Meet James Butler | Athlete & Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with James Butler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite quote is, “love where you are and grow from there.” This quote a lot to me because coming from an athletic background you’re constantly in a grind mindset. You achieve one goal then it’s onto the next. You reach the top of the mountain and then you just create another mountain on top of that. You stay in go mode. I can contribute a lot of my success in athletics just due to the fear of feeling like someone else is working harder than me. Just thought a lot makes me want to train until my body can’t anything more, then go a little harder. This quote has taught me that no matter where I am at, appreciate the progress that’s been made. My dabbles into being a creative have been that for me. Since I’m so new, things have blown as much as I’d like and I’m always facing self doubt. So this quote reminds me that even if this podcast or vlog doesn’t do the numbers I hope, that I can love where I am at and grow from that point on.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Right now, I am a professional football player currently playing in Canada. I am going into my 8th year as a pro running back which is a very tough thing to do. The position takes a huge toll on the body and the only reason I can say I am still playing in God’s grace. I’ve been an ultimate journeyman during my time playing, I started my career just trying out for the Oakland Raiders which turned into me spending two years there. After that I got an opportunity to play in the then XFL with the Houston Roughnecks which we were having some success then Covid happened. So life stopped for while then I got am opportunity to go play in Canada with the BC Lions which I spent two years then I got signed to play with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats where I spent two years with them. Most recently I just got signed to go back and play for the BC Lions where I will be playing this upcoming season. So as you can see I’ve been moving and shaking a lot these past 7 years as a pro and it’s been anything but easy. I’ve been cut by teams at least 6 times in my career. You get cut so many times rejection is just part of it but it’s never easy. It’s requires a lot of falling and getting back up and living in the unknown. The lessons I’ve learned is are that no matter what work as hard as you can and that no matter the outcome you can be happy because you know you gave it everything in your power to produce the best result. Sometimes the results are not what you want them to be but the journey was still worth it because you learn about yourself. I feel my brand is just an openness to learn about all people and their journeys. I am a podcaster and vlogger but my passion is really sitting down getting to know someone on a podcast and seeing what makes them tick. I want to be a helper of people becoming the best version of themselves as I am constantly working on becoming that myself.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The ideal spot is the best city in the world Chicago. We would start my favorite chicken spot with the mild sauce Uncle Remus. Then I would take them to my favorite rooftop Cindy’s rooftop which has a great view of the historic ‘bean.’ Then we would have time the famous Chicago deep dish pizza from Giordano’s. The next day we would do a boujee brunch at Maple and Ash and then head to federals for a bite to eat and drinks.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to Jessy Richmond, this is a friend that embodies what it means to be a creative and pushes to do more and instills more belief in my abilities to create then I do myself at times. The biggest shoutout to Jessy!

Website: https://kickingitwithjb.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjbutler20/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbutler20

Twitter: https://x.com/jamessbutler20?lang=en

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kickingitwithjb?si=LZXI6vtmxIhLzorB

Image Credits
Liam Thomson
Lisa Oskee
Jimmy Jeong
Jojo Qian