Living a High-Impact Life
By Chelsey Kraft
University of Oklahoma alumna Kelli Masters has an extensive resume that includes attorney, NFL sports agent, founder and president of KMM Sports, Miss Oklahoma. Now, the 1995 journalism graduate and 1999 OU law graduate can add another title to that list: author.
On Aug. 3, Masters’ first book, “High-Impact Life: A Sports Agent’s Secrets to Finding and Fulfilling a Purpose You Can’t Lose” was published by Tyndale House. For Masters, writing a book was a way to impact the lives of people that maybe she’s never met, and this desire to impact others is what drives her and her purpose in life.
While Masters would not qualify the book as a memoir, it does include a lot of her life story. She said she had to be comfortable with being vulnerable while writing her story, but the opportunity to hopefully positively influence others was worth it.
“I've heard from just countless people across the country and even from around the world that have either read my book or listened to the audio version of my book and have really experienced some life-changing revelations just by digging into the book and applying it to their own lives,” Masters said. “To me that's worth so much, and when you're willing to step out and share your story with authenticity, it’s amazing the lives you can really reach and touch.”
The book mirrors how Masters works with athletes, she said. Masters pursued a law degree because of her desire to serve and be an advocate for others. She first became a litigator and a nonprofit attorney, which led her to working with her first athlete, then to becoming an NFL agent. While securing the biggest contract for her athletes is part of the goal of an agent, Masters also aims to help her athletes live their fullest lives and fulfill their destinies, to find their purpose and identity beyond what they do on the football field.
“The book is taking basically the 10 lessons that I instill in each one of my athletes and sharing those with readers, helping them apply those same important life lessons and decisions in their own lives,” Masters said. “It’s sort of the 10 Kelli-isms if you will that my players hear from me all the time. For me, being a successful agent is yes, helping them maximize their time in the NFL, but it’s also discovering who God really called them to be and setting their sights on fulfilling that higher calling and that deeper purpose in life. That’s not just something that athletes need. That’s something that we all need.”
Masters speaks around the country, including at a number of colleges and universities. In the past, she has spoken at Gaylord College for various events and was a commencement speaker, which she calls a full-circle moment for her. Masters will be returning to the college in February to speak to current Gaylord students.
“My hope is that I cannot necessarily give students the blueprint for their lives but share my journey and then some encouragement and life lessons that I think will help them discover their own blueprint and kind forge their own path to fulfilling their destiny,” Masters said. “Hopefully I'm someone that they can not just look up to but relate to and gain wisdom from.
“One of my favorite speakers and authors, Andy Andrews, says, ‘Experience is a great teacher, but sometimes the experiences of others is an even better teacher,’” Masters said. “They've already gone through some of the things and pitfalls that you can avoid if you learn to listen to their wisdom, so hopefully I can pass on some wisdom.”
"The book is taking basically the 10 lessons that I instill in each one of my athletes and sharing those with readers, helping them apply those same important life lessons and decisions in their own lives.” - Kelli Masters
