From Six Figures to Saving Kids Through Basketball

Summary

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Living Your Legacy: From Six Figures to Saving Kids Through Basketball

Guest: Kingston Hanley
Host: Rudy Mawer
Date: May 26, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this inspiring episode, Rudy Mawer sits down with Kingston Hanley, founder of The Hoop Academy, youth mentor, basketball skills trainer, and former high-powered accountant. Kingston shares his deeply personal journey from a well-paid but unfulfilled career in accounting to a purpose-driven life teaching basketball and life skills to kids in Orlando. Through candid conversation, Rudy and Kingston delve into topics of passion, mentorship, resilience, and the powerful role of sports in shaping young lives and communities.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Kingston’s Life-Changing Career Shift

• Origin in Basketball & Early Mentorship

  • Kingston describes his upbringing and introduction to basketball through the Boys and Girls Club at age 11. (02:09)
  • He highlights the lifelong friendships and mentorship beginnings, helping younger boys even as a high-school student.

• Injury, Loss, and Professional Journey

  • A major injury in AAU basketball led Kingston to temporarily quit the sport and pursue accounting, influenced by his mother and a job placement from the Boys and Girls Club. (03:00–04:00)
  • Despite a prestigious, six-figure position at a Big Four accounting firm, Kingston realized he was deeply unhappy and unfulfilled after his mother passed away—a pivotal moment prompting his true “awakening.” (04:00–05:29; 09:24)

Notable Quote:
“I had six-figure job. I was working at one of the best companies ever. But I was empty inside. … If I didn’t have anything in the world, what would I do?”
— Kingston Hanley (00:00, 04:00, 09:24)

• The “Reset” Question for Life Fulfillment
  • Rudy and Kingston discuss the importance of questioning your path: “If you started all over … what would you do?” as a way to reconnect with personal passion. (05:03)

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Building The Hoop Academy

• Mission & Values
  • Kingston’s core mission is to provide a safe, nurturing mentorship space for kids who may lack strong family support, focusing on character development as much as basketball skills. (07:04)

Notable Quote:
“We want to create that safe space where kids can have a positive mentor. … All these life lessons. … Now I have the opportunity to create what I love—mentorship, giving back to my community, basketball.”
— Kingston Hanley (07:04–08:44)

• Serving At-Risk Youth
  • The conversation addresses how sports like basketball serve as an “escape” or path out for at-risk youth, providing not only skill-building but community and hope where alternatives might otherwise be destructive. (08:07–08:44)
  • Kingston emphasizes the transformative power of sport and mentorship in his own life, expressing a sense of duty to “relay back to the kids in our program” the support he received.

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Teaching Beyond the Court: Essential Life Skills

• Core Values: Respect, Family, Leadership
  • Kingston describes three core principles embedded in Hoop Academy’s curriculum (11:17):
    • Respect: Not making fun of beginners; supporting each other.
    • Family: Creating lifelong bonds and a sense of belonging.
    • Leadership: Encouraging kids to lead, rewarding leadership and positive attitudes.

Notable Quote:
“I love that everyone around is still my family 17 years later. … Boys and Girls Club taught me leadership. … So we actually rewarded leadership.”
— Kingston Hanley (11:44)

• Supporting Emotional Development
  • Rudy highlights the value of teaching emotional regulation—controlling anger and frustration on the court as a foundation for healthy adult coping skills. (13:18–13:52)
  • Kingston shares personal stories of overcoming injuries (ligament tear, ACL) and reframing setbacks as lessons in patience and perseverance for both himself and his students. (14:11–15:08)

Notable Quote:
“Now, instead of like quitting, I just went forward. … I’m not a quitter anymore. I learned a life lesson … I’m literally teaching what I’m learning—patience.”
— Kingston Hanley (14:11–15:21)

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Building Community & Opportunities

• Return to Roots and Giving Back

  • Kingston’s first clinics were held at the Boys and Girls Club—“a full-circle moment”—and he’s already impacted 80+ youths at Hoop Academy. (10:18)
  • The Academy operates group trainings and offers one-on-one sessions for tailored skill development.

