Competing for Christ Podcast

To all the listeners, guests, supporters, and fans of the Competing for Christ Podcast, thank you.Jesus loves you, and He will fight for you no matter what.

Today we are talking to Andy Dooley, former football player, pastor, fitness professional, and in-game host of the Seattle Seahawks. It was an honor getting to talk with Andy today as we get to discuss everything that he has learned as someone that has been around sports for so long. He is someone that has used his platform for good, and gets to connect with people every day.Something else that we get to talk about today is a very special project that Andy has been working on: Andy’s new 100-Day Devotional Lead with Faith, Play with Purpose coming out on July 30th. We get to deep dive into some of the key topics that arise in the book, and things that athletes face every single day. Throughout our discussion, we get to talk about:How faith, family, and football changed Andy's lifeUsing an opportunity to grow his love for football and peopleHow he has dealt with failure in his lifeWhy he wrote Lead with Faith, Play with PurposeRelying on Christ while going through really hard thingsHow to get Andy's new devotionalGet Lead with Faith, Play with Purpose coming out on July 30th!Want some merch? Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ Podcast merch including hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode with an athlete!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

What does it mean to you to keep going? To some, it could mean keep grinding through on the field or court in order to achieve something. To others, it could mean that you need to keep pushing in life to get to where you want to be, both physically and mentally. For Pat O’Malley, this phrase “Keep Going”, means even more.Pat is a former collegiate baseball player and coach, now works for NCSA, and is a host of the Keep Going Podcast, shining a light on mental health from an athletes point of view. Pat joins us today to share what he’s learned as someone who has been both a player and a coach, and both as a Christian and as someone that did not follow Christ while he was an athlete.Today, we discuss:Not letting sports define who you areHow Pat relates to athletes from lessons he learned in the pastWhy outside factors play such a big role in athletes' mental healthHow to balance physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healthBeing a Christian in sports - advantage or disadvantage?Listen to the Keep Going Podcast now!Want some merch? Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ Podcast merch including hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY.Subscribe to the show and share this episode with an athlete!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Steve Anderson is the Athletes in Action Campus Director for Grand Valley State University. As he has poured intro athletes for years now, he lives out what it truly means to disciple athletes through relationship building, community, and servant leadership. Throughout his life, he has endured a lot of hardship and struggles, but through it all has found how God has used those trying times for good.Steve joins the show today to talk about his unique role at GVSU, his love for sports ministry, and how he has seen God move on GVSU's campus. During our discussion today, we talk about: The best part of working with young people through sportsHow athletes can know that God has a job for them for His kingdom, even outside of sportsWhy he started the blog Shepherding the SidelinesHow he's seen God move through losses, on and off the fieldWhat he's learned about longevity in his ministry efforts and lifeBuy Stephanie Burdette's new devotional, Knowing God's Love; Given Not Earned.Want some merch? Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ Podcast merch including hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode with an athlete!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Coach Kurt Hines is the Head Football Coach of Coronado High School (CA), a Motivational Speaker, and Influencer. As someone that has been coaching for decades now, he truly embodies what it means to live out your calling as a Christian in sports. Coach Hines is extremely motivational, not just to his players but to everyone he comes in contact with. Throughout our conversation today, listen as we discuss: How God has used football as a ministry in Coach Hines' lifeThe most difficult part in continuing to evolve as a coachHow he sees his players as children of GodWhat's harder: keeping the faith while losing, or humbling yourself when winningA unique story of a player that impacted millions Why he thinks God called him to be a coachWant some merch? Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ Podcast merch including hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode with an athlete!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

