personal relationship with Christ makes me a better person, a better competitor, a better husband and a better father,” said Starr, six-time winner in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
To view the two new NASCAR films from I Am Second, visit www.iamsecond.com/nascar.
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 100 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:
Julie Shutley, 972-267-1111
julie@alarryross.com
I Am Second Partners With TBN Africa to Launch 12-Episode TV Series
‘The Stories of I Am Second’ to feature unguarded stories of lives surrendered to Jesus
PLANO, Texas, Feb. 10, 2022 – Global storytelling organization, I Am Second, is set to launch a new 12-part television series in collaboration with Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN) Africa on Sunday, March 6. Each episode of the series developed exclusively for African audiences will feature a powerful compilation of some of I Am Second’s most inspirational White Chair films, sharing powerful testimonies of “Seconds” who had hit rock bottom until they discovered the radical love of Jesus.
“We are honored and excited to begin working alongside Trinity Broadcasting Network to provide encouragement and discipleship directly to the people of Africa,” said Dave Kruger, who along with his wife, Donna, serves as I Am Second Africa Director. “Our greatest hope with this new partnership is that we are able to effectively share the unconditional love and transformative power of Jesus.”
A few notable stories viewers can expect from this exclusive new series are those from Olympians such as Morolake Akinosun and Shawn Johnson, renowned Paralympian Jessica Long, soccer (football) legend Kaka, hip-hop artist Lecrae, singer/musician Michael W. Smith, Tori Kelly, Danny Gokey, Korn rockstar Brian Welch and many others.
“Our goal is to inspire individuals facing difficult circumstances by sharing these personal stories of people that have encountered situations they thought were impossible, and showing how they overcame them, not by their own will, but through God’s power,” said Lucky Mbiko, Managing Director of TBN Africa. “By placing your identity in Christ, true freedom is possible.”
The series, which is hosted by I Am Second’s Lucy Allen, Hans Ndam from Cameroon, and Grace Nelly Tshitoko from The Democratic Republic of the Congo, will premiere each Sunday beginning March 6 and run multiple times through the week. Each new show will showcase testimonies of trial to triumph from some of life’s gravest issues such as prostitution, racial hate, self-harm, disabilities, body image struggles, sexual abuse, dysfunctional marriages, identity issues and more.
“Since 2008, I Am Second has partnered with people in all walks of life to share some of the most compelling testimonies of our age,” said I Am Second Executive Producer John Humphrey. “We hope these true stories of God’s redemptive power can provide hope to those in any stage of their faith journey from those struggling with big questions to those who have never heard of Jesus.
To learn more about “The Stories of I Am Second” on TBN Africa, visit www.tbnafrica.org.
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 150 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.
About TBN Africa
TBN Africa is a premier Christian channel, with a selection of the best African and international Christian-based content consisting of ministry, lifestyle, music, youth shows, children’s entertainment, documentaries and movies.The TBN Africa team works with dedication to provide content that reflects and inspires Christian value in real life. Since its inception in March 2016, TBN Africa has experienced exponential growth and currently broadcasts to over 50 countries across Africa.
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New I Am Second Film Gives Insight Into Struggles, Emotions of Sexual Assault Survivors
Monica Zuniga Bailey Shares How She Found Healing, Connection and Life on the Other Side of Rape
PLANO, Texas, Jan. 19, 2022 – In the new White Chair film released by global storytelling organization I Am Second, Monica Zuniga Bailey, founder of the online organization, We Are Unveiled, details her experiences as a young woman carrying guilt and shame after being drugged and raped by a nameless man. Her story provides insight into the secret struggles shared by many other victims of sexual assualt.
“I thought it was completely my fault and that I had failed,” Zuniga Bailey said. “I tried to convince myself that it was a nightmare and all wasn’t true. But it was. I promised myself that I would never tell anyone and if I did, I would be judged.”
Zuniga Bailey pushed down feelings of unworthiness and continued in destructive habits. It was only when another man tried to drug her at a bar that she knew a change needed to be made. That night she did something she hadn’t in a long time: she had a conversation with God.
