A Relatable Journey

Jeff Guara, a competitive cyclist and coach for Team USA, survived a severe bike wreck after falling from a bridge. Doctors say the fall alone should have killed him let alone his injuries. However, not only did he survive but while he was falling the only thing on his mind was Jesus and the conversation he had.

Ted Phaeton is the founder & host of the podcast "The Modern Man Podcast" and the morning meteorologist at FOX Charlotte, Queen City News. Phaeton grew up in the Catholic church, was on-again, off-again when it came to his faith. Right now Ted is ON-AGAIN. Like the rest of us, Ted is learning about his faith and God. I love this conversation because Ted is a deep, critical thinker and not afraid to talk about "hot button" topics.

Dave Alpern is the President of Joe Gibbs Racing. He joined the team in 1992 as an unpaid intern and worked his way up the chain. Joe Gibbs' oldest son, J.D. Gibbs, was supposed to become the team president but unfortunately passed away following a long battle with a degenerative neurological disease. Alpern was J.D.'s best friend and has always wrestled with the fact the position was supposed to be held by his late friend. Alpern's faith has led him through the difficult time while leading one of the most successful race teams in NASCAR history.

3-time Super Bowl Champion Mark Schlereth joins A Relatable Journey to talk about his faith, time in the NFL and how becoming a father then grandfather changed his life. Schlereth is a NFL analyst on FOX and was on ESPN for several years.

Kurt Hines has built a massive social media following by speaking his heart and inspiring. Hines has coached high school football for more than 20 years. Hines' faith gave great power after the tragedy of his child.

But God is always working, whether we see it or not.Ron Rivera was fired by the Carolina Panthers, hired by the Washington Commanders 8 months later then diagnosed with cancer. Rivera needed a specific type of treatment that was available in the D.C. area and not the Carolinas. Rivera's faith played an integral role in his survival and ability to coach while going through chemotherapy. 

Will Kunkel talks with Jesi Strachman who was in a motorcycle accident where she was thrown from the bike as a passenger. She woke up a week later in an intensive care unit without the use of her legs. She was paralyzed. Amazingly, she calls this day one of the best days of her life. It changed everything. The night before the wreck she heard a voice tell her everything was going to be okay. It was Jesus talking to her about her new life. Shockingly, she was not a believer of God before the wreck. She is today and is using her injury to help and inspire others in wheelchairs.

John Crist is a comedian and author. He gained worldwide recognition with his hilarious social media videos. However, he was "cancelled" in 2020 and entered rehab. Crist has since rehabilitated and is more popular than ever. His faith in God played a huge role in his comeback story.This is Part II of II.

John Crist is a comedian and author. He gained worldwide recognition with his hilarious social media videos. However, he was "cancelled" in 2020 and entered rehab. Crist has since rehabilitated and is more popular than ever. His faith in God played a huge role in his comeback story.This is Part I of II.

Jonathan Stewart is the Panthers all-time leading rusher. He is also a man of strong faith. As he describes it -- "I am a Christian who happens to play football well." Stewart opens up about his time in the NFL and the struggles he faced. Of course, we talk about this years Panthers as well.

Lindsay McCormick has had a successful and adventurous career that started at ESPN and led her to CBS Sports, Sunday Night Football and an investor on "Elevator Pitch." The importance of Lindsay's relationship with Jesus was put on full display when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and she found herself alone one Christmas praising God for all his goodness, despite her situation.

Dani Welniak is the Sports Director at KCTV in Kansas City. Dani was part of the first all-woman radio broadcast for an NCAA football bowl game. Many know Dani because of her work alongside the Chiefs and Royals. However, there's much more to the Oklahoma State grad. Dani and her husband, Brad, suffered a devastating loss with their first child. For the first time Dani opens up about the travesty and the role her relationship with God played during such a difficult time.

TShane Johnson survived an attack by the hands of MS-13 when he was an active marine. The gang was targeting our service members, at the time. Johnson was ran off the road while on his motorcycle at 45 mph. Johnson slammed into the corner of a brick wall where he was robbed and left for dead. His wounds included a smashed rib cage, internal injuries to his lungs and other vital organs, and a punctured bicep that was damaged to the point of bleeding out. To sum it up shortly, Johnson flat-lined three separate times while fighting for his life and had a meeting with our maker. Johnson's journey is truly inspiring.