In sport and in life, there are things that you can’t control, but Christ calls you to look to him in those moments. James 4 says that “You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” We have so much hope in Christ though. He’s our ONLY hope. And for Laurèn Schiek, she’s had to rely on his plan a lot recently. Lauren played softball at Santa Clara and Abilene Christian University, and although she had success, her time as a collegiate athlete came with many trials, one of which came her senior year. Today's conversation includes:How Laurèn has seen God move in her lifeWhat a diagnosis meant for her softball career and futureReminding herself that softball is secondary to JesusWhat college sports are truly likeHow impactful the For His Glory Podcast has been on her lifeMake sure to check out the For His Glory Podcast here!Buy Stephanie Burdette's new devotional, Knowing God's Love; Given Not Earned.Want some merch? Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ Podcast merch including hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode with an athlete!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Today we are talking to Ashley Trierweiler, someone that has achieved a lot as a Division 1 softball player. At both schools she has went to, Santa Clara and Grand Canyon University, here are just a couple of her achievements: WAC championWAC player of the yearAll-American All-Conference (multiple times)Number 1 in hits in the nation this year (Number 2 last year)Ashley has done a lot in her career, but something that we focus on today is how achievements, whether you win something amazing or if you don’t achieve anything at all, don’t define you as a Christian athlete. On this episode, Ashley and Ken discuss:What softball has meant to Ashley throughout her lifeHow she doesn't let the stats, records, and wins define who she isWays she's used her platform as a D1 athlete to show Christ to othersHow Christ has used success in her lifeWhat she hopes people remember about her softball careerWant some merch? Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ Podcast merch including hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode with an athlete!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17. When you invite God into your life, He will change how you speak, how you act, how you play sports, and how you live. How have you seen that happen in your life? Have you experienced that change? For Dra Rogers, he can say that God has completely changed how he lives and how he coaches the game of basketball. Dra is the head basketball coach at Verrado High School in Arizona and also works with FCA Arizona West Valley. As someone that has coached both as a Christian and as someone who was not, he understands what it means to have Christ truly change the person that you are.Today, we sit down with Dra to discuss: How sports shaped Dra before coming to know ChristThe biggest difference in how he coaches now vs. when he wasn't a believerA crazy story of him starting his work with FCAHow to connect with athletes today through JesusThe balance of exercising free will vs. letting God be in controlNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Whether we are aware of this or not, God has a purpose for every single door he opens and shuts. What he does may not make sense to us in the moment, but when you look back, you can see why God brought you through the things that He did.The same thing can be said for Caleb Irving. Caleb is a former University of Indianapolis football player and diver, and I had the chance to be in small groups with him with Athletes in Action. Today he joins the show to discuss this topic of how God has used opened and closed doors in his life, thoughts on his time as an athlete in multiple sports, and if he regrets anything that he’s gone through. Discussion points for our discussion:The biggest lesson Caleb learned during his time as an athleteWhat he's learned about God closing some doors to open othersThe hardest part about letting God be in controlHow to remember that Jesus is the only door that has an eternal impactBeing stewards of the Word that God has given usNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Everyone should be advocates for athletes taking care of their spiritual and mental health, maybe even more so than physical health. It's crucial to have belief in your abilities in practices, games, and life. But what happens when that belief and confidence in yourself turns into something more than that? What if it turns into becoming cocky and leaning too much on your own talents rather than trusting in God’s power, strength, and timing?Ray Santiago, author, founder of Renewed Mind Performance, Sports Psychology specialist, and former baseball player joins the show again today to talk about building confidence that leans on God’s abilities, not just yours. Along with discussing some principles in his new book, The Pillar B's, his conversation dives into:A misconception that athletes have when it comes to believing in themselvesWhat/Who Ray would recommend athletes watch or study when trying to gain confidenceThe biggest difference between someone that has confidence and someone that is cockyHaving confidence that doesn’t turn into cockinessHow we can have confidence in Jesus over ourselvesOrder Ray's new book, The Pillar B's, NOW: https://www.amazon.com/Pillar-Bs-Transform-Biggest-Critic-ebook/dp/B0BPK6GXCRNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Today we are talking to Founder and Director of Playing 4 Eternity (P4E) Sports Ministry Don Weyrick. Through this ministry, Don has reached hundreds, if not thousands, of people through the game of basketball. Don is someone that has let Jesus use him for the sake of the Gospel in sports by running games, tournaments, and leagues that include everyone, no matter who you are.As you will soon find out, Don just started working with our friends over at CEDE Sports as well! But today, Don shows us all that no matter what you’ve done in your life, your past doesn’t define you. As a matter of fact, Christ may even use your past to help someone else’s present or future.Listen as we discuss:Don's testimony and love for basketball Where the idea of P4E Sports Ministry came fromUsing his past experiences to relate to athletesWhy God uses our past mistakes to help someone else's present/futureGod growing the game of basketball to reach people around the worldNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Former University of Florida tennis player and current pro tennis coach Jordan Belga joins us today to talk about what he has learned with blending together his love for Jesus and his passion for sport. As someone that has a fascinating journey to get to where he is today, Jordan opens up about some very important topics like finding his worth in Jesus, what he went through as a youth and high school athlete, and more. One thing that Jordan and Ken spend some time on today is his platform for athletes called Rooted Competitor. This Instagram page gives athletes and people that love sports an opportunity to open up and just share what they’ve gone through and how they’ve seen Christ move in their lives. So many have been impacted by this page, and you should check it out: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcompetitor/Listen today as we discuss: The process of blending together a love for Jesus with a love for sportsNot putting your identity in the wins or the lossesWhat Jordan learned from a difficult experience through sportWhy he started Rooted CompetitorHow his life experiences formed the idea of Rooted CompetitorNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Can you imagine graduating from college and essentially going right into a collegiate head coaching position? That is exactly what our guest today did! Coach Liv Tidmore, Head Coach of the Oglethorpe University volleyball team and Covenant College alum joins the show today to talk about how she is showing Christ while being one of youngest head coaches in the country. Liv graduated with Ken from Covenant in 2022 and was hired as the Oglethorpe Head Coach in 2023, something that she will let she did not see coming.As she has stepped into this role, she’s already learned so much about how to lead as a Christian in a secular setting, how to represent women in her coaching role, and especially what this opportunity means for her. Listen today as we discuss: Her decision to attend Covenant College and why she stayed after a career-ending injuryHow she became a collegiate head coach so quicklyThoughts on being one of the youngest college head coaches in the nationBringing Christian values into a non-Christian settingWhy it's important for women to have leadership roles, especially in sportsNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

