The Sam Acho Podcast

Sam Acho

The Sam Acho Podcast, featuring Clif Marshall, helps athletes learn how to win without losing it all. By going first, giving space, and growing hope, Sam and Clif talk authentically about faith, family, football, and finance to win at more than sports.

  1. 5d ago

    Sam Acho: What Happens When Football Is No Longer Your Identity?

    What happens when the thing you built your identity around is suddenly gone? In this episode, Sam Acho and Clif Marshall dive into football, faith, adversity, success, and what it really means to discover your identity beyond the game. Sam and Clif begin with college football, breaking down the historic Texas vs. Tennessee matchup and discussing some of the loudest and most intimidating stadiums in college football. They also tackle the question of where Peyton Manning's loyalty should lie when Texas and Tennessee collide. But the conversation goes much deeper. Sam opens up about his own experience after leaving the NFL and the grief that came with losing football as a central part of his identity. He shares what it was like to sit in church on fall Sundays and realize that the game he had dedicated so much of his life to was no longer his reality. Together, Sam and Clif explore: • Why adversity can deepen our dependence on God• How success can create pride and self-sufficiency• Why your identity shouldn't be built around something you can lose• Sam Acho's experience with NFL retirement and life after football• How athletes can navigate seasons of uncertainty and transition• Why "testing doorknobs" can help you discover what's next• The importance of staying spiritually grounded during seasons of success• How to become 1% better spiritually every day Clif also shares a powerful challenge from a recent speaking event at Indiana University: becoming 1% better spiritually every day through prayer, Bible reading, worship, and intentional time with God. Whether you're an athlete, a football fan, someone navigating a major life transition, or simply trying to understand where your identity comes from, this conversation offers an honest look at faith, purpose, success, and life after the game. Subscribe for more conversations on faith, leadership, sports, purpose, and personal growth. #SamAcho #Faith #NFL #Football #Christianity #Identity #NFLRetirement #CollegeFootball #Purpose #LifeAfterFootball

    Sam Acho: What Happens When Football Is No Longer Your Identity?

  2. Sep 21

    Grit and Purpose: Cliff Marshall on Finding God’s Will, Purpose & the Choices That Shape Your Life

    What does it mean to live in God’s perfect will, find your purpose, and make choices that shape who you become? In this episode of the Sam Acho Podcast, Sam sits down with Clif Marshall for a meaningful conversation about faith, purpose, fitness, family, football, finances, discipline, and personal growth. Clif reflects on his birthday and the perspective he gained from attending a friend’s funeral, asking a powerful question: What will people say about us when our lives are over? He shares why he believes true success is found in being where God wants you to be—and tells the story of two unexpected encounters that he saw as confirmation after praying for direction. Sam and Clif also talk about fitness, discipline, and personal responsibility, including their challenging birthday workout. The experience becomes a bigger lesson about engaging fully with what is in front of you and remembering that the choices you make, make you. The conversation then turns to college football, NIL, athlete compensation, the transfer portal, player safety, and the future of college sports. Drawing from his experience with the NFLPA, Sam shares his perspective on the changing relationship between college athletes, coaches, schools, and compensation. They also discuss Arch Manning, commitment, growth, football development, and how much can change in a year. In This Episode Finding God’s will and living with purposeFaith, prayer, and spiritual directionLiving with an eternal perspectiveFitness, discipline, and personal growthThe choices that shape your lifeNIL and college athlete compensationCollege football and the transfer portalPlayer safety and the future of college sportsNFLPA experience and athlete representationArch Manning and football developmentFaith, family, football, fitness, and financesDoing your best and trusting God with the restKey takeaway: A lot can change in a year. One decision, one commitment, and one step of faith can begin a completely different chapter. Listen to the Sam Acho Podcast for conversations about faith, purpose, sports, leadership, family, personal growth, and living a meaningful life.

