Stanley reflects on growing up in a family deeply rooted in sports, playing both football and baseball throughout his childhood before eventually pursuing baseball at the next level. From the outside, the path looked clear — but during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, everything slowed down.

For the first time, Stanley found himself wrestling with questions about identity, purpose, and faith beyond the game.

Throughout the episode, Stanley shares how isolation and uncertainty forced him to move from simply growing up around faith to developing a personal relationship with God for himself. He opens up about the role his family played during difficult seasons, the importance of staying grounded through adversity, and how honest prayer became a turning point in his spiritual growth.

This conversation goes beyond sports, exploring what it looks like to trust God when the future feels unclear, remain rooted through disappointment, and find peace in something deeper than performance.

Key Topics:
• Faith during uncertain seasons
• Identity beyond sports
• Family, community, and support systems
• Navigating COVID as an athlete
• Honest prayer and spiritual growth
• Trusting God’s timing through adversity

This episode is a reminder that difficult seasons can either distance us from God or deepen our dependence on Him — and that true strength is often built in the waiting.

Presented by Dynamic Sports Training (DST).

The conversation explores the connection between identity, faith, and sports, highlighting the transformative process of discovering purpose beyond athletic success. It discusses how sports influence personal identity and how faith acts as a guiding force in developing a deeper sense of purpose and self-understanding. The discussion emphasizes the importance of finding identity and purpose in Christ, moving beyond sports to embrace a greater, eternal purpose. It also highlights the importance of aligning scripture with personal struggles and challenges, demonstrating the relevance of biblical literacy in addressing modern issues and experiences. The conversation underlines the value of community and confession, showing how sharing struggles and receiving support can be powerful. Additionally, it covers themes of obedience and honor in faith, stressing the importance of understanding and applying these principles. Moreover, the connection between scripture and science in mental performance is also discussed.

Takeaways:

• Identity and Faith

• Sports as a Platform for Identity and Faith

• The Importance of Biblical Literacy and Community

• Obedience and Honor in Faith

Resources:

Shade Tree Counseling - https://shadetreecenter.com/

Haley's Contact - Haley@shadetreecenter.com

DST Training Inquiries - https://www.dynamicsportstraining.com/

Calder shares his journey of growing up limb-different, competing at the quarterback position, and navigating seasons of doubt, pressure, and identity. He opens up about how returning to the truth of Jesus reshaped his mindset, priorities, and understanding of purpose—both on and off the field.

This conversation goes beyond sport, exploring what it looks like to surrender control, trust God’s plan, overcome negativity, and build a life rooted in faith. Calder also shares how discipline in areas like nutrition, mindset, and daily habits supports both performance and spiritual growth.

As the episode closes, Calder speaks directly to younger athletes—especially those facing limitations or adversity—sharing his heart for opening pathways and creating opportunity for limb-different athletes who may feel overlooked or counted out.

This episode is a powerful reminder that adversity does not disqualify calling, and that true strength is found in faith, surrender, and obedience.

Key Takeaways

Faith gives purpose in the midst of adversity

Belief and surrender transform mindset and direction

Trusting God’s plan requires discipline and perseverance

Your story can become a platform to serve and uplift others

Through an honest conversation around sport, faith, discipline, and perseverance, Noah challenges the pressure to please everyone and instead proposes that pursuing alignment with God’s calling. Because true growth happens when faith leads performance, not the other way around.

Run the race to receive the eternal crown.