The Marriage Game Plan: How George & Tondra Gregory Help Couples Win at Love for Life

Marriage is more than a commitment—it’s a lifelong partnership that requires vision, strategy, and teamwork. Just like a championship sports team studies the playbook, practices together, and adapts to challenges on the field, couples need a plan to thrive in every season of life.

That’s the heartbeat behind The Marriage Game Plan: Developing a Winning Strategy for Marital Success, the upcoming book from George and Tondra Gregory. Married for 30 years, the Gregory's are nationally recognized marriage coaches, ministry leaders, and NFL chaplains for the Los Angeles Chargers. Their passion for helping couples is unmistakable, and their message is clear: with the right strategy, every marriage can grow stronger, deeper, and more joyful—no matter what challenges come your way.

From the NFL Field to the Marriage Field

The Gregory's journey in ministry has taken them from church pews to NFL locker rooms. Before leading the marriage ministry at Saddleback Church, they founded Journey for Life, a ministry dedicated to equipping couples through weekend getaways, workshops, date nights, and church conferences across the country.

Their unique sports-themed approach was inspired by their years of serving as official chaplains for the Los Angeles Chargers and previously coaching players and their families with the New York Jets and New York Giants. They’ve counseled professional athletes, coaches, and their spouses through the pressures of public life—pressure that can strain even the strongest relationships.

And here’s the truth: the lessons they’ve learned in those high-pressure environments apply to every couple, whether you’re juggling a demanding job, parenting young children, or navigating a new season of life.

Why a Game Plan Matters

In The Marriage Game Plan, the Gregory's compare marriage to a high-stakes game. Without a clear strategy, even the most talented team can find themselves confused, frustrated, or divided. The same goes for marriage.

“Done right, a well-laid-out marriage game plan helps put couples on the same page and keeps them going in the same direction,” they write. “It also gives them a plan for success.”

The book offers a step-by-step framework for couples to:

• Strengthen Their Bond – Through biblically based principles and relatable sports analogies, the Gregory's make marriage concepts clear and engaging for both husbands and wives.

• Navigate Challenges Together – Life’s obstacles can pull couples apart, but with practical strategies for handling conflict and fostering resilience, you can grow closer instead of drifting away.

• Balance Roles and Responsibilities – Whether you’re balancing motherhood and being a supportive spouse, navigating career demands, or managing a busy household, the Gregory's provide guidance to keep your priorities aligned.

• Keep Christ at the Center – A thriving marriage is built on a shared faith foundation. The Gregory's show couples how to align spiritually and let Jesus guide every decision.

• Create Your Own Marriage Playbook – By the end of the book, couples will have personalized action steps, goals, and rhythms that will keep them connected and moving forward together.

  
  

Interactive and Practical Tools

What sets The Marriage Game Plan apart is its interactive nature. At the end of each chapter, readers will find reflection questions, activities to complete together, and space to write down their own collective action steps. The Gregory's also provide QR codes that link to exclusive bonus videos, offering extra encouragement and insight.

For couples who want to take it further, there’s even a built-in small group guide so friends or church groups can work through the book together. The Gregory's believe strong marriages create ripple effects—impacting children, extended family, friends, and entire communities.

The Heart Behind the Book

When you listen to George and Tondra talk, you quickly realize this isn’t just theory for them—it’s their life. Their 30 years of marriage have included seasons of joy and seasons of challenge, but through it all, they’ve kept Jesus at the center. Their transparency about their own journey makes their advice relatable and their encouragement authentic.

Their vision is to see marriages restored, families strengthened, and communities transformed. And it starts with couples being intentional—choosing unity, practicing grace, and following a shared plan for their relationship.

Why You Need to Hear This Episode

In my conversation with Tondra Gregory on the She Speaks Life podcast, she shares:

• How sports analogies can make biblical marriage principles come alive for both men and women

• The importance of building emotional intimacy and trust in every season of marriage

• Practical tips for balancing motherhood, marriage, and personal growth

• Why a couple’s spiritual life is the foundation for every other area of their relationship

• The value of having a marriage “playbook” you create together

  
  

Whether you’re newly married, raising kids, navigating career changes, or stepping into a new chapter of life, this episode is full of wisdom you can apply immediately.

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: S10E20

Final Thought

Every winning team studies the playbook before the big game. In marriage, your “big game” isn’t a one-time event—it’s every day you commit to love, serve, and grow together. With The Marriage Game Plan, George and Tondra Gregory are handing you the tools, strategies, and biblical wisdom to help you and your spouse not just survive, but truly win—together.