“I asked God that if He was real, He needed to say something in that moment,” Zuniga Bailey said. “I felt the voice of God telling me to look up the meaning of my middle name –- Amanda. I found out it means ‘worthy of love,’ and in that moment, I felt a physical wrap-around presence of God come around me and save me.”
Zuniga Bailey came to understand that while sexual assault was part of her story, it did not define her identity.
In the film, Zuniga Bailey also recalls a night where she was able to open up to a room of girls for the first time, only to realize that over half of the women in the room had actually been through similar experiences.
“I finally knew it was not my fault. It was not God’s heart for me to lose my virginity that way. I was not damaged goods,” said Zuniga Bailey. “That night was pivotal for me in taking the steps toward healing to truly experience life on the other side of rape.”
Zuniga Bailey now regularly shares about her past and encourages women to embrace their true identity and purpose.
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/monica.
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 100 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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New I Am Second Film Shares Kurt Warner’s Story of Family, Football and Faith
Former NFL-star partners with I Am Second to dive deeper into his personal journey ahead of new film, ‘American Underdog’
PLANO, Texas, Dec. 15, 2021 – Kurt Warner, former NFL quarterback of the St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals whose life story is told through the forthcoming featured film “American Underdog,” partnered with global storytelling organization, I Am Second, to share a more in-depth look about how finding faith transformed his life. Going beyond the plot of “American Underdog,” Warner details the emotional journey of his personal and professional highs and lows in the new exclusive short film released on iamsecond.com.
Providing a closer look at the experiences of Warner and meaningful relationships he’s built, the I Am Second film tells how he met his wife Brenda and the special connection that sparked their love story – bonding with her two children. Despite being only a college kid at the time of meeting Brenda, her circumstances of being a divorced mother of two did not keep Warner away, but only strengthened their relationship.
“My wife helped me dive into my faith journey in a different way. She challenged me early and often in our relationship about what I believed and why I believed it,” said Warner.
The film also gives insight into what Warner refers to as his lowest point in his football career – being cut from the Green Bay Packers’ training camp. Only a week later, he found himself working at a grocery store with no clear path or direction and unsure of how to chase his NFL dream again.
Through loss, shattered dreams, changing plans and meaningful relationships, Warner came to learn how God is always there and with him through all of life’s ups and downs.
The I Am Second film gives greater context to Warner’s full story, which is portrayed in the forthcoming movie, “American Underdog.” Starring Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin and Dennis Quaid, the film releases in theaters nationwide on Christmas Day.
“Many people have followed Kurt Warner’s MVP Super Bowl career without knowing the personal journey that led to his wins on the football field,” said John Humphrey, Vice President of I Am Second. “We are honored that he has partnered with I Am Second to give viewers a raw look into the important moments and milestones that have shaped his life.”
To watch the exclusive I Am Second film, visit iamsecond.com/kurtwarner.
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 100 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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New I Am Second Film: Shocking Survival Story
White Chair Film Shares Joey Kelly’s Story of Working Through Guilt and Anger After Witnessing Murder at a Young Age
PLANO, Texas, Oct. 19, 2021 – I Am Second, a global storytelling organization, released its most recent White Chair Film today that features Austin native Joey Kelly. In the film, Kelly recounts a traumatic childhood experience that led him into years of survivor's guilt, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and how he was ultimately able to find hope and purpose.
Kelly’s White Chair Film details the life-changing moment at 3 a.m. on December 2, 2000, where he witnessed at the young age of 12 the horrific murder of his aunt and cousin by his own uncle before fighting for his own life. Kelly walks through the events of that night and recalls God’s miraculous protection that saved his life.
“That was the worst moment of my life,” said Kelly. “I watched my best friend – my cousin Mikey – get murdered by his father.”
Experiencing years of survivor’s guilt, depression and PTSD, Kelly notes how he was furious at God for letting evil win in such a big way, often going into his backyard to curse at God out of sheer rage. Years after this early life event, he felt he deserved the right to act out and began using that excuse to engage in drinking, partying and smoking as a release.
