Robert Upshaw shares his journey from chasing athletic dreams to discovering God’s greater calling through FCA and ministry. Through seasons of success, loss, and deep pain, he reveals how God uses every moment to shape our purpose and impact others. This conversation is a powerful reminder that nothing is wasted when we surrender it to Him.

Robert Upshaw shares his journey from chasing athletic dreams to discovering God&rsquo;s greater calling through FCA and ministry. Through seasons of success, loss, and deep pain, he reveals how God uses every moment to shape our purpose and impact others. This conversation is a powerful reminder that nothing is wasted when we surrender it to Him.

Beyond the Huddle - Central Arkansas FCA

Beyond the Huddle

From Broken Dreams to Kingdom Impact | Robert Upshaw’s Story of Faith, Pain, and Purpose

Change is never easy, but God often uses seasons of transition to prepare us for something greater.

In this special episode of Beyond the Huddle, host Josh Adair honors co-founder Zach Rose as he transitions into a new ministry role as a sports pastor in Oklahoma. Zach's vision for the podcast has impacted countless athletes, coaches, and families by creating a space where authentic stories reveal how God works through both victories and struggles.

Joining Josh are new co-hosts Rick Moppen and Kason Merton, who will help continue the mission of sharing powerful stories from across Central Arkansas FCA. Together, they discuss why storytelling matters, how adversity strengthens faith, and what it means to live authentically for Christ in every season.

The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as each host opens up about emotional health, trauma, repentance, counseling, marriage, grief, community, and the importance of being teachable. They explore how God often uses pain—not to defeat us—but to draw us into a deeper relationship with Him.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, ministry leader, or simply walking through a difficult season, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to carry your burdens alone. God designed us for community, and true freedom begins when we honestly bring our struggles into the light.

In this episode you'll discover:
Why Zach Rose's legacy continues through Beyond the Huddle
The power of authentic storytelling in strengthening faith
How adversity becomes a catalyst for spiritual growth
The importance of repentance, emotional health, and self-awareness
Why counseling and biblical community are signs of strength—not weakness
Lessons from sports that apply to everyday discipleship
How God's grace meets us in seasons of transition and healing

No matter what you're facing today, there's hope. God is still writing your story.

Change is never easy, but God often uses seasons of transition to prepare us for something greater.
In this special episode of Beyond the Huddle, host Josh Adair honors co-founder Zach Rose as he transitions into a new ministry role as a sports pastor in Oklahoma. Zach's vision for the podcast has impacted countless athletes, coaches, and families by creating a space where authentic stories reveal how God works through both victories and struggles.
Joining Josh are new co-hosts Rick Moppen and Kason Merton, who will help continue the mission of sharing powerful stories from across Central Arkansas FCA. Together, they discuss why storytelling matters, how adversity strengthens faith, and what it means to live authentically for Christ in every season.
The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as each host opens up about emotional health, trauma, repentance, counseling, marriage, grief, community, and the importance of being teachable. They explore how God often uses pain&mdash;not to defeat us&mdash;but to draw us into a deeper relationship with Him.
Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, ministry leader, or simply walking through a difficult season, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to carry your burdens alone. God designed us for community, and true freedom begins when we honestly bring our struggles into the light.
In this episode you'll discover:
<ul data-start="1514" data-end="1959">
<li data-section-id="a100h7" data-start="1514" data-end="1576">Why Zach Rose's legacy continues through Beyond the Huddle</li>
<li data-section-id="13wlir" data-start="1577" data-end="1637">The power of authentic storytelling in strengthening faith</li>
<li data-section-id="47r0nc" data-start="1638" data-end="1693">How adversity becomes a catalyst for spiritual growth</li>
<li data-section-id="mnh65i" data-start="1694" data-end="1762">The importance of repentance, emotional health, and self-awareness</li>
<li data-section-id="1a3z575" data-start="1763" data-end="1837">Why counseling and biblical community are signs of strength&mdash;not weakness</li>
<li data-section-id="1j4mpbo" data-start="1838" data-end="1895">Lessons from sports that apply to everyday discipleship</li>
<li data-section-id="2b9mua" data-start="1896" data-end="1959">How God's grace meets us in seasons of transition and healing</li>
</ul>
No matter what you're facing today, there's hope. God is still writing your story.

New Beginnings, Honest Conversations, and Growing Through Adversity

What happens when the thing you've worked your whole life for is suddenly taken away?

In this episode, James Renshaw and Parker Henry share honest stories about setbacks, injuries, disappointment, and how God used those moments to reshape their identity and purpose.

