The Christian Athlete Podcast

Jaden Ferlita
  • 5.0 (5)
  • CHRISTIANITY

The Christian Athlete Podcast shares real stories from athletes learning to compete at their highest level without losing sight of Christ. Honest conversations about identity, pressure, purpose, and the formational power of sport — all pointing back to Jesus as our firm foundation.

Episodes

  1. MAR 9

    Relational Christianity: Why Faith Grows Best Through Mentorship | Bill Shepard

    Send a text In this episode of The Christian Athlete Podcast, Jaden sits down with longtime football and track coach Bill Shepard to talk about the power of relationships in coaching, faith, and life. Coach Shepard has spent decades investing in athletes, and throughout the conversation he shares lessons learned from the sidelines, the locker room, and the many relationships built along the way. From the importance of multi-sport participation to learning how to handle disappointment, injury, and setbacks, this episode highlights how sports can shape character far beyond wins and losses. At the heart of the conversation is the idea of relational Christianity—that faith is most often passed on through meaningful relationships, mentorship, and intentional investment in others. Coach Shepard explains how the Apostle Paul modeled this approach through his missionary journeys and how the same principle applies today for coaches, athletes, and anyone seeking to live out their faith. We also discuss: • Why great coaches can transform lives far beyond the game • The importance of mentors and spiritual “teammates” in your life • Learning to wait your turn while cheering others on • The concept of the “Fab Five” — five types of people everyone needs around them • How athletes can use their platform to influence others for Christ Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or someone simply trying to live out your faith well, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the greatest impact we have often comes through relationships. Support the show

    1h 6m

  2. MAR 2

    The Journey Is the Goal: Why Love Builds Better Teams with Coach Randy Moore

    Send a text Today I sit down with Coach Randy Moore—my high school track coach, a multiple-time IHSA Coach of the Year, and the architect behind one of the strongest small-school track programs in Illinois. Randy has produced D1 athletes, state trophies, and a team that somehow rebuilds itself into a contender every single year. But what makes him special isn’t the results; it’s the heart behind them. In this episode, we talk about why the journey is the goal, how love and culture beat workouts and PRs, and what it looks like to coach athletes with Christ at the center. We dive into channeling passion, using your strengths, shoring up weaknesses, and growing through authentic relationships. This one is full of wisdom for athletes, coaches, and anyone who wants their work to mean something deeper. Support the show

    56 min

  3. FEB 23

    The Mindset of a 4-Time U.S. Olympian: Priorities, Faith, and Finding the Path No One Showed You

    Send a text In this episode of The Christian Athlete Podcast, Jaden sits down with Nancy Swider-Peltz Sr., the first ever 4-time U.S. Winter Olympian in speed skating. Nancy set a world record at age 19, competed in eight Olympic Trials from 1976–2004, and simultaneously became a five-time All-American swimmer while attending Wheaton College. This conversation is especially meaningful to Jaden — he had the privilege of playing defensive line for Nancy’s husband, Coach Jeff Peltz Sr., and has long been shaped by the Peltz family’s commitment to faith, excellence, and purposeful living. The wisdom Nancy carries from both athletics and life is deep, practical, and encouraging. In this episode, Nancy shares insights on trailblazing without a blueprint, setting the right priorities, learning from failure, navigating roadblocks, defending your faith, focusing your attention, and the underrated power of rest. Her story is a reminder that purpose is found in the process — and that sometimes the most important lesson is simply to relax and keep moving forward. Support the show

