Competing for Christ Podcast

Everyone should be advocates for athletes taking care of their spiritual and mental health, maybe even more so than physical health. It's crucial to have belief in your abilities in practices, games, and life. But what happens when that belief and confidence in yourself turns into something more than that? What if it turns into becoming cocky and leaning too much on your own talents rather than trusting in God’s power, strength, and timing? Ray Santiago, author, founder of Renewed Mind Performance, Sports Psychology specialist, and former baseball player joins the show again today to talk about building confidence that leans on God’s abilities, not just yours. Along with discussing some principles in his new book, The Pillar B's, his conversation dives into: Order Ray's new book, The Pillar B's, NOW: https://www.amazon.com/Pillar-Bs-Transform-Biggest-Critic-ebook/dp/B0BPK6GXCR NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs! From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Today we are talking to Founder and Director of Playing 4 Eternity (P4E) Sports Ministry Don Weyrick. Through this ministry, Don has reached hundreds, if not thousands, of people through the game of basketball. Don is someone that has let Jesus use him for the sake of the Gospel in sports by running games, tournaments, and leagues that include everyone, no matter who you are. As you will soon find out, Don just started working with our friends over at CEDE Sports as well! But today, Don shows us all that no matter what you’ve done in your life, your past doesn’t define you. As a matter of fact, Christ may even use your past to help someone else’s present or future. Listen as we discuss: NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs! From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Former University of Florida tennis player and current pro tennis coach Jordan Belga joins us today to talk about what he has learned with blending together his love for Jesus and his passion for sport. As someone that has a fascinating journey to get to where he is today, Jordan opens up about some very important topics like finding his worth in Jesus, what he went through as a youth and high school athlete, and more. One thing that Jordan and Ken spend some time on today is his platform for athletes called Rooted Competitor. This Instagram page gives athletes and people that love sports an opportunity to open up and just share what they’ve gone through and how they’ve seen Christ move in their lives. So many have been impacted by this page, and you should check it out: https://www.instagram.com/rootedcompetitor/ Listen today as we discuss: Rooted Competitor NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs! From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Can you imagine graduating from college and essentially going right into a collegiate head coaching position? That is exactly what our guest today did! Coach Liv Tidmore, Head Coach of the Oglethorpe University volleyball team and Covenant College alum joins the show today to talk about how she is showing Christ while being one of youngest head coaches in the country. Liv graduated with Ken from Covenant in 2022 and was hired as the Oglethorpe Head Coach in 2023, something that she will let she did not see coming. As she has stepped into this role, she’s already learned so much about how to lead as a Christian in a secular setting, how to represent women in her coaching role, and especially what this opportunity means for her. Listen today as we discuss: NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs! From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

The year was 1994 when Charlotte Smith stepped onto the court for the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Women’s Basketball National Championship game. With less than a second to go and down by two, Charlotte got the inbound pass, threw up a prayer, and sunk the shot to clinch the title. One of the greatest shots in the history of college basketball. But unlike any fairytale story that you may hear, this wasn’t the end of Charlotte’s story. Charlotte Smith joins the show today to talk about how Christ has affected her life as an athlete, coach, and human being. Throughout our discussion today, you will learn a lot about what she has gone through, and you will also learn of something special that I Am Second has done with her. Check out the new film "Finding Balance", an I Am Second original film of Charlotte’s life as an athlete and coach. You will also hear more about: NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs! From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Do you look at your sport as a mission field? Through doing this podcast, I have learned that all sports can and should be used as a mission field for those that proclaim Jesus as their savior. We should be willing to show that Christ-likeness in how we perform, compete, train, and interact with everyone we come in contact with. Phil Morrison, AKA the Basketball Missionary, joins the show today to talk about why God has called him to spread the Gospel while teaching basketball to thousands of people. As a former collegiate and professional basketball player, Phil uses his life experiences to show others what Jesus has done for him, and what he continues to do through him as he travels the world. With an incredible story, listen today as we get to discuss: Hoops for Christ NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs! From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