“I didn’t feel like I was a special kid and I didn’t do anything to deserve it,” said Kelly. “If anything, Mikey was a way better kid than me. I felt like he had way more potential than me. It just didn’t make sense.”
From the outside, Kelly appeared to be a happy-go-lucky teenager but he attributes it to his ability to compartmentalize, that was, until he finally reached a breaking point during college at Texas A&M University. Kelly recounts the powerful experience of hearing “Amazing Grace” after walking into a church, breaking down and finally processing the grief of his loss and pain after all the years.
“God saved my life that night for a reason. He had a plan and a purpose for me and the men I came into community with helped me realize He wasn’t done with me yet,” said Kelly. “I started living authentically for the Lord and was excited to do it. There is no looking back.”
To hear Kelly’s full story and watch the White Chair Film, visit iamsecond.com/film/joey-kelly/.
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 100 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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I Am Home Raffle Offers You a Chance to Win a New Home in one of the Country's Most Sought After Neighborhoods - For Just $100
Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 1, 2021 – Middle Tennessee’s most trusted home builder, Willow Branch Homes, has graciously donated one of their brand new builds to raffle off in support of two local nonprofits: Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and storytelling organization, I Am Second. The organizations will offer the chance to win the home this fall.
Tickets went on sale on Aug. 31, for the first-ever I Am Home Raffle, and a winner will be drawn on Nov. 6. Tickets cost $100 each. The I Am Home Raffle home is nestled in the rolling hills of Tennessee in one of the country’s most sought after communities, The Fields of Canterbury. The neighborhood, located in Thompson’s Station, is just minutes from one of America’s most charming and reputable downtowns of Franklin, Tennessee. Williamson County was recently voted as one of America’s best places to live. Front porch living truly becomes a reality in this part of the country. This quaint neighborhood is just 20 minutes outside of Nashville, aka “Music City” - alive with a rhythm that woos both locals and tourists with its vibrant energy and live music. The southern hospitality and endless charm is at the heartbeat of these local towns.
The home itself is indicative of the beautiful surrounding farms and green spaces, while leaning into the rapidly evolving culture of Tennessee. This brand new 3,072-square-foot modern home includes four bedrooms. 3.5 baths, a two-car garage, open concept kitchen and more! The home interior is designed by Willow Branch along with I Am Second’s celebrity ambassadors, Kathie Lee Gifford and Moriah Peters. Gifford and Peters demonstrate talent and exquisite taste within their own lifestyles, careers and homes, and they are thrilled at the opportunity to collaborate and curate a beautiful aesthetic for this residence.
“How I wish each person who buys a ticket could win this home,” said Gifford. “Sharing the heart of my home with the people I adore has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I invite you into the heart of each one of these organizations by supporting the I Am Home project and purchasing a ticket for a chance to win the key to this beautiful property. May God bless you and each of your homes.”
Willow Branch Homes offers a range of home designs for whatever stage of life you are in, including townhomes, lake cottages, neighborhood classics and estate-style homes on multi-acre building sites throughout Middle Tennessee.
Willow Branch is proud to be able to offer this home to one lucky winner while benefiting two nonprofit organizations that give so much back to the community.
Limited tickets are available, and participants can purchase a ticket online at iamhomeraffle.com.
With every purchase you are not only entering to win this remarkable home; but you are directly supporting the mission of Children’s Hospital, Tennessee’s premier pediatric health care facility, and I Am Second, a faith-based organization spreading hope to the community.
“We are excited to be named a beneficiary of the I Am Home Raffle later this fall,” said Meg Rush, MD, MMHC, President of Children’s Hospital. “At Children’s Hospital, we come to work every day focused on providing hope and healing for children through our commitment to personalized patient care. We are so grateful to have Willow Branch as a new community partner to support us in our service and dedication to children and families in our community.”
“I Am Second is honored to be able to join with such incredible partners and offer another way to serve the local community,” said I Am Second Executive Director, Mike Jorgensen. “We are thankful for all who participate in supporting our work and in making a great home available to a family in the community.”
