Becoming Steadfast

Nolan Sullivan
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Sports

Becoming Steadfast is the podcast for athletes, leaders, and competitors who refuse to settle for average. Each episode delivers raw, tactical conversations to help you build identity, consistency, and grit that lasts—on and off the field.

  1. 2d ago

    The Inner Work of Leadership | ft. Nate Jewett

    In this episode of Becoming Steadfast, I sit down with Nate Jewett, founder of The Refinery, to talk about what it really looks like for men to pursue a life defined by fruit, not just worldly success. Nate takes us deep into the role of emotional intelligence (EQ) and how developing this often-overlooked area of growth can change the way we show up in leadership, athletics, work, relationships, and everyday life. We talk about the importance of self-awareness, authenticity, and doing the deeper work required to become the kind of man who leads from the inside out. This conversation challenges the idea that success is simply about achievement. Instead, we explore what it means to build a life that produces lasting fruit—and how becoming more emotionally mature can help us become more grounded, intentional, and steadfast. If you're looking to grow beyond the surface and become stronger in character, leadership, and life, this conversation with Nate is one you won't want to miss.

    The Inner Work of Leadership | ft. Nate Jewett

  2. Sep 14

    The Overcomer | ft. Walker Merrill

    Walker Merrill had his eyes set on the NFL. After earning the opportunity to play Division 1 football, he was chasing a dream he had worked for his entire life. Then, everything changed. A devastating head injury forced Walker to confront a future he never expected. The dream he had spent years pursuing suddenly looked impossible—and yet, in the middle of the storm, God was still working. In this powerful conversation, Walker shares his story of faith, perseverance, identity, and finding purpose when life doesn’t go according to plan. His journey is a reminder that God doesn’t waste our pain, and sometimes the greatest work He is doing in our lives happens when we can’t yet see the outcome. Today, Walker is using his story to impact others through Rebuilt, his clothing line built around the message of rebuilding through adversity, as well as his fitness coaching, where he helps develop and challenge the next generation of leaders. This is more than a story about football. It’s a story about what happens when your plans fall apart—and you discover that God’s plan was never dependent on them. If you’re walking through a storm, questioning your purpose, or wondering what God could possibly be doing in the middle of your struggle, this is an episode you will not want to miss. @walker_merrill1 https://rebuiltbywalker.com/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaes-LJ1hnTKep8vpFptzF9k52omGceU7cUnnzQKBvIZtJknWFnX-zcdYquI2Q_aem_bRjWXdsDlHrGodNsj3mNOQ

    The Overcomer | ft. Walker Merrill

  3. Aug 27

    Grateful Anyway: Finding Gratitude in the Things That Don’t Go Our Way

    What if gratitude isn’t just about being thankful when life is going well—but learning to recognize what’s good even when it isn’t? In this episode, we explore three simple ways to practice gratitude each day: Remember the good — Reflect on something from the day before that you’re genuinely thankful for.Be grateful for the hard — Look at something that isn’t going your way and ask, “How might this be producing growth in me?”Praise God for who He is — Shift our focus from what God is doing to who God is, giving thanks for His character and nature.The goal isn’t to pretend everything is good. It’s to train our minds to notice what is good, regulate stress and emotions, and strengthen our connection with others—and, ultimately, with God. Because sometimes gratitude isn’t saying, “I’m thankful this happened.” It’s saying, “I’m thankful for what this can produce in me.” Grateful anyway.

  4. Aug 21

    When Survival Mode Looks Like Success | ft. Dr. Amy Hoyt

    You can be disciplined, driven, and high-performing—and still feel completely out of sync. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amy Hoyt of Mending Trauma to talk about what happens when your nervous system is constantly in overdrive, how that can show up as anxiety, distraction, overthinking, or feeling “off,” and why self-awareness is one of the most powerful tools for getting yourself back on track. This conversation is especially personal for me. I worked with Dr. Amy throughout this past hockey season to work through performance anxiety and improve my focus, and the impact it had on my season was significant. We dive into the mental and physical side of performance, why athletes and high performers can be so good at pushing through while missing the signs that something is off, and how learning to recognize your patterns can change the way you perform, lead, and live. When you understand what’s happening beneath the surface, you can change what happens on the surface. Go to https://www.mendingtrauma.com/ to book a free consultation

    When Survival Mode Looks Like Success | ft. Dr. Amy Hoyt

  5. Aug 11

    Dig Ditches - Your Preparation Determines Your Capacity

    What do you do when you're putting in the work but can't see any evidence that it's working? In 2 Kings 3, three kings find themselves in the wilderness without water. God's instruction through Elisha seems strange: start digging ditches. There was no rain. No wind. No visible evidence that water was coming. Yet they were called to prepare for what God was about to provide. That's a powerful picture for athletes and leaders. Sometimes your job isn't to know when the breakthrough is coming. Your job is to dig. Take the extra reps. Have the difficult conversation. Build the discipline. Stay faithful in the weight room. Keep praying. Keep showing up when there are no results validating your work. The ditches didn't create the water—but they created the capacity to receive it. In this episode of Becoming Steadfast, we unpack the relationship between faith, preparation, and action and challenge you to consider whether you're actually preparing for the things you've been praying for. You may not see the rain yet. Keep digging. Because sometimes the work you're doing today is creating the capacity to carry what God wants to entrust to you tomorrow.

  6. Jul 27

    When Good Is Never Enough | ft. Collier Buttgen

    What happens when your identity is built on constantly trying to prove your worth? In this episode, I sit down with Collier Buttgen, CEO of Facility Coach, to talk about his journey from playing baseball to serving in ministry with Youth For Christ and eventually leading a growing company. Along the way, Collier shares the internal battle that so many high performers face—the relentless pursuit of being "good enough." We unpack how insecurity often hides behind achievement, why success can become a mask for deeper struggles, and how chasing validation leaves us exhausted. More importantly, we discuss what it looks like to find your value in something that can't be earned through performance. Whether you're an athlete, leader, coach, or entrepreneur, this conversation will challenge you to stop proving your worth and start leading from the confidence of knowing who you already are.

    When Good Is Never Enough | ft. Collier Buttgen

  7. Jul 17

    Lead Free: Breaking the 5 Lies of Shame

    The strongest leaders aren't the ones who never fail—they're the ones who refuse to let shame define them. In this episode, we explore five lies shame tells every leader, why those lies are so convincing, and the practical steps you can take to break free and become the leader you're called to be.

  8. Jun 1

    The Leader Everyone Wants Around

    Most athletes and leaders spend so much time focused on their own performance that they miss one of the most powerful ways to create impact: taking a genuine interest in other people. In this episode of Becoming Steadfast, we explore why authentic leadership starts with curiosity, service, and celebrating the success of others. Nolan discusses the danger of comparison, the difference between competing against teammates and fighting for them, and why secure leaders can genuinely rejoice when others win. You'll learn:  Why comparison and insecurity quietly destroy team culture  How taking a genuine interest in others builds trust and influence  Three practical ways to care for people more deeply, including prayer  Why celebrating others can actually improve your own performance  What Scripture teaches about humility, service, and leadership If you want to become the type of leader who elevates everyone around them—not just yourself—this episode is for you. Because the strongest leaders aren't focused on being noticed. They're focused on making others feel valued.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Becoming Steadfast is the podcast for athletes, leaders, and competitors who refuse to settle for average. Each episode delivers raw, tactical conversations to help you build identity, consistency, and grit that lasts—on and off the field.

Information

  • Creator
    Nolan Sullivan
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Becoming Steadfast
  • Show Website
    Becoming Steadfast

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