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Welcome to The FCA Locker Room—where purpose meets the playbook! Brought to you by the New York Chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, this podcast dives deep into real conversations that empower coaches, athletes, and parents to lead boldly for Christ.
Each episode tackles relevant topics like mentoring athletes, strengthening coach-parent relationships, and integrating faith into competition—giving you practical tools to glorify God and share the Gospel through sports. Whether you're a coach looking to make an eternal impact, an athlete striving to compete with purpose, or a parent seeking wisdom, this is your playbook for Christ-centered leadership and living.
58 Episodes
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Send a text In this episode of The FCA Locker Room, we sit down with Meg Michel — softball coach, youth leader, and prospective FCA Hudson Valley staff member — to talk about what it really means to coach for something bigger than wins and losses. Meg’s journey started on the softball field at just four years old. From varsity captain to collegiate athlete, and now Head Coach of a 16U travel program, the game has always been part of her story. But what’s even more powerful is how God has used...
Send a text What happens when the thing you love becomes the thing that’s draining you? In this episode, Noah Tindale—former D1 runner and now Youth & Young Adults Director at Princetown Church—opens up about stepping away from coaching and learning to live within God-given limits. From “doing 200%” to choosing one lane, Noah shares how identity in Christ reshapes the way we work, compete, rest, and lead. Justin and Noah talk burnout, performance pressure, and why athletes struggle to sep...
Send a text What happens when success on the field doesn’t bring the fulfillment you expected? In this episode of The FCA Locker Room, we sit down with Mike McLaughlin, Southern Maine Area Director for FCA, to hear his powerful journey from high-level college and NFL football to a life transformed by Christ. Mike shares what it was like competing at the highest levels of the game without faith, how his identity was shaped by performance, and the moment God began drawing him to something more....
Send a text Gavin Hill returns to The Locker Room with an update that’s been a year in the making: FCA Rochester Running—a men’s Saturday morning running group built around Faith, Fellowship, and Fitness. What started as a dream (and a few closed doors) has grown into a “running huddle” where devotional, prayer, and real conversation meet the road—mile after mile, side by side. In this episode, Gavin shares how God called him back into the running space, how shared suffering builds uncommon c...
Send a text What happens when pride keeps you silent—and growth requires you to speak up? In this episode of FCA The Locker Room, Justin Hamm sits down with former professional football player and teacher Shawn Lockett for a raw and real conversation about adversity, humility, and why “closed mouths don’t get fed.” Shawn shares his journey from Springfield, Massachusetts, to a multi-year professional football career in the Arena Leagues—one shaped by injuries, financial setbacks, personal los...
Send a text In this episode of FCA The Locker Room, Justin Hamm sits down with co-host Vincenzo Pepe to share the story behind his call to FCA—from a season of burnout and uncertainty to a bold prayer of surrender that changed everything. Cenzo reflects on trusting God through a career shift, raising support, and building FCA in the Hudson Valley from the ground up. Together, they talk faith, family, comparison, and what it looks like to release control and follow God’s lead while balancing m...
Send a text In this episode of FCA The Locker Room, Justin Hamm sits down with NCAA soccer player Austin Johns for an honest conversation about the realities of college athletics. From going from star high-school scorer to fighting for minutes, Austin shares the emotional highs and lows of his sophomore season, the impact of coaching leadership, and the mental grind that comes with adversity. Austin opens up about learning to surrender control, trusting God’s plan, and finding peace through t...
Send a text FCA’s Greg Skolaski joins Justin to unpack the mission field hiding in plain sight: action sports. From Rochester skateparks to chairlift conversations on snowy peaks, Greg shares how consistency, authenticity, and community are opening doors to the Gospel among a culture of nearly 400 million riders—most of whom have never set foot in a church. Hear the story of an atheist skatepark owner whose show turned into a spiritual conversation, why skaters are more open than you think, a...
Send a text Every athlete knows the value of the offseason — rest, recovery, and preparation. But what about when God leads you into a spiritual offseason? In this episode of The FCA Locker Room, Vincenzo unpacks how to stay faithful when momentum slows and how to find purpose in seasons of waiting. Using sports analogies and biblical truths, Vincenzo encourages coaches and athletes to embrace the offseason as a time of growth, not discouragement — and to trust that God is preparing them for ...
