Competing for Christ Podcast

This episode is the second of a two-part series about how God uses women through athletics. Women play a vital role in glorifying God through participating in athletics. This year in particular, the 50th anniversary of Title IX has made everyone in the United States realize just how far females have come, especially in the sports world. Women sports icons such as Serena Williams, Hope Solo, and Allyson Felix have paved the way for female athletes all across the world to be able to play any sport they'd like.

Ohio State Volleyball player Chelsea Thorpe joins the show for this important topic in the world of Christian athletics. As a freshman at THE Ohio State University, Chelsea speaks on a number of different things, like how she chose to play volleyball at Ohio State, who she plays for on the court, and why she continues to push herself even through failure. While discussing the topic of women in Christian athletics, Chelsea dives deep into what it means to identify with Christ as a woman athlete and why athletes all across the world should play for Him. She also talks about mental health issues that arise in female athletics, the sisterhood of female teams, along with encouragement for younger female athletes that identify with Christ.

Chelsea and Ken discuss how women and men can handle the emotional, physical, and even spiritual struggles that sports can bring up. Throughout the conversation, it is clear that even as a freshman she is already making an impact on the OSU community through her stellar performances on the court and the love of God she shows everyone she comes in contact with.

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Women play a vital role in glorifying God through participating in athletics. This year in particular, the 50th anniversary of Title IX has made everyone in the United States realize just how far females have come, especially in the sports world. Women sports icons such as Serena Williams, Hope Solo, and Allyson Felix have paved the way for female athletes all across the world to be able to play any sport they'd like. 

Colorado Christian University Head Women's Basketball Coach Diane Thompson comes on the podcast to discuss the importance of women in the Christian athletics context. As she has played basketball at some of the highest levels and coached some of the best young women, her experience and knowledge guide the topic at hand. Throughout the discussion, it is apparent that Coach Thompson not only has a passion for coaching basketball, but so much more! She explains her coaching philosophies, why she calls on her players to serve each other, and why she loves giving back to the community around her.

Listen as Coach Thompson and Ken go in depth on the topic of women in the Christian sport context as they discuss topics like comparing women's sport to men's sport, growing mental health concerns, and even practical advice to Christian women listening that love to play sports! Listen now and share with everyone you know!

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While playing sports, it can be quite easy to get so wrapped up in them that it becomes your identity. When athletes eat, sleep, even breathe sports, they often forget that eventually, sports are going to end. This can be a difficult pill to swallow. 

On this episode, Chad Simpson, Co-Host of The Christian Coach Podcast and Director of Tennis at Athletes in Action, comes on to discuss his experiences in this subject and gives advice on how every athlete can be better prepared for the conclusion of sport participation. Unfortunately, whether it be through injuries, retirement, or even rejection, athletes should be prepared through Christ to get through this. 

Chad and Ken also get the chance to talk about The Christian Coach Podcast and how it has affected Chad's walk with Christ. The podcast is a great resource for coaches and serves coaches through conversations so they can lead like Jesus. Go check it out now at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-christian-coach-podcast/id1536134061

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Matthew 5 discusses how we as Christians must be salt and light in a world full of brokenness and darkness. How do we do that in sports, though? As an athlete, it can be difficult to want to stand out when the entire world is going with the current. But God tells us to go against the current and take the road less travelled. 

Melvin Adams, former Harlem Globetrotter now motivational speaker, comes on to discuss this important topic when it comes to sports. His inspiring, motivating, and caring words have touched millions of people throughout the world and his use of comedy and honesty make him so much more personal. 

Throughout his basketball career, he consistently lived out what Christ called us to do in this world. While talking with Melvin, it was clear that he replicates Christ in everything that he does, no matter if he's playing pickup basketball, telling jokes with friends, or speaking to thousands of children. Melvin and Ken discuss important questions and issues that arose for Melvin throughout his life/career, and how he has relied on God through it all to guide him. Through personal stories, jokes, and life lessons, this episode is one that will make you laugh while still learning more about how to be a better Christian athlete.

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Athletes all around the world struggle with managing their time. While competing for Christ, excelling academically, and maintaining a life, athletes must be able to let Christ be in everything they do. But is there a specific order for these things?

