Why I Chose God Over the 'Miami Lifestyle' (An NBA Player's Testimony)

NBA player Cole Swider reveals the dark side of the "Miami lifestyle," why he chose Jesus over fame, and the truth about faith in the NBA locker room.In this episode:Cole Swider, NBA sharpshooter (Raptors, Lakers, Heat), joins Zach Schumaker for a raw conversation about the reality of professional basketball. Cole opens up about his transition from being "broken" at Villanova to playing alongside his childhood idol LeBron James, and how that dream-come-true moment wasn't enough to satisfy his soul.We dive deep into the "Miami Test"—how the temptations of money, women, and fame nearly derailed his faith, and the specific moment God brought him to his knees. Cole shares the inside story of NBA Chapel, the brotherhood of believers (featuring names like Russell Westbrook and Tyrese Haliburton), and how he navigates the emotional roller coaster of being waived, traded, and signed. Plus, hear the powerful story of his recent baptism and why he decided to stop waiting for the "perfect time" to surrender.About Cole Swider:NBA Teams: Toronto Raptors, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons.College: Syracuse University, Villanova University.Role: Sharpshooter / Forward.⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: Cole Swider's Journey from College to the NBA 01:44 - The "God Decision": Transferring from Villanova to Syracuse 02:50 - Playing with LeBron James: A Dream Come True 03:36 - The Miami Trap: Money, Fame, and Temptation 05:53 - Finding "Vue Church" and True Surrender 10:32 - Why Athletes Must Read the Bible (Matthew & Proverbs) 15:19 - Inside NBA Chapel: The 15-Minute Anchor 21:22 - Advice to Young Athletes: Build Your Foundation Early 26:56 - Planting Seeds: Evangelism in the Locker Room 34:19 - Surviving "The Cut": Faith During Career Instability 41:48 - The Scripture That Saves Me: Romans 8:28 54:20 - Cole's Baptism Story: Surrendering the Old Self📚 Resources Mentioned:Scripture: Romans 8:25-28Church: Vue Church (Miami), Zoe Church (LA)About Path of the Cross: Path of the Cross Podcast bridges the gap between the heart and the mind through raw testimonies and deep theological truth. Hosted by Zach Schumaker, we explore apologetics, Bible history, and the reality of suffering to equip the whole believer. Subscribe to discover not just what to believe, but why it matters.Check out Zach's other shows:The SchuZ Show: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOMleLQ1xZNiga5HlLG2dkAThe Iron Compass: https://www.youtube.com/@theironcompassshowConnect With Zach:Subscribe:(https://youtube.com/@PathoftheCrossPodcast?si=I8aPszhY_vvQbveb)Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zachschumaker/X: https://x.com/ZachSchumakerFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/zach.schuz.schumakerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zachschumakerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachschumaker/Path of the Cross Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pathofthecrosspodcast/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574915377314Hashtags: #ColeSwider #NBA #ChristianAthlete #Testimony #Lakers #MiamiHeat #PathOfTheCross #Basketball #Faith #MentalHealth #POTCP ep. #5