The year was 1994 when Charlotte Smith stepped onto the court for the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Women’s Basketball National Championship game. With less than a second to go and down by two, Charlotte got the inbound pass, threw up a prayer, and sunk the shot to clinch the title. One of the greatest shots in the history of college basketball. But unlike any fairytale story that you may hear, this wasn’t the end of Charlotte’s story. Charlotte Smith joins the show today to talk about how Christ has affected her life as an athlete, coach, and human being. Throughout our discussion today, you will learn a lot about what she has gone through, and you will also learn of something special that I Am Second has done with her. Check out the new film "Finding Balance", an I Am Second original film of Charlotte’s life as an athlete and coach. You will also hear more about: Chasing the immense high of winning a national championshipHow playing overseas transformed Charlotte's spiritual lifeThe way she looks at winning/losing now as a coachLetting God take control of her life through basketball and beyondHow she relies on Christ to keep her in the presentNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Do you look at your sport as a mission field? Through doing this podcast, I have learned that all sports can and should be used as a mission field for those that proclaim Jesus as their savior. We should be willing to show that Christ-likeness in how we perform, compete, train, and interact with everyone we come in contact with.Phil Morrison, AKA the Basketball Missionary, joins the show today to talk about why God has called him to spread the Gospel while teaching basketball to thousands of people. As a former collegiate and professional basketball player, Phil uses his life experiences to show others what Jesus has done for him, and what he continues to do through him as he travels the world. With an incredible story, listen today as we get to discuss: Phil's love for Jesus and basketballThe best part of playing collegiate and professional basketballUsing a platform to glorify God globallyWhy he started Hoops for Christ"God's sport": the story of James Naismith inventing basketball NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

