From heart-wrenching defeats to capturing glory, rarely is anyone faced with adversity more than the modern-day athlete. True champions have learned not only to overcome their adversities, but to use them as a tool. From his roots in Hollis to covering some of the biggest names and games in the world, STEPHEN A. SMITH uses his life experiences and sports-as-life references to offer his perspective on how to keep your head in the game using courage, determination, and patience, so you too can use adversity to your benefit.

STEPHEN A. SMITH's career has allowed him to be up close and personal with tremendous leaders and athletes, and he has learned firsthand about the trials and tribulations on the road to great leadership. In these powerful and actionable remarks, Smith highlights how leadership is now more important than ever, and decodes the keys to goal setting, personal motivation. Chock-full of anecdotes from the world of sports, Smith's remarks will enthrall, entertain, and educate.

What is the right thing to do when lines of ethics are increasingly blurred? Being the best and having more power and money enables those on the way up to be filled with praise, big paydays, and role-model status. But the headlines are filled with fall-from-grace storylines all the time, as major athletes have dealt with personal scandals and transgressions. What is the new model for success, and how can we build a personal brand associated with dependability, moral character, and trust? 

From sportsmanship to gambling, steroid use to point shaving, sports journalist Stephen A. Smith has seen and covered a wide spectrum of ethical issues both on-and-off the field....interviewing an abundance of major players. He uses his unique insight to offer perspective on how we can become the best versions of ourselves, holding ourselves, our teammates, and our role models, to an ever-higher standard. This engaging and eye-opening presentation will make you think about ethical decisions in a refreshing, productive way.

Inspired by his highly anticipated memoir Straight Shooter, STEPHEN A. SMITH shares his candid perspective, reveals the challenges he’s overcome, and opens up about who he is when the cameras are off in this engaging moderated conversation.