• Rewards & Recognition

  • Certificates are awarded for leadership, positivity, and perseverance—not just athletic performance—to reinforce values over mere winning. (11:44–12:18)

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How to Connect With Kingston and The Hoop Academy

• Instagram: @thehoopacademy_
• Facebook: The Hoop Academy
• LinkedIn: The Hoop Academy (16:24)

Kingston is launching a private Facebook group community for parents, offering group and individual basketball training anchored in mentorship and life skills. (16:24–17:32)

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Most Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “I’m scared to see where my life would have been without basketball, without the friendships that were formed … That’s why I want to relay back to the kids.” (00:34, 08:44)
• “Entrepreneurship … it’s not easy. … But rewarding, it was the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.” (09:24–10:18)
• Kingston’s account of returning to basketball after a second major injury, teaching kids the exact lessons of resilience and patience that he is living through himself. (14:11–15:21)
• “Our biggest thing was not any type of basic basketball training. Our mission is to train the core skills—teaching values and emphasizing the importance of leadership.” (17:21)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Kingston describes feeling empty in a six-figure corporate role
• 02:09 – Early days; discovering basketball and the Boys and Girls Club
• 04:00 – Mother’s passing and career “awakening”
• 05:03 – The importance of the “reset” question for finding your passion
• 07:04 – Mission behind Hoop Academy: mentorship and life lessons in sports
• 08:07 – Sports as escape and path for at-risk youth
• 09:24 – Challenges and lessons from entrepreneurship
• 10:18 – Giving back: first clinics, impact on youth
• 11:17 – Core values taught at Hoop Academy: respect, family, leadership
• 13:18 – Emotional regulation and conflict skills for young athletes
• 14:11 – Turning injuries and setbacks into learning moments
• 16:24 – Getting involved: how to connect with Hoop Academy
• 17:21 – The holistic mission: basketball and character together

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Conclusion

In this episode, Kingston Hanley exemplifies living a legacy by transforming personal adversity into an uplifting force for the next generation. His story illustrates the power of sports as a vehicle for growth, healing, and hope—reminding listeners that true impact comes from nurturing both the skillset and character of youth. Through The Hoop Academy, Kingston continues to spotlight mentorship, leadership, and faith as pillars for lasting change on and off the court.

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Transcript

[Kingston Hanley]

I had six figure job. I was working at one of the best companies ever, but I was empty inside. And during our busy season we work long hours. So I remember one point I was like working 100 hour weeks one time and if I didn't have anything in the world, what would I do?

[Narrator]

Kingston Hanley is a driven youth mentor, basketball skills trainer and entrepreneur based in Orlando. Known for combining elite level basketball development with character building mentorship to help young athletes grow in discipline, confidence and life skills on and off the court.

[Kingston Hanley]

I'm scared to see where my life would have been.

[Rudy]

Yeah.

[Kingston Hanley]

Without basketball, without the friendships that was formed. And that's what, what I experienced. That's why I want to relay back to the kids in our program. I went through a lot of tragedy and chaos in my life, but it opened up to where I'm in today, where I can actually teach those values. And

[Podcast Host]

it spans the globe like a super high cold Internet. Elvis Presley. Today Apple is going to reinvent the phone. It's not over until I win. The Living youg Legacy podcast for those

[Kingston Hanley]

who live to leave a legacy that's extraordinary.

[Podcast Host]

The impossible has been. Oh, that is sensational. Jordan Open Chicago with the lead and Paul is the fastest man on the planet. You can live your dream.

[Rudy]

Hello and welcome back to another episode. Joining me today is Kingston and he's a coach, a visionary and entrepreneur like us all. And he's a basketball expert too, coaching a lot of youth basketballers and building a business along the way. So excited for today's episode. Welcome to the show.

[Kingston Hanley]

All right, thanks for having me, Rudy. So.

[Rudy]

So let's talk about it. You're, you know, I, I'm a big basketball fan. Been playing most of my life on and off. Okay, but how, how did you, you know, go from just coaching to actually building a business?

[Kingston Hanley]

That's a great question. So it really came full circle. So just a little bit about my background. So I grew up in with the Boys and Girls Club and I came to the Boys and Girls Club when I was about 11 years old and from there that's when I fell in love with basketball. Every day after school I was about the same age.