Willow Branch Homes broke ground on the build in April 2021, and the home will be move-in ready in November 2021. To reserve a ticket, see additional details or read terms and conditions, visitiamhomeraffle.com.
For just $100, you could live in the house and community of your dreams.
**The I Am Home Raffle is authorized by the State of Tennessee Division of Charitable Solicitations, Fantasy Sports and Gaming. Purchasers must be located within Tennessee at time of purchase, and other restrictions apply as required by law. Learn more at iamhomehaffle.com.**
About Willow Branch Homes
Willow Branch Homes started as an idea back in 2009 when owner, Bucky Ingram, started in land development. He saw a need for local, quality craftsmanship homes in Middle Tennessee. In 2012, Willow Branch Homes was created. Starting in just one community, they have now grown into over 10 communities across Middle Tennessee.
The Willow Branch Homes team strives to enable each homeowner to “live better” with the efficiency and beauty of a Willow Branch Home. From start to finish of building a new home, Willow Branch Homes ensures the most pleasant experience possible. Customized details, quality materials, expert craftsmanship and thought-out communities are what make Willow Branch Homes Middle Tennessee’s most trusted homebuilder.
To learn more, visit WillowBranchHomesTN.com.
About Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt is one of the nation's leading children's hospitals, treating and helping to prevent a full range of pediatric health issues from colds and broken bones to complex heart diseases and cancer. Achieving 10 out of 10 nationally ranked pediatric specialties in 2021, Children’s Hospital was again named among the nation’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” for the 15th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. Additionally, Children’s Hospital earned the distinction as the No. 1 pediatric hospital in Tennessee, and in a new regional ranking, sharing first place in the Southeast Region.
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, a nonprofit organization, opened in 2004, expanded its physical space in 2012, and recently added four new floors encompassing 160,000 total sq. ft. The new expansion helps to advance the size and scope of the hospital's mission.
For more about Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt: ChildrensHospitalVanderbilt.org.
About I Am Second
At I am Second, we know you want to live an inspired, purposeful and meaningful life. The problem is sometimes we get stuck in isolation and confusion, which leaves us feeling frustrated and without hope. This is why we provide written and film-based stories of athletes, actors, models, musicians, cultural influencers and everyday people who share their stories of inspiration and what “living second” means to them. I am Second is a non-profit that features over 150 stories reaching over 150M views in 230 countries.
For information, visit iamsecond.com.
Granger and Amber Smith Share How They Worked Through Grief After Losing Son
I Am Second Film Gives Hope to Those Experiencing Extreme Suffering
PLANO, Texas, August 26, 2021 – Global storytelling organization, I Am Second, today released its latest White Chair Film featuring Granger Smith, American country singer-songwriter, and his wife Amber Smith, in which they share their story of healing, discovering meaning and purpose and even finding joy after losing their son.
The new White Chair Film details the Smith family’s experience of losing their youngest son, 3-year-old River, in a drowning accident at their home pool while they were playing in the summer of 2019.
“When I think of suffering, none of it makes sense, none of it seems right, none of it seems fair,” said Amber Smith. “People always say how can a good God cause suffering?”
Through heartbreak and struggling with grief, the Smiths went to therapy sessions and even a retreat to try and heal from the trauma but did not truly feel satisfied until they realized that the Word of God itself, might be enough to diminish some of the suffering they were experiencing.
“I really started to hear the voice of God through the word of God,” said Granger Smith. “God doesn’t take away suffering. Suffering is promised in the Bible, but the power of God sustains us through the suffering, instead of eliminating it. There is so much peace knowing that there is a purpose and plan made for good.”
The Smiths welcomed the addition of a baby boy to their family after a long journey with IVF and a miscarriage.
“Knowing that He has overcome the world is restoration. That is healing. That is meaning and purposeful, as much as it hurts,” said Amber Smith. “He is working and he is working all things out for good.”
To learn more and watch the film visit, https://www.iamsecond.com/grangerandamber.
