Embracing the Pivot with Chester Tre' Rogers

Summary

Podcast Summary: Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Episode Title: Embracing the Pivot with Chester Tre' Rogers
Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Chester "Tre’" Rogers
Release Date: April 2, 2024

Overview

In this candid and heartfelt episode, host Crystal Renee Hayslett sits down with actor, NFL player, entrepreneur, and investor Chester "Tre’" Rogers. Their conversation delves into Chester's remarkable life journey of reinvention—from childhood acting in Hollywood to walking on to an HBCU football team and eventually making it to the NFL and back into acting. The episode explores themes of transitions, faith, family sacrifice, perseverance, underdog resilience, self-worth, overcoming rejection, and the importance of staying positive and focused through life’s pivots.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Navigating Life’s Hallways—Transitions and Pivots

• Crystal opens the episode reflecting on transitions:

  “When one door closes, another one opens, but rarely about the hallway. The transition, the in between where you are and where you're headed... It can be a space of massive transformation, great memories, and peace. And that's where I feel like you are right now.” [00:38]

• Tre’ agrees, noting his life has been marked by continuous pivots and embracing uncertainty.

2. Early Years: Child Actor to Life in LA

• Tre’ shares his unlikely start as a child actor after seeing an open call audition on local TV at age ten and landing a role in Constellation as young Billy Dee Williams.
• The move to Los Angeles meant splitting up his tight-knit family for his career. He reflects on the sacrifices, especially by his mother:

  “She sacrificed her life for me.” [03:47]

• Tre’ describes the culture shock of moving from Alabama to LA and becoming part of the Oakwood Apartments community for child actors.

Notable Missed Opportunities and Lessons

• Tre’ nearly landed the lead in Everybody Hates Chris and a major part on House of Payne, but both times was recast at the final hour:

  “That was a tough blow... I got used to no’s in this industry.” [06:04]

• These early setbacks affected him but also gave him perspective:

  “Whatever God got for me, he got for me. And I don't know how I had that mindset at that age, but I did.” [06:54]

3. Coming Home: Reclaiming Lost Childhood

• After several years in Hollywood, Tre’ asked to return to Huntsville and simply “be a kid”—playing sports, hanging out with friends:

  “I just wanted to be a kid. Be a kid.” [08:19]

• Tre’ and Crystal discuss the challenges of child actors missing out on normal development and how that’s shaped his view on parenting and protecting his own son from the industry’s pitfalls.

4. From Sports Setbacks to NFL—The Underdog Grit

• Tre’ started playing football seriously in high school, not as a child, and overcame multiple setbacks, including a traumatic facial injury in his senior year that derailed his recruitment chances:

  “I ran face to face with another player and I shattered... everything.” [11:28]

• Forced to walk on at Grambling State University, he worked relentlessly for his spot and eventually attracted NFL attention, though he went undrafted.

The Support System

• Tre’ emphasizes how his family’s belief in him kept him going:

  “At times, honestly, they believed in me more than I believed in myself.” [14:42]

5. NFL Highs and Unimaginable Family Lows

• Tre’ reaches the NFL via the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. But as his professional dream begins, his family is hit by a series of traumas:
  • Their house is robbed.
  • His father is nearly robbed at gunpoint.
  • His father is incarcerated, all within five weeks during Tre's rookie season. [17:24]
• The emotional toll included depression and survivor's guilt:

  “I felt like I brought this attention to the family... so I was just walking around depressed for the longest because I lost my father figure... I needed him and he was gone for three years.” [18:22]

Insights on Mental Health

• Crystal and Tre’ discuss how depression is still stigmatized, especially for Black men and athletes, and the importance of seeking help and allowing oneself to not be okay:

  “It’s okay not to be okay. Like, we’re human.” [20:51]

6. Pivot to Acting (Again): BMF and Divine Opportunity

• Tre’ shares the serendipitous story of how he landed his role as Sterling Black on BMF:
  • Met the show’s producer Ian Wolf by chance at a breakfast spot in Atlanta during NFL off-season.
  • Shot his shot for an audition and got a callback within an hour.

  “Legit, two weeks later, I’m in Houston with my son... audition due in 48 hours... I got hit back in probably like an hour.” [23:56, 24:16]

• Tre’ talks about the challenges and pressure portraying a real-life (and nearly anonymous) character, researching through court documents and—eventually—connecting with people who knew Sterling.

7. Balancing Faith, Family, and Career

• Both reflect on balancing their roles as actors with faith and real-life identity, especially when their characters’ actions conflict with personal values:

  “After I’m done with it and my grandparents have to go watch it... I’m like, oh please, Grandmama, it’s not me for real.” [28:47]

8. Overcoming the Spirit of Rejection and Impostor Syndrome

• Tre’ opens up about battling lifelong rejection and doubt, its impact on relationships and self-worth:

  “I definitely have a lot of insecurities... never knowing if I'm good enough... I just have to fight that all the time. Even in relationships, just wondering if you're good enough for somebody... you are the catch. You are him.” [34:28]

• They also address coping with rejection in the high-stakes worlds of acting and athletics:

  “You can play yourself out of position... when you're too humble... you gotta be a little full of yourself in certain situations.” [35:39–36:01]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the hallway of transition:
  Crystal: "The hallway doesn't have to be a scary, dark, endless confusion. It can be a space of massive transformation, great memories, and peace." [00:38]

• On family sacrifice:
  Tre': “She sacrificed her life for me.” [03:47]

• On missed roles and overcoming ‘no’s:’
  Tre': “You get a lot of no’s in this industry... after I lost that last one, I told my mom that I was ready to go back to Huntsville and be a kid again.” [06:06–07:23]

• On survivor’s guilt and loss:
  Tre': “I walked around depressed for like the longest because I lost my father figure...I needed him and he was gone for three years, so it was tough.” [18:22]

• On rejection leading to insecurity:
  Tre': “I have to period. Like, you know, you gotta tell yourself, like, you are the catch. You are him. You good enough. Stop doubting yourself.” [34:28]

• On balancing success and faith:
  Crystal: “Making sure that as I’m trying to progress, that I keep God’s presence in my life and that I seek that first.” [44:48]

