I’m a huge Chris Rock fan. My wife actually bought me tickets to his upcoming Melbourne show for my birthday – thanks Kat!
In one of his most underrated movies, Top Five, Chris Rock plays a comedian who tries to make it as a serious actor while asking everyone he meets – who’s your top five rappers of all time?
Being the executive producer of BeyondTheGame.TV, I decided to put my own twist on this and ask myself – what’s my top five BeyondTheGame.TV stories of all time?
My Life As… Michelle Jenneke
Michelle Jenneke was one of the first athletes to be featured on BeyondTheGame.TV. My Life As… An Athlete – featuring Michelle Jenneke was and still is the most watched episode on this website. We recently featured Michelle in a second episode of My Life As… and once again it was a huge success.
Michelle Jenneke is very generous with her time and one of the most genuine athletes we’ve ever interviewed. When we met her the first time in Cherrybrook, I was expecting to meet Michelle, her manager, her agent, her publicist and an Athletics Australia representative. Instead I met Shelly and her mum.
Right off the bat, I realised that being an international phenomenon is not about the size of your entourage or your ego. It’s about talent. Everything else is just smoke and mirrors. And when you have Shelly’s talent, looks and personality, there’s no need for smoke or mirrors. You can be yourself and enjoy the ride.
Fan Love – Joffa
I don’t think I really got to meet Joffa. Instead we met and interviewed Jeff Corfe. We met up with Jeff at the Foley House where he works. Foley House is funded by The Salvation Army and provides 24-hour accommodation, case management and support for its residents who are living with a disability, which include mental illnesses, intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injury, physical disabilities, substance abuse issues and/or complex needs.
To see the way Jeff was interacting with the Foley House residents was a real eye opener for us. We were expecting the Joffa character we see on TV during the Collingwood games. Instead we met an extremely intelligent and thoughtful man who dedicates his life to helping others. A man like this will make my top five any day.
Oz Warriors – Jake Matthews
Jake Matthews and his dad Mick both made my top five. Usually when athletes discuss injuries, even when the cameras are not rolling, you quickly get the company line. And you don’t get any insight into what’s really going on.
Jake discussed openly his recent surgeries, the illnesses he goes through after every fight, and the impact cutting weight before a fight has on his body. It was the most honest conversation I ever had with any athlete from any sport. And for that Jake, you make my top five.
My Life As… A Western Bulldog – Luke Dahlhaus
There’s two main reasons why Luke Dahlhaus’ story made it to my top five. First of all, I’m a Bulldogs supporter/member/supplier and Luke is one of my favourite players. I love his playing style and his never quit attitude.
Second of all, we interviewed Luke at the beginning of the 2016 season and he was very adamant at the time that winning a Grand Final for the Doggies would be a dream come true, and one he was striving for every day. So the fact that the Bulldogs actually pulled it off in that same season made this interview that much more special to me.
My Life As… A UFC Fighter – Daniel Kelly
Daniel Kelly is such an inspiration to me and anyone who had the chance to meet him. On top of being a great guy he’s also a great athlete, a great coach and a great dad. The sacrifices and the dedication needed to achieve what this man has accomplished in the Olympics and in the UFC are simply amazing.
Still today, after beating the last four guys who were suppose to end his career, Kelly always enters a fight as a massive underdog and yet comes out of it on top like there’s nothing to it. But there is a lot to it both in his professional and personnal life. And for that mr. Kelly you make my top five… maybe even my top one.
My Top Five
So there it is, my BeyondTheGame.TV top five stories. What about you, which are your favourite stories? Let me know your top five in the comments below.
by Ed Toussaint – contributor
The post My Top Five appeared first on BeyondTheGameTV.