Professional triathlete Rachel Zilinskas joins the FIERCE Podcast to share a gripping story about the core of athlete identity. She recounts her journey from being a two-time national champion swimmer at Georgia to navigating the brutal physical, mental, and spiritual demands of being an Ironman athlete.

After overcoming a series of debilitating stress fractures just to make it to the starting line, Rachel finds herself in the French Alps for the World Championships. She was in peak form, poised for a potential top-five finish on a course tailor-made for her climbing strengths. Mid-race, 10 kilometers into the bike course, however God led her on a path different than what she anticipated and yet far more impactful than she ever could have imagined.

Rachel was left with a profound realization, something Sam describes as one of the most profound things she has ever heard. Listen in to discover what that revelation was.

Takeaway:

Reflect on your own athletic journey and life. Recount the highs and the lows, and see how in every circumstance God was there the whole time. Listen to and receive Him call you Daughter. Ask God to reveal to you the fundamental truth that YOU are His and at every moment He is there to offer you an embrace.

NEXT WEEK: Don't miss next week as we go even deeper into the wisdom Rachel has gained from her competing and how to “race in freedom.”

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How do the opinions of others—coaches, teammates, fans, and parents—shape who we think we are? In this episode, Sam and Julianna explore the dangerous temptation to define one’s self-worth based on external feedback rather than a God-given identity. They discuss the "fine line" between constructive athletic feedback and personal opinions that can destroy an athlete's confidence or worth.

Drawing from personal experiences in college athletics, they talk about the pressure to fit in, the pain of being ignored by coaches, and the realization that "proximity does not equal permission" when it comes to letting others influence your heart. The episode also touches on the unique feminine desire to be "seen, known, and loved," and how to distinguish between God’s gentle voice and the negative "accusations" of the devil.

End of Episode Takeaway:

• Listen to the Freedom prayer at the end of the podcast again. Timestamp 30:27.
• Make a new list of the lies you believe about yourself and people’s opinions that you need to be rid of and pray this prayer…
• “In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce, I rebuke, and I reject the (spirit, lie, fear, opinion, or comment of others) and I send it to the foot of the Cross.” (Repeat through your whole list) Thank you Lord for setting me free. Bless me Father.”

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Episode Summary: Identity | Beyond Performance

This is where we must begin. Who am I beyond my athleticism? In the season premiere of the revamped FIERCE Athlete Podcast 2.0, hosts Sam Kelley and Julianna Dalton dive deep into the concept of identity beyond the scoreboard.

Many athletes fall into the trap of defining their entire worth by performance, stats, or starting positions. But what happens when you get injured, lose your spot, or eventually retire? If your identity is tied only to what you do, you are left feeling like nothing when those things go away.

This episode explores how to stop the revolving door of labels and fill the "God-sized hole" in your heart with your true, unchanging identity as a daughter of God. Learn how surrendering your athletic gifts to the Lord doesn't make you less competitive—it actually gives you the ultimate freedom to perform at your best.

Takeaway Exercise: The Identity Audit

To begin detaching your worth from your performance, Sam and Julianna recommend the following practical exercise:

• Header: At the very top of a piece of paper, write: "I am a daughter of God."
• List Your Labels: Below that, write down every label you currently use to identify yourself (e.g., "All-American," "injured kid," "starter," "point guard").
• Audit Your List: Look at each label and ask, "Does this serve me, or is it a lie?"
• The "Voice Check": Determine if the label is good and beautiful (the voice of God) or if it reduces your worth and causes discouragement (the voice of lies).
• Cross Them Out: Be competitive about getting rid of the lies. Draw a line through any label that makes you feel like a failure or reduces your inherent value.

Daily Re-Read: Keep the labels that are God-given talents (like "athletic" or "talented") and daily remind yourself that the top line—being His daughter—is your only permanent identity.

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