“Punch awkward in the face.”

Dan Britton, president of Sports Life Leadership, joins the show to talk about Christ-centered leadership in sports and the personal transition that led him to start a new ministry after retiring from Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) following 34 years of service. Britton shares his long-standing two-hour morning discipline block—Scripture, prayer, journaling, reading, and exercise—and how a recent coach helped him keep the disciplines while approaching them with more freedom, flexibility, space, and grace, including running without a phone or audio to practice silence with the Lord.

Britton recounts his upbringing as the youngest of three brothers in a disciplined, faith-filled home, his lacrosse background (including playing at the University of Delaware and professional lacrosse), and multiple moments where others spoke encouragement and “prophetic” direction over his life, including a memorable encounter at a Cracker Barrel that he believes may have involved an angel.

00:00 Meet Dan Britton: Sports Life Leadership & FCA Legacy

01:23 The 2-Hour Morning Disciplines That Anchor His Day

03:17 Less Noise, More Presence: Learning to Run & Pray Untethered

05:12 Leaders Need Reminding More Than Teaching

06:45 Growing Up Britton: Sports, Discipline, and Faith at Home

10:00 From Quiet Leader to Communicator: Early Speaking Breakthroughs

11:56 The ‘Cracker Barrel Prophecy’ and Ripple-Effect Calling

14:46 Family & Giftings: How His Kids Describe Him + ‘Let’s Grow’

18:55 34 Years at FCA: From the Field to Launching International Ministry

24:11 Leaving FCA to Start Sports Life: What It Taught, What It Cost

26:29 Valley Growth & Kilimanjaro: Accept, Allow, Activate

30:43 The 3 A’s Framework Explained: Moving Forward Without the ‘Why’ Trap

32:08 Losing the Title: Identity After Stepping Away

34:19 “Grow Before You Go”: Finding the Next Call

34:59 From Survive to Thrive: Launching Sports Life Leadership Fast

36:18 Punch Awkward in the Face: How to Support Leaders in Transition

42:03 Why Sports Life Leadership Exists: Heart-First Development

44:34 Sports-Specific Strategy: Champions, Training, Resources & Events

45:44 Who They Develop: From Olympic Federations to Local Coaches

49:23 What Gets Him Up: Holy Spirit Nudges & ‘Broken Plays’

52:18 Staying Rooted: Home Church, Serving, and Speaking Beyond Ministry

55:21 How to Connect + The One Book to Read + Final Blessing

Lead Connector: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/LAlxMapHAxXoqBbrHQSI

Thank you Dan Britton for being a guest on Delay the Decay!

Find him on social media:

- Dan on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dangbritton

- Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fcadan/?

- Dan's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B003EAGN54

Delay the Decay is a podcast for unashamedly ambitious people who want to live longer, better and deeper by prioritizing what’s really important in life.

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Dan Harty is a coach, entrepreneur, and former pastor, who helps people build resilience in body, mind and spirit by emphasizing faith, fitness, and fighting the natural decay with daily habits rooted in biblical truths. Find Dan on social media:

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