Sports Spectrum Podcast

Helen Maroulis is an Olympic gold medal winning wrestler. In 2016, she became the first ever American to win a gold medal in women's freestyle wrestling at the Olympic Games. In 2021, she was back in the Olympics and became the first wrestler in women's wrestling for the USA to win two Olympic medals by taking home the Bronze.  Maroulis was born in Rockville, Maryland and attended Magruder High School for three years, where as a freshman she became the first female wrestler to place at the Maryland state wrestling championships and at the age-group level, Maroulis was a three-time Junior World medalist (bronze in 2008 & 2010, silver in 2011). Today on the podcast, we talk to Helen about her new documentary "Helen|Believe," staying humble, finding joy in the difficult times, why starting a prayer journal helped her grow closer to God and learning to play the harp.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Tim Schurrer spent almost a decade of his career launching two brands— StoryBrand and Business Made Simple—as COO alongside New York Timesbestselling author Donald Miller. Before that Tim worked at TOMS as well as Apple Inc. He is the host of the Build a Winning Teampodcast, where he offers listeners actionable advice as he interviews some of the top leaders in business. His new book "The Secret Society of Success" is avaialble now.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Damontre Moore is a professional player who was selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. He spent three seasons with the Giants and then would be a part of nine different franchises over the next six years including the Cowboys, Raiders, 49ers, Seahawks, Dolphins, Colts and Panthers.  In college at Texas A&M, Damontre was a standout linebacker who was a consensus first-team All-American and first-team All SEC selection with 12.5 sacks in his junior year of 2012.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Damontre about his relationship with Jesus, how he's grown as a man during the ups and downs of his pro career, his desire to continue to play football and his encouragement for young players coming into the league.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Griff Aldrich is the head coach of the Longwood men's basketball team. In 2021-22, Aldrich helped lead the Lancers to their first ever NCAA tournament appearance and a Big South Conference championship. For his efforts, Aldrich was named the 2022 Big South Coach of the Year.  Prior to arriving at Longwood in 2018, Aldrich was an assistant coach at the University of Maryland-Baltimore Country, where he helped that team pull off the biggest upset in the history of the NCAA Tournament when his No. 16 seeded club beat No. 1 Virginia.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Griff Aldrich about leading his team to their first ever March Madness appearance, what he learned through the successful season, his incredible story of going from lawyer to college basketball coach and the evolution of his faith in Jesus Christ.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Mallory Pugh is a professional soccer player for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). She's also a member of the United State women's national soccer team and in 2016, became the youngest female player to be selected and play for the U.S. national team during an Olympic qualifying tournament.  As a member of the US national soccer team, she participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio and scored her first Olympic goal against Columbia and made her the youngest player to ever score a goal for the United States in an Olympic game. She also participated at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2019.  Today on the podcast, Jon Ackerman talks to Mallory Pugh about her recent engagement to Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, why 2021 was a year of growth in her relationship with God, what discipleship looks like for her and her desire to continue to play soccer at the highest level.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

David Morales is the author of the new book "American Familia." Growing up in a poor, mountainous region of Puerto Rico, David had no idea he would end up where he is today: an executive shaping the future of healthcare and public policy in America and a father dedicated to faith, family, and community. Alongside his wife, Samanda, he co-founded Ahora Inc., a not-for-profit dedicated to empowering working-class families and low-income individuals to build self-reliance through financial literacy, money management, and wealth building.  Looking for a great gift idea? Order our new devotional book: "The Increase 52 Week Devotional: Inspiring Stories of Faith from the World of Pro Sports."  

Demario Davis is a linebacker with the New Orleans Saints. He was originally selected in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Demario would go on to play the next seven seasons with the Jets (2012-2015, 2017) and the Browns (2016). In 2018, he signed with the Saints and has been a starting linebacker for New Orleans ever since.  Since arriving to New Orleans, Davis was named First-Team All-Pro in 2019 and Second-Team All-Pro twice in 2020 and 2021. Demario is also an author and his book "The Unsuccessful Champion" was released in October 2019.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Demario Davis about the evolution of his playing career, almost retiring five years ago, missing his first ever NFL game in 2021, trusting in God and what it means to truly surrender his entire life to the Lord.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Jenny Cavnar is a broadcaster covering the Colorado Rockies for AT&T Sports Rocky Mountain. She's also the host of "Unassisted," heard daily on MLB Network Radio.  Cavnar grew up a Rockies fan and her father Steve is in the Colorado High School Baseball Hall of Fame as a baseball coach. Jenny is a pioneer for women in baseball as she was the first woman to call play-by-play for baseball in over a quarter of a century back in 2018 for a Rockies game. . She also filled in on radio as an analyst in 2015, becoming the first woman to provide color commentary on radio for a National League team. In 2021, she was the first woman ever named Colorado Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.  Today on the podcast, we talk to Jenny Cavnar about her baseball broadcasting career, balancing life as a mom and wife, trusting in God's direction for her life, and the importance for her to continue seeing women have opportunities in baseball media. Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Emma Ritter is a softball player with Virginia Tech. She is currently a sophomore outfielder and is one of the top hitters for the Hokies softball team. In high school, she was one of the top players in the state of Maryland was named All-Conference each of her four years and was named twice as the Varsity Sports Network Player of the Year.  In her freshman year, Emma led Virginia Tech to the NCAA Super Regionals and here in 2022, she's one of the top performers leading her team in batting average, runs scored, doubles and stolen bases.  On the podcast today, we talk to Emma about the culture within the Virginia Tech softball team, developing strong relationships with her teammates, playing for an audience of one and how following Christ has become her number one purpose for her life. Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.

Jim Wideman is a pastor, author, Alabama football fan and for the past 45 years has led and guided church ministries with a clear vision of how to help leaders find solutions to seemingly impossible problems.  Jim currently serves as The Executive Operations Pastor at The Belonging Co. In Nashville, Tennessee. Jim believes his greatest sermon, is his family.  Receive our 10-day Sports Spectrum Devotional written by professional athletes for FREE when you sign up for our Sports Spectrum Weekly Email Newsletter. Sign up here.