Many of us in the sports creative world have something brewing outside our day gigs — a side biz, a personal brand, a random project we tinker with after games. Some start them to make extra cash, some to keep their sanity and some because the itch to create never really turns off.

In this episode, I’m sharing why those “little things on the side” aren’t just hobbies - they’re creative lifelines. We’ll talk about why it’s never too late to start, how side projects help you grow without the pressure, the real benefits (and challenges) you can expect and practical ways to begin without burning out.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a side project - or need a push to keep going with yours - this is your sign.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• What counts as a side project (and why they matter)
• Why starting late doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance
• The hidden benefits for your career, skills, and sanity
• Tips for starting small and keeping it fun

Hit play, and let’s talk about the work that feeds your passion, not just your paycheck.

Find me at:

IG: @SportsCreativesAnonymous / @ClaytonInFocus

TikTok: @sportscreativesanonymous

YouTube: @sportscreativesanonyous

Email: sportscreativesanonymous@gmail.com

In this episode of Sports Creatives Anonymous, host and long-time sports creative Clayton Jones dives into one of the most important, and overlooked, conversations in the creative sports world: Knowing your worth, both financially and creatively.

Whether you're a full-time staffer wearing five hats for one paycheck, a freelancer tired of being low-balled with "my cousin will do it for free" energy, or run your own business and tired of feeling like you have to charge less, this episode breaks down how undervaluing yourself hurts your mental health, your creativity and the industry at large.

Listeners will hear:

• Why creatives are more essential than they’re often treated
• How to recognize and communicate the real impact of creative work
• Common traps that keep freelancers and staff underpaid
• Actionable strategies to set better boundaries, raise rates and advocate for your value
• Honest talk about the emotional guilt that comes with asking for more in a “dream job” industry

This is equal parts pep talk, wake-up call, and practical guide for sports creatives who are done being overlooked.

🎧 Stream now and share it with someone who needs the reminder.

Find me at:

IG: @SportsCreativesAnonymous / @ClaytonInFocus

TikTok: @sportscreativesanonymous

YouTube: @sportscreativesanonyous

Email: sportscreativesanonymous@gmail.com

Welcome to Episode 6 of Sports Creatives Anonymous, a deeply vulnerable dive with me, your host, Clayton Jones.

For years, I thought the demanding hours, relentless pressure and people were the reason I left the sports creative industry not once, but twice. But each exit revealed a harder truth: The burnout, the discontent, it all came from within me.

This is my recovery story. I get raw about the grip of perfectionism, people-pleasing and chasing validation – a journey that led me to rock bottom and ultimately, to crucial self-discovery, including being diagnosed like ADHD and BPD.

If you've ever felt "done" with the work, exhausted by the hustle or just trying to figure out who you are behind the lens, this episode is for you. Learn how setting boundaries, letting go of external validation, and truly understanding myself finally allowed me to thrive on my own terms.

Key Takeaways:

• Why "leaving" doesn't always fix the real problem.
• The hidden costs of perfectionism and people-pleasing.
• How finding yourself can transform your relationship with your work.
• That you are not alone in this journey.

Tune in if you're ready to explore the uncomfortable truth and find your path to peace in the sports creative world.

If this episode hit home for you — share it with someone else who might be walking through the same stuff.

Find me at:

IG: @SportsCreativesAnonymous / @ClaytonInFocus

TikTok: @sportscreativesanonymous

YouTube: @sportscreativesanonyous

Email: sportscreativesanonymous@gmail.com

Episode 5: Fall Sports Content Bingo: 25 Things Your Athletic Department Will Post By October

Ever stared at a blank Photoshop canvas, ready to drop in that same player cutout onto another grunge background, slap on a stat, and call it a day? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Welcome to Sports Creatives Anonymous (SCA)!

In this episode, host Clayton dives into the Fall Sports Content Bingo — your essential cheat sheet for the posts your small sports information department will definitely be making by October. If you’re a one-person or small comms shop, you know fall means living on Photoshop, Premiere, and a whole lot of caffeine. We get it. Time is limited, expectations are high, and sometimes, you just gotta go with what works.

