This is where I share short messages from the heart things I wish someone had told me before a game, after a loss, or during the quiet moments of doubt. If you’re an athlete or a coach looking for God in the middle of competition, this is for you.
December 8, 2025
Strength That Serves Others
Moses is remembered not only for leading the Israelites, but for the way he led with humility, patience, and the willingness to carry responsibility for people who did not always understand him. His story teaches athletes that true strength is not measured by physical ability alone, but by the purpose behind that strength.
Moses’ leadership reveals a simple truth: greatness is not about standing above others, but standing with them.
“Capable men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain.” — Exodus 18:21
This description of leadership speaks to character before talent, integrity before skill.
December 6, 2025
Courage That Serves Others
Before David faced Goliath, he spent years protecting his flock from lions and bears. His courage came from service, not ego. Leadership begins the same way, not with spotlight moments, but with a willingness to act for others.
David stepped forward not for reward, but because someone needed to.
“The battle is the Lord’s.” — 1 Samuel 17:47
December 5, 2025
Honour Is Built in the Unseen Hours
Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem’s walls through relentless effort and unwavering focus. When distractions came, he answered with conviction:
“I am doing a great work and cannot come down.” — Nehemiah 6:3
Athletes understand this. The honour in sport is not found solely in the game, it is found in early mornings, late nights, repetition, failure, recovery, and trying again. Honour grows in the unseen.
December 4, 2025
Commitment Beyond Comfort
Commitment is easy when the path is smooth. It becomes meaningful when the road feels steep. Joshua stepped into leadership after Moses, facing uncertainty, pressure, and responsibility. Yet God’s words anchored him:
“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
An athlete’s journey mirrors this truth. Growth doesn’t happen when everything comes naturally. It happens when you choose to continue, especially when you’re tired, discouraged, or unsure.
November 22, 2025
Leadership That Protects and Guides
In John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
This isn’t a statement about authority, it’s a statement about responsibility. A shepherd leads by protecting, guiding, and caring for the flock.
In sport and in life, the strongest leaders are not the loudest or the most forceful. They are the ones who look out for others. The teammate who encourages instead of criticizing, the captain who checks in after a tough practice, the coach who sees potential even when a player can’t.
Great leadership is never about control, it’s about care.
November 21, 2025
Calm in a Competitive World
In sport, pressure shows up everywhere in tryouts, in playoffs, in expectations from coaches, teammates, or even yourself. Jesus’ words in John 14:27 speak directly into moments like these:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” — John 14:27
This peace is not “calm if everything goes right.” It’s peace that remains even when everything feels loud, uncertain, or overwhelming. For an athlete, that means you can step onto the field or court without fear controlling you. You can breathe, compete, and stay grounded, not because life is easy, but because your spirit is steady.
November 13, 2025
Stay Connected to the Source
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” — John 15:5
Every athlete knows what it feels like to be disconnected a game where nothing clicks, a season that feels off, or a stretch where motivation fades. Jesus’ message reminds us that this isn’t just about effort; it’s about connection. When we stay rooted in something greater in our values, in our purpose, in God Himself, ,we find a deeper strength that doesn’t rely on circumstances.
Remaining in the vine means we don’t draw energy from the scoreboard or the opinions of others, but from the source that never runs dry. It’s the quiet confidence that says, “I know who I am, even when I’m not winning.”
November 9, 2025
The Power of Right Priorities
Athletes often juggle countless demands: training, competition, academics, work, family, recovery. In this whirlwind, it’s easy to lose sight of why we do what we do. Jesus offers a grounding truth:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
When your focus is faith driven when your priorities begin with integrity, humility, and service the rest of life starts to align naturally. Seeking God’s kingdom isn’t about escaping life’s responsibilities; it’s about approaching them with clarity and peace.
Faith first. Everything else follows.
November 8, 2025
Building on Rock, Not Sand
Every athlete builds something. Strength, endurance, teamwork, or legacy. Yet what truly lasts depends on the foundation. Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:24–27 that those who hear His words and live by them are like wise builders who construct their houses on rock. When rain falls and winds blow, the house stands firm.
