Competing for Christ Podcast

James 1: 2-4 states that when we face trials, we should look at them with joy because of the perseverance that they produce. In sports, we may face injuries, losses, not playing, and more. The Bible says that we must look at these things with joy, no matter how hard they may be, and use them to make you better as a person and as an athlete.

In this episode, Bart Croasmun, Youth Minister and Former Collegiate Baseball Player, comes on the show to talk about looking at trials with joy. Bart has faced significant trials and hardships in his life, and throughout the conversation it's apparent how faithful he has remained.

Some main topics that we discuss:

• Trials during his collegiate baseball career and into his 20's
• How athletes can find joy in the midst of hardships
• Suggestions for those questioning God's plan for their lives
• Relying on Jesus in athletics
• How he encourages the next generation to remain steadfast

New Segment:

How do you see God in sports today? Send us an email or DM on social media describing how you see Christ in the sports you watch and play for a shoutout in the next episode!

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @competingforchristpodcast

Facebook: @Competing for Christ Podcast

Twitter: @cfchristpod

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

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On this episode, George Washington III, University of Michigan basketball commit and 2023 Ohio Gatorade Boys' Basketball Player of the Year, comes on the show to talk about his high school experience and what it's like being a Christian as a top basketball athlete.

Throughout our conversation, George shows humility and the love that he has for Jesus on and off the court. Listen as we discuss:

• Advice that he has for high schoolers across the nation
• How he lives out his faith while playing
• What fuels his love and passion for sports
• How he plans to give back to others at Michigan
• Why family is so important for him

New Segment:

How do you see God in sports today? Send us an email or DM on social media describing how you see Christ in the sports you watch and play for a shoutout in the next episode!

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @competingforchristpodcast

Facebook: @Competing for Christ Podcast

Twitter: @cfchristpod

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Make sure to subscribe and follow the show!

Author, coach, and former MLB player Brandon Puffer joins the show today to discuss what it means to him to fully trust in Jesus in this life. Brandon has a unique story, and within that story there are a lot of trials that he’s faced, and a lot of successes that he’s had. One of those trials came from making a mistake, getting arrested, and serving three and a half years in prison. 

In his new book “From the Bullpen to the State Pen”, Brandon goes in depth on his life, his athletic career, and the lessons he learned in prison. Throughout our conversation, we discuss how he has maintained a trust in Jesus no matter what situation he was in and encourages others through his testimony.

Some main topics we touch on:

• His experiences as a professional baseball player
• How prison changed Brandon
• The importance of putting our full trust in Christ
• What Brandon has learned about grace in his journey
• Maintaining a positive, humble mindset no matter what

New Segment:

How do you see God in sports today? Send us an email or DM on social media describing how you see Christ in the sports you watch and play for a shoutout in the next episode!

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @competingforchristpodcast

Facebook: @Competing for Christ Podcast

Twitter: @cfchristpod

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Go get From the Bullpen to the State Pen NOW!

Make sure to subscribe and follow the show!

Being a Christian in this world is never an easy task. As a college athlete, living out your Christians beliefs on the field, classroom, and life can be even harder. With so many different things coming at college students nowadays, how does one rely on Jesus and fellow believers to go against the crowd?

Matt Williams, Clemson graduate and Athletes in Action Indianapolis Team Leader, joins the show today to talk about what it means to live out your faith as a college athlete. As Matt comes in with a great testimony and a love for Jesus, family, and sports, he works with college students every day and his knowledge on this subject is apparent in this conversation.

Throughout our chat, Matt gives great advice for all Christian college athletes out there, including:

• How Jesus can use ANYONE to spread the Gospel
• What college athletes can do to live out their faith on their teams
• Shifting our gaze to Christ
• Advice for freshman athletes
• How athletes can maintain friendships, community, prayer life, and more in college

New Segment:

How do you see God in sports today? Send us an email or DM on social media describing how you see Christ in the sports you watch and play for a shoutout in the next episode!

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @competingforchristpodcast

Facebook: @Competing for Christ Podcast

Twitter: @cfchristpod

https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/

Make sure to subscribe and follow the show!

It's easy in a world full of idolatry, obsessiveness, and distractions to get caught up in wanting more and more, especially as an athlete or fan. While 1 Corinthians 10 states that we must flee from idolatry, we may not even realize that we idolize sports. What does it look like to have a "healthy obsession" in sports? How do we know when our relationship with sports is "unhealthy"?

On this episode, Aaron Conrad, podcast host and founder/CEO of The Unscripted Collective, joins the show to discuss this interesting topic, along with his work in sports, business, and podcasting. Throughout the conversation, Aaron shows the love of Christ through his words and actions, all while giving helpful advice for every fan and player on understanding passion in sports.