On this episode, we are talking to someone that has faced a lot in her life. Today I had the honor of talking with Clay High School volleyball/flag football player, homecoming queen, and one of my sisters, Kenzie Burke. Kenzie has lived a lot of life as an athlete and as a person even though she is just 18. In this conversation, we get to hear about how she has dealt with a massive obstacle in her life: having a hip replacement at 13 years old. Throughout the injury process, understanding why God brought her through that, and learning how to play sports again after that, she continues to represent the mercy and grace Jesus provides. Listen as we discuss: NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs! From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Detroit Lions long snapper Scott Daly joins us to talk about how he lives his faith out in the National Football League (NFL) and his unique story from someone that was the #1 long snapper coming out of high school. While he attended Notre Dame in college to play football, he says that this is where his faith became a real relationship. He has played on a variety of teams in the NFL, AAF, and XFL until eventually securing his spot on the Lions. As he has had to trust in God's timing through not playing, getting cut, and through an injury he suffered this past season, Scott gives advice for all athletes that proclaim Christ as their savior. Listen as we discuss: NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs! From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

How can we discern what God’s calling is for our lives? For all of us that are born again believers, we all have a call to proclaim the Gospel to the nations and show Christ’s love to everyone we come in contact with. But there’s also the other callings that we have in our lives, such as being an athlete, what job you’re going to do, who you’re going to marry, and so many other things that God calls us into. But that big call that we have as believers never changes. For Rafa Mentzingen, he heard a call from God to come to the US from Brazil in order to chase his dream of being a professional soccer (or football) player. Now, as someone who is actually living out that dream with North Carolina FC of the USL League One, Rafa is showing Christ through how he plays on the soccer field. Today we get to talk with Rafa about his story and how he understood God’s calling to come to the US to pursue this dream. Even through some really challenging times, he never questioned what God had in store for him. Listen as we discuss: NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs! From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Today we’re talking about how to handle the spotlight as a Christian in sports, because whether you realize it or not, being an athlete comes with some level of notoriety no matter what country or culture you may find yourself in. You can be a high school athlete or you could be suiting up to play in the NFL or the Premier League, but at some level you’re going to have to learn how to represent Christ while on the stage of your sport. That is why today I invited on University of Wisconsin football player Darryl Peterson. Darryl plays in front of tens of thousands of people every single week in the fall, and it is clear to me and everyone who watches him that he is a force on that field. It is also clear who he is portraying in Christ. Throughout this interview you’ll learn: NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs! From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

How do you navigate sin? How does it affect you as an athlete? What does the Bible say about sin? Well today we are going to go in-depth on what it means to not only battle against sin, but also realizing that we are all broken, sinful people that need a savior in Jesus. Today I invited on former collegiate baseball player, influencer, and podcaster Zach Dehn to talk about this topic and things that he has learned from sin that he has battled throughout his life as an athlete, specifically in college. Zach is fully transparent and I appreciate that because as he is sinful just like everyone in this world, he trusts in Christ now more than ever and gives his sin to Him. Today we talk about: Hey God Podcast Check out the Hey God Podcast and Zach's inspirational videos on TikTok and Instagram! NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch including trucker hats, sweatshirts, and coffee mugs! From every sale, half of the proceeds will go to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

When I set out to start the Competing for Christ Podcast, I had no idea that nearly 3 years later, I’d still be doing it. To be honest with you, I didn’t know what to think. I had maybe a handful of topics to discuss in mind and only 3 people that I wanted to interview. Never could I have imagined that I would get to 100. But over and over again I have seen God move in ways that are unexplainable. I have seen Him reach people across the world with a simple, yet profound message: glorifying Christ through sports. I wanted to blend together my love for Christ and my love for sports because I felt like there wasn’t a resource out there where athletes could go to learn, discuss, and share about how to bring Christ into any sport that you play. Little did I know that it would make it this far. With individuals from nearly 50 countries that have tuned in, thousands of downloads, and hundreds of people that I have gotten to meet through this podcast, God has taken it further than ever expected. Today we dive into 11 major lessons that I have learned from from 100 episodes, including: NEW MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for brand new Competing for Christ Podcast merch, celebrating 100 episodes! From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