About I Am Second
I Am Second is a non-profit 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 100 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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Olympian Morolake Akinosun Shares Story of Overcoming Injury in New I Am Second Film
Morolake Currently Training to Represent US in 2021 Olympic Games
PLANO, Texas, June 2021 - Gold medalist and superstar track athlete Morolake Akinosun shares her story of triumph what could have been a career-ending injury to becoming the third-fastest female runner in the new White Chair Film from global storytelling organization, I Am Second. Her comeback was not just about rebuilding her physical body, but discovering and strengthening her true character and identity.
Currently training to represent the U.S. in the 2021 Games, Morolake is a 2016 Olympic 4 x 100 meter relay Gold Medalist, four-time NCAA champion and 25-time All-American.
“So I love speed. I love driving fast. I love doing everything fast,” said Akinosun in the film. “One of my good friends used to tell me I moved so fast through life that I couldn't control it.”
In the film, Akinosun describes how every athlete has that one moment that defines not only their career, but also their life. Her moment came on Jan. 27, 2018, as Akinosun ran into a wall when stopping at the end of a race and completely ruptured her Achilles tendon. Discovering the injury’s potential to be career-ending, she struggled to understand her true purpose.
“I had always been the person who would be introduced to others as she is really fast; she runs track. That was always the adjective or description after the introduction of me. I liked being that person. All of the sudden it was all stripped from me. I didn’t know who I was,” said Akinosun. “I was angry at God because I thought running is what I was supposed to be doing.”
Akinosun found a community that had two things in common – a love for game nights and love for Jesus Christ. The game nights led to Akinosun, for the first time in her life, realizing the power of surrounding herself with a prayerful and positive community – one that helped her realize while she could still be a runner and she could still be fast, she was also much more than that.
“I realized that my injury didn’t mean I had changed or that God had shifted His plan for me,” Akinosun said. “It just meant that I had to go through a little bit of something first.”
To watch Akinosun’s full White Chair Film, visit iamsecond.com.
About I Am Second
I Am Second is a non-profit 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 100 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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New Film From I Am Second and the Mighty Oaks Foundation Gives Hope to Those Suffering with PTSD
30-minute Film Shares Chad Robichaux’s Journey from Marine to Helping Veterans Find Hope and Healing
PLANO, Texas, May 28, 2021 - Ahead of Memorial Day and PTSD Awareness Month in June, global storytelling organization I Am Second in association with Mighty Oaks Foundation and Global Digital Releasing will release the film, “Never Fight Alone.” The 30-minute program, available for a limited time on iamsecond.com, unfolds the challenges many veterans face, specifically the battle with PTSD that leads to over 20 suicides a day and a staggering divorce rate amongst military families.
“When you are going through an impossible situation you often think you are all alone and that no one can possibly experience what you are experiencing, no one can feel what you feel and no one can understand,” said Chad Robichaux, founder of the Mighty Oaks Foundation. “It is very easy to focus on yourself, your own circumstances and self-pity and miss the very fact that many of those around you are experiencing the very same thing.”
“Never Fight Alone” shares Robichaux’s struggles after coming home from Afghanistan with PTSD and a failing marriage and what led him to create the Mighty Oaks Foundation. It also includes testimonials from veterans, both men, and women, sharing how the programs completely transformed the trajectory of their lives and directed them to discover purpose and overcoming past traumas.
“This new film is for veterans and their families, those that love and support them, and for anyone who doesn’t want their past to define their future,” said John Humphrey, I Am Second Vice President. “It gives the viewer a unique perspective on a condition that affects the lives of many military families, while also sharing stories of veteran’s personal struggles and triumphs.”
Robichaux, who is also a best-selling author and champion MMA fighter, joined the Marines at the age of 17. Deploying to Afghanistan, he fought in combat and began to experience panic attacks and uncontrollable anger, eventually being diagnosed with PTSD. Living in brokenness, Robichaux struggled as he no longer had the identity of an active Marine and even thought about ending his life.
“I tried pills, MMA fighting, counseling, jujitsu, but nothing was working. It was time for me to try something different,” said Robichaux. “I decided to surrender my life to Christ at that moment and step into the life that Christ intended me to live.”