Some key discussion points on today's show:

• Aaron's passion for sports
• Applying sports ideas and practices into the world of business
• Unique stories of how sports have created/broken down barriers
• How athletes specifically can maintain a healthy obsession with sports
• Why humans get so obsessed with sports
• Keeping sports, like most other things in this world, in perspective

Go check out The Unscripted Collective and the Unscripted Podcast!

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You have never heard of what is about to be talked about on this podcast, but you will eventually, especially if you run track. Ethan Hoeft, former track athlete at Purdue University and Co-Founder of Pet Track, comes on the show to talk about how God called him away from running track competitively to selling track material as a toy.

This episode is one of a kind. I would have never thought that I would be doing a podcast about a small toy for athletes, but here we are! Obviously, though, the toy is not the only thing we talk about. Throughout our discussion, it was so obvious to me how faithful Ethan has been to Christ, even while battling injuries in his time at Purdue, traveling the world spreading the Gospel, and now running a business that sells track material as a toy called Tracky.

Ethan and I got to spend time together talking about:

• Why he started Pet Track
• His background in athletics and the trials he faced in them
• How his passion for track and field fuels what he does
• Using the platform and the gifts God has provided to glorify Him
• Reaching people through sports and business for the Gospel

Go get a Pet Track NOW!

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On today's episode, Ashley McDonough-Turnipseed, Centenary College head volleyball coach, writer for coachedbychrist.com, and divemaster joins the show to discuss what it means to follow God's plan for our lives.

Whether we realize it or not, God has a plan for our lives. While it's imperative that we follow His word and try to replicate Christ as much as we can, how can we know if we're actually pursuing/going towards what God has planned for us? In today's episode, that's exactly what we try to discover while talking about a variety of topics, such as Ashley's conversion from agnosticism to Christianity, her battle with her mental and physical health, and why she continues to write articles on her website for athletes, coaches, and anyone that is a Christian in today’s sports culture.

Listen now as we discuss:

• Why she started coachedbychrist.com
• Going from nonprofit work to coaching collegiate volleyball
• The importance of talking about mental health
• Responsibility of seeking help for mental wellness
• "Faith is the first step in success"

Check out the Ashley's website and helpful content for everyone involved in sports!

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It’s 2018 and LeBron James is in the news for saying he is more than an athlete. We may not know if he had Christian implications when he said that, but what we do know is that one person saw that interview and was inspired to start her own podcast, based off of that statement!

Grace Ball, host of the More Than An Athlete Podcast, joins the show today to talk about what it means to be more than an athlete for Christ. Grace continuously gives resources and opportunities to athletes all over, and emphasizes the need to place our identity in Christ rather than in athletics.

Throughout our conversation, listen out for:

• Why she started the podcast
• Being more than an athlete in her life
• Advice she gives for tennis players and athletes across the world
• How to change our mindset from self-centered to Christ-centered
• What she has learned about letting Jesus into every area of her life, including in sports

Check out the More Than an Athlete Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!

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Max McCalley was getting recruited out of high school to play quarterback at the Division 1 level. As a Christian athlete, he felt like this was what God was calling him to. He and a lot of his teammates were on fire for Jesus, something that is so rare in today's high school sports culture. But all that changed in one day when Max suffered a traumatic brain injury off of the football field, leaving him unable to play the game he loved. The following months and years to come would be a challenge for Max.

On today's episode, we sit down with Max to talk about his journey from high school football prospect to not being able to remember how to read or write. All throughout his remarkable comeback though, it was clear through our conversation that he never lost hope in Jesus.

Throughout the conversation, listen out for:

• Max's story of trials, healing, and recovery
• The role of sports in Max's life
• His view of God and life after this journey
• Having faith and trust in Christ even when all hope seems lost
• How Max has battled back to become a high school football coach, in ministry, and training for an Ironman triathlon

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Motivation can be easy for some and hard for others. No matter what kind of person you are, at some point you may want to give up or even feel emotions like depression or laziness. As Christian athletes, what does God call us to when it comes to motivation? How do professionals stay so motivated in their seasons? On this episode, that's exactly what we seek to find out.

Former MLB player and current MLB analyst Michael "The Fort" McKenry joins the podcast to discuss what he did to stay motivated throughout his career, and what advice he would give to current athletes that seek motivation. While playing for teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies, Michael gave it his all every time he stepped on the field. His grit, hard work, and determination made him into the player he was, and his love for Jesus has been evident in his life since high school. Throughout his career in the MLB and years leading up to it, Michael describes what it means to keep the drive for success, even through personal trials.

Listen today as discuss:

• How Michael got "The Fort" nickname
• What he contributes his success to
• How athletes can stay motivated physically, mentally, and spiritually
• Finding motivation in the darkest of times
• Preparing ourselves for hardships and trials as Christians

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