    Grit and Purpose: Cliff Marshall on Finding God’s Will, Purpose & the Choices That Shape Your Life

  3. Sep 7

    Close Space, Not Give Space: The Mindset Behind Elite Pass Rushers

    What if the instinct to pull away from pressure is exactly what’s holding you back? In this episode of the Sam Acho Podcast, Sam Acho and Clif Marshall sit down with Ben Creamer, Director of Sports Science for the Washington Huskies football team, for a conversation that starts with football and ends up being about something much bigger. Ben talks about his approach to training athletes, his background in martial arts, and the lesson Clif taught him that changed the way he coaches pass rushers: close space, don’t give space .Instead of backing away when an opponent comes at you, learn to face the contact, stay balanced, and make your next move. That idea becomes a lot more powerful when Ben starts talking about life outside the field. He shares the challenges of moving his family across the country, the weight of trying to be present for his wife and three daughters while working long hours, and a life-changing moment when he pulled a man from a burning car. For Ben, that experience raised a deeper question about purpose and why we’re here. The conversation eventually turns to faith, and Ben and Sam talk honestly about something many people struggle with: feeling like we have to earn God’s approval. What happens when we stop performing for approval and start understanding that grace is about relationship? It’s a conversation about football, training, fatherhood, faith, pressure, and the moments that force us to decide whether we’re going to run from the fight or face it. Close space. Don’t give space. Sometimes the lesson on the football field is the same lesson we need in life. Listen to the full conversation with Ben Creamer and see where it takes you.

    Close Space, Not Give Space: The Mindset Behind Elite Pass Rushers

  4. Aug 31

    Trayce Jackson-Davis on NBA Pressure, Faith & What Really Happened on That Wembanyama Dunk

    Trayce Jackson-Davis joins Sam Acho and Clif Marshall for an honest conversation about life in the NBA, overcoming adversity, faith, family, and finding perspective when things get difficult. Trayce opens up about his NBA sophomore slump, dealing with criticism, choosing Indiana, navigating NIL and the transfer portal, and adjusting to life with the Toronto Raptors. He also shares the story behind his viral dunk over Victor Wembanyama and the lessons he’s learned from his journey from Indiana basketball to the NBA. A real conversation about pressure, purpose, faith, and what it takes to keep moving forward when the game gets tough.

    Trayce Jackson-Davis on NBA Pressure, Faith & What Really Happened on That Wembanyama Dunk

  5. Aug 24

    Faith, Family, Football & Finances: We’re Not Made for the Mountaintop, But for the Climb.

    What do surviving war, playing in the NFL, building wealth, and growing your faith have in common? Sam Acho and Clif Marshall go there, talking about adversity, money, football, family, and the mindset it takes to keep climbing when life gets hard. You’re not made for the mountaintop. You’re made for the climb. 🏔️ Watch the full conversation and discover why the hardest seasons might be shaping you for your greatest purpose.

    Faith, Family, Football & Finances: We’re Not Made for the Mountaintop, But for the Climb.

  6. Aug 17

    My Dad Worked Hard. But That’s Not What I Remember Most | Sam Acho

    Sam Acho shares something he learned about fatherhood that made him stop and think about his own dad. He had been in a meeting where they were talking about the number of children growing up without their fathers being present. The statistics were heavy. But what stayed with Sam was how different his own experience had been. His dad worked hard. He provided for the family. But more than anything, he was there. He stayed faithful to his wife for 44 years and showed up for his four children. Sam talks about how much that example shaped him, and shares a moment involving his brother that really brought it home. His brother isn't someone who usually talks about his feelings, but when he started talking about their dad, it was clear just how much his father's presence had meant to him. This isn't a conversation about being a perfect father. It's about showing up. It's about what your children see when they watch your life. And eventually, it's about what they will say about you when you're no longer in the room. If you're a father, thinking about becoming one, or simply wondering what kind of impact you're having on the people around you, take a few minutes to listen. What will the people closest to you remember about you? #Fatherhood #FatherhoodMatters #FathersDay #Parenting #Family #FatherSon #Legacy #SamAcho #ChristianPodcast

