Asher Gibbons & Erin Grant
The Southern Editor & Staff Writer

Professor Mike Nabors teaches at FSC about the world of sports media, an industry he’s been a part of for more than 30 years. Recently, he’s released his second book, entitled “Don’t Quit Pivot,” which aims to drive others to chase their dreams and pursue their passions. 

In the book, Nabors writes, “The goal [of this book] is to pass on the idea that the ability to move from one career to something better for you is attainable for everyone.”

The book contains nine chapters, all of which have a different associated lesson. Some of which include “Build On Your Foundation” and “Do Something That Scares You!” within each chapter, Nabors gives examples of famous personalities, including himself, who chased their passion and ultimately pivoted to something that they were more passionate about. Some of the mentioned include Lisa Kudrow, David Grohl, Dwayne Johnson and many more.

“This book was the book I always wanted to write, because I did pivot when I was 50,” Nabors said.

In his 40s, he pivoted to build his own business that produced documentaries in which he would represent Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits nationwide. He followed that up in his 50s by pivoting again to college professor, author and speaker.

“But the fact that I was able to do something different and internally think, all I thought I could do was be a sportscaster. Now, I know I can do so much more. I think it’s a powerful lesson for people. I don’t care if it’s your age or if you’re 90. You can always do something,” Nabors said.

Not only did he pivot later in life, but he also earned his way into the industry in the first place, citing a trip that encompassed the chapter “Make Your Trip!” His trip spanned from Tallahassee to Minneapolis, then back south to Texas, where he ended up taking a job at his second stop in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The trip was fully supported by Nabors’ father. Nabors explains in the book that his father once told him, “you only get one at-bat, buddy.” From a young age, Nabors knew he wanted to get into sportscasting, citing in the book that he realized in fourth or fifth grade that he could be paid to cover sports.

His father never strayed Nabors away from chasing his dream, a notion that Nabors wants to instill in every reader.

“He’s the one that encouraged me to pursue my dream when I didn’t believe in myself. He’s the one that kept giving ideas to me on how I could pursue my dream. You know, driving around the country, it would be very easy for him to say; You’ know, why don’t you do something else? He never did,” Nabors said. 

“But there were times where I got really close and I got upset and I was frustrated, discouraged. And he always lifted me up every time.”

While “taking the trip” was bold, the presence of uncertainty and nervousness isn’t ignored by Nabors. 

In fact, he cites his own wild story where he’d taken a job to be the Tampa Bay Lightning pre and post-game commentator while only ever watching one hockey game in person.

“I was in Miami, our first game, and I’m thinking, I don’t know if I’m gonna be able to do this,” Nabors said. “But being nervous is so normal. But if you’re going to do something you love, that’s another excuse why people don’t do it. Oh, maybe I’m not smart enough. Maybe I’m not strong enough. Maybe I, you know, whatever. There are a million excuses not to do it. But when you overcome it, it’s so liberating.”

In his career he was able to write from the high school level to the pros, getting the opportunity to talk to famous figures like Barry Bonds, Matt Damon and Harrison Ford. He eventually secured jobs covering sports teams like the aforementioned Tampa Bay Lightning and New Orleans Saints.

Bumps in the road are inevitable for anyone going into any field, but it’s important to keep the end goal in sight.

“You may have a bad internship. You may have a bad experience. Don’t let a bad boss or a bad coworker ruin your dream. You have to go take a similar internship. You have to give that craft a chance. Don’t let a person step in the way of your happiness and your passion,” Nabors said.

The perfect example of not giving up was Nabors’ favorite “pivoter,” Arnold Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger’s  father never thought anyone could make a living lifting weights and looking in the mirror, but he got it done and then proceeded to pivot multiple other times.

For college students, pivoting might not be on their mind right now, but chasing passion should always be the end goal. 

“I want people to be happy. And we spend a lot of time at work. If you’re happy at work, you’re going to be a happier person. So I want people to be happy. And the motivation for this book is to help, hopefully, young people, older people, everybody.”

You can find “Don’t Quit Pivot” on mikenabors.com and Amazon.