In this episode of Beneath the Surface with DeJay Lester, I sit down with someone who has been part of my story for a long time - my friend, teammate, competitor, and brother, BJ Porter.

Our friendship goes all the way back to True Vine and our days at LCA. We lifted together, played basketball together, played football together, laughed together, competed together, and grew up together.

From joking around in the weight room to working through basketball struggles, from Miss Elmy’s math class to championships, from high school competition to playing Division I sports, our journey has always been about more than sports.

We talk about Coach Porter’s influence, the lessons he taught us about accountability, manners, discipline, and doing things the right way. We talk about the moments that challenged us, the people who helped shape us, and what it meant to grow up side-by-side.

We also revisit some of the memories that made us say, “Bad Boys for Life” — the competition, the laughter, the championships, the good times, and the moments that tested our friendship.

Now, years later, BJ is a husband, father, coach, and leader. This conversation is about where we came from, what we learned along the way, and how those experiences continue to shape who we are today.

This is more than a sports conversation.

It’s about friendship. Growth. Competition. Brotherhood. And the people who help us become who we're meant to be.

Welcome to Beneath the Surface.

Real People. Real Stories. Real Growth.

Produced by Fostering Dreams Network.

#BeneathTheSurface #DeJayLester #BJPorter #BadBoysForLife #FosteringDreams

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Sometimes the people who change our lives don't do it with a big speech.

Sometimes, they simply keep showing up.

In this episode of Beneath the Surface, I sit down with Dorothy Law, someone who became an important part of my life during some of my most difficult years.

When I arrived at Layton Christian Academy as a rough seventh grader, I was carrying a lot that people couldn't see. I was struggling to adjust, struggling to trust people, and trying to figure out where I belonged.

Dorathy saw something in me before I was able to see it in myself.

She would show up at school with little squishy balls from Walmart, often with smiley faces on them, reminding me to smile. At the time, I didn't understand why she kept doing it. Eventually, those small gestures became something much bigger - a reminder that someone cared, someone was paying attention, and someone believed there was more to me than the struggles people saw.

We talk about soccer, family, trust, belonging, mentorship, and the relationship that continued long after my time at LCA ended.

From middle school to college and beyond, Dorathy and her family continued to support my journey, even traveling to watch me play.

This conversation is about the people who see potential in us before we see it ourselves.

Hosted by DeJay Lester.

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Football was the connection, but mentorship was the lasting impact.

In this episode of Beneath the Surface, I sit down with Coach Maughan to reflect on our time together at Snow College and the lessons that continue to influence my life today.

We discuss leadership, building relationships, overcoming adversity, and what it truly means to invest in people beyond the game.

This conversation is about more than football - it's about purpose, growth, and the mentors who help shape the people we become.

Hosted by DeJay Lester.

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Some of the most influential people in our lives never stand in the spotlight.

In this episode of Beneath the Surface, I reconnect with Ruthie Six, whose years of service at Layton Christian Academy helped create a family atmosphere for countless students and athletes.

From driving buses and supporting athletic teams to working long hours behind the scenes, Ruthie shares what it meant to invest in young people and watch a generation grow together.

This conversation is about service, sacrifice, community, and the people who quietly make a lasting difference.

Hosted by DeJay Lester.

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Championships aren't built overnight-they're built through years of commitment, sacrifice and perseverance.

In this episode of Beneath the Surface, I reconnect with my longtime friend and Coach, Eddie Thompson, to reflect on the unforgettable journey that led Layton Christian Academy to its first state championship.

We discuss the obstacles we faced, the culture Coach Porter built, the importance of brotherhood, learning through adversity, and the life lessons that continue to guide us long after the final buzzer.

This conversation is a reminder that some of life's greatest victories come long before the scoreboard says you've won.

Hosted by DeJay Lester.

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Long before the podcast, football, coaching, and the opportunities that would come later, there were people who took the time to see beyond the struggles.

In this episode of Beneath the Surface, I sit down with Mrs. Six, a longtime member of the Layton Christian Academy community who witnessed many of the challenges, growth, and defining moments throughout my journey.

Together, they reflect on education, mentorship, resilience, and the importance of having people who believe in you when life feels uncertain.

This conversation is about more than school. It's about the impact one person can have on another life simply by showing up, caring, and seeing potential where others may not.

Because sometimes the people who change our lives never realize the impact they had.

Hosted by DeJay Lester.

Real Stories. Real Struggles. Real Growth.

#BeneathTheSurface #DeJayLester #Mentorship #Education #RealStories

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Everyone remembers a teacher who changed their life.

For me, Mrs. Elmy was one of those people.

Long before the podcast, long before football, and long before many of the opportunities that would come later, she took the time to see beyond the behavior, the frustration, and the challenges I was facing as a young student.

In this episode of Beneath the Surface, we reflect on those years at Layton Christian Academy, the lessons learned inside and outside the classroom, the challenges I faced growing up, and the impact that educators can have on a young person's future.

This conversation is about mentorship, resilience, education, and the people who choose to believe in us when we need it most.

Because sometimes one teacher can change the entire direction of a life.

Thank you for listening.

Hosted by DeJay Lester.

Thanks for listening to Beneath the Surface.

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What do you do when all you have is a dream and $20 in your pocket?

In this episode of Beneath the Surface with DeJay Lester, DeJay shares the story behind one of the biggest turning points of his life and football journey.

Back in 2015, DeJay flew to Iowa for a two-day arena football workout with nothing but a football bag, a backpack, and his last $20. After landing in Des Moines, he used the last money he had on a taxi ride to a hotel near Wells Fargo Arena — only to realize he couldn’t afford a room.

What followed was a journey filled with uncertainty, rejection, resilience, and faith.

After being released following the workout, DeJay returned to Salt Lake City believing football might be over. But only weeks later, another opportunity opened the door that eventually brought him back to Iowa - the same place that would later become part of his story in a much bigger way.

This episode dives into:

•  chasing opportunity with nothing guaranteed 
•  perseverance through setbacks 
•  arena football life 
•  betting on yourself 
•  resilience during uncertainty 
•  finding purpose through adversity 

Sometimes the moments that break you are the same moments that prepare you for what’s next.

🎙️ Beneath the Surface with DeJay Lester
Real stories. Real adversity. Real growth.

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In this episode, I sit down with Mrs. Flenniken - my third grade teacher and one of the first people who truly saw me during a difficult time in my life.

While I was bouncing between schools, dealing with anger, confusion, and the challenges of foster care, many people labeled me as a problem.

But she took a different approach.

Through the CARES program, she took the time to understand what I was going through, helping me slow down, process my emotions, and begin to see myself differently.

This conversation is a reflection on the power of being seen, the impact of patience and understanding, and how one person’s belief can change the direction of someone’s life.

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At 10 years old, everything changed.

In this episode, I share what it was like being placed into foster care - navigating shelters, being moved from home to home, and trying to survive in a system I didn’t understand.

I talk about being labeled and misunderstood in school, feeling isolated, and constantly trying to find where I belonged while everything around me kept changing.

But even in the middle of that chaos, there were moments that mattered - people who saw something more in me, and small sparks of hope that helped me keep going.

This isn’t just a story about foster care.

It’s about what it feels like to be lost… and still find a way to fight forward.

🎧 Listen now and follow the journey as the story continues.

Thanks for listening to Beneath the Surface.

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