Dave Wilson Bio:

Dave and Ann Wilson are co-founders at Kensington Church, a national, multi-campus church that hosts more than 14,000 attendees every weekend. For the past thirty-five years, they have been featured speakers at Family Life’s Weekend to Remember®, and have also hosted their own marriage conferences across the country. Authors of the best selling Vertical Marriage, No Perfect Parents, and How To Speak Life To Your Husband When All You Want To Do Is Yell At Him. They live in the Detroit area, where Dave has served as the Detroit Lions Chaplain for thirty-three years and are now the Marriage and Family Directors at Heritage Church in Sterling Heights Michigan. They have three grown sons, CJ, Austin, and Cody, three daughters-in-law, and seven grandchildren.

Contact Dave Wilson:

• Instagram: @daveannwilson

Contact Hosts:

• Dr. Keith Brennan
• Rob Stein

Summary:

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Keith and Rob Stein interview Dave Wilson, who shares his unique experiences as a chaplain for the Detroit Lions and his insights on the intersection of youth sports, spirituality, and parenting. The discussion covers the importance of character development in youth sports, the role of spirituality in professional athletics, and how parents can navigate the pressures of youth sports while ensuring their children have fun and grow as individuals. Dave emphasizes the need for parents to model the right values and set clear goals for their children's development, while also highlighting the significance of joy in sports and life.

Takeaways:

• The importance of spirituality in sports is often overlooked.
• Youth sports should prioritize fun and character development.
• Parents need to model the values they want to instill in their children.
• Setting clear goals for youth development is crucial.
• Joy in sports can lead to better performance and relationships.
• The pressure from parents can negatively impact children's enjoyment of sports.
• Every child is different; parenting styles should be adapted accordingly.
• Youth sports can teach valuable life skills beyond athletic performance.
• It's essential to navigate the youth sports culture thoughtfully.
• Building a supportive community around youth sports is vital.

Summary:

In this conversation, Dr. Keith and Coach Troy discuss the evolving landscape of youth sports coaching, focusing on the challenges posed by increased parental involvement, the importance of resilience in young athletes, and the critical life skills that sports can teach. They emphasize the need for effective communication, goal setting, and the role of coaches in fostering growth and development in youth. The discussion also highlights the importance of allowing children to experience discomfort and learn from challenges, preparing them for real-world situations.

Takeaways:

• Coaching is about helping young people grow.
• Parental involvement has increased, impacting coaching dynamics.
• Resilience is a crucial skill for young athletes.
• Parents should support coaches rather than undermine them.
• Effective communication is key in coaching and parenting.
• Goal setting should be actionable and specific.
• Nonverbal communication is often more impactful than verbal.
• Children need to experience discomfort to grow.
• Successful individuals often take criticism constructively.
• Consistency in practice leads to improvement.

Contact Hosts:

• Dr. Keith Brennan
• Rob Stein

Tim Morton Bio:

Tim Morton is the Multi-Area Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes of Southeast Michigan. FCA is the world's largest sports ministry. The mission of FCA is to lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His church. He has been full time with the ministry since 2018. Before this, he was a teacher/coach at Avondale High School for 22 years. Tim is also a graduate of Avondale and that is where he met Vickie, his wife of 36 years. They have two married daughters, Kaitlyn (Michael) and Lyndsay (Jamarr).

Contact Tim Morton:

• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Instagram
• X
• YouTube
• Email - tmorton@fca.org
• Website

Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Keith, Rob Stein, and Tim Morton discuss the intersection of faith and youth sports, emphasizing the importance of character development, relationships, and redefining success in athletics. Tim shares his journey with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and how it transformed his coaching approach, focusing on the holistic development of athletes through the 3D framework, which includes coaching the body, mind, and spirit. The discussion highlights the need for coaches to foster a supportive environment that prioritizes love and mentorship over mere competition.

Takeaways:

• The importance of integrating faith into youth sports.
• Character development is as crucial as athletic performance.
• Winning should not define a coach's success.
• Building relationships is key to long-term impact.
• The 3D framework helps coaches address athletes' holistic needs.
• Vulnerability is a strength in coaching.
• Success is redefined through relationships, not just trophies.
• FCA provides resources for coaches to grow spiritually and professionally.
• Parents and athletes can initiate FCA programs in schools.
• Love is the greatest force in coaching and sports.

Contact Hosts:

• Dr. Keith Brennan
• Rob Stein