The same is true for your athletic and spiritual journey. If your confidence rests only on victories, applause, or comparison, it will crumble under pressure. But if it’s rooted in discipline, humility, and faith, it will endure any storm. Training, prayer, and perseverance are not quick fixes, they are the bedrock of greatness.
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” — Matthew 7:24
October 26, 2025
Salt and Light
Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:13–16 that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Salt preserves, adds flavor, and transforms what it touches. Light illuminates, guides, and shows the path. As athletes, coaches, and mentors, we are called to be both to bring energy, positivity, and integrity to every environment we enter.
Your presence matters. Every practice, game, or team interaction is an opportunity to influence and inspire. Small actions encouragement, honesty, humility can create ripples far beyond what you see.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” — Matthew 5:14
October 19, 2025
Grace Under Pressure
Pressure is part of every competition, every calling, and every season of growth. It doesn’t just test your strength; it reveals your foundation. The moments when your heart races, your body tires, and your mind doubts are also the moments that define who you truly are. In sport and in life, pressure is the forge where grace and character are formed.
To perform under pressure is not simply about mental toughness, it’s about spiritual calm. Grace is not the absence of stress; it’s the peace that flows within it. The athlete who learns to breathe deeply in chaos learns to master not just the game, but the self.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
October 13, 2025
Vision Before Victory
Every great athlete, coach, or believer knows that success begins long before the whistle blows. It starts in the unseen in vision, prayer, and preparation. To foresee your future is to begin shaping it with intention. Just as a runner studies the track before the race, so too must we study our path, understanding not just where we want to go, but why we want to get there. The purpose behind your effort gives meaning to every repetition, every sacrifice, every step.
The discipline of vision is spiritual: it requires imagination rooted in faith. When we visualize our goals, we are, in a sense, praying with our effort. We declare that tomorrow can be different because we are willing to begin today.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18
October 12, 2025
The Art of Steady Focus
Athletes often face moments when pressure seems overwhelming a final shot, a critical sprint, or an unexpected obstacle in practice. These moments test not just skill, but balance. True performance comes from steadying the mind as much as the body. Balance is cultivated through awareness: noticing tension, observing your breath, and remembering why you began the journey in the first place.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
This reminds athletes that inner strength and focus are supported by faith, not just physical ability.
October 8, 2025
The Courage to Restart
Every athlete faces a moment where the weight of beginning again feels heavier than any barbell. The missed goal, the dropped pass, the injury each one tests your resolve not in competition, but in character.
True strength is not measured by how much you lift or how fast you run, but by your ability to rise after setbacks. The comeback is sacred work, it’s faith translated into motion.
October 5, 2025
Power in Stillness
In the world of competition, it’s easy to confuse confidence with pride. Yet true confidence is quiet. It doesn’t need to shout, it simply shows up, steady and ready. Humility isn’t weakness; it’s self-awareness under pressure.
It’s knowing that no matter how good you are, there’s always more to learn, more to give, and more grace to receive. The athlete who listens, who celebrates others, who learns from defeat, that’s the one who truly grows stronger.
September 28, 2025
Training the Mind
Athletes know how to train their bodies, but the mind is often where games are won or lost. Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, once admitted that much of his success wasn’t just swimming it was learning how to control his thoughts. He practiced visualization daily, imagining both perfect races and mistakes, so he would know how to respond.
This aligns with Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The spiritual and athletic journey both demand discipline of thought training your mind to choose hope over fear, courage over doubt.
September 27, 2025
Training the Mind
Athletes know how to train their bodies, but the mind is often where games are won or lost. Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, once admitted that much of his success wasn’t just swimming it was learning how to control his thoughts. He practiced visualization daily, imagining both perfect races and mistakes, so he would know how to respond.
This aligns with Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The spiritual and athletic journey both demand discipline of thought training your mind to choose hope over fear, courage over doubt.
