In this episode of The Inspiration Podcast, Stan sits down with Lauren Sisler—ESPN and SEC Network sideline reporter, former collegiate gymnast, and Emmy Award–winning journalist. Known for her infectious “sideline shimmy,” Lauren brings both energy and authenticity to her work, but her story goes far deeper than what fans see on game day.

Lauren opens up about her early days in sports, the adrenaline of gymnastics, and how her signature sideline dance became a tool for grounding herself amid nerves and chaos. She shares the joy of unexpected friendships, including her unique connection with Nick Saban and Charles Barkley, as well as the quiet strength of Saban’s wife, Ms. Terry.

But this conversation isn’t just about career highlights. Lauren vulnerably shares the devastating loss of both of her parents to opioid addiction within five hours of each other. With honesty and courage, she recounts the shame, grief, and resilience that shaped her healing journey. Her story reflects the power of telling the truth, confronting pain, and ultimately finding freedom in authenticity.

Lauren explains how her faith played a pivotal role, even when anger and doubt crept in. She describes her choice to step back into community, lean into therapy, and begin writing her book Shatterproof—a process that helped her fall in love with her story and reclaim her voice. Through tragedy and triumph, Lauren embodies the resilience of the human spirit.

If you’ve ever felt crushed by life’s hardships or struggled with shame, Lauren’s journey is a reminder that you can pick up the pieces, discover your own “sideline shimmy,” and create joy and purpose no matter what you’ve been through.

• Finding joy in the chaos: How Lauren’s “sideline shimmy” became her grounding ritual on live television.
• The cost of opioids: Her raw account of losing both parents to addiction—and the decades-long journey to speak the truth.
• Resilience is not linear: Healing often means two steps forward and ten steps back, and that’s okay.
• Faith in the fire: The role of community and belief when anger and doubt creep in.
• Falling in love with your story: Choosing not to be defined by tragedy, but by how you rise and live with purpose.

Links: https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Links For This Episode:

• https://www.laurensisler.com/about
• https://www.youtube.com/shorts/s_XfoIKF2TU
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PO6zgSNBFU

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome & introduction with Stan and Lauren
• 02:00 – The story behind Lauren’s “sideline shimmy”
• 06:00 – Joy, nerves, and finding grounding on live TV
• 08:30 – Earning three regional Emmys and career highlights
• 10:00 – Producing a special with Nick Saban & Charles Barkley
• 13:00 – The influence of Ms. Terry Saban and her quiet leadership
• 15:30 – Shifting into the harder part of the conversation
• 17:00 – Losing both parents within hours: Lauren’s tragic story
• 20:00 – The opioid epidemic’s impact on her family
• 23:00 – The non-linear path of grief and resilience
• 26:00 – Writing Shatterproof and facing shame
• 29:00 – Falling in love with her story and embracing authenticity
• 32:00 – The role of therapy and self-discovery
• 41:00 – Wrestling with faith through loss and anger
• 44:00 – Anchoring in community and rediscovering purpose
• 46:00 – How to connect with Lauren and find her book Shatterproof
• 47:00 – Closing reflections and SEC football talk

In this episode, Stan Gibson sits down with Cam F. Awesome—national boxing champion, keynote speaker, and resilience powerhouse. Cam opens up about what it means to redefine success, his journey from Olympic trials to becoming a mental health advocate, and the unexpected power of creating an “alter ego.”

From dealing with shame and embarrassment to discovering who he was outside the ring, Cam shares what it means to chase authenticity, not applause. If you’ve ever faced identity loss, fear of failure, or needed a mindset shift—this conversation is packed with gold.

Key Themes:

• Using alter egos as a tool for confidence and clarity
• The hidden cost of chasing titles over purpose
• What boxing teaches about life, failure, and emotional regulation
• Why people-pleasing and perfectionism hold leaders back
• Creating a new identity after public failure
  
  

1. Your Alter Ego is Your Armor
   Cam shares how developing an alter ego helped him step into courage—even when he felt insecure or unsure. It was never about faking—it was about choosing who to be when the stakes were high.

2. Titles Don’t Equal Worth
   Despite being the winningest heavyweight boxer in USA boxing history, Cam never went pro—and explains how the pursuit of outside validation left him empty. He had to learn to define success for himself.

3. Resilience Requires Reinvention
   After missing his Olympic dream, Cam had to rebuild not just a career—but a self-concept. His journey reveals how powerful reinvention can be, especially when rooted in self-acceptance and truth.
   
   

🥊 Hit play now to explore the unexpected lessons boxing taught Cam about leadership and life.

Links:

• https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Guest Links:

• https://www.camfawesome.com/about
• https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Cam+Awesome/460665

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome and Stan’s intro
• 02:00 – Meet Cam F. Awesome
• 04:25 – The boxing journey that almost went pro
• 06:10 – Why Cam created an alter ego
• 08:30 – The role of ego and detachment in personal growth
• 10:45 – Processing shame after public failure
• 13:20 – From fighter to speaker: Cam’s new path
• 16:10 – Building confidence without external validation
• 19:05 – Reinvention through vulnerability
• 21:45 – What “resilient leadership” looks like in failure
• 23:55 – Final thoughts from Cam
• 26:00 – How to stay connected

Hey friends, it’s Stan here. In this episode of The Inspiration Podcast, I’m pulling back the curtain on one of the most personal aspects of my leadership journey: my faith. This isn’t just a story about what I’ve done in the corporate world—this is about who I am at the core, and how trusting God has shaped every part of my life, especially in the transitions and unknowns.

I’m inviting you into the moments where I’ve had to let go of control, wrestle with my identity, and respond with obedience—even when I didn’t know what was next. If you've ever asked, “What am I really called to do?” or “Is this really where I’m supposed to be?”—this episode is for you.

• How stepping out in faith post-corporate career led to a deeper sense of purpose
• The difference between calling and career—and how to tell the two apart
• Why identity rooted in performance will always leave you empty
• How prayer, surrender, and trust are essential tools for leadership
• What it means to be obedient even when you don’t know the outcome
  
  

This is one of the most vulnerable and raw conversations I’ve had with the mic on, and I hope it encourages you—whether you're in a season of clarity or waiting.

👉 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and be sure to share it with someone who needs a reminder that God’s not done writing their story.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome and today’s theme: Faith and leadership
• 01:15 – Reflecting on post-corporate uncertainty and surrender
• 04:30 – How identity can get wrapped up in title and performance
• 07:20 – The difference between assignment and calling
• 10:05 – What it looks like to listen for God’s direction
• 12:45 – Obedience vs. outcome-based thinking
• 15:10 – Prayer as the foundation for bold decisions
• 18:40 – The stewardship of our platform and our gifts
• 21:00 – Final encouragement: you’re not alone in the waiting