Andy Lynch spent 13 years as a Lima sports reporter, on TV every Friday night covering the MAC. Then he walked away from a career he loved to become a pastor.

We talk about why kids need adversity, and why he's rooting for it as a goalie dad. We get into what makes MAC families raise athletes who handle pressure. We also cover guilt versus shame and what it means to "clear the pipe" with God. He shares how he found the courage to make his move after fighting it for years, and how you can find your God-given gifts.

At the end, he talks about being an awkward kid and what he'd tell anyone who feels that way. It's a message we all need to hear.

Are you fighting a move you already know you need to make?

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00:00 Introduction to Andy Lynch

01:11 Career Journey: From Sports Reporting to Pastoral Work

04:04 Life in Alaska: Unique Experiences and Challenges

09:02 Transitioning from TV to Faith-Based Work

12:05 The Resurgence of Faith Among Young People

14:54 The Importance of Family and Community in Sports

20:10 Lessons from Adversity in Sports

24:06 The Decision to Leave Lima: A Personal Reflection

24:52 Reflections on a Sports Career

27:05 The Transition to Family Life

29:25 Navigating Career Changes with Faith

32:59 Embracing New Seasons of Life

36:40 Finding Purpose Beyond Career

41:06 The Impact of Serving Others

45:42 Embracing Awkwardness and Authenticity

In October 2023, Neil Smith walked into a hospital — and didn't walk back out. What began as unexplained pain on a family vacation turned into a rare neurological diagnosis, months of chemo, and a total rebuild of everything he thought defined him.

On this episode, Neil and his wife Angie share the real, unfiltered story of walking through suffering: the fear, the identity crisis, the marriage strain, and the small Ohio community that carried them when they couldn't carry themselves. They talk about what it means to find freedom instead of fear, how physical health is tied to mental and spiritual health, and why redefining your identity might be the hardest — and most important — work you'll ever do.

If you've ever faced a season that stripped away everything familiar, this conversation will show you what it looks like to find peace on the other side.

Subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. Please rate us 5 stars so we can keep spreading our message to more people. Thank you for listening!

00:00 Introduction to Neil and Angie Schmitz

03:18 The Beginning of a Health Journey

09:13 Community Support and Family Dynamics

12:52 Current Life and Daily Challenges

18:42 Faith and Personal Growth Through Suffering

23:24 Finding Meaning in Adversity

25:19 The Power of Perspective

28:01 Coaching and Life Lessons

29:34 Celebrating Small Victories

32:12 Mind, Body, and Spirit Connection

35:33 Living in the Moment

39:18 Fear vs. Freedom

41:13 Youth and Faith Today

45:02 Strengthening Relationships

48:22 Messages for the Next Generation

Originally recorded two years ago, the late Tim Kight, founder of Focus 3 and longtime leadership coach for Ohio State football, was and still is a major influence on Phil's leadership journey, and this conversation is a fitting reminder of that impact.

In it, Tim breaks down the R Factor, a simple equation (Event + Response = Outcome) that shaped leaders across sports, business, and his own life. He and Phil dig into the mindset cycle that drives every human reaction, why discipline beats default, and how the same tool that fixes a bad commute carried Tim through his own cancer diagnosis. Tim explains the Performance Pathway connecting leadership, culture, behavior, and results, and introduces "20 square feet" — the idea that everyone owns a piece of the outcome, no title required. The conversation closes on identity and purpose: why values have to be chosen, not absorbed, and why timeless principles matter more than trends.

Subscribe to this podcast on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. Please rate us 5 stars so we can keep spreading our message to more people. Thank you for listening!