Bryan Clay earned a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics and now has his eyes set on winning the gold in Beijing. He has traveled a long way from his troubled and rebellious teen years to become a successful Christian athlete. A true role model, Bryan now provides an opportunity for underprivileged students to change their lives and futures through his scholarship foundation. He credits two things for redirecting his course: his success in sports, which led him to a Christian college, and his acceptance of Jesus Christ and the Christian faith.
Sport: Track & Field (Decathlon)
Date of Birth: January 3, 1980
Hometown: Austin, Texas and Honolulu, Hawaii
Current Home: Glendora, California
Church Affiliation: The Foursquare Church
More: Bryan's Official Website
Interview with Christian Athlete Bryan Clay
Briefly explain how and when you became a Christian:
I first became a Christian when I was little, however, I did not have a real relationship with Christ until I was in college. That is where I understood what it meant to be a Christian and to walk in a personal relationship with Christ.
Do you attend church?
Yes! We (Bryan is married and has two children) attend a great church that we love here in Southern California.
Do you read the Bible regularly?
I try to. I have to be honest though. There are mornings when I forget, or when business gets in the way. Right now I am going through a devotional book that one of my coaches gave me!
How does your faith influence you as an athletic competitor?
It is where I draw my strength. Also, in order to do well you need to be balanced spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Do you ever face difficult challenges because of your stand for Christ?
Yes. One way that comes to mind is that a lot of reporters don't want to hear me giving praise to God. There is no drama in that for them. Another way is that potential sponsors may not want to be affiliated with a Christian. In fact, I have been told that if I profess my faith, I probably won't make as much money.
Do you have a favorite Christian author?
Well, I don't know about a favorite, but I am reading John Eldredge's, The Way of the Wild Heart, right now. It has been life-changing for me! It has caused me to do some deep thinking about my past. It also has added to my thoughts of being a father to a boy.
Do you have a favorite Christian music artist?
No favorites right now. I pretty much listen to it all. I do like the song, "Voice Of Truth," by Casting Crowns. That is my theme song for the upcoming year.
Who would you name as a personal hero of the faith?
I guess I would say that one of my heroes would be King David. I really enjoy and relate to the story of David and Goliath.
What is the most important life-lesson you have learned?
The recent theme in my life has been about balance and order. I have found that if I can keep my priorities in order (God first, family second, etc.), everything falls into place. When in the proper order, I know what to give 100% to, and what not to waste my time on.
