Dave Canales’ coaching acumen is highly regarded. Currently coaching the Carolina Panthers in the NFL, his life story beyond the field is as influential. And, one cannot recount his life’s narratives tive without mentioning his wife, Lizzy Canales. Standing with him as his rock-solid support, she has helped him fight addictions to come out stronger.

Beyond her roles as a wife and mother, Lizzy has professional expertise as a writer and speaker. And with her key insights, she has dealt with personal and spiritual matters. Together with her husband, Dave, she co-authored the book “This Marriage? The Questions That Changed Everything,” back in 2022. Lizzy has a master’s degree in secondary health education, and she is committed to the domains of health and wellness. This is what she tackles through her public speaking engagements. Besides writing, she is also an active public speaker. She shares her learning from her life experiences to do her bid to help people navigate through the ups and downs of marriage, faith, and even personal growth.

Not only this, Lizzy also shares a passion for mountains and wildlife. Back then, she was also a college athlete. For Lizzy and Dave, it was a college romance while attending Azusa Pacific University. When Lizzy was spending a semester abroad, they became email pals. As soon as she returned to the U.S., Dave did not waste a moment asking her out.

But, married life did not prove to be smooth for the couple. They share four children: Ashby, Benjamin, Beatrice, and Amaya. However, things became complex due to Dave’s infidelity and substance abuse. Talking about it, Dave adds, “I cheated on Lizzy for the first time at my bachelor party one month before we got married. From the start of our relationship, I was binge drinking and going out with my friends, without Lizzy.” He started to live a secret life, and Lizzy had no inkling about his “secret, dark place that was just mine,” as Dave mentions.

Dave further adds that he used to pretend to be single while going out. However, Lizzy eventually decided to intervene. On one occasion, she called out the broken marriage, learning about his struggles that started before marriage. Talking about his disclosure, he says, “She nailed every event. I told her what happened and with whom.” But, Lizzy was adamant about rebuilding the marriage and salvaging it at whatever cost, which eventually led them to the path to reconcile with things.

Rebuilding marriage with love and faith

Reflecting on the process of healing their married life, Lizzy describes it as “burning down the old marriage and bringing forth something entirely new from the ashes.” It is when the couple decided to co-author their book to be there for those couples who have faced similar challenges.

They mention, “We offer our heart and soul in our story to give you hope that you, too, can find a way forward to something better.” Even Russell Wilson commented on the book saying, “His adoration for Lizzy inspires me daily. Lizzy is not only a Proverbs 31 woman of God, but she is an angel on earth. She is an inspiration for women by the way she loves. Their book is a must-read if you want a lasting marriage. Jesus first, always!'”

Practicing faith and belief in God together is what helped them heal. Now, the couple enjoys their time together. They also have this small ritual, waking up 30-45 mins before the kids, brewing a cup of Cannon Beach coffee, and “his kids decide what the family does on a Friday evening.” And now, with such sweet family moments, the couple is getting stronger than ever.