[Rudy]

Yeah.

[Kingston Hanley]

Okay. So okay. I love it. Yeah. So every day me and my friends will who still to this 17 years ago. Wow, I'm getting old. 17 years later, we still connect over just playing basketball every day and play basketball in high school too and, and it's actually kind. I actually stopped playing basketball. I tore my. When I was playing aau, I tore a ligament in My ankle, I remember just like it was yesterday. Someone stole the ball from me and I thought I was like, oh, hell no. Let me be on my LeBron stuff and try to chase him down. Didn't happen. My ankle went the other way and I actually stepped away from basketball and I just very hard time for me just because that's my first real injury. And I actually just stepped away from. Yeah. Basketball and focus on accounting. And my mom, she was an accountant and I was like, okay. And Boys and Girls club set up me with accounting jobs. I was like, okay, maybe this is my next step. Just go with the flow. I actually hate accounting. Fast forward, long stories. I hate accounting. And my. What kind of lead me to where I'm in today. My mom, so she passed away two years ago, and pretty much that was my awakening. I was very fortunate to work great accounting jobs. I worked for a big four accounting firm, a lot of Fortune 100 companies. But during that point, I was like, it wasn't fulfilling. I remember one time I even like. Like I said, I hate accounting. I was trying to get my CPA and I actually cried to my mom, like, I can't do this. Like, I can't I doing this before you. And she told me, like, it's okay. And I think I remember working Big four. This is about three years ago now. I was working audit and we had a client and during our busy season, we work long hours. So I remember one point I was like working 100 hour weeks one time and. And I was like, okay, this is not it. So this is that three years ago, this one night, if I didn't have anything in the world, what would I do?

[Rudy]

And that's always a good. Just pause quite a second. I always think that's a great question. I tell people that I'm like, if you started all over, had not, you know, just had to start afresh, what would you do? Right? It's a great way to assess, like what you enjoy. Because a lot of us, we fall into these things, right? Like we grew up into it, we got a degree in it or whatever. And then we kind of like get. A lot of people get stuck in it for 20, 30, 40 years, you know, so it's a great reset question.

[Kingston Hanley]

No, that's so true. No, that. And that's. Then I'm grateful for, you know, not grateful for all the tragedies that happened, but I'm grateful for the outcomes. Because if I was still on that county, miserable, I would be miserable. Oh my goodness, I was. Because I One thing about me, I am ambitious. Yeah. Like, I achieve. And that's what I set for the mindset for the kids in our, my, my program. Yeah. Just set your mind to anything you can reach, anything you want to. That's how I always been carrying myself and, and back. Going back to the Boys and Girls Club. That's when I started my mentorship. I actually had my own. It's called Passport and Manhood. When I was in high school and I mentored middle school, elementary school, elementary boys. And that's when I started my mentorship.

[Rudy]

Well, I think it's so great. There's more and more integration now at the grassroots level with children in sport from the coaches, not obviously a lot of coaches, but from a lot of them, like more and more nowadays to implement these life lessons right into the sport. So whether it's teamwork, communication, believing in yourself, goal setting, controlling your temper, when you lose the basketballs, you know, you're not getting angry. And I think it's, it's so important for all kids to learn these things, but especially for kids that maybe don't have a dad teaching it or a mom teaching it or the right parenting.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Rudy]

Which a lot of kids sadly, you know, going into sport, some sports, they, they don't have that, that family, they're teaching the things that you're teaching them. Now.

[Kingston Hanley]

That is 100 true. And you write what you just said is literally the mission behind the Hoopa Academy. We want to create that safe space where kids can have a positive mentor. Just to teach them, like you said, patience. Yeah. Teach them teamwork, communication, all these life lessons. And, and I'm just so blessed. Again, I went through a lot of tragedy and chaos in my life, but it opened up to where I'm in today, where I can actually teach those values. And, and because the organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, they helped me become the man I am. They taught me how to become a mentor.