September 22, 2025
The Quiet Discipline
Athletes often think greatness is built in the spotlight, the buzzer-beaters, the medals, the recognition. But in reality, greatness is built in the quiet, unseen hours. Steph Curry is famous not just for his shooting in games, but for the thousands of invisible reps he puts in daily. That discipline, unseen by the world, creates results that everyone eventually notices.
As Paul writes in Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
It’s not about who sees you, but about how faithfully you commit.
September 21, 2025
The Weight of Discipline
Every rep in the gym, every sprint on the track, every drill repeated until it feels endless discipline is the weight athletes carry before they ever step into the spotlight. Hebrews 12:11 reminds us: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Discipline is not punishment it’s investment. Every drop of sweat is a deposit into the future you’re building.
September 19, 2025
The Power of Perseverance
Every athlete hits a wall maybe it’s fatigue during training, a slump in performance, or a season that feels impossible to turn around. Perseverance is what separates those who finish from those who fade. Romans 5:3–4 reminds us: “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”
The training floor and the playing field are not just about developing skill but about building perseverance that shapes the whole person. When you push through the wall, you’re not just getting stronger you’re building hope.
September 18, 2025
Strength in the Waiting
Every athlete knows what it’s like to wait. Waiting for the season to start, waiting to recover from an injury, waiting for your moment to shine. Waiting can feel frustrating, even wasted. But in God’s eyes, waiting is often where strength is built. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us: “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Think about it even the strongest muscles grow in the moments of rest and recovery, not during the workout itself. The same is true spiritually. Waiting is not weakness. It’s preparation.
September 14, 2025
Seeing Beyond the Scoreboard
Sports often measure success with numbers: wins, losses, stats, rankings. But true success runs deeper. It’s about who you are becoming while you play, how you treat teammates, and how you carry yourself under pressure. I’ve met athletes who never won a championship yet became extraordinary leaders in life.
The Bible reminds us: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). In sport and in life, the “soul work” is what really matters.
September 12, 2025
The Race We Run
In sport, every athlete knows what it means to chase after a finish line. There are days of training when your body feels heavy, and you wonder if the work is worth it. Yet perseverance builds strength not only in the body but in the spirit.
Paul wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). That verse reminds us that our ultimate race isn’t against an opponent but against giving up. Every repetition, every practice, every unseen sacrifice is a rehearsal for the life of endurance God calls us to.
September 9, 2025
Strength in Vulnerability
When tennis champion Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open in 2021 due to mental health struggles, the world was stunned. Many expected athletes at her level to push through at any cost. Instead, she admitted her limits, showing that true strength often comes through honesty and vulnerability.
Paul writes, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Her decision reminded us that acknowledging weakness isn’t defeat, it’s wisdom and courage.
September 6, 2025
Patience in the Grind
Every athlete knows the grind early mornings, long practices, tough losses. But patience is what transforms effort into growth. Too often, we want success to arrive overnight. But sport teaches us that consistency, not instant results, is what makes champions.
Think of Steph Curry. Before he became one of the greatest shooters in NBA history, he was overlooked by major colleges because of his size. He spent years patiently refining his craft, waiting for his opportunity. Today, he is the perfect reminder that preparation meets patience to create greatness.
Scripture speaks to this discipline too: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9). For athletes, that “season” might be literal, but it also applies to life it’s the promise that patience will never go unrewarded.
August 31, 2025
Rising After Failure
In 1988, Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson won Olympic gold in the 100m, only to be stripped of it for doping. It was one of the darkest moments in Canadian sports. But eight years later, Donovan Bailey restored hope by running a clean race at the 1996 Olympics, breaking the world record and showing redemption through discipline and integrity. His victory proved failure doesn’t have to define a nation or a person.
“Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” — Proverbs 24:16
August 30, 2025
Decisions
The greatest challenge any person faces is not what stands in front of them, but what stirs within them. Every day presents a choice: to be carried by distraction or to walk with intention. Self reflection asks us to pause and examine the small details the words we speak, the thoughts we allow to live in our minds, the discipline we show when no one is watching.
