The Eternal Athletes Podcast

Saintfuel

This podcast's mission is to empower athletes to glorify Christ with their game and pursue a life with Him for eternity.

  1. JAN 15

    Faith, Viral Moments, and Friday Night Lights

    In this episode of The Eternal Athletes Podcast, hosts Ryan and Erin sit down with Trey Smith, an elite high school quarterback and Mr. Georgia Football finalist whose impact reaches far beyond the stat sheet. Trey opens up about his walk of faith—how it started early, how it was tested, and how it ultimately became the foundation of his identity as an athlete. He shares what it was like navigating pressure, expectations, and the recruiting process while staying rooted in Christ. From a powerful homecoming moment that revealed his heart for others and went viral in the media, to lessons learned through injury and adversity, Trey reflects on how God used every season—both highs and lows—to shape his character. Prayer, trust, and servant leadership aren’t just concepts for Trey; they’re daily practices. His message is simple but bold: play for something bigger than yourself, trust God’s plan even when it doesn’t make sense, and let faith lead the way. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to The Eternal Athletes Podcast01:52 – Meet Trey Smith: A Rising Star in Football03:20 – Trey’s Faith Journey and Its Impact on Sports10:17 – The Heart of a Champion: Sharing the Crown22:22 – Recruitment Journey: Choosing Furman University29:44 – Integrating Faith and Sports: Trusting God on the Field34:36 – Navigating Loss and Embracing Faith39:44 – Team Dynamics and Spiritual Leadership43:27 – Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience47:21 – Growth, Maturity, and Identity in Christ52:47 – Faith in Action: Preparing for What’s Next

    1h 9m
  2. 12/26/2025

    How One College Athlete is Bringing Jesus to the Dugout AND Campus

    In this episode of The Eternal Athletes Podcast, Ryan and Erin sit down with Nolan James, a college baseball player at Otterbein University, to talk about faith, leadership, and what it looks like to live boldly for Christ on campus. Nolan shares his early exposure to church, his decision to return during his freshman year of college, and how that moment became a turning point in his spiritual journey. What started as personal obedience quickly grew into action as Nolan began leading Bible studies on campus—creating space for athletes and students to explore faith together. The conversation also highlights the impact of distributing Bibles, the importance of being present where God has placed you, and the powerful role of community in spiritual growth. Nolan reflects on how Scripture, personal experience, and mentorship have shaped his walk with Christ and influenced the lives of those around him. This episode is a reminder that when athletes lead with faith, campuses—and hearts—can change. Key Takeaways: Returning to church during college can be a pivotal spiritual moment Faith often grows when obedience turns into action Bible studies create meaningful community on campus Distributing Bibles can open doors for spiritual conversations Community plays a crucial role in faith development Leadership in faith often starts with simple steps Scripture provides guidance, perspective, and encouragement Personal experiences shape how faith is lived out Being present matters—be where your feet are Sharing faith can inspire others to grow spiritually Episode Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction to the Eternal Athletes Podcast00:02:46 Nolan’s Early Faith Journey00:06:55 Returning to Church in College00:10:58 Starting Bible Studies on Campus00:13:31 The Impact of Distributing Bibles00:18:29 Witnessing Faith Growth Through Community00:27:59 Lessons from Scripture and Experience00:58:03 Focusing on the Future: Being Where Your Feet Are

    1h 7m
  3. 12/18/2025

    Identity in Christ Under Center: A Quarterback’s Journey with God

    In this episode of The Eternal Athletes Podcast, hosts Ryan and Erin Klein sit down with Caleb Romano, who played quarterback at Geneva College the last 2 seasons, to explore the powerful intersection of faith and sports. Caleb shares how growing up in a faith-centered home shaped his identity, and how his journey through college football—including moving states, navigating setbacks, and facing uncertainty—deepened his dependence on God. He opens up about moments of frustration, learning to trust the Lord through adversity, and discovering that sports can be a meaningful form of worship. Throughout the conversation, Caleb emphasizes the role of prayer, sportsmanship, and being a Christ-centered influence in the locker room. As he approaches a transition in his athletic career, he offers wisdom to Christian athletes striving to pursue excellence while grounding their identity firmly in Christ. Key Takeaways: Faith has been central to Caleb’s journey as an athlete and leader A strong family foundation plays a critical role in shaping values Adversity in sports can refine faith and character God cares deeply about every area of our lives—including athletics Christian athletes are called to influence teammates through example Prayer is a powerful and practical tool in competition Growth often comes through setbacks, not just wins Pursuing dreams requires discipline and trust in God Identity in Christ must come before identity in sport Sports can be a genuine act of worship when done for God’s glory Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to the Eternal Athletes Podcast01:21 – Caleb Romano’s journey and faith in sports07:38 – Navigating life changes and trusting God11:00 – Faith in the midst of athletic challenges18:43 – Overcoming adversity and finding identity beyond sports24:00 – Team dynamics, leadership, and faith27:03 – Influencing others through authenticity30:09 – Expressing faith on the field35:27 – Navigating life transitions and future decisions39:58 – Advice for Christian athletes

    39 min
  4. 12/10/2025

    Striving for Christ-like Character in Performance Training

    In this episode of The Eternal Athletes Podcast, hosts Ryan and Erin Klein sit down with Coach Charlie Dolnosich of No Excuse Nation to explore the powerful intersection of faith and sports. "Coach D" shares his personal journey growing up in a faith-driven environment, the role his parents played in shaping his values, and how those foundations now influence his coaching philosophy. Together, the group discusses the challenges youth athletes face today—from the pressure to specialize early to the difficulty of balancing sports with faith commitments. Coach D highlights the importance of multi-sport participation, holistic athlete development, and cultivating leadership rooted in responsibility, character, and Christ-like influence. Listeners will gain insight into the evolving landscape of faith in athletics, the benefits of maintaining spiritual perspective, and the impact coaches and parents can have in shaping the next generation of athletes. This episode encourages everyone involved in youth sports to embrace their role as leaders, mentors, and faith-driven influences. Chapters: 00:00 — Introduction to Coach D & The Eternal Athletes Podcast01:22 — Meet Coach D: A Journey of Faith and Sports02:41 — The Intersection of Faith and Sports05:18 — Balancing Sports and Faith: A Personal Experience10:20 — The Pressure of Specialization in Youth Sports15:22 — The Importance of Multi-Sport Participation18:42 — No Excuse Nation: Coaching with a Purpose25:11 — Integrating Faith into Coaching32:26 — The Role of Leadership in Sports39:15 — Faith in Sports: A Changing Landscape43:42 — The Impact of Faith on Athlete Performance49:37 — Final Thoughts: The Bigger Picture in Sports

    1h 5m

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This podcast's mission is to empower athletes to glorify Christ with their game and pursue a life with Him for eternity.