• Advice for listeners facing adversity:
  Tre': "God's not gonna take you out of a storm that he can develop you in... Not, oh, why me? But, okay, why am I here? What can I learn from it?" [42:08 & 42:30]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:38] Crystal on "the hallway" of transition
• [01:52-03:12] Tre’ describes booking ‘Constellation’ and moving to LA
• [06:04, 06:41-07:23] Early rejections: Everybody Hates Chris and House of Payne
• [10:00–10:16] On maturity and being a child actor, missing out on childhood
• [11:28–12:19] High school football setback—traumatic injury before senior year
• [14:19–14:50] Family support, belief in self
• [16:23–18:45] Rookie NFL year: House robbery, father’s incarceration, depression
• [20:51] It’s okay not to be okay and importance of therapy
• [23:56–24:16] Auditioning for BMF after chance encounter with the producer
• [28:47–29:21] Navigating character choices conflicting with faith/family
• [34:28–36:01] Discussing rejection, insecurity, need for confidence
• [42:08–43:30] Listener letter: Surviving setbacks, faith, and keeping going
• [44:48–45:51] Both hosts share what they’re growing through now
• [45:51–46:18] The “Keep it ___, Sweetie” segment: Keep it persistent; keep it focused

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Closing Wisdom (“Keep it ___, Sweetie” Segment)

• Crystal: “Keep it persistent, sweetie.”
• Tre’: “Keep it focused, sweetie.” [45:51–45:52]

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Episode Takeaways

• Embrace transitions as opportunities for growth—don’t fear the “hallway.”
• No’s are inevitable; persistence, faith, and strong support systems keep you resilient.
• Your path will have setbacks and unexpected detours; trust divine timing.
• Stay self-aware, address mental health early, and let go of shame in seeking help.
• Never forget your worth—remind yourself, ‘You are the catch.’
• Be persistent and focused on your journey, and don’t compare your chapter with others’.

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For Listeners

If you'd like advice or to share your story, write in to [e-mail].
Follow Crystal at @lovechristorenee and Tre' at @Tripp (with three p’s) on Instagram.

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This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating life's pivots, chasing dreams amidst adversity, or needing a reminder to “keep it positive, sweetie.”

Transcript

[A]

Foreign.

[B]

Hello, and welcome to this episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie. I'm Krista Renee Hayslett, and today I have my good, good friend Chester Trey Rogers with me. We are talking about all things. Just all things life. How are you doing?

[A]

I'm doing great. Good, good. First of all, I want to thank you for, you know, blessing me with your platform. I just want to say I'm proud of you, everything you got going.

[B]

So thank you. I'm proud of you, too. That's why I wanted you on the sofa. Had to get you on the couch so we could really talk about everything. Because people need to know your story.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

I feel like they really do.

[A]

It's time.

[B]

It is time. You know, when I think about you, I think about transitions. And since I've known you, it's been a transitional period in your life. And I think about the quote that says, many speak of opportunities. When one door closes, another one opens, but rarely about the hallway. The transition, the in between where you are and where you're headed. The hallway doesn't have to be a scary, dark, endless confusion. It can be a space of massive transformation, great memories, and peace. And that's where I feel like you are right now.

[A]

That's a good one. Absolutely.

[B]

Yes. So, Trey, you are from Huntsville, Alabama. You are an active, an actor and an NFL player, entrepreneur, and investor. When I first met you, we were in the gym. We had the same trainer, and you were trying, I think it was, all season, but you were also just kind of getting your feet wet back into the acting world.

[A]

Yeah, I think we had just started filming season two of BMF when I started at the gym.

[B]

Wow. That was season two.

[A]

That was season two.

[B]

Oh, my goodness. Okay, so we're gonna take it back. You started acting as a child. So tell us about that, because a lot of people know you as the NFL player, but they don't know that you also was a childhood star.

[A]

Yeah, so I started back in 2005. I was around the age of 10 when I first got my first audition, which was for the movie Constellation, directed by Jordan Walker Perlman, when I played the young Billy Dee Williams. So how that came about was I was sitting at the dinner table with my family, and, you know, we watching the news and. And it comes across as an open call audition for this movie.

[B]

Really?

[A]

So this wasn't nothing that I was preparing for.

[B]

Right.

[A]

I would just always, you know, like, the life of the party, the class clown. And I saw the opportunity, and we laughed about it. My parents was like, you Want to do it? I was like, let's do it. And the thing was, I had a basketball game that same day, but I was like, nah, let's go to it. Let's try it. My parents, I don't think they thought I was serious about it. I was up at like 7 o'. Clock. We doing it or not? So we go down to the audition and there's hundreds and hundreds of kids. I didn't think it was gonna be that. And I get in there and I knock it out and end up landing my first role. And I go from this kid in what, third or fourth grade, and my life changed overnight. I'm in the backseat of the car with Gabrielle Unions and Billy Dee Williams.

[B]

Like, you know, wow, what did that feel like? You were 10 years old, riding with Billy D, first of all. Billy Dee Williams, first of all, and Gab Union. Wow.

[A]

So, you know, I heard about Billy Dee, you know, from all my aunties and grandmama. They love me from Star wars and everything. So when I landed that role, it was just major, but I didn't know the magnitude it had behind it and where it would take me. And I think, like, after I landed the role and they saw like, the charisma I had, just the talent I had, just from the small part that I had, they were like, you gotta move this kid out to la. So from there, me and my mom, we picked up and moved out to la. My dad and my brother, they stayed in Alabama cause he was in high school, so.

[B]

Wow. So I knew you were young then, but what was that like, being away from your brother and your dad?

[A]

That was tough, but it just kind of shows the commitment we have as a family. Like, we gonna sacrifice what we gotta do. My dad, he had his own barbershop. And again, my brother was in school and, you know, for my mom to sacrifice being away from her other son and her husband, I just gotta just give her all the praise and glory because, you know, she sacrificed her life for me.

[B]

I love your mom. Shout out. Ms. Tammy. Amazing mother. Just an amazing woman as well. And I want to make note about how family oriented you guys are. Like, you guys are the epitome of family and I absolutely love it. So you move out to la, you're a kid trying to pursue this acting career. What was that like at that age? I know once you got in la, that's a different world than Alabama.

[A]

Absolutely. Coming from Huntsville, Alabama, going to la, it was definitely a culture shock. But, you know, I kind of fit right in, you know, I can adjust in any environment. I feel like that's one of my things, you know, just adapting. So just being out there in that spotlight, just being around other celebrities, other kid actors. I went to a school out there that was mainly for kid actors. We all stayed in this one apartment complex called the Oakwood Apartments, and we went to school right down the street. So it wasn't too tough of a, you know, dabbing.

[B]

But, you know, now what opportunities came up, what auditions came up, I know there was some almost where you were supposed to be certain characters. And I want to talk about how that may have played an effect on your mental as a kid.