The athlete who studies his movements on film is no different from the individual who studies their own heart. Both are seeking truth. Reflection is not about self criticism but about self-honesty, and it is only with honesty that growth begins.
August 29, 2025
Are You Patient?
Every day we face a choice: to measure ourselves against others, or to measure ourselves against who we were yesterday. The first path often leads to envy and frustration. The second path is growth.
True self-reflection asks, “Am I more patient, more disciplined, more faithful than I was before?”
August 28, 2025
The Weight of Expectations
Sidney Crosby was once labeled “The Next One” before he ever played a single NHL game. Imagine being a teenager and the whole country already expecting you to be the savior of Canadian hockey. That pressure could have broken him. Instead, he leaned on routine, humility, and his family values to keep himself grounded. His journey reminds us that even when the spotlight is overwhelming, anchoring yourself in core values keeps you steady.
For us, too, it’s easy to measure ourselves by other people’s expectations. But Psalm 16:8 says: “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Self-reflection isn’t just asking, “Am I good enough for them?”
It’s asking, “Am I grounded enough in who I really am?”
August 25, 2025
Carrying Pressure the Right Way
Naomi Osaka, one of the most talented tennis players of this generation, shocked the sports world when she withdrew from major tournaments because of mental health struggles. She admitted that success brought expectations she couldn’t carry alone.
Her honesty reminds us that strength is not pretending to be unbreakable but admitting when the weight is heavy.
Matthew 11:28 says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Athletes and all of us need to remember rest is as much a part of growth as effort.
August 24, 2025
The Weight of Expectations
Every athlete knows what it feels like to carry expectations from coaches, teammates, family, or even from themselves. Sometimes the weight feels heavier than the game itself. Michael Phelps, one of the most decorated Olympians of all time, admitted that after winning gold medals, he struggled with depression because the world expected him to always be “on top.”
What I take from his story is that growth is not about always meeting the world’s expectations it’s about being honest with yourself, asking for help when needed, and remembering that you’re more than your performance.
As Proverbs 24:16 reminds us: “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.”
August 20, 2025
Grace Under Pressure
Steph Curry has changed basketball with his shooting, but what sets him apart is his joyful composure. Whether he’s hitting impossible threes or facing criticism, he carries himself with gratitude and grace. Curry often points upward after a big shot not as a show, but as a reminder to himself that his talent is a gift.
Staying grounded in pressure situations is a mark of maturity. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Curry shows that excellence can be paired with humility.
August 19, 2025
Humility in Greatness
Despite being one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Roger Federer was known for his humility. After victories, he often praised his opponents, acknowledging their effort and skill. Federer once said that respect for others was more important than trophies. His graciousness made him loved worldwide not just for his tennis but for his character.
True greatness doesn’t need to shout. It’s often seen in humility, in treating others with respect regardless of status. Philippians 2:3 reminds us: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
August 17, 2025
Kindness in Competition
At the Tokyo Olympics, the world expected Simone Biles to dominate the gymnastics stage. Instead, she shocked everyone by stepping away from competition to protect her mental health. What stood out even more was what happened next. Biles didn’t retreat into the shadows, she became her teammates’ loudest supporter. When Jordan Chiles stepped in to replace her, Simone was right there on the sidelines, clapping, shouting encouragement, and steadying her through the pressure.
It was a reminder that greatness is not always about being the one on the podium. Sometimes, it’s about standing behind others so they can shine. That’s real leadership it costs nothing but gives everything.
In life, there will be times when we are not the one “competing” but rather cheering others on. And in those moments, our role is just as sacred. As Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
August 16, 2025
Reflection on Self Discipline
Discipline is one of the hardest things to practice consistently whether in sport, faith, or life. Muhammad Ali once said, “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’”
This resonates far beyond the gym. Faith, too, requires daily discipline not just in prayer or reading Scripture, but in how we choose kindness, integrity, and humility when it’s easier not to. Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self control.”
True strength isn’t just in our bodies it’s in mastering our impulses, staying grounded, and building inner walls that protect our character.