When you’ve gone through a challenging time in your life, you may find it quite hard to experience Christ through that time. Or you could be on the other side of the spectrum where you feel God’s love so deeply during this challenging time. For myself and our guest today, we have both been on either side of that coin. But how do we navigate this topic when you are pursuing a relationship with Him, and want to feel Him in your life and while you pursue your dream as an athlete? Today we get to talk to Abilene Christian University football player Anthony Egbo Jr., and throughout his life, he has faced numerous challenges that we will discuss today. But as someone that continuously pursues Christ, even outside of his sport, Anthony has not only become a better athlete, but has transformed his perception of Christ and what His plan is for Anthony’s life. From being a walk-on to becoming a captain of the ACU football team, he replicates Christ and knows what it means to experience God through anything he goes through. Listen out for these topics: PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Today we are talking with Lipscomb University softball player Joie Giarrizzo about her softball career, her faith, and a what she has learned as a Division 1 Christian athlete. Joie is entering her 4th year of Division 1 collegiate softball and she has been living for Christ on and off the field during those years. There are many things that you learn as a college athlete, but maybe even more so if you follow Christ throughout. Joie gives her thoughts and opinions on many different topics, including: PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Who is Jesus? The Bible says a lot about who He is, was, and will be. John says that He is the bread of life. Colossians says He is the firstborn of all creation. Luke says that He is the Son of Man. There are so many ways to describe who Jesus is and what He means to so many that put their faith in Him. What should that mean for athletes? It should mean EVERYTHING for athletes! That’s why today we are talking to Charleston Southern University Associate Athletic Director Mike Vigue about who Jesus is to him and what Jesus can do for everyone that puts their faith in Him. This conversation was an intriguing one, and Mike brings many helpful insights that can help athletes that are wondering who Jesus really is. Listen out for these topics today: PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

Guess what? Your career as an athlete is going to come to an end. It may sound crazy, but your days as an athlete are numbered. But you have to ask yourself, what’s next? Who are you if you aren’t an athlete? Are you going to rely on Jesus for what's next? Today we are talking about life after sports and what that looks like for Christian athletes. That is why today I invited on someone to discuss what that has looked like for her, what she’s learned since retiring from sports, and how she has been able to rely on Jesus to provide her sense of identity. We get to hear from a former Covenant College softball player and my wife, Lulu Burke. Listen as we try to be serious and discuss: PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

When you think of certain mentors in your life, you probably don’t have to think too long before thinking of someone in your time as an athlete that helped mold and shape who you are as a person today. For Coach Evan Kee, he continues to mentor and shape the minds of young men as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at The Apprentice School. The Apprentice School is a very unique Division 3 school, where athletes learn a trade, get paid for it while going to class, and get to play collegiate basketball. Coach Kee strives to be someone that these players can look up to, and someone that continuously points to Christ for his success. Talking points for todays episode include: PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

As someone who wants to grow closer to Christ every single day, I often ask myself, “Can I grow closer to Christ while simultaneously growing as a person?” While this may be very challenging to find that balance, as people and as athletes, we always want to be the best version of ourselves while still shining the spotlight on what Jesus has done through us. Today, we talk about consistent growth with David Gibson, founder of Elevation is a Must, providing young professionals with the tools and strategies that help them build, grow, and live out their ideas and visions. He is an entrepreneur, speaker, and former boxer! As we discuss getting better every day while growing continuously with Christ, some topics that come up include: PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

KD Hill was a football player at Ole Miss and getting ready for the NFL Draft, destined to play with a pro football team. But in an instant, this reality shifted dramatically. KD’s life changed when he got in a car accident that severely injured his leg, and eventually had to get the leg amputated. To most people, this would be seen as a curse and would be stuck asking God, “why me?” But not KD. KD has the most optimistic attitude for someone that is in his position. In fact, he said he’s even thankful that it happened, because it showed him that God has other plans for him besides football. But today we get to talk about his life, his path to get to where he is, and what he plans to do now as a motivational figure and someone that portrays Christ in everything he does! Listen as we discuss: Follow KD on Instagram and TikTok! PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com

On this episode, we are talking with Ultra Runner Matt Burdette about a friendship that he has that is one of the coolest things you will ever see. You will hear the background of Matt’s athletic journey, more on him as a runner, but something that we focused on today was his relationship with Kevin DiLegge. Kevin has cerebral palsy, but this does not stop him from being inspirational and just an all around amazing human being. Matt and Kevin actually do races together, like the Boston Marathon and Baltimore Marathon, with Matt pushing Kevin throughout the entire race and over the finish line (Matt will tell you that Kevin actually pushes him more). This friendship is inspiring, and getting to talk with Matt in depth on them racing as a pair is something you can not miss. We touch on a lot today, but here are some key topics discussed: PODCAST MERCH IS NOW AVAILABLE!! Check out the official podcast store for Competing for Christ hats, shirts, hoodies and more. From every sale that we get, half of that money is going to Christian sports organizations that are making a difference for Christ in the world of sports. Use discount code CFC20 to get 20% off your order TODAY! Subscribe to the show and share this episode! https://www.competingforchristpodcast.com/ Need encouragement or want to come on the show? Text me: (904) 463-5917 Email me: competingforchristpodcast@gmail.com