Purpose NIL The Light Within: OU’s WBB Zya Vann’s Purpose in Play In this episode of Purpose NIL, University of Oklahoma Women’s Basketball guard Zya Vann opens up about discovering her purpose through basketball, gratitude, core values, and authentic living. From supporting teammates to shaping her NIL brand, Zya shares how pruning distractions and honoring her purpose helps her grow, inspire others, and shine on and off the court.   Summary In this episode of Purpose NIL, host James M. Rank engages with Zaya Vann, a student-athlete from the University of Oklahoma, to explore her journey in defining her life's purpose and how she applies it in various aspects of her life, including basketball, academics, and NIL opportunities. The conversation delves into the importance of authenticity, mental health, and the significance of setting missions and goals that align with one's purpose. Zaya shares her experiences of overcoming challenges, the impact of her purpose on her teammates, and the necessity of pruning negative influences from her life to maintain focus and positivity. takeaways Zaya's purpose is to bring peace and happiness to others. Shorter purpose statements can attract more sponsors. Living your purpose can help you overcome personal struggles. Authenticity is key in building NIL opportunities. Mental health is crucial for maintaining one's purpose. Missions in life are seasonal and should align with purpose. Pruning negative influences can enhance personal growth. Social media can impact mental health and should be managed. Purpose-driven living leads to fulfillment and happiness. Engaging with others positively can uplift oneself. Sound Bites "Shorter is better." "You are the author of your own purpose." "It's okay to prune away at things." Chapters 00:00Introduction to Purpose and Identity 01:29Defining Purpose Statements 03:12Living Purpose on the Basketball Court 04:43Authenticity in NIL Opportunities 07:07Self-Care and Mental Health 11:19Missions and Goals in Life 13:45Setting Goals and Missions 15:06Identifying Personal Missions 17:17Pruning Distractions for Quality Living 18:09Leveraging Social Media for Purpose 20:06Reflections on Purpose and Self-Care 21:13NEWCHAPTER PNIL 014 Recorded on October 8, 2025 Zya Vann in Norman, OK James M. Rink in Nashville, TN