Stace Grier on Faith, Cheer, and Trusting God’s Timing | Athlete Disciples Podcast
In this episode of the Athlete Disciples Podcast, I sit down with Stace Grier to talk about faith, purpose, cheerleading, and why spiritual training matters even more than physical training.
We dive into 1 Timothy 4:8 and talk about how athletes spend so much time developing the body, but often neglect the spirit. Stace shares how serving in church at a young age shaped his heart, how missions in Honduras changed his perspective forever, and how God used unexpected twists in life to guide him into the sport of cheer.
Stace also opens up about:
dropping out of high school and choosing a different path
finding purpose and excellence through cheerleading
how God redirected disappointment into bigger opportunities
why success without God still leaves you empty
how faith protected him when identity in sport could have taken over
and how staying spiritually fed changes the way you walk through pressure, performance, and transition
This is a powerful episode for athletes who want to understand identity, discipline, calling, and what it really means to keep God first.
Episode notes
In this episode, Stace and I talk about:
gratitude for life, breath, health, and waking up with purpose
stepping into a new chapter and the uncertainty that comes with transition
why clarity, peace, and discernment matter so much in seasons of change
1 Timothy 4:8 and why spiritual training carries eternal value
how physical excellence can become an idol if the spirit is neglected
the difference between looking strong externally and actually being anchored internally
how serving at church as a kid shaped Stace’s heart
serving kids with special needs and developing a heart to be the hands and feet of Jesus
going on mission in Honduras and how that experience expanded his worldview
seeing joy in people who had almost nothing materially
how God used cheerleading to open doors Stace never expected
dropping out of high school and carving a different path
moving from Louisiana to California to Texas as God kept redirecting him
winning championships but also learning that titles without God are not enough
how losing and struggle revealed where identity was really rooted
the importance of Christian consistency, not just emotional highs
coaching younger athletes and being intentional with influence
why even small acknowledgments of God can plant seeds in young people
trusting that God’s redirection is often protection
