Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Stephens
Brandon, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Back in 2011, right after graduating from Miami University, I was scouted and signed by the Detroit Lions. It was a dream come true to step onto the field with legends like Calvin Johnson, Matthew Stafford, and Ndamukong Suh. Halfway through training camp, I was performing well enough to take reps with the first team—the superstars. Everything I’d worked for was unfolding before my eyes.
Then, in a twist of fate, on the very last play of practice just a week before we were set to play the Minnesota Vikings, I got hurt. The timing couldn’t have been worse. The injury led to me being released from the team. It was a crushing blow; one moment I was on top of the world, and the next, everything seemed uncertain.
But I wasn’t ready to let that be the end of my story. I threw myself into recovery, determined to get back to where I was. Getting healthy was just the first step—I knew I’d have to compete against seasoned veterans to reclaim my spot. With unwavering determination, I fought my way back, and the Lions signed me again. Securing that spot and finishing the year with the team, even making it to the playoffs, felt incredibly rewarding.
After the playoffs, I was released once more. Despite having proven that I could play in the NFL, opportunities didn’t come easy. I received offers from the Canadian Football League and the Arena Football League, but I turned them down. My heart was set on the NFL. For the next three years, I trained by myself every single day—rain, sleet, snow—it didn’t matter. Alone on the field, I pushed myself harder than ever, holding onto the belief that my perseverance would pay off.
Realizing I needed current game film to showcase my abilities, I decided to sign with the Arena Football League in 2014. I played two games with the sole purpose of getting that footage for NFL scouts. Then, another setback—I dislocated my shoulder. It was tempting to feel defeated, but I remembered texting my parents, “God is still good.” That moment reminded me that my faith and optimism were stronger than any obstacle. I refused to give up.
The following year, I returned to play six more games. With fresh film in hand, I started sending it out to NFL teams once again. The Cleveland Browns took notice and invited me to a tryout among 70 other candidates. Despite being the oldest one there, I gave it everything I had. They ended up signing three players out of those 70, and I was one of them. It felt like all the years of hard work were finally coming together.
I went to camp with the Browns, full of hope and determination. But yet again, adversity struck—I tore my hamstring and was released from the team. It was another heart-wrenching moment, but through it all, I learned that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about continually moving forward, no matter how many times you get knocked down.
This journey taught me that setbacks are setups for comebacks. Every challenge strengthened my resolve and deepened my understanding of perseverance. These experiences have fueled my passion to help others find that same resilience within themselves, to inspire them to push beyond their limits, and to never give up on their dreams.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all, but that’s where the growth happens. My journey has been marked by challenges, setbacks, and moments of uncertainty, but each struggle shaped the person I’ve become today. From being signed by the Detroit Lions to facing injuries, being released, and fighting my way back into the NFL multiple times, I learned that resilience is built when the road gets tough.
One of the hardest moments came during my NFL career. After working my way up to taking reps with the first team, I suffered an injury on the very last play of practice, just before we were set to play the Minnesota Vikings. That injury led to me being released from the team—a crushing blow after everything I’d sacrificed to get there. It would have been easy to give up, but instead, I chose to focus on recovery and fight for another chance. Eventually, I was re-signed by the Lions and even made it to the playoffs. However, after the season ended, I was released again, and opportunities in the NFL didn’t come as easily as I’d hoped.
For three years, I trained relentlessly, often alone, in every type of weather. There were no guarantees, just faith and determination. It was during this time that I began to redefine what success really meant. I realized it wasn’t just about making it back to the NFL; it was about using the journey to grow and inspire others.
Eventually, I signed with the Arena Football League to get updated game film for NFL scouts, but then I dislocated my shoulder. Another setback. I remember texting my parents, “God is still good,” because I knew I couldn’t let one injury or moment define my story. I kept pushing, eventually making it back for a tryout with the Cleveland Browns. Out of 70 athletes, I was one of three signed—but soon after, I tore my hamstring and was released again.