August 15, 2025
Seeing Situations Differently
I’ve learned over time that I often read people and situations in a way that’s different from the crowd. Early in my life, I thought this was a flaw that maybe I was simply missing something others could see. But the more I experienced both coaching and life, the more I realized that perspective is shaped by experience, values, and personal wiring.
The challenge is, when your lens is different, it’s easy to either speak too soon or retreat into silence. Proverbs 18:13 warns us: “To answer before listening that is folly and shame.” That verse resonates with me deeply.
I’ve been in rooms where a snap reaction would have burned bridges, but by holding back, asking questions, and really listening, I’ve seen entire situations shift for the better. In sports, we know that rushing a play without reading the defense leads to turnovers. In life, rushing without listening can cost us relationships.
August 12, 2025
Perspective and Self-Awareness
In coaching and in life, one of the most powerful lessons is learning to question your own perspective. Sometimes, what we see is filtered through our own experiences, biases, and hurts. I’ve met players who believed they were being benched unfairly only to realize later that their preparation, focus, or consistency wasn’t where it needed to be.
The same happens to coaches when we think a player “doesn’t buy in,” only to later discover they were going through personal struggles we never asked about.
Proverbs 18:13 reminds us, “To answer before listening that is folly and shame.” True growth begins when we pause and seek the full picture before making judgments.
August 10, 2025
Reading People and Situations
In 2014, the San Antonio Spurs won the NBA championship, defeating the Miami Heat. Many saw the victory as purely tactical but it was also about how coach Gregg Popovich understood people. He didn’t treat every player the same, he learned their personalities, triggers, and ways of processing criticism. Popovich often said, “It’s not about you. Get over yourself.” But he delivered it with timing and tone that showed he cared.
We often judge others too quickly or too generally. The art is in slowing down, asking the extra question, and seeing the person beneath the surface. That’s when relationships and teams truly work.
August 7, 2025
The Long Game of Character
In 2019, NBA player Markelle Fultz was widely considered a bust. Drafted #1 overall, injuries and psychological hurdles derailed his early career. Many laughed. Coaches benched him. Fans wrote him off. But Markelle stayed in the gym. Quietly. Daily. He worked to rediscover his game and rebuild his identity not just as a player, but as a man.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
— Romans 5:3–4
Failure doesn’t mean it’s over, it might be the start of who you’re supposed to become. Sports has a way of teaching that truth like nothing else.
August 5, 2025
The Quiet Strength of Persistence
We often glorify the flashy moments: buzzer beaters, game winners, highlight plays. But the truth is, the heart of an athlete is often shaped in silence in the repetitive, uncelebrated grind. You show up early to the gym. You do one more rep when no one’s watching. You recover from failure not with noise, but with quiet determination.
The biblical story of the widow who persistently sought justice (Luke 18:1–8) reminds us that persistence matters not just because of results, but because of the character it forms. Faith and sport align here: both demand patience, effort, and trust that the unseen work will pay off.
Some athletes don’t peak in youth. They grow slowly even painfully into their potential. That’s okay. Keep showing up.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9
August 4, 2025
When Life Turns on You
Sometimes, the very people you’ve supported most can end up turning their backs on you. You give your time, your energy, your loyalty and in return, you’re met with silence, betrayal, or even public criticism. It stings deeper when it comes from people you trusted like family.
In sports, we’re taught to shake it off, but spiritually, these moments ask something more of us. They ask for forgiveness without closure, faith without clarity, and movement without revenge.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done…” – Genesis 50:20
Joseph said those words to the very people who sold him out. That verse isn’t just ancient wisdom, it’s a map for how to survive when life feels unfair. If you’ve been wronged, keep walking forward. Let God deal with the outcome.
August 3, 2025
Endurance Has a Name
When marathon runner Krista DuChene fractured her femur mid race during the 2014 Canadian Half Marathon Championships, she kept running. Bleeding, in pain, and limping, she crossed the finish line and collapsed.
