.jpg)
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
58 episodes
Diamonds & Discipleship: When the Dugout Becomes a Mission Field
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.Me...
•
35:04
.jpg)
The Hidden Trap in High Performance: Tying Worth to Results
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 lear...
•
35:16
Identity beyond the helmet
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 journe...
•
40:17
Happiness Fades, Joy Remains: What Running Taught Gavin About Surrender
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...
•
37:16
“Closed Mouths Don’t Get Fed”: Mentorship, Manhood, and Moving Forward
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 rea...
•
24:29
The Prayer That Changed Everything (and the Ministry That Followed)
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 re...
•
34:13
Surviving vs. Thriving: Faith, Adversity, and the College Athlete Journey
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 minute...
•
27:37
Skateparks, Snowboards & the Gospel: Reaching an Unreached Culture
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 o...
•
Episode 49
•
39:10
“Faith in the Offseason”
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 faithfu...
•
Episode 48
•
27:33
Before the Brownie: The Real War Beneath Temptation (w/ Michael Rankin (part 2)
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 h...
•
Episode 47
•
47:29
Before the Brownie: The Real War Beneath Temptation (w/ Michael Rankin (part 1)
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<...
•
Episode 46
•
52:27
Every Coach. Every Athlete. Every Nation.
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 ...
•
Episode 45
•
45:41
When Sport Becomes Your God: Decathlete Alex Bonitto on Surrender, Identity, and the “Cycle of Perseverance”
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...
•
Episode 44
•
30:09
Empowering Youth Athletes To Lead
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.
•
Episode 43
•
33:52
Let Go & Let God: Football, Identity & Discipleship
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 i...
•
Episode 42
•
34:53
From Panic to Peace: College Soccer, Anxiety, and a 30-Second Encounter with God
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...
•
38:23
Excellence vs. Perfection: Why the Difference Matters
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 b...
•
Episode 40
•
30:30
The Creator’s Game: Frank Kelly’s Journey of Faith and Sport
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 spor...
•
Episode 39
•
57:00
Walking On, Holding On: Faith, Identity, and the Journey Beyond the Game
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...
•
Episode 38
•
24:38
Lead Where You Are: The Impact of a Huddle
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....
•
Episode 38
•
34:04
The Power of a Testimony
In this episode, Justin sits down with ARTEM MAKARENKO to hear his powerful journey of perseverance, identity, and faith. As a top-level soccer player in Ukraine, Artem faced repeated rejection that left him questioning his purpose and f...
•
Episode 37
•
21:06
When God Says Go
In this episode of The FCA Locker Room, we sit down with Michael Toro, FCA’s newest staff member serving in Westchester County. Mike shares his personal journey of discerning God’s calling—from working in the professional world to step...
•
Episode 36
•
30:42
Are You Responding or Reacting?
In this episode, Justin Hamm explores the power of choice in our everyday lives — from decisions about our faith to our struggles in life. He challenges listeners to reflect on whether they’re actively making intentional choices or simply letti...
•
Episode 35
•
29:12
Step Into The Huddle: Join The Mission
The need is urgent, and the mission is clear. In this episode, we explore why now is the time to step into ministry with FCA. You'll hear my personal story of being called to this work, what it’s been like on staff, and why we so urgently need ...
•
Episode 34
•
33:44