The Indiana Dad with a Goal of Playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup | Zach Duke, World Cup Dad

On today's show I sat down with Zach Duke, a former NCAA Division I football player and family man who has set an audacious goal of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite having never played soccer before 2023.

Zach shares his incredible journey of transformation, from dealing with severe health issues to re-discovering his passion for sports and community impact through soccer. His story is one of extraordinary faith, determination, and resilience, and offers an inspiring look at how dreaming big and taking daily disciplined actions can lead to unimaginable opportunities.

He also discusses the support system provided by his Indiana roots and the impactful connections he's made worldwide through his journey.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast.

You are going to learn about: - Zach's Journey from Division I Football to Pursuing a 2026 FIFA World Cup Roster Spot - How Zach's Soccer Story Spread Worldwide - Dreaming Big and the Relentless Pursuit of Goals

Thank you to our partners: Duke Homes J.C. Hart AccountedFor

Check out these great clips from the show: 01:10 Guest Introduction: Zach Duke, World Cup Dad 02:30 Taking Risks: The Journey to Liberty University 07:13 Struggles and Triumphs at Liberty 14:40 Life After Liberty: Marriage and Mission Work 16:20 Health Challenges and the Road to Recovery 24:29 Rock Bottom and the Turning Point 28:09 The Fleeting Nature of Motivation 29:19 The Soccer Revelation 30:21 Overcoming the Fear of Failure 34:51 Setting Outrageous Goals 37:14 Tracking Progress and Building Habits 39:46 The First Steps in Soccer 42:52 The Journey to Professional Soccer 49:52 Joining the US Team 55:04 Drafted into Professional Soccer 57:06 Introduction to Pro Indoor Soccer 57:17 Life with the Empire Strikers 58:07 Building Relationships and Team Dynamics 59:31 Transitioning from Professional Play 01:00:51 Collaborating with LA Galaxy 01:06:20 Balancing Media and Training 01:09:09 Impact of Soccer on Personal Life 01:14:21 Future Aspirations and Community Impact 01:18:47 Indiana Pride and Daily Disciplines

Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.