That day, she wasn’t just an athlete, she was a witness. A year later, she returned stronger, representing Canada at the Olympics. Her testimony? Faith, family, and discipline held her together.
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus…” — Hebrews 12:1-2
In faith and sport alike, endurance means moving forward through setbacks not because of pride, but because of purpose. Real greatness is not in winning, but in how we keep going.
August 2, 2025
When Brokenness Becomes Beauty
Terry Fox remains one of Canada’s most enduring spiritual symbols. In 1980, having lost a leg to cancer, he set out on his “Marathon of Hope” running over 5,000 km across Canada to raise awareness and funds. He didn’t finish the journey, but his spirit ignited a movement.
Theologically, his story echoes the theology of the cross, God at work through suffering, turning pain into purpose. In Paul’s words:
“We rejoice in our sufferings… for suffering produces character; and character produces hope.” – Romans 5:3–4
Every athlete experiences setbacks. But like Fox, when we choose endurance, our brokenness can become a message not of despair, but of hope.
August 1, 2025
Who Are You Without the Game?
Many athletes silently struggle with identity. After a career ending injury, former Team Canada volleyball player Jaimie Thibeault shared in an interview:
“I didn’t know who I was when I wasn’t playing. Volleyball was how I saw myself how others saw me.”
But in the stillness of recovery, she found something deeper. She learned she was more than a jersey number or stat sheet. She leaned into her faith and community and slowly rebuilt a life rooted in wholeness not performance.
This happens to so many athletes. When the roar of the crowd fades, you’re left with something more lasting: your character, your faith, your heart.
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things.” – 1 Timothy 4:8
July 30, 2025
Becoming Through the Struggle
Most athletes hate losing. It stings, it lingers. But some of the deepest growth comes from loss not just on the scoreboard, but in life.
Michael Jordan once said, “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
There’s truth there not just for sport, but for the soul.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:3-4
Faith isn’t built in comfort. It’s built when you miss the shot, lose the starting spot, or get cut. You learn to keep showing up, not just for the win but because you’re becoming someone stronger through the process.
July 28, 2025
Endurance in the Long Game
Athletes often think in seasons, win now, get results, move forward. But spiritual growth doesn’t work on a scoreboard. It unfolds quietly, over time.
I’ve learned that faith is more like marathon training than a quick sprint. Some days, you feel strong and focused. Other days, you feel like quitting. But the key is showing up again and again.
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” – Hebrews 12:1
You won’t always feel inspired. You won’t always feel close to God. But just like training, progress is made in the discipline, not the emotion. Whether it’s a morning prayer, reading Scripture, or simply practicing kindness to someone hard to love it counts. Every rep matters.
July 27, 2025
From Setback to Standout
Speed skater Cindy Klassen, from Winnipeg, became a record holder at the Vancouver Olympics and tied Clara Hughes with the most Olympic medals in Canadian history. Yet she also experienced brutal setbacks like knee surgery just before those Games.
Cindy described her faith as her anchor through that frustration:
“When you go through the difficult times, you learn to lean on God.”
Her story reminds us: True devotion isn’t measured by performance, but by trust during seasons of doubt and delay.
July 24, 2025
Trusting the Process
Stefanie Reid endured a life changing accident at 16 that led to below the knee amputation. Faced with the loss of her former athletic pursuits, many would have expected her to retreat. Instead, Stefanie discovered a deeper calling: track and field. She not only returned to sport, but also represented Canada in Paralympic long jump and sprints.
Stefanie has said:
“My faith gives everything context and meaning.”
Her journey shows us that physical limitations don’t limit purpose. Her training shifted from seeking medals to finding meaning and faith became her steady companion.
July 23, 2025
Strength in the Quiet Moments
Junior hockey player Brayden Pachal (Victoria Royals, now Prince Albert Raiders) credits his faith in God for steadiness through the pressure cooker of the WHL. Away from home at 16, he struggled with being a healthy scratch and the loneliness that came with it. Rather than spiraling, he anchored himself in faith carrying a Bible, marking favorite verses on his hockey stick, and bowing his head respectfully during the national anthem.