Through all these struggles, I learned that success isn’t about avoiding obstacles; it’s about facing them head-on and choosing to keep going. Those experiences laid the foundation for what I do now with the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation. I’ve come to understand that the road to achievement isn’t linear—it’s full of twists, turns, and moments when you question if it’s all worth it. But those moments also create opportunities to grow, pivot, and redefine your purpose.
Today, I use those lessons to empower others through Wise Up to Rise Up, helping young people and communities realize that struggles are often the building blocks of a lifetime of achievement. I want them to see that the road may not be smooth, but it’s the perseverance, grit, and support you cultivate along the way that truly define success.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a professional motivational speaker, my mission is to ignite a spark in people that inspires them to rise above their challenges, embrace their potential, and create a legacy that truly matters. My story isn’t just about triumph—it’s about transformation. From chasing a childhood dream of playing in the NFL to discovering that true greatness is about impact, not just achievement, I’ve come to understand what it takes to redefine success.
When I first entered the NFL, I thought I had reached the pinnacle of lifetime achievement. But injuries, setbacks, and the grind of staying in the game taught me that success isn’t a destination—it’s a mindset. When my time on the field ended, I realized my purpose wasn’t about touchdowns; it was about helping others navigate the “gridiron of life,” as Tony Evans so eloquently calls it. I discovered that my greatest victories didn’t come on the field but through my work with the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation, where I’ve dedicated myself to inspiring the next generation toward a lifetime of achievement.
What sets me apart as a speaker is that my message is lived—not just learned. I don’t just tell people how to overcome adversity; I show them through my story, filled with raw, real experiences of setbacks and comebacks. I bring lessons of resilience, leadership, and faith, infused with practical strategies people can apply in their own lives. I challenge audiences to redefine what lifetime achievement means—not as a title, job, or accomplishment, but as the legacy you build by lifting others and living with purpose.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the recognition I’ve received, including U.S. Special Congressional Honors, City of Houston Honors, Texas House of Representatives Honors, and even U.S. Presidential Honors. But what matters most to me isn’t the accolades—it’s the moments after a speaking engagement when someone comes up and says, “Your story made me believe I could overcome this.” Those moments are why I do what I do.
I specialize in speaking to students, athletes, corporate teams, and community leaders, helping them turn setbacks into setups for success. My talks are not just about motivation—they’re about equipping people with actionable tools to build resilience, embrace discipline, and step boldly into their purpose. Whether it’s a high school auditorium, a corporate boardroom, or a community event, I connect with audiences on a deep level because I’ve been where they are—struggling, doubting, and questioning their path.
I believe everyone has a “red zone moment,” as Spencer Tillman describes—a critical opportunity to score big in life. My job is to help people recognize those moments and give them the confidence to make them count. At the heart of my message is this: your circumstances don’t define you—your response does. I’m here to remind people that they have everything they need to rise up, take control of their story, and create a ripple effect of greatness that lasts a lifetime.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that has been most important to my success is resilience—the ability to keep moving forward, no matter the setbacks. Whether it was fighting my way back to the NFL after injuries, pivoting to a new purpose through the Wise Up to Rise Up Foundation, or helping others overcome their own challenges, resilience has been the constant driving force in my journey.
I’ve learned that success isn’t about never facing obstacles; it’s about how you respond to them. Resilience has taught me to see failures not as the end, but as opportunities to grow, adapt, and come back stronger.
This mindset extends to everything I do, especially through Wise Up to Rise Up, where I help young people discover their own resilience and potential. I want them to know that challenges are inevitable, but their response defines their story.
Resilience also ties into humility, self-reflection, and faith. There were moments when I thought success was tied to a title, like being in the NFL. But through my work with the foundation, I realized that true success is found in the lives you impact, the communities you serve, and the legacy you leave behind.
That unwavering commitment to keep going, even in the face of adversity, has shaped my life and allows me to inspire others to rise above their own challenges.
Pricing:
- $5,500 – 30-60 min Speaking engagement
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WISEUPTORISEUP.COM
