Ian Heinisch is a professional mixed martial arts fighter with the UFC. He began his MMA pro career in 2015 and made his UFC debut in November of 2018. He has a career record of 14-5 (five wins by knockout) and signed a new four-year contract with UFC in 2020.
Prior to his MMA career, Ian was a high school wrestling champion who's live took a downward spiral when he was arrested for selling illegal drugs and drug trafficking. After spending time in prison and coming to faith in Christ, Ian was able to turn his life around and focus on a professional fighting career.
Today on the podcast, Ian shares his powerful testimony and candidly talks through his valleys and going from drinking and drugs and prison to living a life of obedience in Jesus Christ and how he lives out his faith as a UFC fighter.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
On the podcast today, Carter talks about sharing his Jesus story and openly talks about the tempatations he faced during his rookie year in the NFL with money, women and drugs.
Carter will be presenting at "Arise with the Guys," a men's conference hosted by Tony Dungy on Saturday April 23, 2022 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. CT at Grace Church in Minneapolis. For more information, check out ArisewiththeGuys.com.
Trent Dilfer is a former NFL quarterback who played 14 seasons and was a member of the Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl XXXV championship team. After a long post-playing career as an ESPN broadcaster, Trent is now the head football coach for Lipscomb Academy in Tennessee.
Tori Dilfer is Trent's daughter and a professional volleyball player with Athletes Unlimited and a former college volleyball setter with the University of Louisville. In the fall of 2021, she was a part of the Louisville Cardinal team that finished 32-1 and reached the NCAA National Semifinals. Tori was the MVP of the All-Louisville Regional team, the East Region Player of the Year and the ACC Setter of the Year.
Today on the podcast, Jade McCarthy talks to Trent and Tori about their father/daughter relationship, Trent separating coach from dad, Tori separating athlete from daughter and the importance of keeping Jesus at the center of their relationship.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
David Hess is a professional baseball pitcher with the Tampa Bay Rays organization.
In October of 2021, Hess was diagnosed with cancer after tests revealed a cantaloupe-sized tumor pressing on his heart and lungs. Following months of chemo, David has been told by doctors that he is cured can resume baseball activities with the hope is that he will return to the pitching mound very soon.
Today on the podcast, we talk to David Hess about his cancer diagnosis, trusting in God upon hearing the news, the role his wife played in his recovery and his desire to return and pitch in a baseball game very soon.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Scott Satterfield is the head football coach at the University of Louisville. He came to the Cardinal football team in 2019 and has led Louisville to two bowl game appearances in his three seasons.
Prior to Louisville, he was the head coach at his alma mater, Appalachian State, where he led the program to a 51-24 record in six seasons and four straight bowl appearances. Satterfield played quarterback for Orange High School, located in Hillsborough, North Carolina, from 1989 to 1991.
He attended Appalachian State from 1991 to 1996 and started 27 games at quarterback from 1992–95. In his senior season, Satterfield led the Mountaineers to an undefeated regular season and the quarter final of the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.
Today on the podcast, Louisville head football coach Scott Satterfield shares how he lives his faith out as a division one head football coach. He also talks about leadership and developing a winning culture within the Cardinal football team.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Scott Harrison is the CEO of Charity Water, a non-profit with the mission of bringing clean water to every person on the planet.
Harrison has been recognized in Fortune Magazine’s 40 under 40 list, the Forbes Magazine Impact 30 list and was recently #10 in Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative People in Business issue.
You can read Scott’s story in his new book Thirst.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Matthew Orzech is the long snapper for the Los Angeles Rams. He was a member of the 2021 Super Bowl Champion Rams team that beat the Bengals to win the NFL title.
Orzech attended Azusa Pacific college where played his college football. After going undrafted in 2019, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens. He also spent time in 2019 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In 2020, he was with the Miami Dolphins and Tennessee Titans before signing with the Rams in May of 2021.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Matthew Orzech about his long and strange NFL journey, winning Super Bowl LVI, his love for Jesus and trusting in God to guide his steps in an uncertain pro football career.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
After retirement, King took a trip to Africa in 2006 that changed her life forever and formed Golf Fore Africa in 2007, a non-profit that partners with World Vision to bring help and hope to women and children in communities throughout Africa.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Betsy about her illustrious golf career, being a follower of Christ on the golf course, her favorite moment as a golfer and her desire in retirement to serve and help those overseas with Golf Fore Africa.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Kevin Seitzer is a former MLB player and current hitting coach with the Atlanta Braves. He was a member of the 2021 Braves team that would go and win the World Series. During his playing days, he was a two-time All-Star with the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers.
