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

Pre-Zero Sports Talk

In 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 Welcome
• 02:29 – Pope Leo XIV: Faith meets history
• 05:10 – Mission-driven family values
• 06:18 – Athletic journey at Cornell
• 10:02 – From performance to purpose
• 13:18 – Wrestling with faith and identity
• 16:10 – Saying “yes” to the family business
• 19:23 – Lessons from Japan and redefining success
• 23:14 – Running a scripture-guided business
• 32:13 – Family legacy and faith at scale
• 34:10 – Prayer, succession, and future vision
• 37:45 – Losing well and resilience
• 40:58 – The FCA story and empowering youth
• 47:20 – His books: Influence, The Creator’s Game, Look & See
• 53:43 – Restoring community and connection
• 58:47 – Lightning Round
• 01:03:04 – Final thoughts and outro

Key Takeaways:

• Faith and family are powerful leadership tools
• Resilience is shaped more by loss than by victory
• Servant leadership isn’t soft — it’s strategic
• Your business can reflect your beliefs — and still grow
• Legacy isn’t what you leave behind — it’s what you build daily

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Chapters

1. Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:00:00)

2. Frank Kelly's Reaction to Pope Leo's Election (00:02:29)

3. Values and Family Background (00:05:10)

4. College Years and Athletic Journey (00:06:18)

5. Transition from Sports to Faith (00:10:02)

6. Purpose and Existence (00:13:18)

7. Joining the Family Business (00:16:10)

8. Mission Work in Japan (00:19:23)

9. Business Guided by Scripture (00:23:14)

10. Family and Faith in Business (00:32:13)

11. Weekly Prayer and Communication (00:33:01)

12. Passing the Torch to the Next Generation (00:34:10)

13. Embracing New Ideas and Innovation (00:36:19)

14. Lessons from Losing and Resilience (00:37:45)

15. Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Journey (00:40:58)

16. Writing and Publishing Books (00:47:20)

17. Restoring Community Through Prayer (00:53:43)

18. Lightning Round: Quick Insights (00:58:47)

19. Closing Thoughts and Farewell (01:03:04)