But here’s the good news: recognizing these content patterns isn't a sign of creative fatigue; it's an opportunity to plan smarter and even remix those tried-and-true posts. We're breaking down 25 squares you'll undoubtedly fill on your Fall Sports Content Bingo card, from the "Media Day Recap Reel" to the "Overtime Thriller." We'll laugh about the defaults and then brainstorm ways to elevate them, whether it's adding bloopers to your media day recap or mic'ing up an athlete to explain a key play.

This isn't about being lazy; it's about being efficient. By naming the repetition, you gain the power to prepare, batch content early, and carve out space for true creativity when you have the bandwidth. Tune in to discover how embracing templates can help you survive the season and still love your job in November.

What's on your Fall Sports Content Bingo card? Share your inevitable posts by shooting a DM or tagging @SportsCreativesAnonymous!

Find me at:

IG: @SportsCreativesAnonymous / @ClaytonInFocus

TikTok: @sportscreativesanonymous

YouTube: @sportscreativesanonyous

Email: sportscreativesanonymous@gmail.com

In this episode, we’re pressing pause on the hustle to talk about something every sports creative needs—but rarely gives themselves: Rest.

From melting in July heat to prepping for the fall grind, Clayton shares real talk on why recovery isn’t just for athletes.

🎯 What’s inside:

• Why rest is part of the work—not a reward after it
• Funny-but-true ways to creatively recharge
• How rest leads to your best ideas (seriously)
• Why that never-ending summer to-do list doesn’t define you
• And what burnout really looks like behind the scenes

If you’ve ever felt guilty about taking time off, this episode is your permission slip to chill—and reminder that you don’t need to earn rest. You need it to stay in the game.

Find me at:

IG: @SportsCreativesAnonymous / @ClaytonInFocus

TikTok: @sportscreativesanonymous

YouTube: @sportscreativesanonyous

Email: sportscreativesanonymous@gmail.com

Think you need to feel ready before you hit “post”? Think again.

This episode is your creative permission slip to start messy, stay consistent, and realize that no one — not the rookies or the vets — ever really feels ready.

We’re breaking down why confidence follows action, not the other way around. Why your cringe content is part of the process. And why reps matter way more than resumes.

If you’ve ever stared at a project wondering, “Am I actually any good at this?”—you’re in the right place.

What’s inside:

• Why posting that “meh” project still matters
• How to mess up publicly (and survive)
• Why your worst work is better than no work
• Creative plateaus, reinvention, and not getting stuck
• Staying sharp—no matter your experience level

Whether you’re fresh on the scene or 10 years in, this one’s for you.

🎧 Subscribe. Share it with someone spiraling in perfectionism. And remember—confidence doesn’t lead. It follows.

Find me at:

IG: @SportsCreativesAnonymous / @ClaytonInFocus

TikTok: @sportscreativesanonymous

YouTube: @sportscreativesanonyous

Email: sportscreativesanonymous@gmail.com

You’ll never feel “ready.” This episode is your permission slip to create, experiment, and mess up. It’s the only way to grow. Stop waiting. Start building your sports creative journey now.

Find me at:

IG: @SportsCreativesAnonymous / @ClaytonInFocus

TikTok: @sportscreativesanonymous

YouTube: @sportscreativesanonyous

Email: sportscreativesanonymous@gmail.com

Welcome to Sports Creatives Anonymous—the safe space for the overworked, underpaid, and wildly talented folks behind the content that makes sports look like sports.

In this first episode, I’m kicking things off with a real talk intro:

• What even is a sports creative?
• How I went from sportswriter to the D-I SID grind… and walked away.
• What burnout, career pivots, and folding chairs taught me about surviving this wild industry.
• Why this podcast exists—and what I hope it becomes for you.

Whether you're brand new to the game or 10 years deep with a coffee addiction and trust issues, this episode is for you. If you've ever were juggling multiple sports shoots, still pumping out graphics at midnight, screamed at Premiere, or wondered if you're the only one figuring it out as you go… you're not. You're home.

🎧 Hit play.
🪑 Pull up a folding chair.
🫠 Let’s get real about being a sports creative.

Follow us on

Instagram: @SportsCreativesAnonymous and/or @ClaytonInFocus

Find me at:

IG: @SportsCreativesAnonymous / @ClaytonInFocus

TikTok: @sportscreativesanonymous

YouTube: @sportscreativesanonyous

Email: sportscreativesanonymous@gmail.com