What happens when the path God has for your life looks nothing like the one you expected?

In this episode, we sit down with former NBA mascot, pastor, and business owner Marc Taylor.

Marc shares how struggling with ADHD and dyslexia in school helped shape his personality, how performing as his high school mascot opened an unexpected career path, and how a series of relationships and opportunities eventually took him from Colorado State University to professional sports.

He also discusses the influence of his mother, the value of allowing children to discover who God created them to be, and why parents may need to reconsider how they define success.

Throughout the conversation, Marc explains how his years as a mascot prepared him for ministry by teaching him how to connect with people, remove barriers, and make others feel welcome.

Key Takeaways

• Opportunities often come from unexpected places-like powder puff football leading to a career in mascots.
• Leadership is about being present and aware that someone is always watching. You’re on stage even when you aren’t on stage.
• Pay attention to moments; God works and opens doors in crazy ways.
• Parenting is a long-term relationship that requires patience, humility, and long-term vision.

Marc’s Book Recommendations and Mascot Highlights

• Doing Life with Your Adult Children: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310353777
• The Meaning of Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593545427
• Seattle Stunts and Highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEWyqHAqJJg
• Rumble’s First Game in OKC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbLjpO1dreA

Stay in the Current at http://ciy.com/thecurrent

Expand the ministry of Christ In Youth by opening a new seat at an event in 2027: http://ciy.com/give

Connect with Jayson and Eric on Instagram: @jaysonfrench and @ericepperson

Chapters

00:00 When God redirects your plans
03:00 Different kinds of calling
05:34 What calling have you ignored?
07:15 Introducing former NBA mascot Marc Taylor
09:40 The best mascot in professional basketball
11:47 Seeing God through creation
14:15 Growing up with ADHD and dyslexia
15:37 Discovering a love for entertaining people
16:39 Becoming the Alamogordo Tigers mascot
19:03 Community college and taking the difficult path
20:34 Becoming Cam the Ram at Colorado State
23:12 Landing an audition with the Seattle SuperSonics
29:27 Success, identity and the pressure parents place on children
30:26 Books that changed Marc’s approach to parenting
31:47 Maintaining influence with adult children
32:58 What an NBA mascot audition looks like
34:12 The infamous cougar-chicken costume
36:01 “Anytime someone sees you, you’re onstage”
38:17 The broken spring that saved the audition

Keywords

NBA mascot, leadership, faith, personal growth, career transition, basketball, mentorship, community, sports, ministry, leadership, opportunities, OKC Thunder