Eternal Perspective with Shaun Smithson, FCA Executive VP of Club Sports

In Episode 132, Shaun Smithson, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Executive VP of Club Sports, talks with Phil and Paul about how you can make disciples in different areas of your life, what he learned about life after calling for a time out in soccer, something you should never say to a referee, how he got into soccer ministry despite not playing the sport until the age of 21, what you can learn from his definition of “coach,” why you might not want yourself or your children to have all of the desires of your hearts, why failure is a critical component of success, a life lesson Shaun learned through Jell-O Night, why you need to speak hard truths to your players, the emptiness of championships and titles, the importance of being where your boots are, and much more. Specifically, Shaun discusses:

·      His personal story, including how he grew his passion for soccer, leadership, coaching, and ministry, and how he ended up in his current position with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (5:56)

·      How he learned there are no time outs in soccer and what he gleaned from that experience (9:10)

·      His personal why/life purpose and how he is living it out in his coaching and ministry (14:38)

·      How he defines a “coach,” and what we can learn from it (18:28)

·      His experience and growth in Bible studies (20:09)

·      How he is making disciples through his different areas of ministry with United Soccer Coaches, DC United, coaching, and other FCA opportunities (22:38)

·      A rabbit trail story about an important lesson Shaun learned while reading Psalm 20 to his wife in the hospital (26:24)

·      Why we have to be OK with failure (28:15)

·      A cool story about a lesson he learned from Bernard Langer and shared with a team at the USYS Nationals about eternal perspective (31:33)

·      Defining moments in his life and how they impacted his life and leadership (37:56)

·      The importance of speaking truth to our players about their blind spots and things they need to work on to get better (42:53)

·      The best coach he “played for” and what he learned from him – includes a conversation about “Jell-O Night” (likely not what you’re thinking) (46:01)

·      How he has used lessons learned from soccer in his marriage and parenting (51:22)

·      How he prioritizes his family in the midst of his ministry opportunities (54:55)

·      His recommendations (59:03)

Resources and Links from this Episode

·      FCA Website

·      United Soccer Coaches Convention Registration

·      Shaun Smithson Email (for USC Faith-Based Committee information)

·      Uncut Video of the Episode

·      HSEL Facebook Group

·      Warrior Way Soccer

·      Providence World (Donations to HSEL Podcast)

·      Coaching the Bigger Game Program

·      Phil’s email for DISC Training

·      Open: An Autobiography, Andre Agassi

·      The Coaching Zone: Next Level Leadership in Sports, John Yeager

·      Influence and the Creator’s Game: My Story and Stories of Family, Faith, and Lacrosse, Frank Kelly III