Originally selected in the 11th round of the 1983 MLB Amateur Draft, Seitzer would make his MLB debut in September of 1986 and finished the 1987 season second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting behind Mark McGwire after hitting .323 and tying the MLB record with 207 hits by a rookie. He would go on to play 12 MLB seasons with Kansas City, Milwaukee, Oakland and Cleveland. After retiring in 1997, Seitzer would go into coaching and has had stops with the Diamondbacks, Royals and Blue Jays before arriving in Atlanta in October 2014.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Kevin Seitzer about the 2021 season, what it meant to win a World Series, how he came to faith in Christ, his love for coaching and how he lives that faith out when things don't go well.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Kari Kampakis is the author of “More than a Mom” and host of the Girl Mom Podcast with Kari Kampakis.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Rhett Lashlee was named the head coach of SMU on November 30, 2021. This is his first head coaching job after serving as an offensive assistant and coordinator for many years with programs like Miami (FL), Auburn and Conneticut.
In 2018 and 2019, he was SMU's offensive coordinator and quarterback coach.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Rhett Lashlee about his decision to return to SMU, the importance of culture, trusting in God's guidance and how he's grown as a coach the past few years.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Allan Houston played 13 seasons in the NBA with the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. He was a member of the 1999 Eastern Conference champions Knicks team and the 2000 U.S.A Basketball Olympic Gold Medal winning team.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Allan about winning the 2022 Athletes in Action John Wooden Keys to LIfe award, what winning that means to him, watching his daughter win a high school state championship and how he lived his faith out as a Christian in the NBA.
You can learn more about Allan Houston's FISLL Project here.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Chase Daniel is a quarterback with the Los Angeles Chargers. After entering the league as an undrafted free agent 13 years ago, Daniel's career has spanned six different teams and 13 seasons. He was a member of the 2009 Saints that won Super Bowl XLIV.
Today on the show, Chase Daniel and his wife Hillary share stories of faith, football and stewarding their finances properly from a biblical perspective. Connor Lowery from Ronald Blue Trust also joins the conversation to share encouragement for all of us in how to handle our finances well.
Today’s podcast is presented by Ronald Blue Trust
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Mikado Hinson is the Director of Football Player Development at Texas A&M. He joined the Aggies program in 2014 after after serving on staff with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in Houston since 1998. Hinson also served at the University of Houston, where he spent 14 years (2000-14) as the Team Chaplain and Character Development Coach for the Cougar football program.
During that time, Hinson was also the Team Chaplain for the Houston Rockets from 2000-08, and served on the FCA National Chaplain’s Task Force from 2010-13. He became a licensed and ordained minister in 2005.
Hinson earned a BS in mass communications with a concentration in broadcast and journalism from Norfolk State University in 1998 and being a boxing ring announcer on the side.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Mikado about his unique role with Texas A&M's football team, what it means to be a "reformed knucklehead," hearing from God, and why he has a desire to serve and love those around him.
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Brian Smith serves with Athletes in Action as he helps Christian athletes and coaches think biblically about their respective sports.
His new book "The Christian Athlete" releases April 5, 2022.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Bryant Young is a former NFL defensive tackle who played his entire 14-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers from 1994-2007.
After a standout collegiate career at Notre Dame, he was selected in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft (seventh overall) by the San Francisco 49ers, and would go on to win a Super Bowl and be named to four Pro Bowls.
He was a member of the 1990s All-Decade Team and was inducted into the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame in 2020 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Bryant Young about being elected to the Hall of Fame, the gratitude he has to God, being honored at the Super Bowl, honoring the Lord in his Hall of Fame speech and reflecting on how his faith in Jesus has grown through the years as reaches age 50.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Today on the podcast, Cole Claybourn talks to Emily Waldon about her career as a writer, helping bring awareness to minor league baseball, and how she's been trusting in God since her cancer diagnosis a few months ago.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Jason Roy is the lead singer of the band Building 429. He started the band in the late 1990's and released their first album in 2004. Since then, they have produced nine albums and was awarded a GRAMMY in 2013 as well as winning the award for BMI Christian Song of the Year in 2013 with "Where I Belong."
