In an age where sports dominate headlines and stadium lights shine brighter than ever, two men are working to ensure that faith is not forgotten on the field. Kevin Walsh and Jacob Byrd, co-hosts and co-founders of The Walk Foundation, have built a platform that bridges athletics and spirituality in a way that is resonating with millions. What began just over a year ago as a small podcast experiment has grown into a nationwide movement, amplifying the testimonies of athletes and offering encouragement to those navigating the challenges of sports, faith, and life.
“The Walk Foundation isn’t just a podcast—it’s a mission,” Walsh explained. “It’s about helping athletes walk in faith, wherever they are on that journey.”
From a Single Story to a Movement
The spark that ignited the Walk Foundation came in February 2024, when Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson approached Walsh and Byrd with a desire to publicly share what God was doing in his life. What followed was both a podcast and an in-person event that set the tone for what would become a growing national platform.
“At the beginning, it was February of 2024 last year, and TreVeyon Henderson came to us and explained that he wanted to share about what God was doing in his life,” Byrd recalled. “So we had talked about a podcast or an event, and both came to fruition. That’s how the Walk Foundation started.”
From there, the momentum only grew. Major athletes across college and professional sports have since joined the Walk platform, using their stories to inspire others and dismantle the stereotype that faith and athletics must remain separate.
Walking in Faith
Central to the foundation is the concept of “the walk” itself—an idea that faith is less about perfection and more about progress.
“To walk in faith is a journey,” Walsh explained. “As we talk to athletes, we see that for some of them, it’s really leaning into their relationship with the Lord, and it’s their daily disciplines. Guys can be at a lot of different places in their walk, but the reality is that they’re walking and moving forward with the desire to become more like Jesus. That’s what it’s all about.”
This message resonates with young athletes who often feel pressure to present themselves as flawless competitors. Instead, the Walk Foundation provides a space to embrace authenticity.
Vulnerability That Inspires
When asked which guest testimony had left the greatest personal impact, Byrd immediately pointed to NBA guard Jaden Ivey.
“When he came on, he was very open and vulnerable,” Byrd said. “He spoke about hardships both growing up and in the NBA. I found that when athletes are open about their struggle and their sin and their need for a savior, that’s when we see the most impact.”
Walsh echoed the importance of vulnerability, recalling a conversation with Ohio State basketball player Colby Bauman.
“Colby has a very interesting story,” Walsh shared. “He lost his dad and grandmother, his house flooded—all in the same week. You might see him on the court and think he has it all, but life has been hard for him too. His story reminds people that athletes are human. Once you see that, you realize just how relatable they are.”
Balancing Sports and Spirit
Integrating faith into the sports world isn’t without its challenges. Professional athletics are often associated with celebrity, wealth, and competition—concepts that can conflict with Christian values.
“The sports world is interesting,” Walsh said. “On the surface, it doesn’t seem like spiritual things should be involved because for many people, sports can become an idol. But the reality is that there are so many athletes for whom the Lord is central. The Walk Foundation’s mission is to bridge that gap and help them bring Jesus into that space.”
For Byrd, the unseen struggles many athletes endure highlight why the platform is so necessary. “We’ve interviewed a lot of athletes that have gone through serious mental health issues—depression, anxiety, even suicidal thoughts,” he said. “What’s shown on the field is in the spotlight, but what happens off the field is often in the dark.”
Building a Safe Space
Behind the scenes, Walsh and Byrd work diligently to make sure each interview is as authentic as possible. Unlike many podcasts, they travel across the country to meet athletes face-to-face.
“We travel to each and every one of our podcasts,” Byrd explained. “It creates a really safe space and comfortable environment for athletes to dive deeper into their story. We’ve been blessed that so many athletes say yes to sharing their faith.”
Byrd agreed, adding that the willingness of athletes to be vulnerable demonstrates just how powerful the mission is. “The reality is God’s going to use their stories. We’ve been so blessed to get connected with so many guys who truly want to share what Jesus has done in their lives.”
Measuring Impact
With millions of views across platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram, the Walk Foundation’s digital footprint is impressive. But for Walsh and Byrd, the most meaningful feedback doesn’t come from numbers.
“Much bigger than the reach or the views would be the testimonies we receive,” Byrd said. He recalled meeting a pastor in Columbus who told him that Henderson’s candid testimony on the podcast had encouraged his own son, who was struggling with mental health issues in North Carolina.
Another email that still resonates with the hosts came from a 14-year-old boy raised in an atheist household. “He told us that if it wasn’t for TreVeyon sharing his testimony and for the Walk putting on that podcast, he wouldn’t have known who Jesus was,” Byrd said. “That’s when you realize the impact.”
Looking Ahead
As for the future, Walsh and Byrd remain committed to following where they believe God is leading.
“In five years, I could see the Walk Foundation being a podcast and event platform for athletes both in the U.S. and internationally,” Byrd said. “There are so many outspoken Christian athletes, and we want to create more opportunities for them to share their faith.”
Walsh added, “We’ve seen what the Lord has done in just over a year. Five years from now, the Walk Foundation could make an impact beyond what I can even envision. The important thing is that it’s exactly what God wants it to be.”
A Message to Young Athletes
Before closing, both Walsh and Byrd offered advice to young athletes struggling to stay bold in their faith.
“Oftentimes fear is the biggest obstacle,” Byrd said. “So I would ask: are those thoughts of fear coming from the Lord, or from the enemy? If they’re from the enemy, we need to do our best to put those thoughts aside and say yes to Jesus. When athletes share their faith, it creates tremendous impact.”
Walsh emphasized starting small. “It all begins with how you walk out your faith with your teammates,” he said. “The way you treat your coaches, the effort you give, the way you love others—that’s where boldness begins. From there, opportunities to share your faith will open up.”
Accessible Everywhere
For those looking to engage with the Walk Foundation, the podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, with clips circulating widely across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok under the handle Access The Walk.
As Walsh and Byrd continue their journey, one thing remains clear: the Walk Foundation is more than a podcast. It is a movement that invites athletes—and anyone listening—to embrace authenticity, walk boldly in faith, and remember that even under the brightest lights, the most important walk is the one taken with Christ.
You can reach The Walk Foundation here
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You can listen to The Walk Podcast on all platforms @accessthewalk