Eric Mac Lain  played four years at Clemson, where he won two ACC championship and made a national championship appearance. Mac Lain is the winningest Tiger in Clemson history with 46 wins.  Despite being one of the best centers in the college football Mac Lain wasn't able to make a career in the NFL. Today he's an analyst for the ACC Network on ESPN.

Jason Romano had his dream job with ESPN until God put it on his heart to leave the company and start over. The move took a lot of faith. Romano is also a 2-time author. His second book, “Live to Forgive,” is about his complicated relationship with his father. 

David and Jason Benham had dreams of playing Major League Baseball.  At one point they were in AAA - just one step away from the big leagues. However, in a moments notice God changed their plans and dreams. In the moment they were confused but looking back on their journey they're grateful they placed their trust in Jesus. Today they're real estate moguls and spreading the word more than ever!

Dre Bly loved himself some Dre Bly when in the NFL. He was one of the best cornerbacks of in his era. Today he's coaching future NFL players at UNC.  Bly struggled keeping his family together when he went through life playing by his rules. Once Dre realized God wanted the best for him - he was able to mend his family relationships and find true happiness.

Nikita Koloff is a household name in the wrestling world. Nikita's journey to stardom and Christ has been difficult. He grew up in the ghetto, lost his wife at a very young age and struggled to find peace and happiness despite his fame. The toughest journey was finding God because he grew up in a household with no faith. Today -- his circumstances are very different!

Corey LaJoie is a NASCAR Cup Series driver for Spire Motorsports. LaJoie's journey to the top of the NASCAR circuit hasn't been easy. The journey took him nearly two decades and a moment where he lost it all. His journey with God was similar.  Like many of us, LaJoie says, "I knew of God but I didn't really know God." 

It's not often you see true vulnerability in a man - especially an NFL linebacker. Sam Acho is not your typical NFL player, though. Acho had everything society glorified - money, fame and success. But he wasn't truly happy. He wasn't himself.  Quite literally. During his playing days, Acho hid behind a mask of what he thought he was supposed to be as an NFL player. Frankly, he had an identity crisis. Once Sam realized he was an emotional guy - his true self was revealed and his teammates began to see the real him. Today, Sam is the author of Let the World See You: How to Be Real in a World Full of Fakes. The book empowers people to take off their mask and be the person God made them to be.

Roman Harper is a Super Bowl Champion, 2x Pro Bowler and a member of the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. Before the NFL, Harper played at Alabama. The NFL safety also played in Carolina during the team's run to Super Bowl 50. Despite the success on the field Harper struggled finding peace within. He was never truly happy. The one time God talked to him was when it was time to go get his wife. Today, he and his wife have a beautiful family of four children. 

Nick Kosir's journey to stardom hasn't been an easy one. You wouldn't know it by his videos but Kosir has long struggled with his self confidence which eventually led to a drinking problem. Kosir was literally five minutes away from quitting his job due to unhappiness and a lack of fulfillment. That's when God intervened in a big way. Nick couldn't believe the timing of God's message and it was no coincidence. It was God talking to Nick.  Years later, Nick took a nap and woke up worldwide famous and is now inspiring joy all over the world. 

Darryl Strawberry is one of the greatest baseball players to walk this earth. However, during his time in Major League Baseball he struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, adultery and idolatry - of himself. All this led to significant jail time too. Despite his struggles he was still named the 1983 MLB Rookie of the Year. Today, Strawberry is sober for more than 15 years. He shares that joy with his wife, Tracy, who has been sober for 20 years.Strawberry recently authored "Turn your Season Around - How God transforms your Life." His story is one of the most impactful and dramatic turnarounds you will ever hear.

Austin Dillon opens up about his journey for love and ultimately finding his wife, Whitney. Dillon is a NASCAR driver for Richard Childress Racing in the No. 3 Chevrolet. Dillon is a Daytona 500 champion. Dillon's faith has guided him through his career and family life. Dillon recounts several moments when he heard God talking to him about pursuing Whitney and how to help others in their journey for love as well.