[A]

Yeah. So out there. While I was out there, I think I landed. I landed quite a few roles. The next movie was with Cooper Gunn, Jr. Dirty. I landed that. I landed a TV show on NBC. It ended up not getting picked up. We shot the pilot. I landed a few things. And the last thing that I landed was Madea's Family Reunion with Tyler Perry.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

And thank you, tp. But. And then from there, the next role that I almost got that you're talking about was Everybody Hates Chris.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I was auditioning for the role of Chris, and I was right there, you know, to the point where we pretty much signed a contract. And you know how they do. Gotta be cast if it don't look right. And, you know, that was a tough. That was a tough blow.

[B]

Yeah, for sure.

[A]

Cause I really thought I had it. But as a kid, you know, I just. I got used to, you know, no's. You get a lot of no's in this industry. So I just kept going. And then from there, the next role was for House of Pain. So, yes. I want to say Ruben Cannon and Tyler, you know, they had the. That was his first show, right?

[B]

Yeah. Yes. With his TVS deal. Yeah.

[A]

He was filming in Atlanta, and they called me down. They're like, hey, we got this role for you. Come audition for it. And it was the same kind of exact way with Everybody Hates Chris. Thought we was setting up our apartment and everything here, and it got recasted.

[B]

My goodness. So what was that like as a kid? Cause I know that was the first blow was Everybody Hates Chris. And then you get to Atlanta thinking, okay, I got this one. And then it's, like, stripped away from you. What type of toll did that take on you as a kid?

[A]

It took a lot out of me because I just thought it was, ooh, this is finally my breakthrough that I've been working for for the last three to four Years. But at the same time, you can ask my mom. It was like I took it, and it, you know, it just fell right off my shoulder. I was like, no, we good. You know, whatever God got for me, he got for me. And I don't know how I had that mindset at the. At that age, but I did. And after I lost that last one, I told my mom that I was ready to go back to Huntsville and be a kid again, just to, you know, experience different things.

[B]

I love that. Okay, so you move back to Huntsville. I want to be a kid again, yes. That's. I mean, I can understand that, because that's a lot as a kid to pursue, act as an adult. We know what it's like pursuing acting, so I can't imagine what that's like as a child. Was your mom supportive, or did she feel like, well, I done uprooted and did all this?

[A]

No, I think she was ready, too. You know, like I said, we had been out there on the grind for three, Three to four years, and I think we both just kind of needed a break or reset. I didn't know there was going to be that long of a reset, but again, I was missing out on so much time. I'm thousands of miles away from my friends, and I'm on MySpace, just seeing them have fun and.

[B]

MySpace.

[A]

Right, MySpace. That's how, you know.

[B]

That's how old you are.

[A]

Yes. Yeah. Come on. Don't do me like that. Don't do me like that.

[B]

Okay. I thought I'd be dating myself when I talk about MySpace, so. Okay, you was in the MySpace era. Okay, then I guess you're not a baby no more.

[A]

Okay, there we go.

[B]

We settled that.

[A]

But, no, like I said, I just wanted to be a kid again. Want to go play sports? Cause I didn't get to play sports out there, and I was working. I was legit working and getting homeschooled on set. So I just wanted to be a kid. Be a kid.

[B]

Yeah, I get that. So I want to talk about you being homeschooled as a childhood actor on set and basically missing your childhood. Do you feel like that's okay? And would you even want your son doing that at a young age?

[A]

It's tricky. It's a tricky business. I feel like you can get lost in it if you don't have a strong support group, because they throw a lot of things at you, and they love the vulnerable people, and kids are very vulnerable in that industry, and there's a lot of things that happen out There that I'm just not with. You know, it was different situations that came across when I was a kid. And thank God for my mama, she saw it and, you know, no, we're not doing that. No, he's not coming there. You know what I mean? But as far as the homeschooling aspect, you know, it's definitely difficult. It's different from being in the classroom. I don't think it's necessarily normal. I would like for my child to be in a real school system and learning. I don't know if I'll let my. I just want to protect him.

[B]

I know.

[A]

I just want to protect him.

[B]

I'm doing it. Yeah. I even feel like kids would miss out on a lot of development, for sure. You know, just being around other kids their age. And I know you pick up at that age. You're absorbing everything. And I feel like you almost grew up really fast because you meet a lot of childhood actors and they are so mature. They almost act like adults. And it's like, oh, my gosh. And at one point you're so impressed. But then it's like, dang, like you are an old person.

[A]

Like, so many good stories come from that, from childhood actors. You know, I met a lot of friends out there, and I'm just seeing where they are now. It's sad, honestly, but I know it just comes from being in that spotlight and being in that industry at a young age, just taking over.

[B]

So. Yeah. Are you grateful that you had the wherewithal to say, hey, Mom, I want to go home. I want to be a kid again?

[A]

Absolutely. I don't know where I would be, you know, I. I would have stayed out there in Hollywood. It's scary out there.

[B]

It is, man. So you get back to Alabama and that's when you realized you love football or what was it that sparked that?

[A]

Honestly, I really didn't start playing football again to high school, so.

[B]

Wait a minute.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Okay, this is interesting.

[A]

Yeah. So I got back around middle school and I was playing basketball. My brother played basketball, so I wanted to play basketball, and that's what I was doing. And they were like, man, just come out. Just come out. Cause I was good when I was a kid, but, you know, I'm out in la. We not tackling stuff. Like, I'm good on that.

[B]

Right.

[A]

I'm gonna stay, play basketball, you know. But yeah, I got into football, I want to say, my ninth grade year, and it just took off. You know, I was never the five star, you know, recruit. I never had you know, all these scholarships, but I just grinded. I had the discipline and I knew what I wanted and that I was like, okay, my mom always told me, you going to college. So that was another reason I wanted to go back. Because we talked about. I'm like, okay, I'll go to college, but if I'm gonna go to college, we're not paying for it. So I need to get a scholarship.

[B]

Yeah. You thought like that as a kid?

[A]

Yeah, I mean, I didn't think that we had the money to pay for college. I didn't, you know, but I knew I could get a scholarship and I ended up not getting a scholarship, you know. So here's another situation that happened right before my senior year. I was at a camp, seven on seven camp, and I broke both of my jaws. You know, I ran face to face with another player and I shattered. I shattered everything. So, oh, my gosh, I got wires and screws, all plates in my jaws. So I was wired down for six weeks and all of the recruitment and, you know, momentum that I had going into my senior year went away, you know, so that was just another tough situation. And it ended up leading to me having to walk on to Grammar State University.

