Beneath the Surface with DeJay Lester

DeJay Lester
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Personal Journals

Beneath the Surface with DeJay Lester is a podcast that explores the stories people don’t see - the struggles, the setbacks, and the moments that shape who we become. Hosted by DeJay Lester, this show dives into real, unfiltered conversations with athletes, coaches, mentors, and everyday individuals who have faced adversity and found a way to grow through it. From foster care to championships…from pain to purpose…this podcast uncovers what it really takes to overcome life’s challenges and build something meaningful. Through powerful storytelling and honest dialogue, Beneath the Surface creates space for truth, reflection, and growth. This isn’t the highlight reel. This is what it took to get there.

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    More Than a Coach's Wife: How Dorathy Law Helped Me Find Belonging

    Sometimes the people who change our lives don't do it with a big speech. Sometimes, they simply keep showing up. In this episode of Beneath the Surface, I sit down with Dorothy Law, someone who became an important part of my life during some of my most difficult years. When I arrived at Layton Christian Academy as a rough seventh grader, I was carrying a lot that people couldn't see. I was struggling to adjust, struggling to trust people, and trying to figure out where I belonged. Dorathy saw something in me before I was able to see it in myself. She would show up at school with little squishy balls from Walmart, often with smiley faces on them, reminding me to smile. At the time, I didn't understand why she kept doing it. Eventually, those small gestures became something much bigger - a reminder that someone cared, someone was paying attention, and someone believed there was more to me than the struggles people saw. We talk about soccer, family, trust, belonging, mentorship, and the relationship that continued long after my time at LCA ended. From middle school to college and beyond, Dorathy and her family continued to support my journey, even traveling to watch me play. This conversation is about the people who see potential in us before we see it ourselves. Hosted by DeJay Lester. Thanks for listening to Beneath the Surface. If this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Watch full episodes on YouTube and follow for updates: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqMpSxgC5JtRe_-T39qhPxZcZyKrtE82Q

  2. Aug 7

    Coach Maughan: More Than Football, Mentorship & Finding Purpose

    Football was the connection, but mentorship was the lasting impact. In this episode of Beneath the Surface, I sit down with Coach Maughan to reflect on our time together at Snow College and the lessons that continue to influence my life today. We discuss leadership, building relationships, overcoming adversity, and what it truly means to invest in people beyond the game. This conversation is about more than football - it's about purpose, growth, and the mentors who help shape the people we become. Hosted by DeJay Lester. Thanks for listening to Beneath the Surface. If this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Watch full episodes on YouTube and follow for updates: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqMpSxgC5JtRe_-T39qhPxZcZyKrtE82Q

  3. Jul 31

    More Than a Bus Driver: Miss Ruthie on Family, Service & Building a Championship Culture

    Some of the most influential people in our lives never stand in the spotlight. In this episode of Beneath the Surface, I reconnect with Ruthie Six, whose years of service at Layton Christian Academy helped create a family atmosphere for countless students and athletes. From driving buses and supporting athletic teams to working long hours behind the scenes, Ruthie shares what it meant to invest in young people and watch a generation grow together. This conversation is about service, sacrifice, community, and the people who quietly make a lasting difference. Hosted by DeJay Lester. Thanks for listening to Beneath the Surface. If this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Watch full episodes on YouTube and follow for updates: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqMpSxgC5JtRe_-T39qhPxZcZyKrtE82Q

    More Than a Bus Driver: Miss Ruthie on Family, Service & Building a Championship Culture

  4. Jul 3

    EP. 09 - The First Championship | Eddie Thompson on Brotherhood, Adversity & Belief

    Championships aren't built overnight-they're built through years of commitment, sacrifice and perseverance. In this episode of Beneath the Surface, I reconnect with my longtime friend and Coach, Eddie Thompson, to reflect on the unforgettable journey that led Layton Christian Academy to its first state championship. We discuss the obstacles we faced, the culture Coach Porter built, the importance of brotherhood, learning through adversity, and the life lessons that continue to guide us long after the final buzzer. This conversation is a reminder that some of life's greatest victories come long before the scoreboard says you've won. Hosted by DeJay Lester. Thanks for listening to Beneath the Surface. If this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Watch full episodes on YouTube and follow for updates: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqMpSxgC5JtRe_-T39qhPxZcZyKrtE82Q

  5. Jun 22

    EP. 08 - The People Who Saw Me | A Conversation with Mrs. Six

    Long before the podcast, football, coaching, and the opportunities that would come later, there were people who took the time to see beyond the struggles. In this episode of Beneath the Surface, I sit down with Mrs. Six, a longtime member of the Layton Christian Academy community who witnessed many of the challenges, growth, and defining moments throughout my journey. Together, they reflect on education, mentorship, resilience, and the importance of having people who believe in you when life feels uncertain. This conversation is about more than school. It's about the impact one person can have on another life simply by showing up, caring, and seeing potential where others may not. Because sometimes the people who change our lives never realize the impact they had. Hosted by DeJay Lester. Real Stories. Real Struggles. Real Growth. #BeneathTheSurface #DeJayLester #Mentorship #Education #RealStories Thanks for listening to Beneath the Surface. If this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Watch full episodes on YouTube and follow for updates: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqMpSxgC5JtRe_-T39qhPxZcZyKrtE82Q

  6. Jun 8

    EP. 07 - The Teacher Who Saw Me | A Conversation with Mrs. Elmy

    Everyone remembers a teacher who changed their life. For me, Mrs. Elmy was one of those people. Long before the podcast, long before football, and long before many of the opportunities that would come later, she took the time to see beyond the behavior, the frustration, and the challenges I was facing as a young student. In this episode of Beneath the Surface, we reflect on those years at Layton Christian Academy, the lessons learned inside and outside the classroom, the challenges I faced growing up, and the impact that educators can have on a young person's future. This conversation is about mentorship, resilience, education, and the people who choose to believe in us when we need it most. Because sometimes one teacher can change the entire direction of a life. Thank you for listening. Hosted by DeJay Lester. Thanks for listening to Beneath the Surface. If this episode resonated with you, make sure to follow and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Watch full episodes on YouTube and follow for updates: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqMpSxgC5JtRe_-T39qhPxZcZyKrtE82Q

  • 6 Episodes

About

Beneath the Surface with DeJay Lester is a podcast that explores the stories people don’t see - the struggles, the setbacks, and the moments that shape who we become. Hosted by DeJay Lester, this show dives into real, unfiltered conversations with athletes, coaches, mentors, and everyday individuals who have faced adversity and found a way to grow through it. From foster care to championships…from pain to purpose…this podcast uncovers what it really takes to overcome life’s challenges and build something meaningful. Through powerful storytelling and honest dialogue, Beneath the Surface creates space for truth, reflection, and growth. This isn’t the highlight reel. This is what it took to get there.

Information

  • Creator
    DeJay Lester
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beneath the Surface with DeJay Lester