On this episode, we are talking to someone that has faced a lot in her life. Today I had the honor of talking with Clay High School volleyball/flag football player, homecoming queen, and one of my sisters, Kenzie Burke. Kenzie has lived a lot of life as an athlete and as a person even though she is just 18. In this conversation, we get to hear about how she has dealt with a massive obstacle in her life: having a hip replacement at 13 years old. Throughout the injury process, understanding why God brought her through that, and learning how to play sports again after that, she continues to represent the mercy and grace Jesus provides. Listen as we discuss: Her story from hip replacement to homecoming queenWhy she's been so determined to play the sportsBalancing of working hard with trusting that God has a planHow she plans to stay connected with Christ in collegeWhat she's going to miss most about being a high school student athleteNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly joins us to talk about how he lives his faith out in the National Football League (NFL) and his unique story from someone that was the #1 long snapper coming out of high school. While he attended Notre Dame in college to play football, he says that this is where his faith became a real relationship. He has played on a variety of teams in the NFL, AAF, and XFL until eventually securing his spot on the Lions. As he has had to trust in God's timing through not playing, getting cut, and through an injury he suffered this past season, Scott gives advice for all athletes that proclaim Christ as their savior. Listen as we discuss: How he came to know JesusRelying on God through uncertain and challenging circumstancesWhy a support system can be so crucial for athletesTaking a bullet for Dan CampbellWhat God has shown him about trust and mercy4th down chances and conversionsNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

How can we discern what God’s calling is for our lives? For all of us that are born again believers, we all have a call to proclaim the Gospel to the nations and show Christ’s love to everyone we come in contact with. But there’s also the other callings that we have in our lives, such as being an athlete, what job you’re going to do, who you’re going to marry, and so many other things that God calls us into. But that big call that we have as believers never changes.For Rafa Mentzingen, he heard a call from God to come to the US from Brazil in order to chase his dream of being a professional soccer (or football) player. Now, as someone who is actually living out that dream with North Carolina FC of the USL League One, Rafa is showing Christ through how he plays on the soccer field. Today we get to talk with Rafa about his story and how he understood God’s calling to come to the US to pursue this dream. Even through some really challenging times, he never questioned what God had in store for him. Listen as we discuss: Feeling Christ’s presence while playingThe hardest part of coming to the US from BrazilWinning the USL League One Final after years of determinationHow athletes can understand what Christ is calling them toStaying in the present and not worrying about tomorrowAdvice for young players that want to pursue their dreams of playing professionallyNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Today we’re talking about how to handle the spotlight as a Christian in sports, because whether you realize it or not, being an athlete comes with some level of notoriety no matter what country or culture you may find yourself in. You can be a high school athlete or you could be suiting up to play in the NFL or the Premier League, but at some level you’re going to have to learn how to represent Christ while on the stage of your sport. That is why today I invited on University of Wisconsin football player Darryl Peterson. Darryl plays in front of tens of thousands of people every single week in the fall, and it is clear to me and everyone who watches him that he is a force on that field. It is also clear who he is portraying in Christ. Throughout this interview you’ll learn:What it's meant to him to play Division 1 football at WisconsinHow his versatility has helped him as a football player and personManaging the spotlight since he was in high schoolAthletes being looked to as societal figures, role models, or even idolsWhat has helped his faith throughout his athletic careerWhat he hopes people remember him byNEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

How do you navigate sin? How does it affect you as an athlete? What does the Bible say about sin? Well today we are going to go in-depth on what it means to not only battle against sin, but also realizing that we are all broken, sinful people that need a savior in Jesus.Today I invited on former collegiate baseball player, influencer, and podcaster Zach Dehn to talk about this topic and things that he has learned from sin that he has battled throughout his life as an athlete, specifically in college. Zach is fully transparent and I appreciate that because as he is sinful just like everyone in this world, he trusts in Christ now more than ever and gives his sin to Him. Today we talk about: What it means to him to have a relationship with ChristHow sin affected how he played and how he navigated being an athleteHow difficult it is to live out your faith while being around other athletes that aren't Christian Blending his prayer life and social mediaWhy he started the Hey God PodcastCheck out the Hey God Podcast and Zach's inspirational videos on TikTok and Instagram!NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs!From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY!Subscribe to the show and share this episode!https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com