[B]

So that's cool. Wow, I love that. So it's given underdog, and it's definitely given the story of an underdog for sure. And an overcomer. Seemed like you had to overcome a lot.

[A]

I truly. I live that, you know, the underdog. So that's me.

[B]

Okay, so we get to college. What was next? Cause how did college go? Were you like a breakout star? Your walk on another situation. I want you guys to pay attention to the story because a lot of times people see you where you are now on a hit show, but don't understand, like, what it took to get there and the different avenues that you take to find your passion. And yours has been like blow after blow after blow. Even from a childhood actor to now we're in college, didn't get the scholarship you wanted, walked on. So you're constantly having to prove yourself. So what was that like?

[A]

Truthfully, I think that everything that I went through as a kid in high school, it prepared me for that journey that I was about to take when I got to college. Cause legit. When I walked on, maybe one coach knew who I was, and that was through a friend of a friend. My best friend had signed a scholarship there, and I was like, if I'm gonna walk on somewhere, I'm gonna go with you. So we ended up choosing Gramden State University. And. And like I said, nobody knew me. I wasn't a big time recruit, but I worked and I worked hard and I earned my spot to the point where they had to play me. I didn't get a scholarship until like my junior year.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

So. So, yeah. And I broke out and I just started balling, honestly. And the momentum picked up. I started getting a lot of scouts coming, checking for me by my senior year. And I thought I was gonna get drafted, you know, and of course I didn't get drafted. I went undrafted. So again, that story just continues with me.

[B]

Yeah. At any point we're to college now. At any point where you like leaning on God or losing faith, because it's like, dang, every time I get, I feel like I'm making a step. It's like another roadblock. Was there any moment where you were kind of like, come on now?

[A]

No, definitely. I think, you know, once you go through those type of moments, it tests your faith and it puts you, you know, in a lot of moments where it's just, you got to sit alone and truly figure out, is this what I want? You know, and then you have to lean on your support system. I had an amazing support system, you know, my parents, my brother, and they just sticking with me. And at times, honestly, they believed in me more than I believed in myself.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You know, which I thank them so much for. But definitely I didn't know that I was good enough. I always had that back in, you know, in the back of my mind.

[B]

Like, can I do this right?

[A]

I'm coming from a small HBCU in little Louisiana, so I didn't know if I was good enough, but I knew I had the formula to make it where I wanted to make it.

[B]

That's good. I love that. So you get, we're in your junior year of college, you're getting all these recruits, scouts are looking at. You think you're going to get drafted to the NFL. You don't get drafted, what happens next?

[A]

And it's crazy because I legit thought I was going to get drafted, man. I say my phone was ringing multiple times a day. I'm having conversations with these scouts and these coaches and draft day comes and, you know, day one, you don't get picked. Day two, you got all your family around you watching it. And day two, day three, and you still don't get picked, but you're getting calls throughout the draft to where the point where like, hey, you still there? We're just checking on you. So I'm like, okay, cool. At least I'm gonna get picked by six, seven rounds, right? And you don't get the call, and.

[B]

It'S like, how many days is the NFL draft?

[A]

What is it, two to three days? Okay, yeah, it was two or three days, so just not getting that call. Another gut blow.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I got a call.

[B]

I can't imagine that one.

[A]

As soon as the draft was over, the Indianapolis Colts had called, and they were one of the first ones that really connected with me throughout the process. It was between them, the jets, and the Giants, and I ended up going with the coach just based off their roster and just how much they really poured into me.

[B]

I love that. I love that.

[A]

So.

[B]

So you are in the NFL, and then something traumatic happens with your family.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

I feel like it's important to touch on this because there's so many highs and lows in all our stories, and you just never know what people have gone through. Would you like to share what happened?

[A]

So, I mean, going back to draft day, I never forget the moment I got the call and accepted. You know, going out walking, being undrafted to the coast. It was a special moment that me, my mom, my brother, my dad had. But after we celebrated, my mom, you know, she got this discernment, you know, that God blesses her with your mama.

[B]

She sure do.

[A]

She has it.

[B]

You know, Tammy got that discernment.

[A]

Mama always know, you know, and it was a moment where she was like, I hope y' all ready, because the devil is. He's mad. We just got blessed with this, but whatever you got going on, clean it up. And we gotta walk a straight line. Cause the devil's about to be. You know, you hear it. But at the moment, it's like, you.

[B]

Celebrating like, mama, what you good turn up?

[A]

Right? Like, I'm not trying to think negative, but she just gotta. You know, she gotta keep it real, so.

[B]

Nah, for real.

[A]

Going into my rookie year, I ended up making a team. And the first. So the first away game we had, my parents came and the house got broken into. Right. Like, they came. They took everything. I'm talking about everything. Like, wiped it clean. Like, it was probably one of the most traumatic moments for my. My family. Yeah, so that happened. Boom. Second incident happened. My dad is coming home from work. Two men, you know, jump out at gunpoint trying to rob my dad.

[B]

Oh, my goodness.

[A]

You know, it was nobody but God because he didn't have a weapon. He just ran in and they ran away. And then the last thing that happened was my dad ended up getting jammed up in a situation to where, you know, he ended up going to prison. And this all happens, you know, back to back to back. And like in a five week span.

[B]

Oh my God. Of your rookie year?

[A]

Of my rookie year.

[B]

This supposed to be like the highest moment of your life?

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

And all these things are happening.

[A]

All these things are happening. For the longest, I kind of. I don't know if the word or the name for it is survivor's guilt, but like, I kind of, I held it on me and I felt like I brought this attention to the family to where, you know, all this bad stuff started happening. So like, I was just walking around depressed for like the longest because I lost my father figure, you know, my father in this special time in my life that I wanted to celebrate with him.

[B]

Absolutely.

[A]

I needed him. And he was gone for three years, so it was tough.

[B]

Wow. So every day that every Sunday that you had to go out there, what was that like playing knowing that you're. I know your mom and your grandparents and your brother were probably there, but what was it like looking up there knowing that my pops is not here?

[A]

It was tough. It was tough. Cause you know you want him there. He was there when I scored my first. Cause he didn't end up getting convicted and leaving until my second year. But he was there for my first touchdown. And when I scored, I took the ball up to him. We came down, running down. So just knowing that he wasn't there for the next three years, it was tough. But I knew he was inside, I wanted to put on for him. Cause I know he in there watching with his fellows. So yeah, it was tough, but we made it through.