    My Dad Worked Hard. But That’s Not What I Remember Most | Sam Acho

  7. Aug 10

    He Went From 53 Lbs to 170 Drug Free | Hadley Ott’s Crohn’s, Faith & Healing Journey

    At 12 years old, Hadley Ott was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and weighed just 53 pounds. He could barely keep food down, and for more than a decade, his life was shaped by medications, steroids, a feeding tube, biologic drugs, and eventually surgery to remove part of his intestine. But even after all of that, the symptoms kept coming back. By his early 20s, Hadley was still sick and still searching for answers. The stress of his job triggered another flare, and eventually he found himself in a place of deep hopelessness, wondering if there was any way out. That moment changed the direction of his life. In this episode, Hadley sits down with Sam Acho and Clif Marshall to share the deeply personal story behind his decision to take a different approach to his health. In the spring of 2024, he stepped away from his doctors and medications and committed himself to a lifestyle centered around nutrition, fitness, and faith. He talks openly about changing the way he ate, using supplements and gut health protocols, approaching fitness as part of his healing journey, and leaning deeper into his faith. Most importantly, he shares the mindset that helped him move forward when he felt like he had exhausted every option. Hadley says his journey took him from 53 pounds to 170 pounds and eventually inspired his book, Drug Free Crohn’s: Overcoming Big Doctors, Big Hospitals and Big Pharma, which became an Amazon bestseller. Today, he shares his story with audiences at universities across the country, including Notre Dame, Auburn, Ole Miss, and Mississippi State. But this conversation goes beyond Crohn’s disease. It’s about what happens when you reach your breaking point. It’s about faith in the middle of suffering, taking ownership of your life, rebuilding your body, confronting fear, and finding hope when you feel like there is none left. Hadley’s story will challenge you to think differently about health, resilience, faith, and what it means to keep fighting when the odds feel stacked against you. If you or someone you love is navigating Crohn’s disease, chronic illness, an autoimmune condition, or simply a difficult season in life, this is a conversation worth hearing. Hadley’s story reflects his personal experience and beliefs. This episode is for informational purposes and is not intended to replace professional medical advice or treatment.

    He Went From 53 Lbs to 170 Drug Free | Hadley Ott’s Crohn’s, Faith & Healing Journey

  8. Aug 3

    God Doesn't Want You to Just Be "Good"

    What if the greatest tragedy isn't failing, it's succeeding at something God never called you to do? Too often, we measure our lives by accomplishments, achievements, and good deeds. But what if God is asking a different question: Did you become the person I created you to be? Drawing inspiration from C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, Sam Acho explores the difference between simply doing good and faithfully living out your unique God-given calling. Through powerful stories, biblical truth, and personal experiences, he challenges us to examine whether we're growing into our purpose or settling for a life that was never meant for us. In this episode, you'll discover: * Why purpose is different from simply doing good* The powerful lessons behind the vase and the tree metaphors* How a deeper understanding of heaven can replace the fear of death with hope* What the Bible teaches about accountability and living with eternity in mind* The inspiring story of Donita Travis, who left a successful advertising career to follow God's calling and build a nonprofit that has transformed thousands of children's lives* Why courage, discipline, and sacrifice are essential to becoming who God created you to be Whether you're questioning your next step, seeking clarity about your calling, or longing to live a life of eternal significance, this episode will encourage you to pursue God's purpose with greater faith and intentionality. If this message encouraged you, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who needs to hear it. #GodsPurpose #ChristianPodcast #Faith #Purpose #Calling #SamAcho #ChristianLiving #Heaven #Bible #PersonalGrowth #Jesus #ChristianMotivation

    God Doesn't Want You to Just Be "Good"
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

The Sam Acho Podcast, featuring Clif Marshall, helps athletes learn how to win without losing it all. By going first, giving space, and growing hope, Sam and Clif talk authentically about faith, family, football, and finance to win at more than sports.

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Acho
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Sam Acho
  • Show Website
    The Sam Acho Podcast