Sports Spectrum Podcast

David Nelson won 2 National Championships at the University of Florida and caught touchdown passes from Tim Tebow. He was undrafted in 2010 and signed a free agent contract with Buffalo. His NFL career lasted 5 seasons with the Bills, Browns and Jets. On this Throwback Thursday episode of the podcast, we hear David's story from Episode 11 on his former teammate Tim Tebow and the type of guy Tim is away from the field and the spotlight.  You can listen to the entire interview with David here.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Rodney Smith Jr is the owner of Raising Men Lawn Care Service.  Episode 291 Raising Men Lawn Care Service is the union of an ordinary yard maintenance service and the commitment to establish an inspiring program to keep our youth (girls & boys) on a positive path while learning and understanding their value in society. RMLS provides free lawn care to our elders, those who are disabled, single mothers and our veterans, who do not have the time, resources and/or money to manicure their yards. Their mission is to unite the extraordinary community that is present in their local area. They are completely confident in the fact that they can provide a very inspirational program that focuses on channeling the energy that youths have in a positive way as well as helping those who need it the most. They know that sometimes youth want to help the community and sometimes people need it, but it can be hard to know who, why and where. They focus on getting all of this sorted out while also helping people around the area to care for and maintain their lawns. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Rodney about the great work he's doing to help others and how his faith in Jesus guides him to want to serve and give back. This podcast is less about sports and more about showing the love of God to others. 

Episode 290 Simon Gühring is a 6-time German national champion baseball player. Simon was just the 3rd German to sign a professional contract in the United States, where he played two years of pro baseball in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Following his time in the U.S, he played one year in the Netherlands and four years in South Africa. He moved back to Germany and has been the German national team captain since 2004. Simon helps coordinate our mission trips to Italy, Germany and South Africa as part of his work with UPI (Unlimited Potential Inc.) Ministries.   On this episode of the podcast, we learn about baseball in Germany and talk to Simon about his pro journey, how he came to faith in Christ, how he lives out that faith as a German baseball player and what Christianity is like in Germany.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 289 Adam Weber is the pastor of Embrace Church in South Dakota. The church was started in 2006 and has since grown to 6 campuses in two states and in 2017 was dubbed the fastest growing church in America.  A huge fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, Adam is also a writer, and released his first book "Talking With God" in 2017. He is also the host of "The Conversation," a podcast that features Adam interviewing other influencers in the Christian world.  On this episode of the podcast, we dive into Adam's obsession with the Cincinnati Bengals, rooting for a team that's never won a Super Bowl, how the idea came about for him to start a church at age 24, why prayer doesn't have to be so difficult, and the burden that he's been wrestling with lately. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 288 Dave Dravecky's story is one of hope, courage and perseverance in the midst of dark and overwhelming uncertainty. In 1988 Dave was at the top of his game and life. Not only did he have a wonderful family but he was reaching his all-star peak playing the game of his childhood dreams. His 5-1 opening day victory over the Dodgers was overshadowed later that fall by the discovery of cancer and the removal of half of the deltoid muscle in his pitching arm. For baseball fans worldwide Dave Dravecky etched his name into history on August 10, 1989. Defying all odds, after battling cancer in his pitching arm, Dave came back to pitch once again in the Major Leagues. People were on their feet cheering and anticipating the game while he stretched and warmed up. He became an inspiration not only to cancer fighters, but to all who needed hope that day. As Dave took the mound, no one could deny the miracle that was taking place. After being told by his doctors, "Short of a miracle, you'll never pitch again," Dave pitched a 4-3 win for the San Francisco Giants. Sadly, Dave's comeback was short-lived. Five days later, in Montreal, Dave threw " the pitch that could be heard round the world." Dave's arm had split in two. As he tumbled to the ground, his mind filled with doubt and fear. Little did he know that the dream he had since he was a little boy, was simply a platform for his purpose to share hope with the suffering around the world. Dave's triumphant defeat of the cancer and his return to the game of baseball is chronicled in his award winning book, Comeback, which has sold more than 650,000 copies. After Dave's comeback and fall from the mound, with the weakened bone, the cancer returned yet again. The arm was not going to get better at this point so Dave decided to retire from his dream, the game of baseball, in November of 1989. Slowly the treatment and the cancer ate away Dave's arm and simultaneously his career. Radiation treatment after radiation treatment resulted in a staph infection that placed a hole in the middle of his arm exposing bone. Finally, the arm along with Dave's shoulder blade and left side of his collar bone had to be amputated for fear the cancer would spread and take Dave's life. Because of the overwhelming response to their story and their desire to walk along side others who suffer, Dave and Jan founded Dave Dravecky's Outreach of Hope, a nonprofit organization in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Draveckys realized through their own experiences that one cannot battle cancer alone, so they have created this ministry to bring hope for those who hurt. On this episode of the podcast, we hear Dave's incredible story of a major league career cut short, hearing the word "cancer" for the first time, trusting God, doubting God, and how his faith ultimately saw him through his recovery. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com  