Realizing that countless other combat veterans face the same psychological, emotional, and spiritual challenges he did after his service in Afghanistan, Robichaux founded Mighty Oaks Foundation. Offering a variety of programs, the organization encourages veterans to find hope and purpose beyond their military service, grabbing hold of a future worth living again. The name was inspired by the scripture Isaiah 61:3 that says we can rise from the ashes and become mighty oaks of righteousness.
To learn more about Mighty Oaks Foundation or watch “Never Fight Alone” visit, https://www.iamsecond.com/. The film will be available on I Am Second for viewing through the end of June 2021.
About Mighty Oaks Foundation
The Mighty Oaks Foundation is committed to serving the brokenhearted by providing intensive peer-based discipleship through a series of programs, outpost meetings, and speaking events. Our Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs hosts such Men, Women, and Marriage Advance Programs at multiple locations nationwide. The Warriors who attend are fully sponsored for training, meals, and lodging needs to ensure that upon arrival to the ranch, each Warrior is focused solely on his or her recovery and identifying purpose moving forward. For more information, visit https://www.mightyoaksprograms.org/.
About Global Digital Releasing
Global Digital Releasing is a film distribution company that specializes in World Wide digital platform releases of indie feature films. For more information visit: http://www.globaldigitalreleasing.com/
About I Am Second
I Am Second is a non-profit 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 100 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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I Am Second to Launch New Film Series: “Dysfunction to Dynasty” on May 16
8-part Web Series Gives Fans an Inside Look at The Robertson Family, Their Struggles and Their Faith
PLANO, Texas, May 12, 2021 - Global storytelling organization I Am Second is releasing its newest exclusive 8-part web series, “Dysfunction to Dynasty,” in which three generations of the Robertson family of Duck Dynasty fame share stories of how each individual, once rooted in dysfunction, found peace and purpose. To watch the trailer for this series visit: https://www.iamsecond.com/film/dysfunction-to-dynasty/.
“Every family has a layer of dysfunction and chaos, but I believe ours had a full cake,” said Al Robertson. “We have, for the most part, made it to the other side and this film series is the story of our redemption.”
Al Robertson, the eldest of the four Robertson brothers, narrates the new eight-part series that shows the Robertson family’s story of redemption after hardships such as broken relationships, alcohol, drugs, thoughts of suicide, infidelity and the discovery a long-lost daughter.
America fell in love with the quirkiness, humor and realness of the Robertson family during the airing of “Duck Dynasty,” the reality show that followed the family and their family-owned and operated business, Duck Commanders. After five successful seasons and being one of the top-rated cable shows, “Duck Dynasty” ended in 2017. The new series from I Am Second gives fans a deeper insight into the struggles the Robertsons endured and will give viewers hope that change is possible.
“Due to the unique opportunity of capturing three generations of Robertsons, we feel there is a strong narrative of how the love of Jesus and the restoration of souls has been passed through the Robertson family,” said John Humphrey, I Am Second Vice President. “Watching the series, we walk through the lives of the family, beginning with Phil and Kay and most recently finding its way to Phil’s newly found daughter Phyllis.”
The entire 8-episode series,“Dysfunction to Dynasty,” will be released over three nights: May 16, 18 and 20. The series features interview material I Am Second has collected over the past 8 years, including interviews from Phil Robertson, Kay Roberston, Al Robertson, Lisa Robertson, Jep Robertson, Reed Roberston and Phil’s daughter Phyllis Robertson Thomas.
To tune into the “Dysfunction to Dynasty” series, visit https://www.iamsecond.com/film/dysfunction-to-dynasty/.
About I Am Second
I Am Second is a non-profit 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 100 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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Comedian Chaz Smith Shares Story of ‘Being Enough’ in new I Am Second Film
Smith walked out from under his Dad’s shadow to find his self-worth and bring others laughter and joy
PLANO, Texas, April 2021 - Global storytelling organization I Am Second today released its newest White Chair film featuring entertainer and content creator, Chaz Smith. His story encourages those struggling with identity, addiction and the feeling of never being enough to find comfort in knowing there is a purpose for your life and a reason for your struggles.
