A'ja Wilson: From Anxiety to MVP—Authenticity, Brand Deals, and Doing It Her Way

A'ja Wilson — WNBA champion & MVP, author of Dear Black Girls, founder of the A'ja Wilson Foundation, and entrepreneur (Burnt Wax Candle). We cover: mental health post-bubble, therapy, boundaries vs public expectations, NIL's upside and pressure, building authentic brand deals, designing a sell-out signature shoe, dyslexia advocacy, and what a "good life" actually looks like. Highlights Walk Away/Walk Through: burnout, toxic group chats, and Beyoncé-level opportunities "My peace is my spirit": separating work from joy without losing either NIL & the college experience: grace while your brand is still forming Authentic partnerships: why the right brands let her be fully herself Dear Black Girls: embracing complexity — powerful and gentle Dyslexia: getting certified support into classrooms; tech that helps Coaching: how Staley & Hammon built trust, fun, and excellence • Burnt Wax Candle: a scent line named after A'ja's accolades "Wealthy in more ways than money": stability across every cylinder Links Watch on YouTube: A'ja's book — Dear Black Girls - https://a.co/d/bw2eQj4 A'ja Wilson Foundation (dyslexia awareness) - https://www.ajawilsonfoundation.org/ Burnt Wax Candle Co. - https://www.burntwaxcandle.com/ Related Do Tell episodes Sinead Bovell — AI & digital boundaries: https://youtu.be/wnN7Yw2-Q34 Etienne Maurice — activism & community: https://youtu.be/0F4O8bkWm_g Latham Thomas — motherhood & intuition: https://youtu.be/vdVkJkg4c-8