Called to Compete

Nate Sallee
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity

Called to Compete is a podcast for college athletes who know their sport is only part of the story. Hosted by Nate Sallee with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, this show features real conversations with college athletes and coaches navigating faith, pressure, identity, and purpose in the middle of competition. Through honest interviews and teaching episodes, we tackle the questions athletes are actually asking—about performance, failure, confidence, leadership, and what it really looks like to compete for Christ. If you’re a college athlete (or coach) who wants to grow in your faith without stepping away from your sport, this is your huddle.

Episodes

  1. Oct 1

    4 - Surrender, Sports, and the Power of Community - Ryan Pehrson

    Called to Compete Podcast - Ryan Pearson on faith, baseball, and learning to surrender This episode features Ryan Pearson, a recent NKU baseball alum, student leader, and now FCA Force coach, sharing how a faith-centered upbringing, college baseball, and community shaped his walk with Christ. The conversation follows his journey from Southlake, Texas, through junior college, to NKU, where key relationships and spiritual turning points helped him move from performance-driven faith to a life of surrender.We discuss his story, his baseball career, the growth he experienced through FCA, and how those lessons now shape the way he coaches young athletes and lives as an adult believer. Key topics Ryan shares growing up in Southlake, Texas, in a sports-loving, faith-centered home with strong parental support and an early salvation experience at Pine Cove when he was 10.He describes how baseball became his main focus in middle school and high school, and how that gradual shift pushed faith into the background rather than causing one dramatic break.In junior college at Wharton County, he reflects on feeling spiritually lost and realizing he was not living in repentance, prayer, or Scripture.He explains how NKU became a turning point through a coach connection, campus community, and a sense that he had finally found people he could truly do life with.Ryan discusses the early FCA environment at NKU, including Friday morning Bible study, a big team huddle, and the vulnerability that helped him bring hidden struggles into the light.He names key people who mattered in that season, including Kaden Echeman, Zack Minton, Tommy, and Diz, and describes how their presence helped create accountability and belonging.He shares why Winter Recharge became a major kairos moment for him, even though he initially did not want to go, and how that retreat clarified that he was meant to stay in Cincinnati and live out his faith beyond baseball.The conversation revisits NKU’s 2024 baseball season, including strange weather at Tennessee-Martin, a bus stuck in the mud, a strong outing at Georgia, and the team’s ability to handle adversity with a one-heartbeat mentality.Ryan explains the value of process goals, accountability, and pre-agreed standards, especially how the team’s shared vision helped them respond to conflict and win the conference championship.He talks about the NCAA regional at Tennessee, where he learned to relish the moment instead of only trying to execute, and why that mindset changed how he thinks about competition.Now coaching youth baseball, Ryan emphasizes the mental game, character, and helping kids understand that one moment does not define their identity.He closes by sharing what the Lord has been teaching him recently: surrender, constant prayer, living by grace through faith, and treating daily relationship with God as something ongoing rather than occasional.

  2. Jul 9

    3 - Next Steps with Jesus - Roberto Burlew

    Thanks for listening! Our prayer is that every episode encourages someone in their walk with Jesus. Join Project 206: This summer we are inviting people to invest into the discipleship journeys of college athletes and coaches at NKU and Thomas More. Every $206 or $18/month funds a spot for a kid or coach to have: FCA Bible and resourcesGospel sharing braceletStaff support and mentorshipFoodGearA Place to belong! Give today: NKU FCA FCA at Thomas More This conversation covers Robbie's early life, soccer journey, college experience, transition to professional soccer, faith and baptism, resilience in the face of injuries, life in Sarasota, Florida, and World Cup predictions. It also highlights the intersection of faith and sports, emphasizing the importance of faith in overcoming challenges and finding resilience in the midst of a professional soccer career. Takeaways Journey of faithOvercoming challenges Chapters 00:00 Early Life and Soccer Journey02:48 Recruiting Process and College Journey05:56 Transition to Professional Soccer09:10 Faith and Baptism12:02 Injuries and Resilience15:11 Life in Sarasota, Florida and World Cup Predictions

  3. Jun 10

    2 - God Qualifies the Called - Treyvin Moss

    Support College Ministry & Impact Lives: Project 206: Sponsoring a student athlete spot for $18/month helps provide resources (Bibles, food, gear, etc), ministry event scholarship funds, and mentorship. Click Here > Invest in NKU FCA Resources & Links: IG - NKU FCAIG - Thomas More FCABible AppHebrews 12Connect with Treyvin Moss: LinkedInEmbracing Faith and Resilience: The Journey of Treyvin MossIn this inspiring episode, Treyvin Moss shares his personal journey from growing up in a faith-filled family and navigating the challenges of college athletics, to experiencing a transformative faith encounter and understanding true worth through grace. His story highlights the importance of perseverance, faith, and surrender in every season of life. Main Topics: Trevvin Moss’s early life and faith backgroundThe challenges and growth during college baseball careerHow faith and community transformed his outlook and purposeThe pivotal moment of baptism and public declaration of faithLessons on identity, worth, and trusting God through adversityPractical insights on serving, leadership, and showing love authentically Closing Reflection: Treyvin’s story beautifully exemplifies that our worth is rooted in Christ’s love and sacrifice. His journey encourages us to press on through challenges, trusting that God is working all things for good. Whether in sports, family, or faith, surrendering to His plan leads to fulfillment and purpose beyond measure.

  4. May 22

    1 - From a Freshman to a Faithful Servant - Tommy Ratterman

    Get in the game! Invest in FCACamps and Events info on our website Connect on Instagram: FCA at Thomas MoreNKU FCA The conversation covers the introduction to FCA ministry, Tommy's journey to college, transformation through God's Word, international ministry in Egypt, the One Ball Initiative and Fairfield Avenue 5K, and reflections on God's mercy and grace. The key takeaways include the use of sports as a platform and redemption through ministry. Takeaways Sports as a PlatformRedemption Through Ministry Chapters 00:00 Introduction to FCA Ministry05:21 Tommy's Journey to College15:01 International Ministry in Egypt21:24 One Ball Initiative and Fairfield Avenue 5K29:16 Reflections on God's Mercy and Grace

  • 4 Episodes

About

Called to Compete is a podcast for college athletes who know their sport is only part of the story. Hosted by Nate Sallee with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, this show features real conversations with college athletes and coaches navigating faith, pressure, identity, and purpose in the middle of competition. Through honest interviews and teaching episodes, we tackle the questions athletes are actually asking—about performance, failure, confidence, leadership, and what it really looks like to compete for Christ. If you’re a college athlete (or coach) who wants to grow in your faith without stepping away from your sport, this is your huddle.

Information

  • Creator
    Nate Sallee
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Nate Sallee
  • Show Website
    Called to Compete