[Rudy]

Well, and I think it's so, I see it more and more in football and basketball. Right. And, and it's interesting because, you know, I've interviewed people like Chad Johnson, the NFL player, Allen Iverson, the basketball player. And they've said, you know, like, that was their escape out of the hood or drugs.

[Kingston Hanley]

Right.

[Rudy]

The sport. They were either going to become a criminal or they were going to become an NFL athlete or a basketball player.

[Kingston Hanley]

Exactly.

[Rudy]

You know, and I think it's so, I think it's so important, especially in certain sports. Right. Because it's like if someone's playing Golf. They probably don't, they're probably, they probably don't need it.

[Kingston Hanley]

Yeah.

[Rudy]

Their parents are doing it.

[Kingston Hanley]

Right.

[Rudy]

Whereas you know, in sports like basketball and more common sports, there's a big population that are getting into it and it's their escape, it's their route to college and success. And if they don't have that mentorship, then life can fall apart.

[Kingston Hanley]

Life can fall apart. And I, I'm scared to see where my life would have been.

[Rudy]

Yeah.

[Kingston Hanley]

Without basketball, without what the friendships that was formed and that's what, what I experienced. That's why I want to relay back to the kids in our program. I, when I, yeah. Growing up in the Boys and Girls Club, they taught me leadership. They gave me that safe space. They me my love for basketball. And now I had the opportunity to create what I love. Mentorship, giving back to my community basketball and to an impact on this world.

[Rudy]

And that's like, it's much better than crunching. P and L.

[Kingston Hanley]

It was, it was one of the most. And one thing I always preach is just to keep having faith too. Keep having faith in yourself and keep having faith in God. Because before I made the decision to leave the corporate world, it was one of the strongest, boldiest, crazy, however you put it, decisions in my life. I had six figure job. I was working at one of the best companies ever. But I was empty inside. And going from point A that decision to right now. First of all, entrepreneurship. If I learned, if someone told me what I would have been dealt with being entrepreneur, it's not easy. But at the same time as I launched two clinics now in Miami. First one was with the Boys and Girls Club where it all started with I'm still.

[Rudy]

That's cool.

[Kingston Hanley]

Yes. The full soaker moment. I'm still kind of like emotional about that. And second one with OYC Miami on laundry morning. He created that organization too. And for me to impact 80 youths already off the back, that's the coolest thing ever. And just to see like their faces and asking where Coach Kingston's coming back and all, it is definitely one of the biggest risk I took. But rewarding it was the most rewarding thing. To this day, all the trials and tribulations I've been through on this journey, that that's the reason why I do what I do.

[Rudy]

Yeah, well, I'm talking about some of the things you do. You talked about, you know, more surface level how you coach and mentor. But maybe give me some specifics. What are two or three things you're really teaching the kids outside of basketball.

[Kingston Hanley]

Yeah, that's a great question. So the number one thing is respect. Okay. So we want to. Because the hoop academy is open to all type of players, like beginning. If someone. If a kid just want to start out a new sport or if they want to just increase the level of training. So we want to emphasize respect. Don't make fun of.

[Rudy]

Yeah, I think that's hard as a kid.

[Kingston Hanley]

Right, exactly. If someone. Yeah. If a kid just starting out and they shoot all the way. Right. Don't, don't. So that's the be. And I want to talk about family. Yeah. So the. One of the things I emphasized in the clinics is how remember each and every one of you. Because I remember when I first. Me and you first started at 11 years old, though everyone around is still my family 17 years later. So impact. So we want to emphasize family, but overall leadership. So during our clinics, that's our. The Hookah Academy's biggest aspect of our program is teaching leadership, the importance of leadership. Boys and Girls club taught me that and that's how I am where I am today. Because me step out of my comfort zone being leaders. So we actually rewarded leadership. So we had kids that volunteer to help out the trainers during the clinics. And at the end of the day we hand out rewards. We had reward certificates. So we have the. A certificate for the best leader. Certificate for the most valuable player. Not only because he was the best player at the clinic, but he also exemplified leaderships. He stuck up, he took. They took the ability to lead trainings and cheer on the team. So we also had for the best cheerleader, best positive mindset, someone that is a starter of basketball, but they didn't quit, they kept on going. So. Yeah.

