What would make an 18-year-old walk away from eleven Division I baseball scholarship offers? What happens when an NFL prospect loses everything to injury and addiction? The debut episode of Unashamed brings together two unlikely spiritual brothers from different generations, united by radical surrender.

Markus shares his journey from football stardom to rock bottom. With Division I scholarships and NFL combine success, his future seemed set until a devastating shoulder injury ended his career. The subsequent spiral into prescription drug addiction, failed marriage, and jail time created the perfect storm for a divine encounter. Through raw vulnerability, Markus reveals how daily declarations of scripture—particularly Ephesians 1:6—transformed his identity from an athlete to a son of God. His powerful testimony demonstrates that "tension, by very definition, produces growth."

Meanwhile, Nehemiah's story flips the script entirely. Blessed with baseball talent that attracted college recruiters nationwide, he faced his own burning bush moment at 18. Despite confusion from his principal, counselors, friends, and even his pastor father, Nehemiah walked away from sports glory to pursue ministry. "What is it to gain the world and lose your soul?" became his guiding question. His decision cost him relationships, followers, and understanding—yet brought unexpected peace.

Their paths crossed when Markus walked into Dick's Sporting Goods with an expired coupon and met Nehemiah behind the counter. What seemed like chance was actually divine appointment—Markus had been praying for zealous young people to mentor, while Nehemiah had been seeking spiritual fathers who understood his unconventional calling.

Whether you're facing painful losses or questioning prosperity, this conversation challenges conventional success narratives with a powerful alternative: complete surrender to divine purpose. As they put it, "When you can grab a mop before you grab a mic, God will provide the platform."

Subscribe now to join this intergenerational journey of being boldly, unapologetically unashamed of living for something greater than ourselves.