Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Patmon.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Tiffany Patmon; I grew up in Wichita, Kansas to two amazing parents that instilled what hard work and selflessness looked like. Ever since I was a young girl, I knew I wanted to play professional basketball, I would follow my older brother around with his friends and always try to play with them whenever he would let me! That’s definitely why I have always played bigger than what I am. My dad who was my coach throughout my career before college always had me play up and wear weighted pants and vest as we practiced; as a teenager, we didn’t see eye to eye, but reflecting on my childhood I am incredibly grateful for him pushing me to be the best that I could be! Fast forward through high school, leading my basketball team to two state titles and multiple track state titles, I had received full-ride scholarships to play basketball all over the nation, but I committed early my sophomore year to attend Oklahoma State University. As I attended OSU, I was a captain and starter all 4 years while earning All-American honors All AP, All-Selection team Unanimously in the Big 12, and holding the All-Time assist record in school history. And earning a degree in business and minor in Sports management. As a little girl, I diligently worked at my craft to achieve each goal along the years, and I never let anyone tell me that I couldn’t do something. I let all the negative comments motivate me not deter me. All the hard work and sacrifice paid off and in the 2014 WNBA Draft, I heard my name called being drafted 17th overall to the Phoenix Mercury. In my rookie season, I would become a WNBA Champion and would go on to play 5 more seasons and playing for the Thailand National Team before retiring.
Through OSU I met my amazing husband, Tyler Patmon who has been God’s answered prayer for me and a huge factor in my walk in my faith. Out of all the accolades being a servant of God, wife, and a mommy to our two beautiful baby girls those are my real accolades.
With Our love for God and empowering the youth, our testimonies has helped us establish our faith-based nonprofit organization, Camp Exposure.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were of course struggles throughout my career as a professional athlete and most certainly after I retired. I had to deal with grief with my college coaches Kurt Budke and Miranda Serna passing away in a plane crash my sophomore year in college. I never had experience loss close to me before. Mentally struggled throughout my college career as they were a big part of planting the seed of my faith and who I was becoming as a leader and as a young woman on and off the court. Apart from having a stellar college career, Professionally, I was made aware of the business side of the business and that saying ” work hard and reap the benefits” was not always the truth. Despite achieving what few do, becoming a WNBA champion the lingering obstacle, I struggled with was my mental health and who I was beyond the court. Looking back and reflecting on my early days as an athlete, I definitely wish I would have been more vocal with my mental health and not try to mask the emotions I was experiencing. However, the beauty in the trials and obstacles that I experienced has truly shaped me to be the walking testimony for the youth that we mentor and teach at Camp Exposure.
As you know, we’re big fans of Camp Exposure. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
I am the Vice President of the Camp Exposure Nonprofit organization. My husband and CEO, Tyler Patmon, and I started Camp Exposure after we finished our professional careers and just felt there was a disconnect from the time you are playing and to then transitioning out from the sport you played. That’s where Camp Exposure was born. Our mission is to help athletes discover their identity, purpose, and worth beyond sports. We help empower their God-given gifts into a successful life and profession.
At our core, we believe in a comprehensive education model that encompasses seven crucial pillars. While most organizations focus on one or two elements in developing athletes, we take a holistic approach to ensure that our athletes receive a well-rounded development. We are confident this approach will equip our athletes with a strong foundation to navigate their present and future endeavors.
I am most proud of the continuous growth we have had at Camp Exposure each year of helping develop these young men over the 4 years, and we have just launched our women’s division. With us being able to cater to both young me and women just shows the foundation that we have set to expand.
We offer our Academy over the course of 1 to 3 years; we offer a series of monthly workshops centered around the Camp Exposure Pillars, enabling athletes to discover, outline, and develop a plan for their future endeavors.
We are always looking for sponsors and partnerships that align with the work we are doing and would love to connect!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory would be just being outside playing basketball with my dad and brother. Also, watching my mom and sister sewing. I look back now and I find beauty in the simple things of being a kid and how it has shaped my love for that I do and the love I have for my family and the intentional time spent is far more than any tangible thing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thecampexposure.com
- Instagram: @TheCampExposure @TiffanyBias
- Facebook: The Camp Exposure
- Linkedin: The Camp Exposure
- Twitter: @Thecampexposure
Image Credits
MikewillPictures
