Back in Action!
The last few years has been a long, difficult, and winding road plagued with pain and doubt.
But God has continued to make it very clear that this is the road I need to be on. So as He showed me each next step, I took it.
Even when I was scared.
Even when it hurt.
Even when I wanted to walk away.
Because I know God has a plan and a purpose for me. And I know He is trustworthy.
So I walk by faith and not by sight.
That’s easier said than done. It can be absolutely terrifying to step out into the dark not knowing where your foot will land or how things will turn out.
But He’s been teaching me all over again how to trust Him completely.
And that alone is worth facing fear, battling doubt, and pushing past pain.
For the first time since 2017, I was finally able to compete again on Sunday. And it felt G•L•O•R•I•O•U•S.
No I wasn’t dropping dives for 10’s or living up to Instagram flawlessness. In fact, I even balked (stepped down) on my first handstand, lol!
But I was so excited and happy and giddy... my heart just felt so full it was overflowing. I was in a constant state of thankfulness and gratitude to just FINALLY be in a competition again.
Thank you God for this crazy, awesome journey and a husband brave enough to walk it with me. Thank you to my coaches Kenny and John for not giving up on me. Thank you to my doctors, Orthofix, Houston Spine & Rehab, Jared Sporrer and Cryo Recovery for getting me back into the pool in one piece. Thank you to my teammates and their families who made up the best cheering section EVER! And thank you to YCF Diving and all the athletes and coaches there this weekend who were so kind and encouraging!!!
It’s good to be back.
#notdoneyet
You are more than someone else's opinion
Ok ladies, we have to talk... Maybe you’re self conscious like me, and you already have a hard time looking at yourself in the mirror.
Maybe it’s a struggle just to have a day when you actually feel pretty or even just comfortable leaving the house.
Maybe you’ve noticed that in all the pictures of your kids or loved ones, you’re absent or hiding behind others.
Maybe in your whole social media feed there’s only one picture of you. And when you posted it, hardly anyone liked it, cementing your insecurity.
Then, on top of already feeling insecure and trying to minimize your exposure, someone makes a crack or let’s a harsh remark slip out within earshot. Or you find out that you lost out a position to a younger or more attractive woman.
Those feelings are harsh. Those feelings are overwhelming and can be all-consuming.
And ladies... those feelings... are just that: FEELINGS.
Someone else’s opinion of you is not equivalent to a fact.
Your insecurity and those harsh words you scream at yourself... does not make them true.
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
You are unique and full of gifts and talents that other people don’t possess.
You are beautiful and created in the image of God Himself.
You are valued and loved beyond measure.
You are more powerful than you think and capable of more than you can imagine.
Those are FACTS, and it’s time YOU start believing the truth.
Stop letting feelings define you.
YOU need to define YOU.
Conquer Your Fear... in 5 Days
Fear can be a stumbling block or even a brick wall in my sport. The truth is, fear can be that way in every aspect of our lives.
Sometimes it feels like our fear is the size of an elephant, and we get trapped in an elevator with it. Then we feel like we can’t move or get out from behind it.
Other times fear shows up as a small little nuisance we just try and ignore. But many times when we ignore or try and push away the small little fears… they end up turning into those giant elephant-sized fears.
I know this because I’ve experienced it in so many different ways and areas of my life.
Fear has stopped me cold and dictated when and where I could and couldn’t go. Fear has driven me into dark depressions. Fear has led me down the wrong path so many times.
But not any more.
I’ve learned how to conquer fear. And I want to teach you how to overcome your fear as well.
It’s time to take back the power that fear has been holding over you.
No matter how big your fears are, you have the ability to triumph over it. And I want to teach you how.
Join me for a FREE 5 day challenge to Conquer Your Fear! Just click here and sign up today!
Don't be fearless. Be courageous.
They say it’s 33 feet looking up, but 100 feet looking down.
Obviously fear is a huge factor in my sport. Fear is a huge factor in so many aspects of our lives.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned when it comes to fear, is that being afraid is totally normal. But... you have to go ahead even when you’re scared.
That is called courage.
Courage doesn’t mean there is an absence of fear or that you are completely fearless all the time.
No, not at all!
I think John Wayne sums it up the best: “Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.”
The key to managing expectations
One of the questions I get asked most often is “How do I set big goals but not become discouraged if I don’t meet them?”
In sports, and in life, it’s so easy to get caught up on the roller coaster of emotions. That’s why one of the most important things you can do to manage your expectations and not let them snowball out of control, it to understand exactly what they are… and what they should be.
The biggest trap that athletes tend to fall into is mistaking their expectations for their goals.
Expectations and goals are NOT the same thing.
Listen to the video as I explain the difference. When you can understand the difference, you can begin to manage your expectations appropriately and even use them to your advantage.
If you want more awesome and actionable tips like this that will begin growing your confidence at your next competition, go snag my free guide to becoming more confident right here!
19 years since striking Olympic Gold
I did a little reflecting back on my journey to gold, the 19 years since, and what’s happening now. I’d love for you to watch the video and be encouraged!
And if you want to take a tear dropping trip down memory lane, Team USA put together an awesome highlight of my win that you can see if you scroll down.
Check both of these videos out below 👇
First time back on 10 meter platform since surgery!
It’s been 262 days since they opened me up and put a titanium plate and 6 screws in my neck.
Saturday was my first time off 10 meter since last November.
I would love to tell you that everything went perfect, felt great, and I’m as good as new. But that’s not reality and it’s not what I expected.
1 meter didn’t feel good when I first got back in the water at the end of March. 3 meter didn’t feel good for quite a while. I collapsed on 5 meter the first day back up there and 7 meter as well.
But now all of those levels feel really good. And I know that every new day comes with healing, new strength and a bit more confidence.
I know that although my first entries off the top weren’t great and didn’t feel amazing, it’s a starting point. And it’s already better than it was a year ago.
So this is where it begins.
It has already been an incredibly difficult road just to get to this starting block.
But I’m here, and I’m ready to run.
If you want to keep up-to-date with my journey, go grab my free guide to becoming more confident by clicking right here. It’s my way of saying ‘thank you’ and encouraging you while you walk alongside me on this crazy, awesome adventure!