Parker opens up about the heartbreak of falling short at the state wrestling tournament and how that experience inspired him to pursue sports psychology. James shares how two traumatic skull injuries, the loss of a classmate, and learning to put Christ above basketball transformed his life and eventually led him into student ministry.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, student, or parent, this conversation is a reminder that your identity is found in Christ—not in wins, losses, or achievements.

Topics include:
• Wrestling and mental health
• Recovering from failure
• Faith through injury and adversity
• Finding your identity in Christ
• Student ministry and calling
• Sports psychology
• Leadership and perseverance

If this conversation encouraged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that God can use even our hardest seasons for His glory.

What happens when the thing you've worked your whole life for is suddenly taken away?
In this episode, James Renshaw and Parker Henry share honest stories about setbacks, injuries, disappointment, and how God used those moments to reshape their identity and purpose.
Parker opens up about the heartbreak of falling short at the state wrestling tournament and how that experience inspired him to pursue sports psychology. James shares how two traumatic skull injuries, the loss of a classmate, and learning to put Christ above basketball transformed his life and eventually led him into student ministry.
Whether you're an athlete, coach, student, or parent, this conversation is a reminder that your identity is found in Christ&mdash;not in wins, losses, or achievements.
Topics include: &bull; Wrestling and mental health &bull; Recovering from failure &bull; Faith through injury and adversity &bull; Finding your identity in Christ &bull; Student ministry and calling &bull; Sports psychology &bull; Leadership and perseverance
If this conversation encouraged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs the reminder that God can use even our hardest seasons for His glory.

When Sports Become Your Identity: Two Powerful Testimonies of Faith, Failure & Purpose

What happens when the sport you've built your life around is no longer what God is calling you to pursue?

In this episode of Beyond the Huddle, Zach Rose sits down with Ryan "Lodge" Lageness, FCA staff member and chaplain for the UCA football team, to discuss his remarkable journey from a troubled childhood to walking on at UCA, surrendering football to follow Christ, and ultimately serving collegiate athletes through ministry.

Ryan shares how faithful mentors changed the trajectory of his life, why leaving football was one of the hardest decisions he's ever made, and what it looks like to disciple over 100 student-athletes while helping them discover that football is more than a game—it's a platform to glorify God.

Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone seeking to follow God's calling, this conversation is full of encouragement, wisdom, and reminders that God can redeem every part of our story.

In this episode:
Ryan's journey from Miami to Arkansas
Finding Christ through the game of football
The mentors who changed his life
Walking away from college football to follow God's call
Serving as UCA Football Chaplain
Using sports as a platform for the Gospel
Faith, leadership, and discipleship in college athletics

🎙️ Beyond the Huddle is the Central Arkansas FCA podcast where faith meets competition. Each episode features conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders who are making an eternal impact through sports.

What happens when the sport you've built your life around is no longer what God is calling you to pursue?
In this episode of Beyond the Huddle, Zach Rose sits down with Ryan "Lodge" Lageness, FCA staff member and chaplain for the UCA football team, to discuss his remarkable journey from a troubled childhood to walking on at UCA, surrendering football to follow Christ, and ultimately serving collegiate athletes through ministry.
Ryan shares how faithful mentors changed the trajectory of his life, why leaving football was one of the hardest decisions he's ever made, and what it looks like to disciple over 100 student-athletes while helping them discover that football is more than a game&mdash;it's a platform to glorify God.
Whether you're an athlete, coach, parent, or simply someone seeking to follow God's calling, this conversation is full of encouragement, wisdom, and reminders that God can redeem every part of our story.
In this episode:
<ul data-start="1099" data-end="1415">
<li data-section-id="5fl1aq" data-start="1099" data-end="1138">Ryan's journey from Miami to Arkansas</li>
<li data-section-id="uw70q6" data-start="1139" data-end="1184">Finding Christ through the game of football</li>
<li data-section-id="11jgah7" data-start="1185" data-end="1219">The mentors who changed his life</li>
<li data-section-id="pifq17" data-start="1220" data-end="1277">Walking away from college football to follow God's call</li>
<li data-section-id="tbooe6" data-start="1278" data-end="1312">Serving as UCA Football Chaplain</li>
<li data-section-id="tq50vv" data-start="1313" data-end="1356">Using sports as a platform for the Gospel</li>
<li data-section-id="10491de" data-start="1357" data-end="1415">Faith, leadership, and discipleship in college athletics</li>
</ul>
🎙️ Beyond the Huddle is the Central Arkansas FCA podcast where faith meets competition. Each episode features conversations with athletes, coaches, and leaders who are making an eternal impact through sports.

From Broken Dreams to Kingdom Impact | Robert Upshaw’s Story of Faith, Pain, and Purpose

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