In Episode 5 of Beyond the Game, we sit down with MLB Hall of Famer and broadcaster John Smoltz to talk about life beyond baseball.

From competing at the highest level to navigating identity, pressure, and purpose, John shares how his faith has shaped every season of his life, on and off the field. He opens up about the challenges athletes face, the importance of staying grounded, and what it really means to find your worth beyond performance.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or fan, this conversation will challenge and encourage you to live with purpose beyond the game.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

What does it look like to turn a childhood dream into a calling?

In Episode 3 of Beyond the Game, we sit down with Atlanta Braves Lead TV Play-by-Play Announcer and the voice of EA Sports’ Madden NFL, Brandon Gaudin, to talk about the journey from a small college in Indianapolis to some of the biggest stages in sports.

Brandon shares:
⚾ The surreal moment of calling his alma mater, Butler, to the Final Four
🎙️ What it’s like behind the mic for the Atlanta Braves
🎮 Becoming the voice of the Madden NFL franchise
🙌 The responsibility of using your platform for a greater purpose
🏆 The games and calls that changed his life

This episode is about more than broadcasting — it’s about faith, perseverance, identity, and the moments that remind you why you started.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, sports fan, or someone chasing a dream, this conversation will inspire you to look beyond the game.

What’s it really like to be a Division I athlete at one of the nation’s most demanding academic schools?In this episode of FCA Beyond the Game, we sit down with two Georgia Tech seniors, Isabella and Liv, to talk about pressure, identity, injury, and how their faith in Jesus transformed the way they compete and live.Isabella shares how she didn’t grow up in a Christian home, searched for fulfillment in new age spirituality, and encountered Christ through FCA — even asking to be baptized at Encounter. Now pursuing a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering, she opens up about finding true purpose beyond performance.Liv opens up about growing up in a hyper-competitive family, developing toxic habits in pursuit of success, and how injury forced her to slow down and trust God in new ways. Through FCA community and Encounter, she discovered a faith that reshaped her identity and gave her peace in the middle of fear and anxiety.Together, they talk honestly about:• The pressures of being a D1 athlete at a high-academic school• Battling fear, anxiety, and comparison• Encounter Conference and spiritual turning points• Learning to follow Jesus through setbacks• Their heart for discipling younger female athletes• What they wish every young athlete knew about faith and identityIf you’re an athlete, coach, or student trying to follow Jesus in competitive spaces, this conversation is for you.Subscribe for more stories of faith in sports through FCA Beyond the Game.

In Episode 2 of Beyond the Game, host Mike Leazer, FCA Atlanta Director, sits down with Caleb Downs, standout safety for Ohio State University, and his father, Gary Downs, former NFL player and longtime coach.

Together, they share a powerful father-son conversation about faith, identity, and navigating the pressures of elite football. From Caleb’s journey as one of the nation’s top defensive players to Gary’s perspective as both a coach and a dad, this episode explores what it looks like to keep Jesus at the center when expectations are high and the spotlight is bright.

This episode is a reminder that while the game may change, faith, family, and purpose remain the foundation, on and off the field.

Welcome to Episode 1 of FCA’s Beyond the Game Podcast!
In our premiere episode, host Mike Leazer sits down with Kaden Elliss, linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, to talk about what truly defines him—his faith in Jesus.

Kaden opens up about:
• How faith shapes his identity beyond the football field
• Lessons on leadership, humility, and purpose
• What it means to live boldly for Christ in a high-pressure environment
• His heart for discipleship and serving others

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or someone seeking encouragement, this conversation is filled with wisdom, authenticity, and hope.

👉 Subscribe for more faith-driven conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders.
👉 Follow Atlanta FCA for updates, devotionals, and upcoming episodes.

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