Through the Eyes of Omar Cook
Omar came to our concert with Jhamasa and Friends. He started talking to us about his various projects, and we were immediately taken in by this powerful young man's vision and presence. We look forward to him hosting a musical showcase at our shop in the fall.
Why football?
I played basketball as my 1st sport growing up and it wasn’t until high school that I really got into football. I was a natural athlete and it carried me all the way through college up until now in my arena football career. I’ve always enjoyed playing in front of the crowd and the adrenaline rush the game gives me. I love the grind of preparing for a game each week and love seeing the results of all the hard work that goes into it. I’ve always wanted to use the game to inspire someone else to keep pushing towards their goals. Football is a lot like life itself; there are a lot of ups and downs and only if you persevere through it all will you be successful, so I enjoy the challenge.
What is Highest Level?
Highest Level Academy is a non profit organization that was created to help prepare youth and high school athletes to become college ready student athletes. We offer elite training in all sports, and academic programs that help athletes in the classroom and keep them on track to receive a scholarship. We also offer community programs to help the youth outside of sports. Our main goal is to give the youth a positive outlet through sports but prepare them for life outside of sports as well. It was founded by a great group of men that have excelled in sports, coaching, and a number of other areas; Russell Shaw, myself, John Johnson, and Grady Tucker. We want to create a new direction in youth sports that focuses on more than just sports itself.
What is 247 Live Culture?
247 Live Culture is a digital magazine that delivers content in music news, hair and beauty, fashion, lifestyle, sports, and relationships. We do weekly interviews with up and coming music artists that gives insight to music fans about the process that music artists go through to create their music and climb their way to the top. I wanted to create a positive outlet that paints black millenials in a positive light, something contrary from a lot of the negative images we see in mainstream media.
What are your biggest struggles?
My biggest struggle is balancing my time between all of the projects that I’m trying to pursue. I have big dreams and I’m not a one dimensional person that just has one career path in life. Building things from the ground up is definitely not an easy task. Sometimes I struggle with the idea of just going to get a regular career job for money purposes, but I know at the end of the day I’m following my life’s purpose by constantly creating new things. I believe God put me here to create new things that could possibly change the world in different ways and as long as I co-create with God at the forefront, I’ll be ok.
What are your favorite accomplishments?
I’ve accomplished a lot in my time so it’s hard to say. I’ve worked with EA Sports as a motion capture actor for the Madden Video game series for 3 years, so that has always been a big deal for me, because I grew up playing Madden. Also playing professional football for 4 years has been major for me in proving to myself that I can really do anything. I’ve coached college football at all levels including division 1, so seeing my former players go on to be successful has given me much fulfillment. At the end of the day whatever I accomplish, I just want people to see it as motivation for themselves.
What part of your personality are you most thankful for?
I’m thankful for my ability to communicate and be able to relate to just about anyone. I’m a person that can adapt to just about any environment. Football has taken me to every part of the country and I have made many great relationships with people of all cultures. I’m also an outgoing person that likes to try new things, I never want to miss out on what life has to offer.
What does your favorite or ideal sunday afternoon look like?
An ideal Sunday would be what we call “Sunday Funday”, just being able to relax and watch some football and kick back. I’m always working on my own stuff, so to just take a break and do something for myself is ideal.
What gives you hope for the future?
What gives me hope is creating new opportunities for the people that are coming up after me. I have a big family, 4 sisters, and a brother, and I’m the oldest one so I want to set the best example I can. Life isn’t easy and I want to make sure that they see me doing my best to succeed so they can have hope for their own selves. I want to leave this life knowing I gave everything I had to it.
What would you like to bless the world with? Pick one word.
What excites you about being an LSA ambassador?
I like what the brand stands for, and it aligns with what I’m trying to offer to the world, and that’s peace and prosperity. I’m a big fan of networking with people who have similar values
What are you doing next? How can people get involved?
I’m relaunching my podcast that’s associated with 247 Live Culture, called “Boombox Weekly” where I will do live interviews with music artists each week! People can tune in each on apple podcasts and follow on ig @boomboxweekly. I’m also working on putting on a couple events for up and coming artists in the near future. For Highest Level, we are working towards putting together multiple club teams in all sports for girls and boys in Los Angeles. The next half of the year should be pretty exciting.
Where are all the places people can learn more about you?
People can keep up with what’s going on by following along on instagram:
@omar__cook
@gohighestlevel
@247liveculture
@boomboxweekly
I look forward to engaging with new people and making new connections!
