Audience of One
"Audience of One" (AO1) is a concept that began with the efforts of the group Athletes in Action in the mid-20th century. Leaders in AIA -- a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ -- began using the phrase "Audience of One" with athletes to encourage them to focus on God as their ultimate audience.
The idea of prioritizing God above all else is rooted in such passages as Colossians 3:23, which urges us to do our good work "heartily, as for the Lord and not for people." The "Audience of One" approach is intended to help athletes maintain their identity in Christ, regardless of external opinions, and to play for God's glory rather than human praise.
The phrase "Audience of One" became widely recognized when NFL quarterback Carson Wentz launched the AO1 Foundation in 2017, an organization whose mission is to demonstrate God's love by helping those in need.
Besides Carson Wentz, several other Christian athletes have embraced the "Audience of One" (AO1) philosophy, publicly expressing their commitment to playing and living for God’s approval rather than for the applause of fans. Some notable examples include:
Tim Tebow: The former NFL quarterback and professional baseball player frequently talks about how his faith guides his career. He is known for his public displays of prayer (popularly called "Tebowing") and often emphasizes playing for God rather than for human accolades.
Stephen Curry: The NBA superstar has expressed his deep Christian faith and regularly emphasizes his commitment to playing for God's glory. Curry is known to write personal messages including Bible verses on his shoes and often refers to his motivation as being rooted in faith.
Nick Foles: The NFL quarterback and Super Bowl MVP embraces the AO1 mentality, often discussing how he prioritizes his faith in Jesus Christ above his athletic career. Foles has been open about how this perspective helps him handle both success and failure with humility.
Ben Zobrist: The former MLB player, a two-time World Series champion, has spoken publicly about his Christian faith and how it shapes his approach to sports. He, too, follows the AO1 concept, seeking to live in a way that honors God above all else.
Living with an "Audience of One" mindset means that whether you're on the field, at work, or in your personal life, you are striving to live for God's approval rather than the opinions or praise of others. The AO1 mindset is not just about faith in action, but about freedom: freedom to live for God ith joy and purpose, unaffected by the fickle opinions of the world around you.
What can you do this week to adopt an AO1 mindset in your life?