[B]

Yeah, you talked about depression and that's something that I feel like our community battles a lot. And we're just getting to the point now where we are embracing therapy or embracing talking to someone. I don't feel like therapy was as popular or trendy as it is now. Then when you were going through it, so how did you even deal with it? Or did you even realize I'm depressed or is it now that you were able to identify that was actually depression?

[A]

Yeah, I didn't, I didn't really. I didn't know what it was. I didn't know what that feeling was. I never went through it. It wasn't until, like I had no other choice and no one to lean on except, you know, my God and my family and end up having to do my own research and try different people out to talk to, to be able to release you know, certain things, and it really, really helped. And I'm doing it to this day.

[B]

So.

[A]

Yeah, no, depression is something that I think, you know, it's really relevant now. It's important. You got to be self aware and don't be embarrassed about it. Like, we all go through something.

[B]

We do. Yeah. Because I think we especially. I can't speak for men myself, but I know the, the, the stress. The stress and the pressure that's put on our black men to where you had to be so strong. And even black women, we had to be strong. We got to keep pushing. And a lot of times we don't deal with what we're dealing with. We don't take the time to just sit down and be like, wait a minute, I'm really going through something right now. And you do feel embarrassed or you don't know how to talk to somebody about it.

[A]

Like, it's okay not to be okay. Like we're human.

[B]

Yes, exactly.

[A]

So don't not be embarrassed.

[B]

Yeah, I love that. I love that. So let's fast forward. You're playing football and then I meet you in 2022, I think.

[A]

22?

[B]

Yeah, 22. And this is when you are still playing football. This is something that I don't feel like a lot of athletes have gotten to do, like actively acting and playing football. You were doing both at the same time. What was it like when you found. Well, actually, no. Let's go back to how did even the role of Sterling Black. Sterling Black come apart? Because I know you were in Atlanta off season, and then this happened. Like, how did that even come about?

[A]

So going back a little bit, I was with the Tennessee Titans, and we had just finished the playoffs, second round. We lost to the Bengals.

[B]

Shout out to Titans.

[A]

Lost to the Bengals. We was supposed to go to the super bowl that year. I'm still sick about that, but wow. Yeah. So off season hit probably one month into the off season, and I'm going into my, you know, I just really got into my entrepreneur type, you know, stuff. And I'm looking at buildings, you know, for a business that I'm about to open. And, you know, we're standing on the side of the road and the family pulls up and they're asking, you know, where to go get breakfast. Oh, you know, it's another little spot down there called two thumbs up love.

[B]

Two thumbs up, yes.

[A]

So we tell them where to go and they were like, oh, wow, we're hungry too. So we go to two thumbs up and we're standing out There, it's a long wait. We see this guy over there with a BMF hoodie, him and his wife. So we ain't thinking nothing of it, but we're like, hold on, he can't be in a real bmf. He can't be rocking, of course, the T shirt. Right, right. So it's like, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah. Yeah, it can't be with me now, right? No. My dukes. She always thinking, she always 10 steps ahead. I see her walk away. I'm still talking to Pop. She go over there, talk to him. Okay, cool. She come back, she's like, yo, that's the producer. You know, she has the producer bmf. She introduced herself, they were just talking. So we go, we get, sit down. They're still standing out there. So we're like, let's just invite them for breakfast, you know, see where it goes. They come, they join us and we just hit it off, you know, it's one of the most amazing families. Ian Wolf and Ms. Patricia Wolfe. I love them. And we really just hit it off. And I just shot my shot, you know?

[B]

Well, now sometimes you gotta shoot your shot.

[A]

Yeah, you gotta shoot it. You can't be scared. So I didn't have a resume or my headshots. I put all that together like this. And once he reached out to Randy and, you know, told him about me, I left it at that. You know what I'm saying? I put it in God's hand, I left it at that. And legit, two weeks later, I'm in Houston with my son. I checked my email, like 10 o' clock at night and it says you have an audition doing 48 hours. You know how that is that quick?

[B]

You know, I get them from the door all the time, like, so I.

[A]

Legit did not think that it was going to happen that fast. I really didn't think I was going to get auditioned. It was just like a long shot.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But I ended up getting that audition and we went right back to when I was 10 years old in LA.

[B]

Yeah, it was almost like muscle memory.

[A]

Yeah, it was muscle memory. I flew back to Atlanta, went and got my wardrobe, I called an acting coach and 24 hours audition.

[B]

How long did it take for you to find out that you actually booked the role?

[A]

Truthfully, I got hit back in probably like an hour.

[B]

You are lying.

[A]

I promise you. I got hit back.

[B]

I wish I would get through.

[A]

I know, right?

[B]

I need to know now. They be like, yeah, we just decided.

[A]

To go in a different direction with Nobody but God.

[B]

That was nothing but God. Wow.

[A]

Yeah. GP George Pierre, he'd be back in like an hour checking my shout out.

[B]

George Pierre.

[A]

Shout out.

[B]

George.

[A]

That's my guy.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

You know, checking my availability, but I didn't get confirmed probably like until two weeks later. But I kind of, you know, knew.

[B]

Knew you was waiting.

[A]

I was just waiting for confirmation. So it happened quick.

[B]

Okay, so waiting on this confirmation, was there any moment where you had a little doubt thinking, like, how you had gotten, almost gotten all these other roles where you were like, this is gonna fall through. Did that come through okay?

[A]

That's why, like, we didn't tell anybody. Like I told my parents about it, but we didn't wanna tell anybody. Like, look, we've been here before, twice actually. So let's just keep it between us, pray about it and just let it happen.

[B]

Yeah, I love that. So now we are in season three.

[A]

3, 3, 3 is on right now. And we're about to shoot season four starting this month.

[B]

This month. This is crazy. And you're killing it. Like, BMF is one of my favorite shows. It's so good. The cast is amazing. And every time I see you come on the screen, I'm like, that's my dog. So proud of you. Are killing it. Thank you so much. So a lot of times when athletes come out of that world, that's all they've known all their life, and they're stepping into a new area or even trying to figure it out. I feel like you're super blessed in the area that are in the. I feel like you're super blessed that you were able to go straight from playing football right into acting. You really didn't have like that phase of like, what am I gonna do? You know? But it was also. It's a new world. You're an adult now. You're not a kid anymore. And what you're portraying is a real life character. This isn't just like a character, this is actually a person that you're portraying. So what type of. I want to say pressure, but, like, was there any pressure when it came to. I've got to really nail this role because this is an actual person at first.

