CHRIST OVER MUSCLE
A CHRISTIAN MENTAL HEALTH & MENTAL PERFORMANCE CURRICULUM FOR ATHLETES
Christ Over Muscle is a Christian mental health and mental performance curriculum created to help athletes understand their thoughts, emotions, identity, and performance through the lens of Scripture, neuroscience, and therapeutic principles.
DEVELOPED BY
DIALLO SMITH, LMFT-A
ARDRAN B. CARR, M.ED., LPC-A, LCDC-I
Developed by Diallo Smith, LMFT-A, and Ardran B. Carr, M.Ed., LPC-A, LCDC-I, the curriculum brings together professional experience in therapy and mental health with a deep understanding of Christian faith, theology, and discipleship. Their work bridges the gap between faith and mental health, helping athletes recognize that caring for their minds and emotional well-being is not separate from their faith—it can be an important part of their walk with Christ.
ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE PRESSURES ATHLETES FACE
Christ Over Muscle addresses the unique pressures athletes face, including performance-based identity, anxiety, stress, failure, comparison, confidence, injury, relationships, and the pressure to constantly perform.
PERFORMANCE-BASED IDENTITY
ANXIETY
STRESS
FAILURE
COMPARISON
CONFIDENCE
INJURY
RELATIONSHIPS
Through biblical teaching and evidence-informed mental health concepts, athletes are given practical tools to challenge unhealthy thought patterns, develop emotional awareness, strengthen their mental resilience, and apply their faith to everyday challenges.
BRIDGING FAITH & MENTAL HEALTH
Their work bridges the gap between faith and mental health, helping athletes recognize that caring for their minds and emotional well-being is not separate from their faith—it can be an important part of their walk with Christ.
AT THE CENTER OF THE CURRICULUM IS A FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH:
YOUR PERFORMANCE IS SOMETHING YOU DO, NOT WHO YOU ARE.
YOUR IDENTITY IS FOUND IN CHRIST.
Christ Over Muscle challenges athletes to pursue excellence without allowing sport to become their source of worth, purpose, or identity. It encourages athletes to bring their whole selves—their minds, emotions, faith, and performance—under the foundation of their relationship with Christ.
WANT ACCESS?
Email us to bring our program to your student athletes ministry.