S4:E38 The Intersection of Sport, Spirituality & Social Impact with James 'Stevo' Stephenson
James Stephenson is a pioneer in holistic athlete development, where elite performance and human wellbeing are inseparable. A two-sport international athlete for Great Britain, Olympic coach, and ordained Anglican minister, James brings a rare blend of high-performance experience, spiritual depth, and social impact to his work in sport.
For nearly a decade, James has lived with his family on the Zambian/DRC border, using sport as a vehicle for community empowerment, identity, and healing. His mission goes beyond medals—he’s focused on the deeper purpose of sport: to elevate lives, foster connection, and unlock human potential.
James believes coaching is less about imposing frameworks and more about holding space—helping athletes explore who they are, what they value, and how sport can serve their growth beyond performance. He champions emotional intelligence, positive language, and values-based development as the new frontier of excellence in sport.
This week, James shares his journey from elite competition to global impact, the power of asking better questions, and why true success means aligning with your soul. If you’ve ever felt the tension between chasing results and living fully—this conversation is your permission to reimagine what’s possible.
Talking Points:
- Why elite sport must evolve from performance obsession to purpose orientation
- What indigenous cultures can teach us about community, wisdom, and wellbeing
- The difference between a career built on knowledge and a life rooted in wisdom
- How validating values like love, connection, and joy transforms athletes
- Coaching as holding space—not solving, but listening deeply
- Reclaiming sport’s true essence: self-actualization, not just achievement
- The power of language in shaping athlete identity and internal dialogue
- How wellbeing and spiritual fulfillment can elevate—not detract from—performance
- Creating freedom for athletes to explore who they are, not just what they do
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Resources
- Men Behind Sport Support
- The High-Performance Coach’s Guide to Lasting Change
- Gaia Games Summit 2026: Join the Movement!
