Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Tywanna Smith
Hi Dr. Tywanna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I haven’t always been known as a best-selling author, speaker, and award-winning international sports advisor. My story started in West Memphis, Arkansas as a young girls’ basketball player with a cousin who played in the NBA. As I grew in the game of basketball, my participation in the sport became my gateway to the world. I earned a full scholarship to play basketball at Ole Miss, and then I went overseas to become a professional athlete in Europe. It was an amazing experience to live in another country while being paid to play a game that I love.
After I retired from professional sports, I became a financial advisor. I knew I wanted to work with other professional athletes! I wanted to help them manage their money, secure endorsements, and build lasting legacies. For over 18 years, I have worked with over 60 professional athletes and coaches who have played in the NBA, NFL, WNBA, MLB, and international sports. As a thought leader in sports, I have written best-selling books, directed an award-winning film, and created signature programming for young athletes.
The one word to describe how I got to where I am today is GOD.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For the most part, my journey has been smooth. As a Black woman in a male-dominated sports industry, I have worked hard to build a successful international brand. But, there have been some life experiences that have made the journey difficult at times. The first life experience was becoming pregnant with my first child ten years ago. While this was a beautiful time in my personal life, I found myself struggling to juggle the time demands of new motherhood while traveling and being attentive to the needs of my clients. It is often hard for female leaders in the sports industry to shake the stigma of having personal relationships take precedence over professional responsibilities. Although it was extremely difficult to take breaks from work, I found a way to enjoy precious moments with my son without compromising the quality of my services.
The other life experience was the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a difficult time in the lives of many people. During COVID, I was unsure of how the border shut-downs would affect many of my international clients and my business. I contemplated leaving the sports industry and finding another career pathway. Thankfully, operations resumed. This period of time was definitely a time of struggle mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. I also lost my Mother in 2020. It was the hardest time of my life.
We’ve been impressed with The Athlete’s Nexus, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am President of The Athlete’s Nexus – a sports marketing and business management firm for today’s professional athletes. I launched this firm in 2016 as an advisory and management company to serve the off-court and off-field business needs of elite athletes. Some of the services my firm offers are financial management, crisis management, community engagement, communications, and transition preparation. Additionally, I have two books and two signature programs as a part of the educational arm of my firm.
With my unique background in sports as a player and executive, I am known for my international athlete management success, my confidence, and my leadership expertise. In 2024, I co-founded an international sports business conference at UNLV for American athletes who play in leagues outside the U.S. called the Athletes Abroad Summit. It was a capacity crowd! Because of my first-hand knowledge of this subset of the athlete population, I have been invited to sit on panels and lead conference sessions on the global impact of American athletes. I am proud to lead the way and advocate for these global sports stars!
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One surprising thing about me is that I love to cook. Because I travel frequently and run multiple businesses, I think people assume I do not have time to cook. Which is true sometimes. But, I find so much joy in preparing meals for my family. I even started a small garden in 2024!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tywannasmith.com
- Instagram: @drtywannasmith
- Facebook: @drtywannasmith
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtywannasmith
