Today we’d like to introduce you to Calvin Mitchell Sr..
Hi Calvin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Calvin, but most people know me as DJ Trap. Before founding the Fat Boy Basketball League, I built my career as a professional DJ. I’m a 20-year DJ veteran, an award-winning wedding DJ, and a former Club DJ of the Year. I’ve always considered myself a serial entrepreneur, but more than anything, I’m what I like to call a “professional figure-outer.”
Throughout my career, I learned that if I wanted something done, I had to learn how to do it myself. To promote my DJ business, I taught myself graphic design so I could create my own flyers. Then I learned video production and editing to market weddings and events. From branding and websites to marketing and social media, I picked up whatever skill was necessary to keep moving forward. Every challenge became an opportunity to learn something new, and those skills eventually became the foundation for everything I’m building today.
The Fat Boy Basketball League started with a simple idea. A group of us wanted to create a place where bigger men could play basketball together in a fun, competitive environment without judgment. After that first conversation, I went home and started creating. I designed the league logo, team logos, jerseys, branding, and everything else needed to bring the vision to life. We didn’t have a blueprint, so we built one.
As time went on, people came and went, but I stayed committed to the vision. Eventually, I became the last original person standing, and I took on the responsibility of leading the league forward.
What started as a handful of friends organizing games has grown into a structured organization entering its 10th season. Today, the Fat Boy Basketball League features organized seasons, drafts, playoffs, media coverage, live broadcasts, social content, and a culture built around brotherhood, competition, health, and personal growth.
Our mission has always been bigger than basketball. We wanted to create a community where bigger men could get active, improve their health, build lasting friendships, and feel like they belong. That mission has grown beyond the court, leading us to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to making a positive impact through community outreach, volunteer efforts, and programs that encourage healthier lifestyles.
Season 10 marks another exciting milestone as we begin expanding the Fat Boy Basketball League into new cities. Our goal is to create opportunities for bigger men across the country to experience the same sense of community, competition, and support that has made the league so special in Nashville. What started as a local idea is evolving into a movement with the potential to impact lives nationwide.
Looking back, every step of my journey prepared me for this moment. DJing taught me how to connect with people. Learning graphic design, video production, marketing, and branding taught me how to build something from the ground up. Entrepreneurship taught me resilience and adaptability. Every lesson, every challenge, and every setback became another tool I could use to build something meaningful.
As we prepare for Season 10, I’m more excited than ever about what’s ahead. What started as a simple idea has become a movement built on brotherhood, purpose, and opportunity. We’re expanding our reach, serving our communities, and proving that it’s never too late to build something that changes lives. And for us, this is only the beginning.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part, it’s been a pretty smooth road. Since the league started as something fun and community-driven, a lot of the growth happened naturally through relationships, consistency, and people genuinely enjoying being part of it.
That said, one of the biggest challenges early on was funding. In the beginning, we weren’t charging players enough because the focus was simply on creating a fun experience and getting people involved. As the league continued to grow, we realized there were real operational costs involved in running things at a higher level, from equipment and venues to media, organization, and community events.
Now we’re in a much better place. We’ve become more structured financially, and officially becoming a nonprofit has opened up new opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, fundraising, and community support. That transition has allowed us to think bigger and continue building the league in a sustainable way while still staying true to the community-first vision we started with.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Most people know me as DJ Trap. I’ve been DJing clubs, parties, weddings, corporate events, and all kinds of live events for over 20 years. That journey taught me a lot about business, branding, marketing, entertainment, and understanding how to connect with people. Being in that environment also pushed me deeper into the creative side of things, especially graphics, design, promotion, and content creation. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset, so I was constantly learning new skills and figuring things out on my own.
When the FatBoy Basketball League started, I took the same approach I used in music and entertainment and applied it to sports. Instead of treating it like just another local league, we pushed it almost like an artist or brand. I personally designed the team logos, jerseys, graphics, promotional content, and much of the overall visual identity people now associate with the league. Pretty much everything people see connected to the brand was created or developed by me from the ground up.
Now we’re expanding even further with filming, media coverage, and the FatBoy Network, which has opened another creative lane for me to continue learning and growing. A big part of who I am is being adaptable. I like learning new things, trying different ideas, and challenging myself creatively. Once I learn something, I usually find a way to improve it and turn it into something bigger.
What I’m most proud of is being able to build something that people genuinely connect with and support. The FatBoy Basketball League became more than just basketball. It became a brand, a community, and a platform that brings people together. I think what sets me apart is that I’m hands-on with everything. I don’t just come up with ideas. I actually create, build, and develop the vision myself along with my team, and we’re always willing to evolve and learn whatever’s needed to take things to the next level.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of Alex Hormozi and Coach K on Skool. Alex Hormozi has really helped me think differently about business, branding, growth, and building something that can scale long-term. A lot of his content is straightforward and practical, which is something I respect.
I also spend a lot of time learning from Coach K, especially when it comes to grants, nonprofit development, and understanding different opportunities for growth and funding. She’s helped open my mind to a lot of things behind the scenes that can help take the league and the brand to another level.
Most of my time lately has honestly gone into learning from those two because I’m always trying to improve, stay adaptable, and keep growing both creatively and as a business owner. I’m big on learning from people who have already built successful systems and then applying those lessons to what we’re building with the FatBoy Basketball League and FatBoy Network.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Fatboybasketball.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatboybasketballofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B5fErTj7e/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fatboynetwork
- Other: https://fatboybasketball.com/linktreeeeees