Jon Gordon is the author of 18 books, including five best-sellers: “The Energy Bus,” “The Carpenter,” “Training Camp,” “You Win in the Locker Room First” and “The Power of Positive Leadership.” His latest book, “The Power of a Positive Team” released in June of 2018. Gordon and his leadership principles have been featured on the Today Show, CNN, CNBC, the Golf Channel, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Falcons, L.A. Clippers, Miami Heat, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Rams and Clemson football program. On this Throwback Thursday edition of the podcast from June of 2017, Jon shares in Episode 13, how he came to faith in Christ in his early 30's.  For more on Jon, check out his website, http://JonGordon.com 

Episode 287 Nick Mingione was named the head baseball coach of the Kentucky Wildcats on June 13, 2016. Prior to his time in Kentucky, he was an assistant coach with Mississippi State from 2009-2016.  In 2017, Mingione's first in Lexington, he led the program to the NCAA Tournament Super Regionals for the first time ever and was named SEC and National Coach of the Year.  That success has carried over to the MLB Draft, where Mingione and and his staff's ability to groom players for a professional career has led to 21 players being selected in the past two MLB Drafts, the most of any program in the country. The 13 Cats taken in 2018 also ranked as the most in the nation.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Coach Mingione about the daily grind of being a baseball coach, how he views success as a coach, coaching for Christ, the key to recruiting the "right" players, and how he came to the Lord.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 286 Brad Soderberg is an assistant coach for the Virginia Men's Basketball team and helped the Cavaliers to their first ever National Championship earlier this month in Minneapolis.  Soderberg arrived at Virginia after serving as head coach of Lindenwood University for six seasons from 2009-15. He also served as head coach at Saint Louis (2002-07), South Dakota State (1993-95) and Loras College (1988-93).  He coached at Wisconsin for six years from 1995-2001 where he started as an assistant coach under Tony Bennett's father, Dick. Soderberg helped the Badgers advance to four NCAA Tournaments, including the 2000 Final Four, and one NIT appearance. In 2000-01, Soderberg took over as the interim head coach early in the season, and along with assistant coach Tony Bennett, guided Wisconsin to an 18-11 overall record and NCAA Tournament appearance. Soderberg was the first Wisconsin coach since 1911 to win his first eight games, and the first to lead the Badgers to the NCAA Tournament in his first year. He also spent one year as an assistant coach at Saint Louis in 2001-02 under former Washington head coach Lorenzo Romar.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Brad about winning the National Championship, having his family with him to celebrate in Minneapolis, how faith played a role in shaping the culture within the team, what he's learned both on and off the court from Coach Tony Bennett.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 285 Kevin Mawae joined the Seattle Seahawks in 1994 as the team’s second round draft pick (36th overall). Over the next 16 seasons, Mawae evolved into one of the greatest centers in the league. Mawae spent his first four seasons with Seattle before signing with the Jets in 1998. He would go on to play eight seasons in New York and then his final four seasons in Tennessee with the Titans.  For his career, Mawae was named to eight Pro Bowls, six of which came after the age of 30 and was a first-team All-Pro six times. He was a member of the NFL 2000's All-Decade team, and also the former NFL Players Association President from 2008-2012. He played his final NFL game at the Pro Bowl in February of 2010.  Currently a football analyst coach at Arizona State under his former Jets head coach, Herman Edwards, Mawae was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Kevin Mawae about being inducted into the Hall of Fame, how his faith became real to him after the death of his brother, his favorite Herm Edwards story, and why mentorship was so important in his development as a man and a follower of Jesus.  For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com 

Episode 284 Rory MacDonald is Bellator MMA's Welterweight World Champion. On April 27, 2019, he'll defend his title at Bellator 220 against Jon Fitch in a fight that is simultaneously the first round of Bellator's Welterweight Grand Prix. MacDonald fought in the UFC from 2010-2016 before signing a contract in August 2016 with Bellator.  In his 25 total fights, Rory has 20 wins, 7 by knockout, 7 by submission and 5 losses. He's been competing as a professional since he was 16 years old in 2005.  On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Rory about his upcoming fight at Bellator 220, the rigorous training the he puts himself through to prepare for a fight, how Christ got a hold of his life over the past few years after he was headed down a destructive path, and how Easter and Good Friday have taken on new meaning for him. For more, log on to http://SportsSpectrum.com