The HONOUR Podcast

What happens when God answers a dangerous prayer with something that could cost you everything?In this episode of The HONOUR Podcast, host Hanna Halteman sits down with former elite junior hockey player Devin Hays to unpack one of the most remarkable stories of faith, surrender, and divine orchestration you will ever hear.Together, they share raw stories of drifting from faith during the grind of competitive sports, navigating a harrowing medical roller coaster including a diagnostic reversal between leukemia and lymphoma, and discovering a peace that defied every human expectation. This episode is a must-listen for athletes, patients, and anyone wrestling with unexpected trials or struggling to hear God's voice in the quiet nudges of everyday life.Ultimately, Devin's story matters because when we completely loosen our grip on our own plans, God builds something far greater than anything we could have mapped out ourselves.Main Topics Covered:• The world of junior hockey: understanding the unique structure of youth, Triple-A, and junior leagues, and the reality of leaving home as a teenager to pursue elite athletics.• The cradle Catholic drift and how the heavy travel demands of competitive youth sports can slowly push faith to the sidelines.• The dangerous prayer: feeling empty amidst college culture and explicitly asking God to give you a challenge to make you a better man.• A terrifying medical roller coaster: being diagnosed with an aggressive leukemia with a 50% survival rate, only for a second biopsy to reverse it back to lymphoma.• The power of a physical reminder: holding a historic relic of the cross during hospital isolation and its full-circle connection to Devin's current business.• Finding brotherhood after sports: intentionally surrounding yourself with faith-driven community through the Knights of Columbus.• Discerning the voice of God: how a simple, inconvenient internal tug led to a divine appointment with a grieving widower.Key Takeaways:• Surrender brings supernatural peace: relinquishing control over a terrifying reality allows the Holy Spirit to provide a level of calm that completely defies human logic.• Your circle shapes your trajectory: transitioning out of an intense environment like sports requires surrounding yourself with purposeful, faith-driven people who lift you up rather than pull you down.• Obedience operates in the small promptings: hearing God's voice rarely requires an audible shout. More often it means acting on quiet internal tugs, even when you are tired and just want to go home.• A closed door can be a hidden grace: when a sports career is ended definitively by external circumstances, it can eliminate the agonizing what-ifs and free an athlete to step wholeheartedly into their true calling.Connect with the Host (Hanna Halteman):• Instagram: Honour Athletics• Website: honourathletics.com• YouTube: The HONOUR Podcast ChannelConnect with the Guest (Devin Hays):• Instagram: @devinmhays• Hospital Homies: hospitalhomies.org (Get involved, donate, or sign up to volunteer.)If Devin's story touched your heart or reframed how you look at your own challenges, please take a moment to follow, like, and share The HONOUR Podcast. Your support helps us build a greater community and change the landscape of athletics for competitors everywhere!

What happens when the sport that defines your entire existence finally breaks you? In this episode of The HONOUR Podcast, host Hanna Halteman sits down with former collegiate athletes Brooke (Track & Field, Texas/Minnesota) and Sydney (Lacrosse, CU) to pull back the curtain on the heavy burden of athletic performance.Together, they share raw stories of hitting emotional breaking points, navigating identity crises through serious injuries, and transitioning out of elite sports. This episode is a must-listen for any current or former athlete struggling to separate their self-worth from their stats, as well as coaches and parents looking to understand the "whole athlete."Ultimately, it matters because finding true freedom on the field—and in life—starts with building an unbreakable foundation outside of your sport.Main Topics Covered:— The trap of early specialization in youth sports and its long-term impact on athlete identity and injury patterns.— Navigating the overwhelming pressure of a "winning tradition" and the intense fear of failure from a young age.— The breaking point: Shifting from a transactional relationship with God to a transformational, foundational faith.— The unique isolation and social challenges of being a religious minority on a collegiate athletic team.— Redefining athletic success: Moving away from personal glory and learning to embrace essential behind-the-scenes roles.— Grounding yourself through adversity: Finding an odd sense of peace during long-term injury rehabilitation, such as ACL and plantar fascia tears.— The post-collegiate transition: Unpacking the grief, depression, and refining process that comes with retiring from elite sports.Key Takeaways:— Wholeness requires body, mind, and spirit: Training only your physical and mental game means you are operating as only two-thirds of an athlete; embracing the spiritual component is vital for true integrity and balance.— God is a foundation, not a lucky charm: Faith isn't a transactional tool to guarantee victories or professional contracts, but a sovereign anchor that offers peace through both the highs of breaking records and the lows of injury.— Freedom yields better performance: True competitive freedom comes when you stop trying to control every outcome, take a "chill pill," and allow yourself to take risks without the paralyzing fear of losing.— Life after sports is a journey, not an overnight switch: Experiencing grief or feeling numb after walking away from elite athletics is normal, and navigating those layers is a necessary step to uncovering your deeper calling.Connect with the Host:• Instagram: Hanna Halteman | Honour Athletics• Book: Fullcourt Faith (Available now for athletes navigating sport and spirit!)Connect with the Guests:• Sydney: Instagram @Sydney.Zimm• Brooke Schult: Instagram @brooke.schultIf this conversation resonated with you or touched your heart, please take a moment to follow, like, and share The HONOUR Podcast. Your support helps us build a greater community and change the landscape of athletics for competitors everywhere!

What happens when the cheering stops and the uniform comes off? In this soul-stirring episode, Hannah sits down with former CSU and Boise State football player Matt Greenwald to discuss the jarring transition from elite athlete to everyday life. Whether you are a student-athlete currently in the trenches or a professional navigating a career pivot, this conversation explores why placing your worth in temporary accolades is a recipe for heartbreak and how surrendering your "game plan" to God leads to a more fulfilling path. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt lost after a plan failed or an injury changed everything.Main Topics CoveredThe Origin of "Suiting Up TV": Matt shares the hilarious and humbling story of trying out various college sports—from hockey to horse polo—while wearing a literal business suit.The Impact of Career-Ending Injuries: Both Hannah and Matt reflect on the psychological toll of red-shirting and the "flip" of expectations when surgery sidelines your dreams.The Identity Crisis: A deep dive into why athletes struggle when their sport is taken away and how the "football guy" persona can be a trap.Daily Surrender: Moving beyond the "Tim Tebow" stereotype to find a practical, daily rhythm of faith in high-performance culture.Ministry in Motion: How Matt uses his role as a strength coach to mentor the next generation of athletes.The "Celebration" Shift: A candid talk about changing habits and choosing not to "celebrate with the enemy" when the Lord provides blessings.The GOAT Debate: A lighthearted wrap-up on Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James and childhood inspirations.Key TakeawaysFoundations Matter: If your foundation is built on something that can be taken away (like physical health or sports stats), it is destined to fail. Building on faith provides a permanent anchor.God-Consciousness: Faith isn't just a "checkbox" 20-minute morning devotional; it’s about a vibrant relationship and being aware of His presence in every moment, from the gym to the grocery store.Redefining Legacy: Stats and jerseys fade, but the relationships made in the locker room and the impact on others' lives are the only things you can "take to the grave."Trust the Detour: Often, God uses the "end" of a sports career to open a door to a calling you didn't know you wanted, such as coaching or mentorship.Connect with the GuestInstagram: Matt GreenwaldYouTube: Suiting Up TVCall to ActionIf this episode spoke to you, please follow The Honour Podcast, like this post, and share it with an athlete, parent, or coach who needs to hear this message today! Your support helps us keep these vital conversations going.Connect with the HostInstagram: Hannah Halteman | Honour AthleticsBook: Fullcourt Faith (Available now for athletes navigating sport and spirit!)