Faith First, Purpose Always: Frank Kelly III on Leading with Heart

Send us Fan MailIn this powerful episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, Sid interviews Frank Kelly III — former athlete, CEO of Kelly Benefits, coach, author, and faith-driven leader — to explore the deep links between sports, faith, business, and legacy.Frank shares about growing up in a mission-focused family, how his time in Japan changed his perspective on success, and why spiritual grounding is essential in both the boardroom and the locker room. He reflects on servant leadership, loss, family, and how Scripture guides his leadership of over 500 people today.We also explore the role of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, his inspiring writing journey, and his reaction to the historic election of Pope Leo XIV,  the first American Pope.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro and Guest Welcome02:29 – Pope Leo XIV: Faith meets history05:10 – Mission-driven family values06:18 – Athletic journey at Cornell10:02 – From performance to purpose13:18 – Wrestling with faith and identity16:10 – Saying “yes” to the family business19:23 – Lessons from Japan and redefining success23:14 – Running a scripture-guided business32:13 – Family legacy and faith at scale34:10 – Prayer, succession, and future vision37:45 – Losing well and resilience40:58 – The FCA story and empowering youth47:20 – His books: Influence, The Creator’s Game, Look & See53:43 – Restoring community and connection58:47 – Lightning Round01:03:04 – Final thoughts and outroKey Takeaways:Faith and family are powerful leadership toolsResilience is shaped more by loss than by victoryServant leadership isn’t soft — it’s strategicYour business can reflect your beliefs — and still growLegacy isn’t what you leave behind — it’s what you build dailySupport the showStay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk.Join host Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real conversations beyond the game, where sport meets leadership, faith, performance, purpose, identity, community, and impact.Listen, watch, and follow:Spotify Video: Watch full episodesYouTube: Subscribe and join the conversationX: @PreZeroSTInstagram: @PreZeroSportsTalkLinkedIn: Connect with the CommunityTikTok: @PreZeroSportsTalkSubstack: Sid BensalahGot feedback, a topic idea, or a guest suggestion?Send your thoughts here: https://prezerosportstalk.com/contact/Support the Podcast: https://prezerosportstalk.com/donate/