MORE THAN AN ATHLETE

Have you ever asked "what's God's will for my life?" or... have you ever wondered if national titles, wins, or fill in the blank of your athletic career peak- would be even at least a little bit fulfilling? Grace Lyons, an OU softball player answers these questions on this episode. Tune in to hear about her experience as a two time national champion and how she leverages success for God's name & glory.  Grace Lyons is a college softball player from Peoria Arizona at the University of Oklahoma. Grace was the Big 12 Defensive player of the year, 2022 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top-10 Finalist & 2022 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee …however her light for Jesus and passion to make Him known is what marks her the most.  Mentioned:  Grace Lyons  Grace's BATL clothing line If you found this podcast helpful, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing to help other athletes find M>A. Interested in supporting this podcast? Email [email protected]  Podcast Links 

As an athlete you have a decision to make- is God worth it? Is He worth your time, talents, treasures, and ultimately how are you going to leverage what God has given you. Have you ever wondered if He's worth it? JT Granato shares his story and why he says God is worthy of it all- and why it's the most fulfilling mission we could ever be a part of. JT Granato is from Houston Texas and played football at Rice University and then transferred to Missouri State for the rest of his eligibility. He now serves on staff with student mobilization at Missouri State. Listen now! If you found this podcast helpful, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing to help other athletes find M>A. Interested in supporting this podcast? Email [email protected] INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/_morethan.an.athlete?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Are you walking through suffering? How is it possible to balance this while being an athlete, or how to comfort someone close to you in a trial? Brody Buck shares with authenticity, heart, and character what this has looked like for him.  Brody Buck went to play college football at Northwest Missouri State for 5 years where he then went on to play for the USFL as a linebacker for the Birmingham Stallions.  Mentioned: Brody Buck: https://www.instagram.com/brodybuck/?hl=en If you found this podcast helpful, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing to help other athletes find M>A. Interested in supporting this podcast? Email [email protected] MERCH: https://morethanathlete.itemorder.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/_morethan.an.athlete?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Do you ever wrestle with your identity truly being in Christ? How can we look different from the world in this?  After over 9 years in professional baseball, Tyler Pike shares his story, heart, and mission of continuing his baseball career to share the Gospel & make disciples. Tyler currently plays for the Springfield Cardinals, and him and his wife live in Missouri with their two kids. If you found this podcast helpful, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing to help other athletes find M>A. Interested in supporting this podcast? Email [email protected] MERCH: https://morethanathlete.itemorder.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/_morethan.an.athlete?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

What does it look like to be the best team captain? How does it contradict the stereotype of what we think it means? Natalie Lawrence shares her experience, practicals, and biblical wisdom on how to be the best team captain, and honor God in the midst of it.  Natalie Lawrence is the founder of FAM- the Female Athlete Mission. FAM is a platform that talks honestly about faith, life and being a woman in sports. Natalie works for Fellowship of Christian Athletes where I specifically run a soccer ministry. Natalie coaches soccer all over Orange County and works with female athletes of all ages. She grew up in Southern California and played soccer at Point Loma Nazarene University, and lives in Orange County with her husband and daughter! More information about FAM and Natalie are below! Show notes:  How to Be the Best Team Captain Blog: https://www.thefamblog.com/blog/being-a-captain Grace & Natalie's Episode on the FAM: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ep-127-taking-a-5th-year-and-learning-to-suffer/id1378718011?i=1000569111803 FAM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/femaleathletemission/?hl=en If you found this podcast helpful, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing to help other athletes find M>A. Interested in supporting this podcast? Email [email protected]  MERCH: https://morethanathlete.itemorder.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/_morethan.an.athlete?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

How do you use your success as an athlete? Should you want to be successful? Chase Coffman gives an honest and tangible explanation to this question. With over 9 years in the NFL, Chase's perspective gives practicals on how to use your success as an athlete, and once you are no longer one.  Chase Coffman s a former American football tight end. He played college football for the University of Missouri holding numerous records and earned consensus All-American honors, and was recognized as the best college tight end in the country. He was chosen by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft and continued to play for over 8 seven years with the Bengals, Tampa Bay Bucanneers, Atlanta Falcons, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts.. Him and his wife Stacy now live in KC with their 3 kids. If you found this podcast helpful, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing to help other athletes find M>A. Interested in supporting this podcast? Email [email protected] MERCH: https://morethanathlete.itemorder.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/_morethan.an.athlete?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

What does it mean to have passion for the Gospel, or to be zealous?- Luke explains from the word what it means to be zealous & how to live out God’s heart during and after being an athlete. Luke spent 12 years as a basketball and baseball coach. Him and his wife Megan have three kids and currently live in Kansas city.  Luke is the FCA Greater KC multi area director, and has a passion for athletes, coaches, and those around him to truly know Christ.   If you found this podcast helpful, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing to help other athletes find M>A. Interested in supporting this podcast? Email [email protected] MERCH: https://morethanathlete.itemorder.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/_morethan.an.athlete?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Whether it's from ourselves, those around us, or even those watching- we have expectations placed on us as athletes. How can we handle them as Christ Followers? Are there healthy expectations we can have? Lexi Sun, a former Nebraska Volleyball player shared her story of expectations, and ultimately how she came to know Jesus through the hardships of this topic. Lexi shares her favorite stories of what God did through her time as a volleyball player, what she learned, and why using your platform is worth it. Lexi is the real deal, and we're pumped to share it with you athletes! Lexi Sun is from California and played one season at Texas and then transferred to Nebraska where she just finished up her fifth season. Lexi's joy is obvious through and through, and has a passion to use her platform to further God's glory.  Mentioned: Lexi Sun Instagram: @Lexiisun If you found this podcast helpful, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing to help other athletes find M>A. Interested in supporting this podcast? Email [email protected] MERCH: https://morethanathlete.itemorder.com/   INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/_morethan.an.athlete?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

As an athlete, you’re given an opportunity to impact those around you- including your coaches & staff. What does that look like? How can we see them as more than a coach? Logan Counts, who coached for over a decade shares a unique perspective on how & why we should be aware of impact on our coaches. Logan also touches on the competitive drive athletes have, and what God can produce in (and through) us when we learn how to utilize it in a healthy way. Listen to the full episode now 🎙 Logan currently lives in Springfield, MO with his wife Emma & two kids Cash and Nova, where he is a pastor at High Street Church and also helps lead their young adults ministry.  Mentioned: @logancounts & @hsyoungadults 

Matthew 6:33 says "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." How do we practically do this as athletes? Do you ever feel overwhelmed with the busyness? How can we set ourselves up to continue prioritizing our faith once we are no longer athletes? Tori Dilfer shares really helpful points on how to prioritize faith, and why it's worth it.  Tori is from Nashville, TN and played volleyball first at TCU then at Louisville- where she was named NCAA All-Texas Region for the team’s Cinderella run to the Elite Eight, was named AVCA First Team All-American, was  U.S. National Team Open Invitee, she was also named MVP of the All-Louisville Regional team recorded season high assists. Currently she’s finished up playing for a professional team of Athletes Unlimited in dallas texas and is training with the national team to then be heading to Italy. She comes from a sports family where her dad played in the NFL, her mom was a college swimmer, and both of her sisters also played (and play) college volleyball.  If you found this podcast helpful, please consider rating, reviewing, and subscribing to help other athletes find M>A. Follow us on instagram @_morethan.an.athlete !