GROWING AS MAN OF GOD
4/24/2025 10:00:00 AM | Football, Champions' TriBUne
Baylor helped me find my faith, myself and my love for football again
By: Treven Ma'aeChampions' TriBUne is a special feature through Baylor Athletics that gives you the student-athlete's perspective and the chance for them to share their own story. Treven Ma'ae, a native of Kapolei, Hawaii, was a grad transfer from Oregon who played his final two years of college eligibility at Baylor. An honorable mention All-Big 12 pick as a redshirt senior, he started all 13 games on the defensive line for the Bears, totaling 42 tackles with 6.5 for loss, 3.5 sacks, three QB hurries and one pass breakup. Treven participated in the Big 12 Football Pro Day back in March at The Star in Frisco to prepare for this week's NFL Draft, which starts Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin:
Baylor helped me find my faith, myself and my love for football again through many challenges on and off the field.
Finding Baylor:
My journey to Baylor wasn't something I planned or saw in my immediate future when I first entered the transfer portal to leave the University of Oregon. During that time, I had so much doubt if I even had a chance at finding another program to call home. I've been reflecting on my time at Baylor since I finished playing and I'm proud to be a Baylor Bear. I'm so thankful to Coach Matthew Powledge and Coach Dave Aranda for bringing me to Baylor and believing in me and seeing my potential. When I came to Baylor on my official visit, my wife Tiani and I felt at home and welcomed by the team and staff. We knew this was the place for us to be. Some of the major factors that contributed to my decision in choosing Baylor was the opportunity to continue to grow as a football player, grow as a husband and, most importantly, grow as a man of God.
Tribulation:
The first year at Baylor was rough. It was the most I had struggled mentally since I had been in college. I was playing a new position, and I wasn't having the success I wanted. I played the most I did at that point in my career and had the worst year. I had more productive years as a Duck, and I played less than I did during that 2023 season. Also, the stress of a poor season took a toll on my emotional state, and I was on edge all the time. My life was a mess, and I was eating poorly and drinking every week to try and cope with my issues, and I made excuses for myself. I went through depression and was hiding my problems and not dealing with them in a productive way. This was truly rock bottom for me. Looking back on it now, I honestly feel that I needed to go through these moments so that I could finally see what needed to change for me to be the best I can be. I know now that the bad happens for a reason and, at a certain point, good starts to happen when it's supposed to.
Revelation:
While it's not scripture, one quote that resonates with me is, "God helps those who help themselves." In the same way that my life was spiraling downhill because the important things in my life were lacking, my life started changing for the better in May 2024, when I made many changes to my life. I started to pray and devote time to God. I started to read books and meditate. I changed my diet and ate more balanced meals and in moderation. I quit drinking and used reading and meditating to learn how to be vulnerable to properly cope with my issues. These things helped me in my marriage and, as I'm sure most people can agree, that first year isn't easy. I also had great coaches and great teammates that helped give me great advice. I believe God showed me the error of my ways, and He gave me the capacity to do better.
Ascension:
Little by little, my life started to change. I was becoming a leader at football. The more I matured and grew, my responsibilities at football increased. I learned from strength coach Vic Viloria, who taught me that the only way to become a better leader is by doing it and learning from your mistakes. Being a leader means holding people to the standard, which requires you to exceed the standard. By the time the season came, I had become a team captain and earned a single-digit number. This past season was the best I played in my career, and again, it's not a surprise because all the other areas of my life were becoming better. I also attribute my success this past season to defensive line coach Inoke "Nokes" Breckterfield. He helped me take my game to the next level, pushing me to be the best version of me. Coach Nokes also became a father figure to me and helped me off the field as well. My love for the game was found again, and I believe that was displayed in how I played every game. I played the game passionately and violently the way it's supposed to be played.
Baylor is special to me because it's where I started to build a relationship with God. I know now He has always been with me, even before I sought Him out. God also placed a teammate like Michael Allen in my path. He was a person who helped me grow my faith and helped me learn about Christ. I'm still on my journey and working on myself, and I'm excited for the next chapter in my life. Baylor has played such a pivotal role in shaping me and preparing me for my next step in life through the people and relationships and challenges I've been blessed to experience.
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