Serena Winters: NBA Sideline Reporter for the Cavs; Balance vs Being "All In"; Creating Your Own Luck

Episode 85 of Chats with Clark flips the script for Serena Winters, the beloved sideline reporter for the Cleveland Cavaliers, who typically can be seen interviewing players. Now, she sits on the other side of the microphone to share with us the commitment that she brings to each aspect of her life. "When I commit to something, I'm all in," contends Serena. 

Growing up in SoCal (Southern California), Serena was a devout Lakers fan and felt alive with a basketball in her hands. She knew from an early age that she wanted to stick around the basketball world, so during her time at UC Santa Barbara, she volunteered with any work she could revolving the Lakers, eventually playing a pivotal role in the founding and immense growth of the media outlet Lakers Nation.

Serena never backed down from an industry that is cut-throat, intense, and, especially at the time, dominated by men. She prided herself on that commitment and made sure that she was always prepared. To Serena, she created her own "luck" by constantly putting herself out there and delivering the best that she could in each situation. From there, the opportunities kept coming. 

During this era, Serena was covering Lakers legends like Derek Fisher and the one and only Kobe Bryant. Throughout the tenure, Kobe and Serena became close. In fact, Serena looks back fondly at the memory of asking him his final post-game interview question ever. And then there was the time that Kobe backed Serena to a leader at Nike, noting how Serena is "good people" (trust us, you need to hear this story). 

After the difficult decision for a departure from LA, Serena popped into Philly for a few years, where her appreciation by the fans continued to blossom, embracing all of the Sixers notion of "trusting the process." 

Finally, Serena and her husband came to Cleveland for a weekend to check out the landscape, as she discerned to accept the role here in Cleveland. With snow in their boots and sickness in her husband, they managed to still fall in love (or at least maybe knew that they would). 

A Cali woman finding her home in Cleveland, where her husband and she have expanded their family to four, is probably not what young Serena had expected; however, Serena has embodied exactly what her younger self knew, which was to build a career in the basketball world.

Episode 85 is a special one that dabbles the realms of basketball greats, repeats themes of dire persistency, and touches the heart with heavy emotions on all parts of the spectrum from loss to being a mother and a joy for the daily job. 

Serena Winters is someone who many know from her traditions with the team and exceptional on-air presence. Tune in to episode 85 of Chats with Clark to hear her in a depth that someone as great as Serena deserves. 

Check out more from Serena Winters and Chats with Clark on social media by visiting the links below!
Chats with Clark
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Thank you for checking out episode 85 of the Chats with Clark Podcast!

If there is any content that YOU would like to hear featured or would like to set up an interview time, email me your questions, thoughts, or ideas by emailing chatswithclark@gmail.com!