What if speed is only half the story and the real engine is conviction? We sit down with Calgary Colts running back Zion Dogbe Brown to explore how faith, family, and relentless preparation turn raw talent into purposeful impact. From growing up in a home with ten siblings and a single mother to leading on the field with a calm, explosive style, Zion shows how character is built in community and proven under pressure.

Zion opens up about the spiral of worry after missing a day of prayer and how Scripture reframed guilt as a gift that points us back to what matters. He shares how team Bible studies create space for honesty and accountability, and why opposition in the locker room often signals that light is doing its work. We dig into the artistry of playing running back—pace, patience, and vision—and how humility keeps the spotlight aimed upward by mentoring the next generation. His take: excellence becomes worship when we give away what we’ve been given.

The conversation turns practical and specific: off-season nutrition, measured weight gain and a lean cut to unlock burst, hydration, protein, creatine, and the unglamorous work of cooking and finishing every plate. Zion sees his body as a temple and his routine as stewardship, not vanity. He credits mentors who modelled discipline across roles and special teams, and he pays it forward through one-on-one mentorship that turns potential into progress. Along the way, you’ll hear rapid-fire fun—oxtail love, Leon Bridges on the playlist, and a verse that keeps him grounded.

If you’re a Christian athlete, a coach, or anyone navigating pressure with purpose, this story will meet you where you are: honest about struggle, bold about growth, and clear about where the glory goes. Subscribe, share with a teammate, and leave a review to help more listeners find conversations that move faith from the sideline to the centre. What part of Zion’s playbook are you taking into your week?

Send us a text and let us know what you think of the episode. Have questions or a idea send us a note.

Support the show

Tell us what you think.

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2389844

Pressure can polish or crush, and Gary Steffes has felt both. We sit down with the former pro hockey forward to trace a journey from stat-chasing and panic on the ice to a grounded identity that fuels calm, courage, and consistent performance. Gary opens up about the moment his confidence cracked, the sports-psych “band-aids” that helped but didn’t heal, and the encounter with Jesus that rewired what success means—shifting from playing for approval to competing from acceptance.

Gary breaks down the core framework behind Pure Encouragement, the ministry he launched to help athletes and leaders live confident, victorious lives in Christ. We dig into the three pillars—intimacy with Jesus, identity in Christ, and inside-out living—and why the order matters. If you’ve ever tried to “think positive” while carrying anger, shame, or comparison, this conversation shows why soul work unlocks mental toughness and elevates performance. We also explore practical mentorship, building a band of brothers, and creating communities where accountability feels like protection, not punishment.

You’ll hear a vivid game 7 championship story, lessons in resilient leadership, and simple ways to realign body, mind, and spirit so your training actually sticks. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or just feeling the strain of high expectations, Gary’s tools and testimony offer a path away from fear and into purpose. Want tangible next steps? Check out the Pure Encouragement podcast, two-minute Monday videos on YouTube, and resources at pureencouragement.org to start building confidence that lasts. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a teammate, and leave a rating so more people find these conversations—what’s one belief about performance you’re ready to trade for truth?

Send us a text and let us know what you think of the episode. Have questions or a idea send us a note.

Support the show

What happens when your greatest fear becomes the catalyst for your life's purpose? For Jerry Schemmel, Colorado Rockies play-by-play broadcaster, surviving a catastrophic plane crash in 1989 wasn't just a traumatic experience—it became the defining moment that led him to faith and transformed his approach to broadcasting.

With raw honesty, Jerry shares how the crash that claimed many lives, including a toddler sitting just in front of him, forced him to question everything about his existence. Having no spiritual foundation at the time, this moment of crisis became his crossroads. The following year, Jerry found Christ and discovered that his broadcasting career wasn't about personal achievement but about using his platform to demonstrate faith in action. From small Kansas radio stations to the major leagues—spending 20 years in NBA broadcasting before securing the coveted Rockies position at age 50—Jerry recognizes each step as divinely orchestrated.

Beyond the broadcast booth, Jerry's faith propelled him into remarkable endurance challenges. What began as therapeutic cycling after the crash evolved into riding across America multiple times for charity. In 2015, he won the two-person division of Race Across America, considered the world's toughest bicycle race, which became the subject of a documentary called "Godspeed." Through these adventures, Jerry found additional avenues to share his story and faith.

Perhaps most powerfully, Jerry offers perspective for anyone facing their own trauma: "Everybody has their own plane crash. We all get knocked down, and what we have to do is turn to God to pick us back up. And when we turn to God and He helps us back up, we are better than we were before we got knocked down." With his Rockies contract ending and his future uncertain, Jerry demonstrates the peace that comes from genuine surrender: "Be as humble as you possibly can be and just let God work in your life."

Join us for this profound conversation about faith, purpose, and finding meaning through life's most challenging moments. Whether you're a sports enthusiast or someone searching for hope amid difficulty, Jerry's journey reminds us that our greatest trials often become our greatest testimony.

Send us a text and let us know what you think of the episode. Have questions or a idea send us a note.

Support the show