[Rudy]

And I think another one is the. The respect one. I see a lot of viral Instagram and TikTok clips of like, you know, not college team, like a younger team. Right. Probably the age group you're teaching.

[Kingston Hanley]

Yes.

[Rudy]

And they get in a fight. Right. So it's like, I think that's so important in sport because learning to control your anger and stuff. Right. When you're a kid, you know, I think it's such an important life skill over time. Right. But it gets taught in the childhood. Right. If the child's angry and gets in fights when playing a game, you know, then it's going to transfer into anger management problems. And they're older and like.

[Kingston Hanley]

Exactly, exactly. Yeah. So that. And so stuff. Yeah. Being patient and being controlling. Yeah. Your anger. Controlling your emotions.

[Rudy]

Yeah, your emotions.

[Kingston Hanley]

So that's yeah, that's what we. These are the different values we teach.

[Rudy]

So is this not especially in a game like basketball?

[Kingston Hanley]

Exactly, exactly. Exactly. So it is so funny too. I'm literally learning again. So going back to high school when I stopped basketball first is because I tore my ligament. And about a year ago about bass may actually tore my acl. But this time instead of like quitting, I just went forward. I was like, I learned my lesson the first time I quit left. But this time I'mma. I don't. I'm not a quitter anymore. I learned a life lesson learned and I go for it. I don't run away from it. So. And pretty much I as I now I'm slowing getting back to playing basketball. Right now I can just do 1v1s haven't been clear to do 5v5s, but I'm learning just because going 10 year ACL you have to relearn everything.

[Rudy]

Very slow process.

[Kingston Hanley]

Oh my goodness. I had to relearn how to walk. So now it was. I'm literally teaching what I'm learning, teaching my kids about patience and just being patient with yourself throughout the whole process. So.

[Rudy]

Well, you even learned, I mean, your first injury was because of your temp, you know, which, which I don't blame you because I actually tore my ankle doing the exact same thing.

[Kingston Hanley]

Oh, wow. Okay.

[Rudy]

Well, mine was a rebound. I was upset at someone and I tried to rebound and he was six and a half foot tall, so I was never going to get the rebound anyway. And then I got bumped midair and fell on my ankle. So. But again, it's the mindset.

[Kingston Hanley]

It's the mindset. It's the mind. I love that. I love that. So, yeah, so that's pretty much what my mission. God just put me on this journey and I'm so glad that he from all the ups and downs to have that faith that he's keep on showing me the way, that's.

[Rudy]

And you found your passion and purpose. It's great.

[Kingston Hanley]

Exactly.

[Rudy]

To do both. Yeah, yeah. And help kids at the same time.

[Kingston Hanley]

Exactly.

[Rudy]

Good. So last question as we wrap up. Where do people learn more about you? How do they follow you? You know, maybe they want to come, you know, if they've got kids or whatever and learn basketball, where do they come to to do that?

[Kingston Hanley]

Yeah. So the Hoop Academy has its on instagram @the hoopacademy underscore. We also on Facebook as well, the Hoop Academy. And right now I'm excited about to reach out to parents this week. We're actually opening up our own hoop Academy community on Facebook too and we do group training but also we also want to provide one on one training as well too. I just, I learned the importance of community. So we are a group training based company but we also want to if they parents that want to increase their kids talent. We also do one on one training too. But yeah, you can find us on Facebook, the Hoop Academy and also on LinkedIn. The Hoop Academy too. So yeah, again our biggest thing was not any type of basic basketball training. Our mission is to train.

[Rudy]

Yeah.

[Kingston Hanley]

The car skills.

[Rudy]

I love that.

[Kingston Hanley]

Yes. It cheats values and emphasize the importance of leadership. So we reward leadership. So. So yeah. Good.

[Rudy]

Love it. Well guys go check him out. Awesome stuff he's doing in the community. Especially to such an important age group. Right. Where all those core skills are learned and imprinted for the rest of their life. So love, love this and as always, keep working hard yourself. Build a legacy and I'll see you guys soon.

[Podcast Host]

Take care of Sam.