This is an IHeart podcast.

Since the time I was four years old, I've been an athlete all the way up through high school, postgraduate year, playing football

and lacrosse, playing lacrosse at Penn State, working with professional sports teams

as a motivational performance coach.

You know, I have just come to realize that athletics is the greatest way that we can influence

our young people to becoming healthy, mature,

productive adults in society.

Now, here's the kicker to this.

In the last several years, I have seen something I haven't seen in a long time.

Now, it was there, but it was kind of hidden.

And that is the explosion in a long time. Now, it was there, but it was kind of hidden. And that is the explosion

in Christianity amongst athletes across every single level from Little League travel all the way

up to pro athletes to college athletes. It's overwhelming. And so I wanted to discuss this with

somebody that I believe has genuine insight and has been paying attention to this for a long time now, Mr. John Root.

And John has been worked with the San Jose Sharks and other athletic organizations from minor leagues all the way up through to pros and has a real understanding because of his own faith

and his own athletic background and playing D2 sports in his life.

But man, I thought this is the guy that can give anybody who's listening why it's so pertinent to have

Christ involved in our sports programs.

Mr. Root, thank you for coming on the show.

I'm looking forward to chatting about this, and I appreciate you having me.

All right, perfect.

So tell me, let's just talk, when did you first start playing sports?

...