[A]

So, you know, a lot of these guys that we're really portraying are going through real life situations. A lot of them still are in prison. So it was a lot. It was very minimal of the information that we got about the character, especially mine.

[B]

Yeah, I tried to look him up. It's not a lot of information. He's like a Ghost almost, right?

[A]

Exactly. Like, I legit had to go through, like, court documents and read their cases just to get some information. But now, unfortunately, you know, especially this season, a lot of the guys from Puritan Ave. PA boys. Shout out to PA Boys. They're reaching out to me.

[B]

Oh, good. To give you information on your character. So, Sterling, is he still alive? Is he locked up?

[A]

Yeah. No. So one of them still locked up, and so, like, the group, but another one's out, so. But they're still best friends to this day.

[B]

That's what's up. Wow.

[A]

And T. But so, yeah, the process of portraying this character has really started to pick up, I want to say, the last two seasons, because, like, one of the characters, his sister, she connected with me, and, like, we just been communicating. I'm really trying to, you know, get this character development down, get as much information. Like, last night, I watched a documentary on the PA boys, and I'm like, okay, I wish I had this in season two.

[B]

Right.

[A]

I was blind in season two. I'm just going out there, just, like, just reading the description I got in my audition and. And winging it. But, yeah, I feel way more prepared, and that's good.

[B]

I love that. It's amazing when you can actually, like, find information and actually build the character. Because sometimes when you, like, even with my character on Sisters, I'm not learning a lot of things until the writer writes about it, so I'm like, oh, this is why she's like this. But if I had known this in season one, I may have played some things differently, you know, So I know exactly what you mean when it's like, you feel like you're behind the mark in the character development part.

[A]

How does he walk?

[B]

How does he stand? Right.

[A]

He got family. Like, what is he? Like, tell me who this guy is. And I had nothing. So that's a little difficult.

[B]

Yeah. Something I struggle with as an actor is the character I portray and who I am in real life and my relationship with God. And it kind of gets tricky sometimes. Do you ever have moments playing, like, this gangster, this killer? Because Sterling Black don't play.

[A]

He don't play.

[B]

He does not play. Do you ever have any, like, moments where you're like, God, is this cool? Because I know for me, it's Fatima. Like, there's certain things that they have me doing. I'm like, okay, I know this ain't who I am, but this is the character I'm playing.

[A]

Yeah. Well, I could truthfully say in the moment, I don't think about it, but after I'm done with it and my grandparents have to go watch it and, you know, stuff like that, I'm like, oh, please. Look, Grandmama, it's not me for real. I'm still your baby. You know what I'm saying?

[B]

So she like, is my baby a killer?

[A]

Yeah. And they are into it.

[B]

You know what I'm saying?

[A]

They love it. It's kind of a little embarrassing sometimes, and I'm cussing and doing all that. You know, we train the characters.

[B]

She's like, you did that real well, grandson. Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

You been doing that.

[B]

Like, this ain't your first time doing that.

[A]

You looking real comfortable smoking that. You know what I'm saying? Nah. So, yeah, it is.

[B]

That is funny. But, yeah, I definitely struggle with that as well. I finally come to an understanding that it's my job and that that's why I go extra hard in making sure that people know who Crystal is and that I set the example as Crystal, not as my characters that I play.

[A]

Because you do an amazing job at doing that.

[B]

Thank you. Thank you so much. I remember this part of the scene where you had to do, like, the switchblade, and you told me, like, you had to learn. They didn't give you any training. You literally had to learn that, like, right on the spot.

[A]

Yes. That was my first day on set. I'm reading the script. I'm reading the audition. So I got just like, a regular night. The whole time as I'm preparing for this, I get on set, sitting in my trailer, stunt double just walks up like, hey, this is what we need you to do. Get on YouTube. Figure it out.

[B]

Get on YouTube and figure it out. What?

[A]

What? Like a. Like a real knife? So.

[B]

Oh, it wasn't like.

[A]

Was it switchblade? It was something, but it's a certain way.

[B]

It's a technique to it.

[A]

It's like you just can't open it up. I had, like, an hour, maybe two at the most, to figure this out and nail it for my first scene.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

So it went from, oh, I got this. I'm confident. I know my lines. One scene. It was one scene or the other. I know my lines. I got this to.

[B]

Okay, now I'm tripping.

[A]

I didn't. Forgot it. When we got on set, I forgot my line because I'm so worried about this blade.

[B]

Right.

[A]

But. But it looked good.

[B]

It did look good.

[A]

They made it.

[B]

But that just goes to show you, you can be ready, and then anything can be thrown at you on set.

[A]

No, for sure.

[B]

You Justice. No, you do. But I couldn't tell when you told me that story before I watched the episode, I was like. I couldn't even tell. I was so stressed out. Yeah.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

But you're an actor. Because I could not tell for real.

[A]

And then I'm at the same time of opening the blade, I'm trying not to stab this man for real. Cause, you know, I gotta come.

[B]

Oh, right, his hand. Yeah. So they didn't have. It wasn't like, a fake. Like, when you got ready to sav. It wasn't fake, so.

[A]

So no. So I had to stop right in between his fingers, and we cut it, and then. Then we did a reverse. You know, I had it in the table and then pull it out.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

You see it? It just looks.

[B]

Wow. TV magic. That's crazy.

[A]

I got another scene this season, too, where I legit stab him this time, and it's gonna be crazy. Oh, wow.

[B]

Grandma's gonna be like, oh, Lord, my baby's a killer. Oh, Lord. So what is it like? You're walking on set. You're the new kid on the block. You got Lil Meech, who is. We're, like, literally telling his legacy story, you know, of his father. And then you have Da Vinci, who's been on a lot of things. What was it like working with him? Was there any, like, timidness, or were you kind of, like, ugh, kind of? For me, I definitely felt a little timid when I first walked on sisters.

[A]

I think just being in the NFL kind of prepares me for that, you know? You know, going on to new teams, it's always new faces. It was just like, you know, walking in a training camp, you know what I'm saying? Seeing your new teammates. But, you know, you're definitely a little nervous because, you know, you're new to it. I'm a new kid on the block. Even though I started at the age of 10, I'm new with this. Everything is different. So, you know, everybody's not really there to make friends when you first get on there until you get chemistry and.

[B]

Oh, he cool, he cool, he cool.

[A]

Yeah, it took a little time, but I was just staying to myself and working, showing, you know, letting my work speak for itself.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I'm not trying to win nobody over. I'm here to do a job, so that's kind of how I approach that.