RIAA-certified gold single, "Where I Belong," further became one of the longest running Christian No. 1's in Billboard's history at 15-weeks and has over 246-million accumulative audience impressions. Their latest single "Don't Worry" is out now everywhere music is found.
On today's podcast, Jason Roy shares about his love for sports, finding out Albert Pujols wanted to use his music in a game, what the world of touring is like, and his desire to honor God with the music he makes.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Daniel's new book "The Power of Place" is available now everywhere books are sold.
Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Leger Douzable played ten NFL seasons as a defensive lineman with the Jets, Titans, 49ers, Jaguars, Bills, Titans, Rams and Giants. He was undrafted after coming out of college as an All-Conference USA selection at Central Florida.
After retiring in 2017, Douzable went into broadcasting and currently doing work covering college football and the NFL with SNY and ESPN.
Today on the podcast we talk to Leger Douzable about his faith in Christ, leaning on God when life throws you curveballs, pursuing his broadcasting career, being thankful for his one playoff game he played in and what it means to fully place your trust in the Lord.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Kristy McPherson is an LPGA Tour Pro who has had 17 career top-10 finishes in her 19 year career. She played college golf at South Carolina University and earned seven victories in her four year college career. She was awarded the Honda Inspiration Award which is given to a collegiate athlete "who has overcome hardship and was able to return to play at the collegiate level."
Growing up, McPherson was diagnosed with Still's Disease at age 11 (juvenile idiopathic arthritis) and was confined mostly to bed and unable to walk for a year, she was told she would no longer be able to compete in any sport that required jumping or running. Kristy overcame that and in 2008, she recorded six top-10 finishes, and finished 47th on the official money list. In 2009, McPherson recorded a T-2 in a LPGA major, the Kraft Nabisco Championship, followed by a T-5 three months later at the next major, the LPGA Championship.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Kristy about overcoming Still's Disease, living for Jesus, being baptized, and her professional golf future.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Luke Weaver is a pitcher with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was selected in the first round of the 2014 MLB Amateur Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals after a stellar college career at Florida State University. In August of 2016, he made his MLB debut with the Cardinals and was named the Cardinals 2016 Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
After two more seasons in the Majors, Weaver was traded on December 5, 2018 to the Arizona Diamondbacks with Carson Kelly and Andy Young in exchange for Paul Goldschmidt.
Today on the podcast, we talk to Luke Weaver about preparing for the 2022 season, trusting in God amidst uncertainty, being discipled and mentored in St Louis by Adam Wainwright, the shock of being traded to Arizona and using his baseball glove as a way to share his faith.
Learn more about Luke's gloves at AriaGloves.com.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Vance Pitman is the lead pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas. He is the author of multiple books including his latest, "The Stressless Life."
Today on the podcast, we talk about how to live a stressless life in 2022, church planting, where his love for Alabama football comes from and why Las Vegas is a great place to live out the intersection of sports and faith.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Ben Roethlisberger played 18 seasons as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2004-2021. He announced his retirement from the NFL in late January 2022 after a career that saw him lead Pittsburgh to three Super Bowls, winning two championships and being selected to six Pro Bowls. At the time of his retirement, he was fifth all-time on the NFL passing yardage list (64,088) and eight all-time on the NFL passing touchdowns list (418).
Today on the podcast, we talk to Ben Roethlisberger about retirement, turning 40 years old, what it was like to live out his faith as an NFL player, using the platform of football to give back and the decision he made to be baptized a few years ago.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."
Matt Sayman is a former Baylor Men's Basketball player and the current head high school basketball coach in Texas. He received a full scholarship from Baylor and played basketball there from 2000-2004. After remaining with the program following a shocking scandal in the off-season before his senior year, Matt would go on to break the Baylor career record for games played (118).
Today on the podcast, Matt Sayman shares how he was able to navigate the 2003-04 Baylor basketball season amidst a shocking scandal, what he learned during the difficult moments, forgiving his former coach, his connection with former Cowboys QB Tony Romo, and the powerful moment of surrendering to Jesus.
Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."