Built for Winning: The Four Foundations of Success with Jeff Friday
What does it mean to win—really win—and not lose yourself along the way? In this episode, Clif Marshall and I sit down with Jeff Friday, a man who’s spent more than three decades coaching the best of the best, including 21 seasons in the NFL and a Super Bowl as head strength coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Jeff brings a level of wisdom you can only get by actually being in the room. He takes us inside his book, “Built for Winning,” and breaks down the four blocks that outlast highlights and hardware: physical, mental, social, and spiritual. We go deeper than the weight room—tracing the path from the grind of professional football to a purpose that reaches far beyond stats and rings. Whether you’re chasing a dream in sports, business, or the daily grind, this conversation shows you how to build a foundation that endures.
Key highlights
• Jeff’s journey from NFL head strength coach to leading Athletes in Action, and why ministry reshaped how he measures success.
• The four “blocks” of holistic growth—physical, mental, social, and spiritual—with roots in Luke 2:52 and lived out in the locker room and beyond.
• The power of encouragement: how small, consistent belief from others can bring a message—and a book—to life.
• Stories from the margins: how Vincent Rey, undrafted and overlooked, used these blocks to forge a nine-year NFL career and lead as team captain.
• Simple, actionable ways to get 1% better—especially in your faith—by intentionally setting aside just 14 minutes and 24 seconds each day.
• Tales from the weight room: Ray Lewis’s leadership, routines, and the real habits that separate legends from the rest.
• The truth about fulfillment: why championship rings point to something deeper, the real cost of letting wounds go unaddressed, and why healing and honest relationships matter most.
References
• “Built 4 Winning” by Jeff Friday: https://www.jefffriday.com/my-book
• “Let the World See You: How to Be Real in a World Full of Fakes” by Sam Acho: https://www.samacho.com/resources/let-the-world-see-you
• Athletes in Action: https://athletesinaction.org/
Key highlights
• Jeff’s journey from NFL head strength coach to leading Athletes in Action, and why ministry reshaped how he measures success.
• The four “blocks” of holistic growth—physical, mental, social, and spiritual—with roots in Luke 2:52 and lived out in the locker room and beyond.
• The power of encouragement: how small, consistent belief from others can bring a message—and a book—to life.
• Stories from the margins: how Vincent Rey, undrafted and overlooked, used these blocks to forge a nine-year NFL career and lead as team captain.
• Simple, actionable ways to get 1% better—especially in your faith—by intentionally setting aside just 14 minutes and 24 seconds each day.
• Tales from the weight room: Ray Lewis’s leadership, routines, and the real habits that separate legends from the rest.
• The truth about fulfillment: why championship rings point to something deeper, the real cost of letting wounds go unaddressed, and why healing and honest relationships matter most.
References
• “Built 4 Winning” by Jeff Friday: https://www.jefffriday.com/my-book
• “Let the World See You: How to Be Real in a World Full of Fakes” by Sam Acho: https://www.samacho.com/resources/let-the-world-see-you
• Athletes in Action: https://athletesinaction.org/
Creators and Guests
Host
Clif Marshall
Coach Clif Marshall enters his ninth year as the Performance Director at Ignition where he is responsible for the design and implementation of both the strength and speed programs. Marshall works as a Fitness Ambassador for the NFL. With 15 years of professional experience, Marshall has trained more than 400 pro football players, including first round NFL draft picks, Super Bowl Champions and Pro Bowlers. Luke Kuechly, AJ Green, Geno Atkins and Devin McCourty have been some of Marshall's most notable clients over the years. Under Marshall's Direction Ignition has trained over 40+ NFL Combine Top Performers and a number of NFL Players who hold all time combine records for their position groups. Currently Ignition and Coach Marshall have at least one player that they have trained on all 32 NFL Clubs.
