SE5: “What are some of the pressures you feel you have to live up to as a woman inside pro sports?”

Niya Brown Matthews- “When I moved to Atlanta…I came with all that I had in a Uhaul truck and my daughter and, so, I started centering myself around  people who were millionaires and hanging around those types of people. I was going to happy hour and that’s how it started. Then, I started going to these real estate meetings and they explained to you about how to own your own real estate and again I was 27 years old…I’m North Carolina…this is down south…very slow living so when I came here and they taught me how to make money and flip money and I can own my own properties that’s exactly what I started doing, and you know in 2007 the real estate market was phenomenal, so, I’m owning 4 houses in my name by myself. I bought my first Benz myself straight out…I bought like I said material that’s what I started doing by myself. So, I felt I had to fit in with that image to fit in. It’s all about what you have and that’s what I got sucked into. I can honestly say that when I first moved to Atlanta….God woke me up. He shook me. God is my daddy and that’s how I talk to Him…During my success He wanted me to realize…my focus on Him was starting to dwindle so He shook me. He’s a jealous God. He wants you to put Him first.” 

(IG: @niyabrownmatthews)