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. Sep 21

    Bad Boys for Life: Growing Up, Competing & Becoming Men | BJ Porter

    In this episode of Beneath the Surface with DeJay Lester, I sit down with someone who has been part of my story for a long time - my friend, teammate, competitor, and brother, BJ Porter. Our friendship goes all the way back to True Vine and our days at LCA. We lifted together, played basketball together, played football together, laughed together, competed together, and grew up together. From joking around in the weight room to working through basketball struggles, from Miss Elmy’s math class to championships, from high school competition to playing Division I sports, our journey has always been about more than sports. We talk about Coach Porter’s influence, the lessons he taught us about accountability, manners, discipline, and doing things the right way. We talk about the moments that challenged us, the people who helped shape us, and what it meant to grow up side-by-side. We also revisit some of the memories that made us say, “Bad Boys for Life” — the competition, the laughter, the championships, the good times, and the moments that tested our friendship. Now, years later, BJ is a husband, father, coach, and leader. This conversation is about where we came from, what we learned along the way, and how those experiences continue to shape who we are today. This is more than a sports conversation. It’s about friendship. Growth. Competition. Brotherhood. And the people who help us become who we're meant to be. Welcome to Beneath the Surface. Real People. Real Stories. Real Growth. Produced by Fostering Dreams Network. #BeneathTheSurface #DeJayLester #BJPorter #BadBoysForLife #FosteringDreams 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 28

    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

  3. 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

  4. 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 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
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beneath the Surface with DeJay Lester