Breaking into sports media as a freelancer comes with challenges, but also unexpected opportunities—and Mike Hopkins Jr. shares it all.

In today’s episode, Cass sits down with Mike, a sports video freelancer, to unpack his journey from internships and cold outreach to producing work for the Cleveland Browns and a documentary in Jamaica.

In this episode, you’ll learn

• How freelancing can be rewarding when approached with intention.
• The power of kindness and relationships in building a career.
• Why social media is a crucial tool for showcasing your work.
• How to embrace mistakes and grow from them without being defined by your job title.
• Practical strategies for finding focus, managing workload, and creating the work you actually want to get paid for.
• Insights on faith, collaboration, and taking opportunities that challenge you.
• The realities of sports media—the emotional storytelling, the grind, and why quality work matters regardless of environment.

Mike also gets real about setbacks, injuries, and learning to balance professionalism with authenticity—and why focusing on the small, important details can make all the difference. He shares how to make the most of available resources and reminds listeners that “you are not what you do.” Whether you’re pursuing sports media, video production, or any creative path, this conversation is full of encouragement, insights, and actionable takeaways.

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• The Creative Friends Podcast Instagram
• Your creative friend Cass’ LinkedIn