Shaun SmithsonEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

Text me your thoughts! In this episode of Becoming My Stronger Me, Coach Nassim is joined by Shaun Smithson for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, athlete development, and building values-driven sport environments. Shaun brings a unique perspective shaped by his journey as an athlete, youth soccer coach, and national leader working with organizations that support coaches and athletes across the country. He shares lessons learned from coaching at the grassroots level, developing players and people within competitive environments, and leading at scale through national sport organizations. Together, we explore what it means to lead with intention, empower coaches and staff, and support athletes beyond wins and losses. The conversation touches on culture, character, long-term development, and the responsibility leaders carry in shaping experiences that influence young people far beyond the field. Connect with Shaun Smithson | LinkedIn Support the show Website: https://www.becomingmystrongerme.com/ IG: @strongerme TikTok: @becomingmystrongerme

In Episode 132, Shaun Smithson, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Executive VP of Club Sports, talks with Phil and Paul about how you can make disciples in different areas of your life, what he learned about life after calling for a time out in soccer, something you should never say to a referee, how he got into soccer ministry despite not playing the sport until the age of 21, what you can learn from his definition of "coach," why you might not want yourself or your children to have all of the desires of your hearts, why failure is a critical component of success, a life lesson Shaun learned through Jell-O Night, why you need to speak hard truths to your players, the emptiness of championships and titles, the importance of being where your boots are, and much more. Specifically, Shaun discusses: · His personal story, including how he grew his passion for soccer, leadership, coaching, and ministry, and how he ended up in his current position with Fellowship of Christian Athletes (5:56) · How he learned there are no time outs in soccer and what he gleaned from that experience (9:10) · His personal why/life purpose and how he is living it out in his coaching and ministry (14:38) · How he defines a "coach," and what we can learn from it (18:28) · His experience and growth in Bible studies (20:09) · How he is making disciples through his different areas of ministry with United Soccer Coaches, DC United, coaching, and other FCA opportunities (22:38) · A rabbit trail story about an important lesson Shaun learned while reading Psalm 20 to his wife in the hospital (26:24) · Why we have to be OK with failure (28:15) · A cool story about a lesson he learned from Bernhard Langer and shared with a team at the USYS Nationals about eternal perspective (31:33) · Defining moments in his life and how they impacted his life and leadership (37:56) · The importance of speaking truth to our players about their blind spots and things they need to work on to get better (42:53) · The best coach he "played for" and what he learned from him – includes a conversation about "Jell-O Night" (likely not what you're thinking) (46:01) · How he has used lessons learned from soccer in his marriage and parenting (51:22) · How he prioritizes his family in the midst of his ministry opportunities (54:55) · His recommendations (59:03) Resources and Links from this Episode · FCA Website · United Soccer Coaches Convention Registration · Shaun Smithson Email (for USC Faith-Based Committee information) · Uncut Video of the Episode · HSEL Facebook Group · Warrior Way Soccer · Providence World (Donations to HSEL Podcast) ·

Walk Run Soar is a podcast about the intersection of faith and running. We help runners and walkers who lack purpose with their exercise routine (or lack of routine) and long to experience God in a more meaningful way while they walk or run. We are here to run with you, to pace you, and to inspire you with weekly devotionals, scripture, interviews with Christian runners and walkers, and quick coaching tips. Shawn is a marathon and triathlete coach, as well as a 6-time Ironman. Dorina is an avid mommy runner, Track & Field Coach, and published author. Sign up for her Glorygram at www.DorinaGilmore.com - complete with coaching tips, recipes, book, and music recommendations. 👉🏽Today we are interviewing Shaun Smithson, who is Maryland State Director for FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and is also the Chaplain for the professional soccer team DC United. He is husband, father of 4 active children, a youth soccer coach for two teams, and a veteran of the United States Air Force Honor Guard. Shaun grew up playing various team sports, but last year he became more focused on distance running and started the Run 4 FCA fundraiser. In this interview we discuss how faith drives everything he does. He believes that there is no greater joy than seeing those you have influenced walk in the truth about who they are, who God is, and what He wants from us in this world. Shaun also gives us the inside scoop on Milkshake Mondays. 👉🏽👉🏽Connect with him at ssmithson@fca.org and www.mdfca.org.