Story & Lesson Highlights with BJ Armstead of Gwinnett County

We’re looking forward to introducing you to BJ Armstead. Check out our conversation below.

Good morning BJ, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Who are you learning from right now?
Right now, I am learning from nature. Nature never rushes. The grass never rushes to grow, the trees never rush to mature. Nature is God’s creation, His painting, His canvas. It is almost as if God speaks directly to us through nature. Through it, I am also learning that I am nature and that nature is God. I find myself constantly learning from it, and listening to people who speak about the importance of patience, about not rushing the process, but allowing the universe to take its course, trusting God with every single move I make. That trust extends into every area of my life, both personal and professional.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am BJ Armstead, a sports psychologist who is much more than a sports psychologist. I am a former Division I athlete who transferred back home to Morehouse College to finish my baseball career. I do not simply train athletes. I work to impact humanity. I am dedicated to fulfilling my purpose, staying grounded, and living without regret, all while taking care of the people God has called me to care for, using the gifts He has given me to do so.

The vehicle God has given me to fulfill that calling is Apollo Sports Counseling, where I work with high school, collegiate, and professional athletes to help them become not only better athletes but better people. What makes Apollo unique is that it is rooted in resilience and perseverance. If you know anything about the Apollo space missions, you know that the ships faced malfunctions and setbacks, yet they still reached their destination. That is the model I strive to instill in every person I work with, the belief that no matter what challenges arise, you can still arrive at your destination if you keep your mind strong and trust God.

I did not have a resource like Apollo Sports Counseling when I was younger. There was no one to bridge the gap between mental performance and mental health for athletes in my environment. I had to figure it out through pain, trial, and perseverance. That is why I have dedicated my life to making sure the next generation of athletes have what I did not.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was exactly who I was meant to be. In life, it is difficult to block out the voices of the world telling you what you should be, but we must understand why we are here. No person on earth put us here. We come from a higher source, and that source lives within us. This means we have the ability to do whatever we are called to do, but we must understand our purpose and fulfill it every single day. I refuse to conform to what others believe I should be because I know that I cannot fail as long as I stay aligned with my mission and purpose.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me resilience in a way that success never could. Resilience is the ability to bounce back, but for me it is also the ability to move forward with greater strength and clarity than before. Every challenge I have faced has been one of my greatest teachers. Without them, I would never truly know how great I could be. Success can make you feel accomplished, but it rarely forces you to discover the depth of your own strength.

Through my journey, I have learned that the struggles, the setbacks, and the disappointments are not obstacles to avoid, they are the very experiences that shape me into my best self. I have been reading Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, and it has helped me see that the trials I face are part of a larger transformation. They are the moments that demand growth, push me past my limits, and reveal the grit and determination inside me.

Suffering has taught me to embrace difficulties as opportunities, not threats. I do not run from struggle because I know it is the forge that sharpens my skills, strengthens my mind, and deepens my purpose. Success may bring moments of joy, but suffering has given me the unshakable foundation to sustain and build upon those successes.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. I would rather walk through life as my authentic self than as any manufactured version. I know the power I have as BJ Armstead, and I know that anything I want to do is within reach, especially when it comes to making a profound, positive impact on the people I encounter. I am aware of the blessings I have been given, and I know that I am light. I carry that light every day, making sure that when people encounter me, they leave with their spirits lifted.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If immortality were real, what would you build?
First, I do believe immortality is real. I believe human beings can build things that are truly immortal. If someone doubts that, they should look at what I am building now. I understand that the vision I carry and the work I am doing is far deeper and more meaningful than what people can see in this moment. I also know that the number of people I will impact will extend far beyond my lifetime, and I am at peace with that. My mission is to be spoken about long after I have left this place we call Earth and returned home.

I believe every person has a mission, vision, and purpose for being here on this plane of existence. It is our responsibility to fulfill that before we go back home. If we do, we will be remembered as immortals, not as the mortals we have been conditioned to believe we are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://apollosports.org
• Instagram: coachbjarmstead / apollosportscounseling

Image Credits
Dr. Omar Reid