[B]

I love that. I love that. So you made it to your first big acting gig. What is next for Trey?

[A]

Well, for me, you know, just really continuing to kill you. Know, bmf. I have a book that I'm working on, a children's book.

[B]

Okay. What prompted the children's book?

[A]

So what prompted. It was basically my story and then my son. So, you know, I have a two and a half year old. He's about to be three in May.

[B]

Lord, but just growing up so fast.

[A]

I know, I know. But just, you know, having him, it just opened up my imagination again. And, man, I would truly say that process of writing that book and illustrating it was one of the. The best times I had. It's so fun. And I'm gonna turn it into an entire series. But outside of that, you know, about to start working on a documentary. I really want to, you know, get some work behind the camera as much as I do in front of.

[B]

Yeah, like, I need them. For sure.

[A]

Need them. Executive credits and you know what I'm saying? So that. And, you know, just really, you know, get into my entrepreneurship and open up more businesses.

[B]

I love that.

[A]

What's next for me?

[B]

That's what's up. I want to touch on the spirit of rejection. You chose two of the most, I would say, careers that you get rejected the most. An athlete and an actor. And I can speak on the actor part where no after, no after, no after, no after, no. But has that spirit of rejection ever flowed into other areas of your life? Because I'm sure, like, I know for me, like, that insecurity definitely has come up in other areas of my life.

[A]

No, for sure. And a lot of people probably wouldn't even believe it. But I think, again, I start at the age of 10. I've been hearing no all my life. So I definitely have a lot of insecurities. Just never knowing if I'm good enough for something. Always doubting myself, feeling like others are better than me in certain. Certain things that I'm maybe not, you know, experienced in. So I just have to fight that all the time. It's like, even in relationships too, though, you know, just wondering if you're good enough for somebody, and it's like, yo, you are him. Like, I have to period. Like, you know, you gotta tell yourself, like, you are the catch. You are him. You good enough. And you know what I'm saying? Stop doubting yourself. Like, truly, truly be that guy. And. And I think that insecurity has caused me to kind of play myself down in a lot of situations. Being too humble.

[B]

You are very. You kind of like in a room, you kind of like, disappear. Like, you don't. Like, you know what I'm saying once you get to know, he's like, oh, he is a standout. But like in a room, you are super quiet, like, tucked off, like, not attention seeking at all.

[A]

I gotta fix that.

[B]

You know what I mean?

[A]

Cause you can play yourself out of position, you know what I'm saying? Out of certain situations when you're too humble, and it's okay to be humble, but you gotta be a little arrogant, you know, you gotta be a little full of yourself in certain situations.

[B]

And no confident.

[A]

Absolutely. It ain't gotta come off as, you know.

[B]

Yeah. Pompous or like, I'm better than you, but I know what I bring to the table.

[A]

Exactly. And that's really what I'm getting to over the last two years is truly just believing in myself.

[B]

Because sometimes that spirit of rejection can turn into insecurity. And then in relationships, we use it as a defense mechanism to not get hurt. You know, we can kind of sit something with our partner or whatever the situation may be. And I know for me, like, I'll get ahead of it and be like, before you try to cut me off, I'm gonna go ahead and cut you off.

[A]

That is me. Oh, my God. I shut down so quick. I ain't even gonna give you the chance to hurt me. So I'm gonna just look here, I'm gonna just shut it down.

[B]

Yeah. So.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Cause we put ourselves on the line time after time after time with every audition, with every tryout that I think when it comes to other areas, we just want to protect ourselves.

[A]

Sure, sure. Because I definitely became numb to it. Even with auditions, I forget that I audition for it. Cause once I'm done with it, I just.

[B]

You have to.

[A]

You have to.

[B]

Yeah, you have to. You have to leave it at the audition room when you walk out. Send it to your agent. I send it to Dinora and I wait on her reaction like, all right, after that, I'm done with it. I don't wanna think about it.

[A]

I'm worried. Cause like, when I first started back audition and I audition for something like, oh, I killed this. And I'm. I'm checking my email all day, every day. You know what I'm saying? Don't let you get a call back. I got a call back. Or check my availability. I'm calling my manager. Yo, what's up? What we doing?

[B]

That check your availability, boy. Will get you every time. So.

[A]

Yeah, no, you gotta. Yeah, erase it. Short term memory.

[B]

I love that. That's good. So with Rel, how are you now with It. Do you feel like you're getting better with managing that and not getting in your own way as far as the spirit of rejection in relationships? Relationships or just even personal with business?

[A]

Yeah, I mean, I think it's an everyday, everyday fight, you know what I'm saying? Just being more self aware, just working on myself. That's kind of where I'm at now with everything. So I'm not really, you know, focused on the relationships, but.

[B]

You know, we got to get to that.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So I'm just working on myself.

[B]

That's good. So are you dating? Do you, like, what are you looking for? Like, because you're. I feel like you're in a space now where you've got the job, you know, you, you're settled, you successful? Like, what are you looking for? And are you still in a space where. No, I don't have time for that. I gotta get it.

[A]

No, I truly just don't think I have time to really pour into a relationship. Like, I would like to, like, if I'm going to commit to something, I want to be a 100% there.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And with everything that's on my plate right now, it's like, it's kind of impossible. So for me, it's like just learning to prioritize, trying to, you know, be there for my son as much as possible. I'm missing out on so much time, you know, trying to juggle all this stuff. That's probably one of the hardest thing about this right now. It's like, do I sacrifice this for this? But I know I have to do what I have to do, you know what I'm saying? For him, his future, I'm figuring it out. I love that.

[B]

Kai, is it Kai? What's his name? Kai? Yes. Kyron, that's it. I'd like to call him Cairo because that's a Devali. Cadiza, Kyron. Yeah. I feel like when you're trying to balance that, the kid has to come first.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

You know, and then make time for other things as you have time.

[A]

Everything will take care of itself.

[B]

It will, yeah, for sure.

[A]

That's good.

