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The FCA Locker Room
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.
Episodes
33 episodes
The Coaching Compass
What happens when a coach becomes more than just a coach? After growing up without a father, Justin reflects on the powerful impact his coaches had on shaping his identity—not just as an athlete, but as a person. Now a coach himself, he explore...
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Episode 32
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35:59
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From the Locker Room to the Community: The Mission in Motion
In this episode, host Vincenzo Pepe shares the heart and vision behind FCA. From personal stories to powerful ministry moments, this episode paints a picture of what God is doing through FCA—and how you can be a part of it. Whether you’re new t...
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Episode 31
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38:56
Spiritual Leadership in Sports: Coaching Through Faith
Have you ever found yourself as a coach wondering, “Is there more to this than just wins and losses? “If you’re a coach with a strong faith but aren’t sure how to let it guide you in your role, this episode of The Locker Room with Greg...
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Episode 30
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33:14
Teammates For Life: A Spouse's Perspective On Sports Ministry
In this special episode, host Vincenzo Pepe sits down with a very special guest—his wife, Michelle Pepe. They talk about her athletic background, the coaches who shaped her, and what it was like growing up in sports. But the conversation quickl...
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Episode 29
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47:45
Professional Reminding: Coaching with a Purpose
In this episode, Justin sits down with Coach Brandon Noble to explore the power of living a consistent life and how to navigate both the highs and lows that come our way. As a college baseball coach, Brandon brings valuable insight into managin...
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Episode 28
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30:45
Facing Up: A Journey to Discover Authentic Faith
In this episode, Justin chops it up with former college basketball player Andrew Johns—a gritty, undersized hooper who had to obsess over the fine details of the game, just to earn a shot at the next level. But along the way, Andrew...
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Episode 27
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29:18
Running with Purpose: Lee Rouson on Faith, Football, and Life Beyond the Game
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Lee Rouson—former NFL running back, two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, and devoted follower of Christ. Lee shares how his faith was a cornerstone throughout his athletic journey, f...
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Episode 26
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44:23
FCA and the Great Outdoors
In this episode, Justin sits down with Ed Stratton, to talk about an exciting new area for FCA: Outdoors ministry. We look at how God has brought Ed into this position and how his passion for motorsports and the outdoors has led to a grow...
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Episode 25
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28:18
Bold & Unshaken: Living Out Your Faith in Public Schools
In this episode, we dive into an important and often misunderstood topic—being a Christian coach in a public school setting. What are your rights when it comes to sharing your faith? How can you live out your beliefs while respecting school pol...
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Episode 24
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44:18
Leading the Wright Way
In this episode, Justin sits down with High School Senior and 2-time state champion Arlan Wright. Arlan is D1 track and field recruit who just helped lead his basketball team to an undefeated state championship. In this conversation we look at ...
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Episode 23
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22:21
Standing Firm: The Pressure to Fit In as a Christian Athlete
As a Christian athlete, the pressure to fit in can be overwhelming—whether it’s in the locker room, on the field, or in social settings. In this episode, we sit down with Brandon Gettig, FCA Rochester Area Director, to discuss the challenges at...
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Episode 22
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50:53
Real Talk: Connecting Aunthetically
In this episode, Justin sits down with Jesse Tanner from Rochester, NY FCA. We cover how to build connections, the keys to being genuine, and how to connect authentically. We discuss how to lead through weakness and vulnerability and the lesson...
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Episode 21
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39:48
FCA In The Northeast: Past, Present, & Future
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is making an impact in the Northeast—but how did it start, where is it now, and where is it headed? In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Bliss, Regional Vice President of the Northeast Region for FCA, to...
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Episode 20
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36:45
Beyond the Whistle: Finding Balance & Priorities as a Coach
Coaching is more than just X’s and O’s—it’s a calling. But too often, coaches find themselves consumed by the pressure to win, the expectations of others, and the demands of the job, leaving little room for faith, family, and personal well-bein...
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Episode 19
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42:49
Balancing Sports & Faith as a College Athlete
In this episode, Justin chats with Thomas McConnelee, a nationally ranked thrower on the Roberts Wesleyan Track and Field team. As an elite athlete who is continuing to excel in his sport, he is more concerned with living out his faith. We cove...
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Episode 18
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28:57
College Sports Revival: The Rise of Outspoken Christian College Athletes
In this episode, we’re diving into a powerful movement happening in college athletics—more and more athletes are boldly sharing their faith for all to see. From post-game press conferences to faith-based apparel, these athletes aren’t shying aw...
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Episode 17
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43:02
Leading with Faith
In this episode of the Locker Room, Justin sits down with Greg Skolaski out of FCA Rochester. Growing up in the church culture Greg shares his journey of dealing with legalism, consequences to actions, and experiencing true freedom in Christ. A...
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Episode 16
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45:34
Empowering Female Coaches & Athletes Through FCA BRAVE
In this episode of The FCA Locker Room, we sit down with Amber Johns, the FCA New York State Director and founder of FCA BRAVE, a ministry dedicated to equipping and empowering female coaches and athletes to boldly live out their faith...
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Episode 15
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37:28
How A Coach Can Impact a Life
In this episode, Justin sits down with high school coach, Gregg Johns to talk about how his coaching strategy has changed over his 28-year coaching career, especially in the last few years as he has begun to walk out his faith in front of his t...
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Episode 14
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34:09
Discipleship Strategy | Engage, Equip, Empower
In this episode Vincenzo sits down with Margaux Poplaski, FCA's Northeast Regional Director of Ministry Advancement, to discuss all things discipleship. They dive deep into the FCA strategy of "Engage, Equip, Empower" (E3) and how this process ...
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Episode 13
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38:44
Bold Coaching: Representing Christ In Sports
In this episode, both hosts, Vincenzo and Justin, tackle the calling of coaching as a Christian. Some of the topics covered in this conversation are "Why Coaching is a Spiritual Calling", "Practical Application for Bold Faith in Coaching", and ...
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Episode 12
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40:50
Faith, Mental Skills, & Elevating Your Game
In this episode, Vincenzo Pepe sits down with Mental Skills Coach Connor Rogotske to discuss all things mental skills and faith. As a mental skills coach, Connor actively helps athletes unleash their potential beyond the physical component of t...
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Episode 11
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53:28
How to Handle Adversity
In this episode of the Locker Room, Justin sits down with Isaiah Lewis. Isaiah is a current basketball pro with a story to tell. Join us as we discuss how "adversity introduces a man to himself" and other topics that involve our faith walk and ...
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Episode 10
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44:34
The Coach-Parent Dynamic; Friend or Foe
In this episode, Vincenzo sits down with Upstate NY FCA Lacrosse Director Sol Bliss and discusses the coach-parent dynamic. The two discuss their approach to handling the parent relationships that come with youth sports and ways to direct those...
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Episode 9
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50:09
Emptying Self- A life of Surrender
In this episode, Justin Hamm chats with Austin Johns about how to purify the mind and allow a life of surrender to be the goal. Austin is a freshman soccer player on the Regent University Men's Soccer Team. Austin shares some of his backstory, ...
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Episode 8
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36:16