Sporting For His Glory – Details, episodes & analysis

Marilyn Okoro is a multi-major medal winning Olympian in athletics. During her career, she represented Team GB at two Olympic Games including a bronze medal winning performance at the Beijing 2008 Games in the 4x400m relay. Marilyn is also a public speaker, mindset and transition coach, mentor, mental health advocate, U.K. Athletics non executive director, singer, and so much more. However, Marilyn’s identity, purpose and gifts go beyond her sport and the medals. In this episode, Marilyn discusses her journey into sport and the role of her relationship with God in her career and retirement from athletics. She shares insights into how she navigated competitiveness through prioritising love and christlikeness, and the process of relying on God through mental battles during her career transition from competitive sport. Marilyn also shared the beautiful story of finding a church to call home post-retirement, and the amazing way that God confirmed this to her. Additionally, Marilyn gives wise words of advice and encouragement to Christians in the sports world.

Stuart Weir has been working in sports ministry for 32 years, and his passion is to apply the Bible to sport and to help elite Christian athletes to process their sport experience as Christians. He’s also the author of books on sport and faith including ‘What the Book Says About Sport’ (2000), and ‘The Ultimate Prize: Great Christian Olympians’ (2004), and has also written a journal article on worshipping God in and through sport (In Praise of God: Sport as Worship in the Practice and Self-Understanding of Elite Athletes, 2020). At the age of 73, Stuart continues to travel around the world as a sports journalist and chaplain to serve Olympic and Paralympic athletes. He supports Christian athletes with Bible studies at international events including the IAAF Diamond League series. He also plays football three times a week! In this episode, Stuart reflects on the role of faith in the lives of elite athletes, and discusses the ways in which participating in sport acts as worship. Stuart shares examples of Olympians and Paralympians who seek to please God through their sporting performances, and encourages Christians to witness through service, sportsmanship, and encouragement on the field of play.

In this episode, I discuss my personal faith and sporting journey. I reflect on the highs and lows of faith and the way that God ordained my path into Paralympic sport. I also answer your questions which were submitted via our instagram page @sportingforhisglory.

'For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.' - 1 Corinthians 13:12.

'For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.' - Hebrews 4:12.

'So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.' - Romans 10:17.

Christian Taylor is a 2x Olympic triple jump champion. He is also a 4x world champion and 7x Diamond League winner.

Christian is an ambassador of Heaven To The Yeah, ‘A nonprofit organisation that exists with the purpose of providing resources for athletes in underrepresented sports, empowering equity advancement, cultivating global networks, and unlocking transformative inclusion with excellence.’

Christian is also the president of the Athlete Association board. An independent body that seeks to protect and advance the future of athletics, ensuring that athletes are at the centre of decision-making in the sport.

In this episode, Christian shares his journey into relationship with God, and the ways in which this relationship shapes his life. He encourages listeners to know their worth and value as those who are ‘wonderfully made’ by God.

Christian describes what it means to ‘be a blessing’, and make a positive impact on others through giving. He also expounds on the importance of developing a spirit of humility.

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” ‭‭- Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬. 

Mayowa Quadri is the editorial and brand officer at VERSUS where the mission is to ‘showcase the divulgence between music, culture and football whilst creating the future of football’. Mayowa is also a podcaster and producer (hosting the podcast, Stoppage Time TV). He is also a freelance strategist in areas including sports media, creative solutions, diversity and inclusion.

Mayowa describes himself as a conversationalist and digital creative, who has worked with the likes of Sky Sports, Nike, Jordan, Adidas, Premier League and many other top names in the sports industry.

In this episode, Mayowa shares his faith journey and stories of God’s faithfulness through challenging seasons. He discusses how his relationship with God impacts his approach to giving, and understanding of humility. Mayowa also reflects on the matchless nature of God’s grace and how he has seen God’s hand throughout his career. 

Mayowa encourages listeners to seek Godly counsel, recognising the importance of journeying faith and life in community. 

“Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.” Psalms‬ ‭46‬:‭10‬. 

“The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. May the name of the Lord be blessed!” Job‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬-‭9‬. 

This episode is extra special because I was joined by a co-host! The amazing Success Ariyibi! 

Naomi Metzger is a British triple jumper. She is the 10x British Champion. Naomi won silver at the European Team Championships in 2021, bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and came 6th at the European Championships that same year. 

Naomi is a multi-faceted powerhouse. She is the founder of AfroChicks NFT and ThreePointStart, where creatives and sports people work together to create inspiring content and share untold stories. 

In this episode, Naomi shares how she came to personal faith in Jesus, and the impact her faith has on her life as an athlete and beyond. Naomi reflects on the importance of experiencing the peace of God through the ups and downs of sport knowing that God is in control. 

Naomi encourages listeners to trust and wait on the Lord remembering that he is with you always. 

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ 

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭31‬ 

https://threepointstart.com

https://opensea.io/collection/afrochicks

Josh Chabala is a host on the Evergreen Podcast and a calisthenics athlete. He is a Warwick University graduate in Psychology and Sustainable Development, and was president of Warwick Callisthenics Society from 2019-2021. 

In this episode, Josh shares his faith and fitness journey reflecting on how he considers his training a form of stewardship. 

Josh encourages us to focus on our spiritual fitness as well as our physical fitness, and recognise Christ as our greatest treasure. Josh also discusses the important topics of comparison and gospel literacy. 

“Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither].” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭25‬. 

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today’, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Hebrews 3:13 

As a professional athlete, Alwyn Uys has competed in extreme sports events where he has made history, being the first paraplegic in South Africa to complete the Ironman, and the first paraplegic in the world to swim the Robben Island crossing.

Alwyn is also a public speaker and minister of the Gospel, ministering internationally with his prophetic and healing ministry. Alwyn also has a coffee business, book ‘Unbroken’ and documentary ‘Against All Odds’’, alongside his inspiring and edifying YouTube channel.

In this episode, Alwyn shares his sporting history including his incredible Ironman feat. He describes the physical and mental toil of endurance sport and explains how God put the Ironman challenge on his heart.

Alwyn also discusses his faith and ministry journey, reminding us that our first ministry is our relationship and intimacy with the Lord. Alwyn shares advice and encouragement on growing in spiritual gifting and boldness. He also emphasises the importance of making room for the Holy Spirit and remembering that God still speaks.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8

“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” 1 Corinthians 1:27

“Their idols are made of silver and gold – they are man-made. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.” Psalms‬ ‭115‬:‭4‬-‭5‬

Some athletes take ice baths as a form of recovery. But surely we need a deeper means of recovery too. 

This episode is simply a collection of spoken scriptures, acting as a form of spiritual recovery and biblical meditation. 

Just an encouragement.

Don't give up.

Get your fight back. 

God is your strength. 

"In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which his boundless might provides]." - Ephesians 6:10 AMPC.