Dallas Baptist University Athletic Director Connor Smith comes on the podcast to discuss this balance and what the proper “order” looks like for Christian athletes. His experience as an athlete and as an administrator at DBU offers key insight into how Christian athletes can balance everything that they have going on in their world. He also breaks down DBU's philosophy of athletics and how they practice what they preach to their athletes, recruits, and students.

With athletic experience and leadership skills, Connor Smith brings wisdom to a conversation that so many athletes have thought about: what comes first in my life? God, sports, or grades? We should continuously pursue Christ in everything we do, but how can athletes practically do this? Listen to find out Connor and Ken's conversation on this hard-hitting topic.

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Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/competingforchristpodcast/

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Recruiting is not talked about nearly enough as it should in the Christian athlete context. With so many schools to choose from, so many coaches to talk to, and way too many camps to attend, Christian athletes should know how to navigate their way through this process. 

Lang Wedemeyer, Head Women's Soccer Coach at Liberty University, has experience at every level with this process. As a strong man of faith and a passion for leading/coaching college women, his words of encouragement and guidance in this episode is something you have to listen to! Coach Wedemeyer and Ken tackle difficult topics that come up in recruiting. 

Whether you're getting attention from major Division 1 institutions or trying to find somewhere to continue your athletic and academic career, this episode gives you practical ways to go through the recruiting process as a follower of Christ with confidence. Where you end up attending college matters not just for your playing career, but for your spiritual walk, as well.

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Competition can show a person's true character. Whether on the field, track, or court, competition can be what drives an athlete to success and can push everyone to do things they never imagined would be possible. In this episode, University of Florida track and cross country runner Nick Deal joins the podcast to discuss this concept of competition and how his experiences as a Gator have helped his faith. While working with Athletes in Action, Nick has been able to grow in his faith at Florida each year, and has become a better athlete because of that.

Nick and Ken dive into what it means to practically 'compete for Christ' and how as Christian athletes, we should always give the glory to God and not ourselves. Competition can be used as a way to do this, but we must have the right mindset and drive. This episode goes into deep conversation about how to do this and how to become freer as we participate in the sports we love. 

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Everyone who plays sports is constantly improving their form, mechanics, strength, agility, speed, but pushing yourself mentally can help you perform better on the field and as a teammate. In this episode, Psychotherapist and certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Trainer Joni Neidigh comes on to discuss why Christian Athletes should be motivated to train their mental game just as much as their physical game. Throughout her time working with athletes, she has let God guide her and speak through her in order to help everyone she comes in contact with. Joni and Ken discuss how she started on this journey, tips for athletes that need mental skills training, and how athletes can better their game simply by shifting their perspectives. 

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Does God really care about sports? This question has been debated for generations now, and even though we will never know God's "thoughts", we do know what His Word tells us. In this episode, Josh Vaughan, former NFL running back for a number of teams including the Carolina Panthers, San Fransisco 49ers, and Atlanta Falcons, comes on to discuss this question. Josh experienced many challenges and trials throughout his career as an athlete, and as he explains in the episode, he owes it all to God for giving him each opportunity. As he is now the team chaplain for the Atlanta Falcons, he gives great insight into what it means to identify with Christ not only in sports, but in the professional setting. Josh and Ken also discuss how we as Christians can view sports, if God even cares who wins and who loses, and what his time in the NFL and in college taught him about being a Christian athlete. 

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Throughout the world, people are using sports in order to spread the Gospel. Every athlete may not want to talk about the Gospel or be interested in learning about Jesus, but every athlete does want to talk about sports. Bringing athletes in, showing them that sports and a relationship with Christ can coincide, and building that trust in order to spread the Gospel is crucial in the world of Christian athletics. In Manado City, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Tias Korah and Andre Mandey have heard this call and are serving their local community by giving athletes a space to safely participate in sports while learning about Christ. Throughout the conversation, Ken, Ties, and Andre discuss their ministry work that they call 330 Sports Community (John 3:30), their experiences in athletics, and how God is using them while living in Indonesia. 

330 Sports Community Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/330sportscommunity/

Make sure to like, subscribe, and leave a rating/review! 

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/competingforchristpodcast/ 

Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/CFC__podcast