[B]

All right, so ladies, he is not looking for anything right now. He doesn't have the bandwidth or the capacity. So check back later. All right, guys, it is my favorite time of the show. Positive Outcomes, where you the listeners write into me and me and Trey are going to give you advice on it. All right, so this one says, I saw one of your recent interviews and it literally changed my life. I was having a really tough time dealing with a career that I knew wasn't for me, especially knowing that I was meant to be doing something more. You, you talked about pivoting careers and being in a season of pouring into yourself, which is something that I need to work on. But I believe God often uses people to speak to others. And that day, he definitely used you to speak to me because that was the moment I felt this flood of emotions and a voice say that it was okay to go after my dreams of being a graphic designer, video editor. And that feeling has not gone away. But in pursuing my passion and finding my purpose, my life has been turned upside down on multiple occasions. I swear, it seems like every time I start to gain momentum, there's a major life event that happens. A divorce, multiple deaths in the family, losing my job, you name it. That knocks the wind out of me. Sometimes it feels like I'm so close to my breakthrough, yet so far away. How do you find strength, motivation, and the courage to continue pursuing your passion? Walking in your purpose during those moments when it feels like everything is stacked against you? Well, I feel like this is both our stories. We both can relate to this. First of all, thank you so much for writing in. I'm glad that my interview spoke to you. That's my story. That's why I tell my journey and I tell it as many times as possible, because you just never know who's going to be impacted on that particular day and inspired. But I would tell you that there's been so many times in my journey where I felt like the odds are stacked against me and that I was almost there. And I know Trey can attest to this as well. Moments where we really felt like we're getting closer and closer to our breakthrough and then something else happens or the job doesn't come through, or, oh, we pick somebody else. In those moments, I just made sure that I stayed firm in my faith. If this is what God has planted in your heart and you know this is what you really want to do, just stick to it. Because it's going to happen, but it's going to happen in God's timing. And often I feel like. When I feel like when I find getting. When I find myself in those moments where I'm starting to say, okay, God, is this what you really have for me? And I start to doubt myself. I just take a moment to be still. Because in those moments, that's when God really reveals himself. He'll send you some type of affirmation, whether it's watching my interview or talking to a friend or getting that phone call, that shows you, okay, I am on the right path. That's when you know to stick with it. But I would say just to continue to go after what you really want and don't let anything deter you. Life is gonna life, so you know what I'm saying? Life is gonna life, but you have to keep going.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

What do you think?

[A]

Yeah. Piggybacking off what you're saying, just, you know, saying, stay on the course. You know, for me, I truly embrace, again, like I said, the underdog mentality. And just knowing that, you know, God's not gonna take you out of a storm that he can develop you in. So whatever it is that you're going through, just try to figure out what you can learn through it. He got you in it for a reason.

[B]

Oh, he said, what you going through? We gonna get to that. That was good.

[A]

Yeah. Like, whatever it is that you're going through, that's kinda how I try to look at things, change my perspective. Not, oh, why me? But, okay, why am I here? What can I learn from it? And I just try to keep my faith strong and knowing it's gonna work out.

[B]

And it always does. It always works out exactly how it's supposed to be. But it's all in God's timing. I cannot stress that enough because there's so many times where I'm like, lord, I need this to work right now. I need this to happen now. And in church yesterday, they were talking about how we're always, like, seeking progress, but we're not always seeking God's presence. So sometimes you can be chasing after this thing, but you're leaving God behind. And Pastor Todd gave an analogy where he was. Him and his wife were in the airport. They're trying to make it to their gate, and he's walking fast, but he's not realizing he's leaving his wife behind. So he looks back and he realized, he's like, where am I going? Because I know if I get to the gate, if she ain't with me, I'm not getting on the plane, so what am I doing? So I would say, make sure that whatever you're chasing after, that you also seek God's presence as you're trying to progress.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That was good.

[B]

All right, so what we're going to do next is what I'm going through and what I'm growing through. And I'll go first. Right now I'm in a season where I feel this immense, like, feeling of growth. Transition elevation. And I find my. I find that anxiety kind of creeping back in, like, oh, Lord. Okay, this is almost like, all right, we're going to another level now. Am I ready for this? Making sure, like, everything is right. I'm a perfectionist, and I'm trying to get out of that because. Shout out. Delina Zimmerman, my therapist, she tells me all the time that perfection is a cancer. So I'm trying to still, like, battle with letting that go, but I want everything to be right, and I want to make sure that I seize the moment. You know what I'm saying, as it comes. And I think you can probably attest to this as actors whose careers are booming right now. You want to strike while the iron is hot, and you want to make sure that you don't. You don't want to fumble the moment.

[A]

So.

[B]

So right now, that's where I am. And also what I just talked about. Making sure that as I'm trying to progress, that I keep God's presence in my life and that I seek that first.

[A]

Yeah, I think we're kind of on the same page. You know, for me, I just been getting back grounded spiritually, mentally, physically. Getting back, you know, in the gym.

[B]

I was off a little bit. I gotta get.

[A]

Yeah, just that growth. I feel like. Like, over the last 12 months, I just been baking a lot of things. Just a lot of different things. Just working on it from my businesses and the careers, and just. It's time. I feel like it's finally time. It's about to really take off, so I'm ready for it.

[B]

Love it. So, yeah, that's good. Awesome. All right, so lastly, we're gonna do Keep It Blank, Sweetie, where we take something that we kind of talked about the. That you want to tell the audience. Just some words of encouragement for them. So I'm going to tell you guys this week to keep it persistent, sweetie. Keep persistent. Yeah, Keep it persistent. So, Trey, what would be yours, your takeaway for this week?

[A]

Keep it focused, sweetie.

[B]

There we go. Keep it focused, sweetie. There you have it, guys. Thank you so much for tuning to this episode of Keep It Positive, Sweetie. If you want to write into our open listener letter, you can write into keepitpositive, sweetie gmail.com, and that's sweetie with an ie. You can also follow me on all platforms @lovechristorenee, on Instagram and Twitter, and TikTok. All the things Trey, tell the people where they can find you. Are you even back on because you're on and off Instagram?

[A]

I'M back. I know. Instagram is at Tripp with three Ps T, R, I, P, P. You can follow me on there.

[B]

Okay, so make sure you guys follow him. Check out the newest season of bmf, which is out right now. If you haven't caught on the other ones, make sure you catch up on all of them. Trey, I'm so proud of you. Trey, thank you so much for stopping by. I'm inspired by your story. I hope you guys are inspired as well. Take this into your week with you. I love you guys. In the meantime, in between time, you know what to do. Keep it positive, sweetie. Dora, thank you so much for this day. Thank you for this opportunity to just bring your glory to other people. Dear God, thank you for everyone in this room. Thank you for their talents. I ask that you just be with us today. Let us have fun. Let this be an amazing interview. Thank you for letting Jinora make it here safely. Thank you for Trey making here safely who I am as well. We do not take it for granted. Dear Lord, in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

[A]

Amen.