Send a text In Part 2 of our conversation with entrepreneur and mentor Michael Rankin, we get intensely practical about freedom from addiction, sexual sin, and destructive patterns. Mike shares how real change happens: not by “trying harder,” but through honesty, healthy structure, and Christ-centered accountability in real community. We talk about why isolation keeps men stuck, why shame is the real enemy, and why vulnerability is actually strength — “the most vulnerable guy in the room is t...
Send a text Temptation isn’t about the moment—it’s the iceberg beneath it. Justin Hamm and entrepreneur Michael Rankin unpack why “try harder” fails, how shame keeps men stuck, and a simple path to real freedom—Honesty, Structure, Accountability—blending Scripture, real stories, and brain science. Part 1 lays the foundation; Part 2 gets tactical.
Send a text What does it look like when sports become a gateway for the Gospel across the world? In this episode of The FCA Locker Room, we’re joined by Will Thompson, FCA’s Regional Director of International Advancement for the Northeast. Will shares his journey of growing up in Japan, playing baseball overseas, and eventually helping launch FCA Japan and expand ministry in East Asia. We’ll dive into the challenges, victories, and vision of international sports ministry — and hear how God is...
Send a text Decathlete Alex Bonitto hit rock bottom chasing Olympic dreams—until God asked, “When will you let Me be your God?” In this fast, punchy convo, Alex shares how surrendering identity to Jesus crushed performance anxiety, restored joy, and—at 30 years old, training less—led to a lifetime PR. We unpack his simple Cycle of Perseverance, moving from results-obsession to a worshipful process you can use in sport, school, or life. Hit play if you’re an athlete or coach who: Feels worth r...
Send a text Coaches have the power to shape lives far beyond the game. In this episode of The FCA Locker Room, host Vincenzo Pepe sits down with returning guest Cody Massey — founder of Buzzin Baseball and Rascals Baseball. Cody isn’t just developing better ballplayers; he’s discipling young men to be leaders on and off the field. From starting Saturday Bible studies with his players to launching travel teams rooted in faith, Cody shares how God has guided every step of his journey. Listen in...
Send a text In this episode of The Locker Room, Justin sits down with Emi Pastorino, former football player turned FCA area rep, to unpack what happens when sports, success, and performance become your identity—and how Jesus reshapes it all. Emi shares how an FCA huddle in high school transformed his walk with God, the role discipleship played in building real confidence, and why vulnerability and community matter more than wins or losses. Together, Justin and Emi explore what it means to let...
Send a text What happens when the dream you’ve poured your whole life into suddenly leaves you empty? What do you do when anxiety and panic attacks strip away your freedom, your friendships, and even your will to keep going? And how can one quiet moment—on a dark Fourth of July night—shift everything? In this episode, Justin sits down with Kyle Clairmont, a St. Joseph’s College (ME) soccer player and new believer in Jesus, who opens up about chasing identity through performance, battling crip...
Send a text In sports and in life, the pursuit of perfection can be a trap—but the pursuit of excellence can be transformational. In this episode, Vincenzo unpacks the crucial difference between striving for excellence and chasing perfection, and why one brings freedom while the other brings frustration. Drawing from faith, athletics, and personal experience, he offers practical ways to aim high without getting stuck in the impossible standard of “perfect.” Whether you’re a coach, athlete, or...
Send a text In this episode of The FCA Locker Room, we sit down with Frank Kelly, CEO of Kelly & Associates Insurance Group, longtime FCA leader, and pioneer in FCA Lacrosse. Frank shares his powerful story of faith, family, and sport—from playing lacrosse at Cornell to helping launch and grow FCA Lacrosse into what it is today. We’ll dive into his new book, Influence and the Creator’s Game, and unpack how the lessons of the game mirror the lessons of discipleship. Through stories of his ...
Send a text In this episode of The Locker Room, Justin Hamm sits down with Jonathan Noel — a former Boston College basketball walk-on — to talk faith, perseverance, and finding identity beyond playing time. Jonathan shares how his parents' radical transformation introduced him to Jesus, how his faith kept him grounded through constant change, and how God redirected his path when he nearly gave up on basketball. From overlooked athlete to spiritual encourager, Jonathan’s story reminds us that ...
Send a text What if the greatest ministry opportunity in your school or team wasn’t a platform—it was a circle? In this episode of The FCA Locker Room, we explore the power of FCA Huddles—what they are, how they work, and how anyone can start one. Whether you're a coach, athlete, or parent, you'll learn how to lead right where you are, with the tools and support to make a lasting impact. If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not qualified to lead a Bible study”—this episode is for you HUDDLES WEBS...
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