His go to verse?
Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters… I will be with you.”
Even under spotlight pressure, we can carry quiet strength by trusting we’re not alone.
July 21, 2025
When Strength Isn’t Enough
In high-performance sport, it’s easy to believe that your body will carry you through anything. But the truth is mental and spiritual stamina matter just as much.
Canadian weightlifter Boady Santavy was training for the Tokyo Olympics when he suffered a career threatening injury just months before qualification. Everyone counted him out. But Santavy didn’t just work on his body he stayed grounded in his family, faith, and quiet belief that his purpose was greater than a medal. He made it to the Olympics.
“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” Psalm 118:14
For athletes, strength is never just about muscle. It’s the inner endurance that keeps you steady when your season (or life) feels like it’s falling apart.
July 20, 2025
The Runner Who Learned to Trust Again
Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse is now a household name in athletics Olympic and world champion. But not long ago, his path was anything but certain. In 2017 and 2018, he suffered back to back hamstring injuries, collapsing expectations and clouding his identity as an elite athlete.
He has described a season of fear, self-doubt, and questions about whether he even belonged in the sport anymore. In 2018, when a calf injury kept him off the track again, he told reporters, “I felt depressed. … Maybe this isn’t for me.” Yet, instead of quitting, he changed his environment new coach, new routine, new faith in the process.
Slowly, he rebuilt. In 2019, De Grasse climbed back onto the podium at the World Championships. By Tokyo 2021, he broke the 19.62‑second barrier to win 200 m gold, declaring that once he stopped overthinking and trusted the process and God he found freedom. He said quietly, “I just love the thrill… I know I’m back.”
July 19, 2025
Misreading the Play, In Sport and in Life
In sport, we study the game to understand movement, intent, and strategy. But life isn’t drawn out on a whiteboard. The hardest plays to read aren’t in the game they’re in people.
Over the years, I’ve come to realize something uncomfortable, the way I read people hasn’t always matched how others see themselves or me. I’ve misjudged situations. I’ve trusted where I maybe should’ve paused. Or I’ve overthought where I should’ve simply let things be.
That pattern of misalignment has followed me for years. And that’s hard to admit.
But self-awareness is the turning point of wisdom. In Proverbs 4:7, it says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” That verse hits different when you realize how often you’ve chased outcomes instead of understanding.
In sport, we break down film to find blind spots. In life, we need to do the same with humility. That doesn’t mean tearing ourselves apart. It means asking, Where could I have seen that more clearly? What was I missing emotionally, relationally, spiritually?
And maybe more than anything, it means forgiving yourself for what you didn’t know at the time.
Growth isn’t about being flawless it’s about being honest. So today, reflect. Not to dwell. But to rise better next time.
July 18, 2025
When You Know It’s Time to Walk Away
There are moments in every journey where walking away becomes an act of integrity. For me, it wasn’t about giving up. It was about staying true to who I am both as a person and as a coach. Over the years, I’ve worked in environments that no longer aligned with my values. I saw how some individuals treated players, how they carried themselves behind the scenes, and how those patterns slowly eroded trust, respect, and unity.
Eventually, I made decisions to step away not in anger, but with clarity. Burned bridges? Maybe. But sometimes staying would’ve meant burning pieces of myself.
This reflection isn’t about judgment. It’s about knowing your line. It’s about choosing to lead with dignity and walk in a way that reflects the kind of example I want to be for the young people I work with and for my own children.
Athletes, wherever you are, never be afraid to stand up for what matters. And if you find yourself in a place that constantly makes you question your worth or your values, maybe it’s time to pause and pray, “God, show me where you want me to grow even if it’s somewhere else.”
July 17, 2025
The Coach Who Never Quit
I recently read about Kurt Hester, a strength coach diagnosed with stage IV melanoma. Doctors gave him just weeks but he kept coaching his University of Houston football team, walking onto the field every day, leaning on his faith and sheer resolve.
