Identity Sports Podcast

What’s My Purpose? | Marcus Fitzgerald

In Episode 69, we sit down with former Marshall football player, Marcus Fitzgerald.  In this episode, Marcus Fitzgerald shares a powerful story of faith, resilience, and purpose. From watching his mother battle breast cancer to discovering identity through sports, family, and service, Marcus opens up about the experiences that shaped his life and strengthened his relationship with God. We explore the importance of community, overcoming adversity, and finding meaning through serving others. Marcus’ journey is a reminder that even life’s hardest moments can lead us toward deeper purpose and connection. If this episode encouraged you, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a teammate or someone who needs it. Follow Identity Sports for more content on faith, identity, and competition. Stay connected:  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/identitysports_official/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/identitysports_official/]  YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IdentitySports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@IdentitySports]  TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@identitysports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@identitysports]  Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.identitysports.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.identitysports.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.identitysports.com/%E2%81%A0] for more information. Follow Marcus on social media: https://www.instagram.com/professormarcus/ Have questions, topic ideas, or want to connect? Reach out through social media or the website—we’d love to hear from you. Help more athletes discover their true identity in Christ by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing the podcast.

How Do I Compete With Freedom? Texas Rangers Prospect Jack Wheeler

In Episode 68, we sit down with Texas Rangers 6th-round draft pick Jack Wheeler. Jack shares what it was like growing up in a Christian home and how his relationship with the Lord became personal after high school. He opens up about learning to play with freedom, joy, and confidence instead of pressure, and why that mindset has changed the way he approaches the game. We also dive into handling failure, responding with character, and the importance of how you carry yourself through adversity.  If this episode encouraged you, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a teammate or someone who needs it. Follow Identity Sports for more content on faith, identity, and competition. Stay connected:  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/identitysports_official/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/identitysports_official/]  YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IdentitySports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@IdentitySports]  TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@identitysports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@identitysports]  Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.identitysports.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.identitysports.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.identitysports.com/%E2%81%A0] for more information. Follow Jack on social media: https://www.instagram.com/jack_wheeler_17 Have questions, topic ideas, or want to connect? Reach out through social media or the website—we’d love to hear from you. Help more athletes discover their true identity in Christ by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing the podcast.

The Comeback That Almost Broke Me: Cincinnati Reds Pitcher Tejay Antone

Episode 67 features Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tejay Antone, whose career has been marked by resilience through three Tommy John surgeries (2017, 2021, 2024). After debuting in 2020, he now works his way back with the Reds’ AAA team. Tejay shares how early success and a party-driven college lifestyle left him unfulfilled, and how his first surgery sparked an identity shift that led him to pursue Christ wholeheartedly. Antone shares how his faith has become his anchor in the midst of uncertainty and setbacks, living life with open arms to what the Lord has in store for him. He talks candidly about learning to reflect Christ through adversity and offers practical insight on staying spiritually grounded in the busyness of life.. He also discusses his upcoming book, Tommy John Protocol. If this episode encouraged you, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a teammate or someone who needs it. Follow Identity Sports for more content on faith, identity, and competition. Stay connected:  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/identitysports_official/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/identitysports_official/]  YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IdentitySports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@IdentitySports]  TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@identitysports⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@identitysports]  Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.identitysports.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.identitysports.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.identitysports.com/%E2%81%A0] for more information. Follow Tejay on social media: https://www.instagram.com/tejayantone Have questions, topic ideas, or want to connect? Reach out through social media or the website—we’d love to hear from you. Help more athletes discover their true identity in Christ by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing the podcast.

How To Solve The Identity Crisis In Sports w/ Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Wood

Episode 66 features Mark Wood, the Liberty High School men’s basketball coach who recently led the Liberty Lions to the 6A Arizona State Championship—their second title in three seasons. A Phoenix native, he shares his journey from player to coach and reflects on growing up in a family of faith without fully embracing it early on. He discusses the pressure athletes face today, especially around scholarships and performance, and challenges that mindset. His philosophy centers on playing for each other, embracing roles, and building character—because in his view, winning isn’t everything, and results don't define the impact of the process. If this episode encouraged you, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a teammate or someone who needs it. Follow Identity Sports for more content on faith, identity, and competition. Stay connected:  Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/identitysports_official/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/identitysports_official/]  YouTube:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IdentitySports⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@IdentitySports]  TikTok:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@identitysports⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@identitysports]  Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.identitysports.com/]⁠⁠⁠https://www.identitysports.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.identitysports.com/%E2%81%A0] for more information. Follow Mark on social media: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lhscoachwood Have questions, topic ideas, or want to connect? Reach out through social media or the website—we’d love to hear from you. Help more athletes discover their true identity in Christ by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing the podcast.

LPGA Caddie Bruce Quickel: A Story of Faith

This episode features LPGA caddie Bruce Quickel and his unexpected journey to the professional golf world. From serving in the Gulf War to losing a stable job, Bruce’s path was anything but predictable. What began as part-time work at a golf shop eventually opened the door to caddying on the LPGA Tour, where he now loops for Gina Kim. Throughout the conversation, Bruce shares how military discipline, perseverance, and a deep trust in Christ helped him navigate uncertainty, setbacks, and new opportunities. His story is one of resilience and faith, showing how staying grounded and authentic can lead to purpose in even the most unlikely circumstances. Listeners will walk away encouraged by his perspective on trusting the process, embracing change, and finding direction through faith. If this episode encouraged you, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a teammate or someone who needs it. Follow Identity Sports for more content on faith, identity, and competition. Stay connected:  Instagram:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/identitysports_official/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/identitysports_official/]  YouTube:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@IdentitySports⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@IdentitySports]  TikTok:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@identitysports⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@identitysports]  Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.identitysports.com/]⁠⁠https://www.identitysports.com/⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.identitysports.com/%E2%81%A0] for more information. Follow Bruce on social media: https://www.instagram.com/bruce_quickel/ https://www.instagram.com/just_a_looper/ Have questions, topic ideas, or want to connect? Reach out through social media or the website—we’d love to hear from you. Help more athletes discover their true identity in Christ by subscribing, leaving a review, and sharing the podcast.