More Than a Player: Faith, Identity, and the Athlete's Soul

In this special episode of Beyond Coaching, Rob is joined by Dr. Wendy Moeller-Sieb, Assistant Professor of Theology at Friends University, and recent graduate Kelli Seiwert to explore the groundbreaking research they've conducted on the intersection of faith, identity, and college athletics.

Together, they dive into how student-athletes at a Christian university understand the body, spirituality, and performance—and what that means for coaches, parents, and sports leaders who want to do it right.

Topics Covered:

• Why many athletes struggle to see their body as holy
• How a coach’s actions shape team culture and spiritual development
• The unseen emotional toll of injury and pressure to perform
• When team belonging amplifies or undermines faith
• Practical tips for coaches to engage injured players and avoid transactional leadership

Dr. Wendy Moeller – Assistant Professor of Theology, Friends University. Former college golfer with a deep passion for youth ministry and faith formation.

Kelli Seibert – Recent graduate in Christian Formation and Ministry and Psychology. Former college basketball player with lived experience in balancing faith and athletics.

Books from the Impactful Coaching Project:

• Coaching and Leading the 21st Century Athlete
• Athletic Department Leadership and Developing Coaches
• → Available on Amazon: Visit Rob Ramseyer's Author Page

Listen & Subscribe:

impactfulcoachingproject.substack.com

beyondcoaching.alitu.com (Spotify & Apple links)