Smith, who has a popular YouTube channel and is most known for his “Pronouncing Things Incorrectly” videos, hasn’t always been confident in his own abilities. Throughout his childhood, Smith, son of NBA star and Olympic gold medalist Charles Smith, faced an immense amount of pressure to live up to his father’s expectations and accomplishments.
“There was a lot of pressure on my shoulders. I always had to do things right and be right,” said Smith.
Though Smith followed in his dad’s footsteps, playing basketball as a kid, it wasn’t until a time of comforting a crying girl in the hallway of his high school that he realized his desire to do something that makes people smile and laugh for a living.
But when Smith got to college, he fell into a time of extreme loneliness. He became addicted to pornography and cried out to God to take away his desire.
“What I came to find out is that a pornography addiction is a symptom of a deeper issue and for me, throughout my entire life, it was just not feeling like I was good enough,” said Smith. “God doesn’t just lift us out of our circumstances because then we wouldn’t need to cling to Him. It is God who frees us.”
Through his journey, Smith found healing from the pressure he had always put on himself and fulfilled his dream to bring encouragement to others. Today, his YouTube channel reaches nearly 1 million subscribers.
To watch Smith’s full White Chair Film, visit iamsecond.com.
About I Am Second
I Am Second is a non-profit 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 100 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.
Find Your True Identity: New IA2 Films Share Stories of Jason Lee, Hannah Lee
I Am Second Marks 12 Years of Impacting Culture with Stories of Changed Lives
PLANO, Texas, Feb. 22, 2021 – Since its founding in 2008 with just 15 “White Chair Films,” I Am Second has today created over 150 films focusing on culturally relevant issues including addiction, depression and loneliness. Marking its 12-year anniversary, I Am Second released two new short films, in addition to advertising and new content, that focus on finding identity and worth, qualities even more important given the events of the last year.
“The year 2020 represented a turmotulous, polarizing and isolating time for many people. They suffered loss, chaos and connection. Yet, the stories we share in our films show that it is possible to overcome any devastating situation,” said John Humphrey, I am Second Vice President. “The two new stories of Jason Lee and his wife Hannah Lee show that the only way to be truly fulfilled is to put your identity in Christ.”
Jason Lee, a seminary student and Groups Resident at Oaks Church in Allen, Texas, had been moving so fast, running 110 miles an hour trying to do and be everything for everyone.
“Here I am 22 years old. I got the job; I got the money; I got the girl and the friends. I had reached it. I had a pretty high opinion of myself. I was happy, but at the same time I was empty,” said Jason Lee. “Noticing there was a void in my life -- that's what attracted me to Jesus.”
Lee quit his job and moved full-time into pastoring, but he made his ministry his identity and ended up having panic attacks and suffering from depression.
“That's where I found God. He was waiting for me. I think he had to take me to my hardest moments because that's when he was like...this is the Jason I was waiting for,” said Jason Lee.
Jason’s wife Hannah also had been searching for her identity, first looking for success in the entertainment industry, then as a wife and a mother.
“I was wondering why am I not satisfied, why is this not easier, why doesn’t he [her husband] love me the way I need to be loved? And God said to me, ‘Because he is not me,’” said Hannah Lee in her film. “As wonderful as motherhood is, it can’t be my identity. A career and passion are beautiful but they are not the best things. Marriage is a beautiful thing, but it is not the one thing. God in his kindness has let each of those fail, and I am grateful, weirdly, because it has allowed me to see that He is the only thing that is not going to leave me wanting.”
I Am Second has already used Hannah’s film in its recent awareness campaign using billboards, digital, radio and television ads to reach people who are struggling to find their worth and purpose.
“The most beautiful thing that I have learned throughout this whole process is really figuring out who I am becoming, not what I’m doing,” said Jason Lee. “It's being loved right now where I am...with no expectations. Being fully known and fully accepted.”
To watch Jason and Hannah Lee’s films visit: http://www.iamsecond.com.
About I Am Second
I Am Second is a non-profit 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 100 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:
Julie Shutley
julie@alarryross.com
214-457-1398
Online Newsroom:
https://alarryross.com/i-am-second