Media

The B3rd Athletics Media section exists to help you grow, learn, and take your next step on the Journey to Becoming 3rd. Through articles, podcasts, videos, and practical resources rooted in faith and sport, we equip coaches, athletes, and leaders to pursue high performance without losing sight of eternal purpose. Our media is designed to challenge your thinking, strengthen your faith, and provide tools you can apply immediately in competition, leadership, and daily life. Wherever you are on the journey, we invite you to engage, reflect, and be transformed as you live, lead, and compete in a way that honors Christ and impacts others. If this content encourages you, consider giving to B3rd Ministries and sharing it with friends—your generosity and support help keep these resources free and accessible to others.

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The Both / And Coach: Grow Your Roots

The Both / And Coach: Grow Your Roots Written by: Mike Walker There are two things that should drive coaches to show up to work everyday energized and excited… The first is simple: You should strive to give every athlete the opportunity to play for a championship. As Believers, we are called to do things to the best of our ability and to measure ourselves against that best. We want to build high-functioning programs and teach young people what it takes to pursue something dif

Vince Lombardi

Life: 1913–1970 Sport: Football Role: Coach When you think of sports excellence, Vince Lombardi should immediately come to mind. As head coach of the Green Bay Packers, he transformed one of the NFL's struggling franchises into a dynasty. In nine seasons, Lombardi led the Packers to five NFL Championships, including victories in the first two Super Bowls. His relentless pursuit of excellence, disciplined leadership, and unwavering commitment to his players established a sta

Coaching Mission in an Apostolic Age

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 28, shortly after His resurrection, Jesus gives His followers the Great Commission: to go, make disciples, teach, and baptize—all under His authority and with the promise of His presence. This mission has not shifted. What does shift, however, is the cultural environment in which we are called to execute this mission. Every generation of Christians faces unique challenges, and in his book From Christendom to Apostolic Mission, Monsignor Jame

Ordinary Greatness

We live in a time where the desire to be seen feels louder than ever. While our culture did not create this longing, the constant presence of social media has magnified it. Every scroll invites us to build a name, grow a platform, and ensure others see our greatness. Yet, this struggle is not new. From the very beginning, humanity has wrestled with the desire for recognition. In the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis, we see jealousy, comparison, and the longing to be favored.

Are You A Leader? Lead Like Jesus

Lead Like Jesus – Chapter 1 At B3rd Athletics, we often talk about leadership. But many people misunderstand what leadership really is. Too often, leadership gets associated with titles, positions, or authority. The reality is much simpler—and much more challenging. In Lead Like Jesus, the authors define leadership this way: Leadership is an influence process. In other words, any time you seek to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of another person, you are step

The Courage to Begin

Trying something new is hard. Full stop. It asks more of us than just effort—it asks for vulnerability. The kind that puts you in unfamiliar spaces, around unfamiliar people, with no guarantees of success. And if we’re honest, that’s usually the part we want to avoid. Recently, my daughter became my teacher in this. At 15 years old, she decided to play softball for the very first time. Not pick it up casually. Not mess around in the backyard. She stepped into an evaluation—kn

Why B3rd Exists

Two constants have shaped my life: faith and sport. From an early age, I learned that both have the power to form us—one eternally, the other profoundly. Growing up, my family attended church every Sunday, a rhythm that continues today with my wife and our seven children. We do this not out of routine or obligation, but because we believe we were created for worship. When worship is rightly ordered, everything else begins to make sense. Yet for much of my life, faith and spor

Why Play Sports

The question of why is always worth asking, no matter what we choose to pursue in life. As Christians striving to live as Jesus taught us, asking why is not optional—it is essential. Purpose matters. Intention matters. Without clarity on why we do something, even good things can lose their meaning. This is especially true when it comes to sports. If we try to answer the question of why we play sports solely through the lens of the world, it can be difficult to find a compelli

Betty Cuthbert

Life: 1938-2017 Sport: Track Role: Athlete Born on April 20, 1938, in Ermington, New South Wales, Australia, Betty Cuthbert was destined for greatness—not only on the track but also in the quiet, powerful way she lived her life. Raised in a faith-filled home with amazing parents who instilled in her the values of hard work and respect, Betty grew up alongside her two sisters—including her unidentical twin—and a brother. From a young age, she developed a deep appreciation for

Tom Landry

Life: 1924-2000 Sport: Football Role: Coach When you think of sports excellence, Tom Landry should quickly come to mind. He was the first head coach of the Dallas Cowboys and held that position for an incredible 29 seasons. During his tenure, the Cowboys achieved 20 consecutive winning seasons, won two Super Bowls, five NFC titles, and 13 divisional championships. Landry was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990 as a head coach—but that honor only tells part o

Dr. James Naismith

Life: 1861-1939 Sport: Basketball Role: Coach Dr. James Naismith is most famous for inventing one of the most popular sports in the world—basketball. But what many people don’t know is the reason he created the game and the lasting impact he had on those fortunate enough to know him. Dr. Naismith was a Christian physical educator originally from Canada who invented the game of basketball in 1891 while teaching at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachu

Make the Ball Pay You Back

Four years ago, one of my players received an incredible opportunity—he was offered the opportunity to play basketball at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Chanse was a talented defender who always played hard, put his teammates first, and was willing to do whatever it took to help the team win. After we announced the news on social media, a complete stranger—at least to both of us at the time—reached out with a request. He wanted to speak with Chanse and offe

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