Elite athletes and coaches share their stories to strengthen and encourage you as a Competitor for Christ!
Chris Heaton - Former US National Team Diver and Top 500 CrossFit Athlete
September 14, 2023 • Chris Heaton • Matthew 16:26–27, Luke 9:25
Chris Heaton gained the world accomplishing unparalleled success in the diving world. Between 2005-2009, Chris won 8 MAC Championships and set 16 MAC Records for diving. Following college, he competed on the National Level for Team USA. When diving ended, Chris became a top 500 Worldwide CrossFit athlete.
Listen as Chris shares his story about where true and lasting satisfaction comes from. At the heights of success, after winning his 8th MAC Championship, he was empty and unfulfilled. "Is this it?"
This experience led him to ask important questions about God, life, and purpose.
"And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?" Matthew 16:26 NLT
Jarod Palmer - Former Professional Hockey Player (Minnesota Wild NHL)
February 13, 2023 • Gary Steffes, Jarod Palmer
Every month a current or former elite level athlete or coach shares their story and how Jesus Christ impacted their career in an effort to strengthen and encourage you as a Competitor for Christ!
Listen to this powerful conversation with Jarod Palmer as he shares his story from youth hockey to the US National Development Program to the NHL.
Jarod shares about overcoming adversity, living out his faith in Jesus Christ, and what it takes to make the NHL,
Quinn Ryan - Current Pro Hockey Player (Worcester ECHL)
January 9, 2023 • Gary Steffes, Quinn Ryan
Every month a current or former elite level athlete or coach shares their story and how Jesus Christ impacted their career.
Listen to this powerful conversation with Quinn Ryan as he shares his story from Liberty University ACHA D1 Club Hockey to the Pro ECHL level.
Some top takeaways:
- "In every circumstance, we must fight to stay surrendered to Christ and keep trusting and following Jesus!"
- "I was following hockey, not Christ. I was not living for Him, but around Him. That needed to change”
- "Christ alone is consistent. He determines my identity, not hockey or my performance."
Karson Kaebel - Former Pro Hockey Player and Current Coach at Dallas Stars Elite
November 14, 2022 • Gary Steffes, Karson Kaebel
Every month a current or former elite level athlete or coach shares their story and how Jesus Christ impacted their career.
Listen to this powerful conversation with Coach Karson Kaebel as he shares his story from youth hockey in Illinois, to juniors in the NAHL and USHL, to college at Northern Michigan, and then to the Pros.
We discuss:
- Confidence
- Overcoming Adversity
- Being Courageous as a Christian Athlete
- Hockey is not our Identity!
Marc Andre Bourdon - Former GM of Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL and Philadelphia Flyer NHL
October 10, 2022 • Gary Steffes, Marc Andre Bourdon
Marc Andre Bourdon, Former GM of Rouyn-Noranda QMJHL and Philadelphia Flyer NHL, shares his career story, lessons learned, and how Jesus Christ has impacted him as a competitor for Christ. His story is powerful and inspiring.
Here are some favorite takeaways from the talk with Marc Andre:
- What often seem like SETBACKS are really Gods SETUPS for something greater!
- Stay encouraged!! You never know when God is using you to influence someone else's life!
- Christ defines you not your performance and others opinions!
Behind the Scenes Archives - Josiah Slavin (NHL), Chris McKelvie (AHL), Andy Miele (USA Olympic Team) - https://http://www.garysteffes.com/events
Pure Encouragement Podcast: https://anchor.fm/gary-steffes
Ben Hughes - Current Head Coach at Liberty University Mens D2 Hockey
September 12, 2022 • Gary Steffes, Ben Hughes
Ben Hughes, Head Coach for Liberty University D2 Mens Hockey, shares his career story, lessons learned, and how Jesus Christ has impacted him as a competitor for Christ. His story is powerful and inspiring.
At 13, he was considered the top player in the nation and over time discouragement, pride, and complacency impacted him. He shares lessons learned and how God played a big role in his story.
Here are some favorite takeaways from the talk with Ben:
Can you be a Christian and relentless competitor at the same time? Absolutely!!
Failure is an event not a person. Keep looking forward, not backward!
Christ defines you not your performance and others opinions
You're not alone as a Christian athlete!
Be Proactive not Reactive!
Behind the Scenes Archives - Josiah Slavin (NHL), Chris McKelvie (AHL), Andy Miele (USA Olympic Team) - https://http://www.garysteffes.com/events
Josiah Slavin - Current Pro Hockey Player (Rockford AHL)
July 11, 2022 • Gary Steffes, Josiah Slavin
Overcoming adversity, praying at center ice after games, remaining confident when traded or scratched from a game, refusing to give up...
In this Behind the Scenes Story, Josiah Slavin shares his hockey story from Colorado Youth Hockey to the National Hockey League. Josiah's story encourages us as competitors about the value of pure hard work and refusing to give up.
He also shares his story of coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Josiah is one of the first players to pray at center ice after an NHL game, which required courage and faith along the way. He shares his story of why prayer is important for him.
This conversation is great for any aspiring Christian athletes who want to honor God and compete with excellence.
Chris Mckelvie - Head Coach of Bethel University Men's Hockey Team
June 13, 2022 • Gary Steffes, Chris Mckelvie
Does adversity motivate you or defeat you?
What do college coaches look for in aspiring athletes?
Can you be a Christian and also an intense competitor?
In this Behind the Scenes Story Night, Chris Mckelvie shares his hockey story from Irondale High School to the American Hockey League, through great adversity and refusing to give up when it would be easy to quit.
He also shares his story of coming to faith in Jesus Christ. When you understand your identity in Christ it empowers you to overcome fear, anxiety, insecurity, and comparisons, to be a confident competitor.
Lastly, there is great advice for aspiring college athletes as he shares traits scouts look for in recruits.
Andy Miele - 2022 Captain of USA Men's Hockey Olympic Team
May 9, 2022 • Gary Steffes, Andy Miele • Proverbs 3:5–6
Have you ever wrestled to surrender and trust God with your dreams and future?
Have you ever struggled with "Why God?" "Why did you bless them and not me?"
Does adversity motivate you or defeat you?
In this month's Behind the Scenes Story Night Andy Miele - 2022 Captain of the USA Olympic team and 2011 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner - shares about his Olympic experience, hockey story, and how he started to walk with Jesus Christ. Throughout the talk, Andy discusses the impact of his faith on his hockey career, mental performance, and leadership advice as a team captain.
For the next Behind the Scenes Story night, check out http://www.garysteffes.com/events.
For more on the Pure Encouragement Podcast visit https://anchor.fm/gary-steffes
