We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cameron Dobbs. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cameron below.
Cameron, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience has been built over decades of adversity and obstacles of many shapes and sizes. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, in a family of five, a family of faith, and a family of football. My grandfather, father, uncle, brother-in-law, and brother all played football in college. Though we didn’t get on the gridiron, my sister and I pursued careers in collegiate volleyball. Grit and grind were a infused in our blood. The battles I faced on the court through playing at a top club in the nation, competing in State Championship matches, and starting on the court as a captain for the University of Miami Hurricanes volleyball program taught me resilience, but it was sharpened by what I faced off the playing field. At the start of my promising junior season with the Canes, in the blink of an eye with one bad block move in a preseason match, I lost everything. A sudden blow to the head forced my third brain injury within twelve months. This brought upon four frightening months of headaches, pain, pressure, dizziness, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, exhaustion, irritation, brain fog, and confusion at a severe level, non-stop, nearly half of a year. Because of my symptoms, I, a straight-A student graduating early, was forced to drop out of school. I failed vestibular therapy. I moved home to heal. I went from stud to dud. Through this season of heartbreak, medical disqualification by the NCAA, and pivoting from my plan to play pro, I learned a lot. I learned my identity is not rooted in my performance on the court, in the classroom, or in my career. Rather, my identity is rooted in Christ–something that never changes, never fails. I learned that resilience is not being perfect amidst all circumstances. Rather, resilience is living purposefully in all circumstances. Play Where Your Feet Are™ is now the motto, story, and mission of my life. It is doing your best and being your best no matter what, no matter where. Playing where your feet are is knowing that there is purpose in any position. Where does resilience come from? Faith. I believe Christ was crucified thousands of years ago and resurrected from the dead. If I’m made in His image, I believe I can do the same. I can get back up after suffering what’s now been SIX brain injuries. I can trust each test only builds a testimony that can touch other people’s lives, too. I can be tough–whatever that might look like in each season, because playing where your feet are removes comparison. It is subjective. It involves grace. It is unique to you. Maybe that’s the toughest thing one can do in this world after all… be themselves.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I turned my pain into purpose when I launched PWYFA Play Where Your Feet Are™ on September 7, 2021, two years following the blow to my brain that ended my athletic career. Though I stopped playing as a profession, I realized play was for everyone in every life. Now, I am motivated to share how PWYFA™ has impacted my life in hopes it will do the same for others. My business consists of a podcast, two books, speaking engagements, volleyball camps, clinics, retreats, merchandise, and more to spread the simple messaging to find purpose in every position and to play where your feet are. Besides the uber-intentionality and focus on the grind, play is also fun. We hope to be that. We hope to be a light, to bring joy, and to forever put a smile on our PWYFA family’s faces.
This isn’t just a business for me, it is a way of life, something I incorporate into my daily life working as a TV Host for WSFL39 in South Florida, color commentating on college volleyball broadcasts, leading in church, building my community, and being an example of Christ.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
I speak on my testimonies of how concussions have impacted my life. Believe it or not, as I write this response, I am now facing my sixth, yes, my sixth concussion. “Play Where Your Feet Are” is emphasized yet again. Specifically, I am reminded that play can look different in all seasons. Sometimes, it’s playing in community, playing sports, playing for fun, playing competitively, playing hard, or simple slow play, like painting a canvas. One day while board in recovery, for no reason at the time, I painted a cake. What suddenly popped into my mind was this, “There is Always Something to Celebrate”. A reminder to celebrate the wins, even if small. A reminder to celebrate a season, even if suffering through it. To never celebrate alone, but to do so in community. To celebrate while sitting in God’s presence, in awe of the wonders he works, whether the place we are in is pretty or not. Today, and every day, I am choosing to celebrate concussion #6. I am counting it all joy as it says in James 1:2 as it allows me to appreciate little God winks and wonders more than ever before: the beauty of a river flowing, the ability to walk–even if slowly, the taste of a good meal, the peaceful presence of God, the sound of birds chirping, the joy of laughing with loved ones near and far, the fact that all of this is available and nearly all free of charge. There is ALWAYS something to celebrate. After all, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24. We’re keeping the play in conversation. We are celebrating in EVERY season.
Contact Info:
- Website: playwhereyourfeetare.com
- Instagram: @Cam.dobbs
- Facebook: Cameron Dobbs
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/camerondobbs
- Twitter: @camerondobbbs
- Youtube: Play Where Your Feet Are
- Other: Podcast – PWYFA Play Where Your Feet Are™