It reminded me, greatness isn’t just about stats or trophies sometimes it’s about showing up when everything inside feels broken. Whether as athletes or coaches, our legacy is often that quiet resilience. That’s the kind of faith I want to carry forward too.
July 16, 2025
The Talent I Carried, the Potential I Didn’t
Looking back, there’s a dull ache that never quite leaves me. I loved basketball, truly. But I never really gave myself to it the way I should have. I let too many things outside the court take up space inside my heart. Distractions, situations, mistakes, I carried those into the game without even realizing how heavy they were.
It’s a strange thing when people believe in you more than you believe in yourself. Coaches, teammates, they saw the player I could be. But I kept falling short, not because I lacked skill, but because I lacked surrender. I didn’t give everything I had. And that’s haunted me.
But over time, I’ve started to see that failure isn’t the end of the story. It’s a beginning. Maybe not the one we asked for, but the one we need to start becoming who we’re meant to be. Faith, in many ways, has been a mirror, showing me not just where I fell, but where I’m still standing.
July 15, 2025
A Lesson in Guardrails
There’s a certain kind of pain that doesn’t show up on a scoreboard or in a stat line. It’s the pain that comes from realizing you’ve let people down not just others, but yourself too. A few years ago, I made what I thought were light, friendly decisions in a coaching context. Nothing malicious, nothing intentional. But looking back, I didn’t act with the professional wisdom I should’ve. I assumed too much about how my relationships would be interpreted. And I paid the price. Not publicly, not dramatically but privately, in the form of reflection, regret, and heavy lessons I’ve carried every day since.
For three years now, this situation has humbled me. It’s made me rethink not just how I communicate, but who I am as a leader and as a man of faith. And while I’ll never share the details, I know those involved will understand the message here. I let my guard down, and it cost something.
If you’re reading this and you’re a young coach or athlete: guard your steps. Friendship is good. But boundaries matter. Your influence is a gift don’t misuse it. It took me too long to learn that leadership isn’t just about being kind or passionate. It’s about discernment. I’m still learning it, but I hope my mistakes can keep you from making the same ones.
July 14, 2025
Keep Showing Up
There’s something sacred about simply showing up.
I’ve coached and trained in so many gyms and with so many athletes over the years, and one thing that remains true some of the most powerful moments don’t happen during games or even during the best practices. They happen on the days when you don’t feel like being there and you show up anyway.
I remember one cold winter morning in Regina, I had barely slept, I was emotionally drained, and my body was just done. I thought about skipping practice. But something in me said, “Just go. Just be there.” I showed up. No energy. No big plan. But once I walked into that gym, I saw one of my players sitting alone, head down. We didn’t even talk right away. But being there made space for something deeper. Eventually, she opened up about something heavy happening at home. We didn’t fix anything, but we connected. That was worth more than any drill or game plan.
Faith works like that too. Not every day is spiritual fireworks. Most days, faith is quiet. It’s just deciding not to give up on yourself today. It’s dragging yourself to the gym, the prayer, the breath, the moment because you believe something good can still happen. Even if it doesn’t feel like it.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
That verse hits different when you’re tired. Keep showing up. Not because it’s always inspiring, but because something changes in us when we stay consistent. And God? He meets us in the showing up.
July 13, 2025
When the Clock Runs Out
There’s a moment in every athlete’s life when the final whistle blows. Maybe it’s the end of a game. Maybe it’s an injury. Maybe it’s the end of your playing career. And suddenly, you’re left asking, “Who am I without this game?”
I’ve been there. I’ve felt the ache of silence after the buzzer. The feeling that you poured out everything, and still wonder if it was enough.
But God whispered something to my heart that I want to pass on to you:
“You are not your stats. You are not your wins. You are not your mistakes. You are My child, and that never runs out.”
The scoreboard doesn’t define you, Jesus does.
Scripture: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you.” —Isaiah 46:4
You were chosen before you ever picked up a ball. And when the clock runs out, God is still with you cheering, loving, and calling you forward.
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