We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dashun Mack a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Dashun, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
I think my empathy really comes from being an athlete my entire life. I played basketball and volleyball, and I know firsthand how stressful it can get, worrying about playing time, performance, and even tying your self-worth to how you play. Because I’ve been through those experiences, I understand what my athletes are feeling in those moments. That perspective allows me to not just coach the game, but also support them as people. I want them to know that I see them, I get it, and I’ll be there to help them grow through it.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Dashun Mack, and I’m the owner of TheMediaMack, a photography and media company I started back in high school. I specialize in sports photography, capturing the moments that athletes and families will look back on for years to come. What I feel is most special about my work is that I get to celebrate athletes at every level — from high school and college players to semi-pros — and give them professional-quality content that highlights their passion and hard work.
Alongside my photography, I’m also a coach for both volleyball and basketball. Coaching allows me to give back in a different way — to be a mentor, to guide athletes through not just their sport but the ups and downs that come with it. Both coaching and photography let me stay connected to sports while impacting my community in a meaningful way.
Right now, I’m focused on growing TheMediaMack into a leading sports media brand in West Michigan. I’ve recently expanded into covering more team media days and grassroots tournaments, and I’m excited to keep building opportunities for young athletes to have their stories told. For me, it’s all about leaving a mark that goes beyond the game.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I’d say the three most important qualities in my journey have been patience, consistency, and adaptability.
Patience has been huge, whether it’s in business or coaching. Growth doesn’t happen overnight — whether you’re building a brand or developing as an athlete. I had to learn to trust the process and stay the course even when results weren’t immediate.
Consistency is what keeps things moving forward. Showing up every day — with my camera, with my teams, and in the classroom — has helped me steadily build trust and credibility. Small, consistent steps lead to big milestones.
Adaptability is key because nothing ever goes exactly as planned. Whether it’s dealing with unexpected challenges in a game, or shifting gears in business, being able to adjust and still move forward has made all the difference.
For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: embrace the long game. Don’t expect instant success, but commit to showing up consistently and being willing to learn and adjust along the way. If you stay patient, consistent, and adaptable, opportunities will come, and you’ll be ready for them.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Absolutely. I’m always open to collaborating with people who share a passion for sports, media, and community. That could be schools, athletic programs, clubs, or even other creatives who want to push sports storytelling forward. I love working with organizations that value giving athletes recognition and creating experiences that last beyond the game.
For collaborations, the best way to reach me is through my email at [email protected], or by visiting my Instagram page @TheMediaMack, where I share my latest work. I believe collaboration is how we all grow and I’m always excited to explore new opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: TheMediaMack.com
- Instagram: TheMediaMack
- Youtube: Themediamack
