Ep 6 | Moving from Success to Significance with Adam LaRoche

Ep 6 | Moving from Success to Significance with Adam LaRoche – Part 1

Oct 5

Summary

What happens when the career you built your identity around comes to an end?

In this episode, we sit down with former MLB player Adam LaRoche to talk about what happens when success gives way to significance.

Adam shares the story behind his decision to walk away from professional baseball, the experiences that opened his eyes to the realities of human trafficking, and how God redirected his life toward serving others. Today, through the E3 Ranch Foundation, Adam works with combat veterans and participates in counter-human-trafficking and crisis-response efforts.

From baseball locker rooms to a ranch in Kansas, from serving veterans to confronting some of the darkest places in the world, Adam's story is ultimately about purpose, obedience, and being willing to follow where God leads.

Links and Important Info

Learn more about the E3 Ranch Foundation: https://e3rf.org/
Connect with Jayson and Eric on Instagram: @jaysonfrench and @ericepperson
The Current is a Christ In Youth podcast, created to help leaders do Kingdom Work. Learn more about CIY: https://ciy.com/
Help expand the ministry of CIY and reach more students with the Gospel. $1/day opens a seat for 2 students. Get involved at http://ciy.com/give.
Executive produced by Eric Epperson, co-produced by Lauren Bryan and Joseph Jackson.

Key Takeaways

Success and significance aren't the same thing. What we accumulate isn't necessarily what we leave behind in other people.
Your career doesn't have to be your identity. When one chapter ends, it can create space for a new assignment.
Don't assume your best contribution is behind you. There may still be a mountain to climb and meaningful work to do.
Sometimes obedience means walking away. Adam's story demonstrates the willingness to leave something successful when he believed God was calling him somewhere else.
Pay attention to the people around you. Adam's biggest career regret wasn't about baseball — it was the opportunities he missed to invest in teammates.
Purpose can come after your career. Retirement or the end of a profession doesn't have to mean the end of meaningful contribution.
Stay available. Sometimes the next chapter begins simply by being willing to respond when an opportunity to serve appears.

Chapters

00:00 — From Success to Significance

02:18 — What Is Your Identity Built On?

04:25 — Die With Zero

07:01 — Welcome, Adam LaRoche

09:42 — Horseback Riding, Fly Fishing & Going Offline

11:03 — Finding God's Light in Dark Places

15:15 — The Intentionality of Slowing Down

16:29 — Life After Baseball

18:35 — Thailand Changed Everything

21:00 — Knowing When It's Time for a New Mission

26:38 — The Regret That Had Nothing to Do With Baseball