Elite hybrid fitness competitor Jarell Carter needed a videographer to promote his rapidly growing digital platform. His pastor told him, "Just find a GCU student."
That led him to Joseph Gennaro, a Grand Canyon University alumnus with experience in sports videography, and over a few sips of coffee at a coffee shop, their partnership began.
Carter and Gennaro, who graduated from GCU last December with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a minor in sports management and analytics, recently shared their chemistry, their willingness to adjust and their faith at the T.W. Lewis Speakership Series at the Colangelo College of Business lobby.
Carter has 1.6 million followers on Instagram and 70,000 YouTube subscribers, highlighting strength training, athletic challenges, family life and brand promotions.
He shifted careers after two years of practice squad and training camp stints with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans and then-Oakland Raiders. He transitioned to the fitness profession while building his online fitness coaching business, Momentum Fitness, with a genuine social media presence highlighting his training, lifestyle content and family life.
Meanwhile, Gennaro sought a 9-to-5 job. He wanted to work for an NFL team and even met coaches and media members at the annual owners’ meetings.
“There’s no currency better than trust,” said event moderator Neda Barrie, sports business and entertainment chair, of their partnership.
That was evident during one instance where Carter was signing brand deals at his house, with Gennaro filming for four hours.
But when Gennaro reviewed the video, he learned the microphone was off during filming. He buried his head in his lap and asked if he should leave, but Carter insisted they refilm everything the following day.
“(Gennaro) left and sent a message to take full accountability of the situation and what he would do to make sure it didn’t happen again,” Carter said. “He didn’t give up.”
Added Gennaro: “I learned to check mics twice before you record.”
Through their partnership, Carter has learned he had control issues but has trusted Gennaro, realizing, “I have to be open to things he might be better at.”
Gennaro, meanwhile, is slowing down his pace and realizing every segment does not work out right the first time.
Carter, who excelled at Trinity International University, a private Christian university 40 minutes north of Chicago, credits his faith in making the transition from football.
“The Lord slowly but surely saw football leaving me,” recalled Carter, adding he realized he was not as close to God as he once was.
“There was no excuse not to recommit my life back to Jesus and start to rebuild my life again.”
Said Barre: “Grace is that reset button in moving closer to what He has for you.”
That reset button included traveling to places as far as Toronto and New York, where Carter went to the famed Juilliard School and learned to dance from one of the top ballerinas.
“Our vision is to go out and indulge in things I’m not used to,” said Carter, who has collaborated with gymnasts (including one who taught him how to perform a backflip), actors and fighters.
They also traveled to New Mexico to meet boxer and top mixed martial artist Holly Holm. “I had no idea I’d be beat up,” Carter said. “We did countless things like that.”
Carter admires Gennaro for filming his performances under some daring circumstances, such as being suspended 20 feet in the air while moving backward.
Gennaro said he is passionate about using YouTube to convey Carter’s personal life and personality in long form.
During a question-and-answer session with students, Gennaro was candid in assessing ways to get around a saturated sports market after being asked what he learned through his GCU education.
“What are you doing outside of the classroom?” Gennaro said. “What are you doing outside of the internship. Are you posting your work? Going the extra mile is what gave me my opportunities now.”
Carter respected Gennaro’s kindness from the start. That won him over.
“If you’re an athlete, you’re going to be (in front of) a camera and you’re probably going to be with that person all the time,” Carter said. “I take Joseph everywhere, and they love him. If you’re a good person and carry yourself that way, opportunities are going to come.”
Lauren Van Houten, a senior sports and entertainment management major, appreciated Gennaro’s experiences.
“I got to understand what it’s like freshly after they graduate,” Van Houten said. “It hasn’t been very long. It gives me a lot of inspiration because I’m graduating this year, so it made me feel more inspired about reaching out to people after graduation and right now, as well.”
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
***
Related content:
GCU News: Former U.S. attorney for Arizona tells students: Doing what is right will pay off
GCU News: T.W. Lewis speakers: Be a team player