    1h 4m

  4. FEB 16

    Never Say Amen: Stewardship, Surrender, and Super Bowl XLI with Hunter Smith

    Send a text Very few people get to say they are a Super Bowl Champion. Even fewer steward that platform with humility, depth, and eternal perspective. In this episode of The Christian Athlete Podcast, I sit down with Hunter Smith, 12-year NFL veteran, Super Bowl XLI Champion with the Indianapolis Colts, regenerative farmer, and current member of the Indiana House of Representatives. But this conversation is not primarily about football. It is about priorities. Hunter shares what he means when he says, “Never say amen.” We talk about what it looks like to stay open to the next calling God places in your life rather than settling into comfort or identity in past accomplishments. From punting on the biggest stage in the world to stewarding land and serving in public office, Hunter’s life is a picture of faithful stewardship over fame. We also dive into: His deep connection to God through nature and creationWhat it means to properly steward the gifts and talents God gives youHow to hold success with humilityWhy eternal priorities must always outweigh temporary platformsSuper Bowl XLI may have been a mountaintop moment, but what stands out most about Hunter is not the ring. It’s the ordering of his life. If you are an athlete, coach, or competitor wrestling with identity, ambition, and calling, this episode will challenge and encourage you to live with your priorities aligned under Christ. Support the show

    1h 4m

  5. FEB 9

    Becoming Who God Calls You To Be: The Power of Consistency and Community with Paul Fay

    Send a text In this episode of The Christian Athlete Podcast, Jaden sits down with Paul Fay whose journey has taken him through Wheaton College football, professional play, and now into coaching and mentoring young men. Paul’s story is a testimony to how God forms us slowly, intentionally, and often through the small, unseen things. We talk about what it really means to become who God calls you to be, not through big moments or overnight change, but through daily consistency, humility, and a willingness to trust that God’s plan is better than the one we would have written for ourselves. From the discipline learned on the field to the relationships that shaped his character, Paul shares how football became a place of deep spiritual formation. He reflects on the importance of doing the little things right, the value of faithful community, and the way God uses setbacks and redirection to grow roots that last. If you’re an athlete, a coach, or someone simply trying to follow Christ in the ordinary rhythm of life, this conversation offers a grounded look at how true growth happens — slowly, honestly, and together. This episode continues the heart of the podcast: real stories, honest formation, and the unwavering hope we have in Christ as He shapes us for His purposes. Support the show

    1h 8m

  6. FEB 2

    Keep On Growing: Truth Seeking and Abiding in God’s Word with Dr. Steve Nitz

    Send a text In this episode of The Christian Athlete Podcast, Jaden sits down with Dr. Steve Nitz — a former Wheaton College football player whose life story weaves together athletics, medicine, and a deep commitment to God’s Word. We talk about what it really means to seek truth in a world filled with noise, and how abiding in Scripture becomes the anchor for a life of calling, character, and spiritual growth. Dr. Nitz reflects on his formative years at Wheaton, the coaches who shaped him, and the way football built the discipline and resilience that carried him through decades of medical practice. From early athletic lessons to his transition into functional medicine, he shares how God has continually invited him to “keep on growing” — in humility, in wisdom, and in reliance on Christ. This episode offers a grounded, practical look at how the pursuit of truth and the daily intake of God’s Word form us into people who can live out our calling faithfully on the field, in our work, and in every season of life. Support the show

    1h 14m

  7. JAN 24

    The Shepherd in the Valley: Identity, Suffering, and the Athlete’s Journey

    Send a text In the very first episode of The Christian Athlete Podcast, Jaden Ferlita sits down with Skylar Pearcy and Mansell Amos — three former Wheaton College football players reflecting on the deeper story beneath athletics. Together, we talk honestly about what it means to find our identity in Christ while living in a world that constantly pushes us to root it in performance. Mansell shares how God met him in seasons of suffering, how the valley often becomes the place where the Shepherd does His most formative work, and why giving Christ our whole life — not just the easy parts — is the only path to true freedom. We also explore the formational power of sport, the tension between ambition and surrender, and the way God uses competition, injury, and struggle to shape us into people who look more like Him. This episode sets the tone for the entire podcast: real stories, honest wrestling, and the unwavering hope we find in Jesus. Support the show

    1h 5m
  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Christian Athlete Podcast shares real stories from athletes learning to compete at their highest level without losing sight of Christ. Honest conversations about identity, pressure, purpose, and the formational power of sport — all pointing back to Jesus as our firm foundation.

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