FIERCE Athlete Podcast

Hosted by FIERCE Athlete

Religion Spirituality Christianity Sports

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The FIERCE Athlete Podcast is here to empower female athletes to thrive in their God given Identity and femininity. You are a Daughter of God. Fully feminine. Fully strong. We’re here to help you own that truth — and transform how you compete, lead, and live as a FIERCE athlete.

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56 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 1131 min

Physical | 7 Tips for the Injured Athlete

Dealing with an injury is an inevitable, yet often ill-equipped, part of an athlete's journey. In this episode, host Sam Kelley shares seven transformative tips for those currently sidelined, drawing from her own experience of seven orthopedic surgeries. Whether you are facing physical injury, chronic pain, or even "injuries of the heart," this discussion offers a roadmap for integrating your physical suffering with your spiritual life. Learn how to move past the temptation to hate or disassociate from your body and instead find peace, purpose, and profound healing through surrender.TakeawayThe primary takeaway for the week is to actively work through these seven steps to find beauty and fruitfulness in a time of injury.Make Peace with Your BodyGrievePray for HealingLearn to ReceiveOffer Up Your PainFind Your RoleSurrenderShownotes:Surrender Novena: https://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/novenas/p03530.htmSupport the show

June 8, 2026Episode 1025 min

Physical | Honoring the Gift of Your Body

Your body is not something to fix, you are someone to honor. Sam and Julianna continue talking about the Physical, and dive into exactly what that statement means and why. Reflecting on scripture and the nature of God dwelling in us, they give both theological and practical ways to honor the bodies that God gave us. If you struggle to treat your body well, if you struggle with stress, if you struggle to love your body- you need to listen in! We promise, it will forever change you!Takeaway: Physical + Spiritual GoalPhysical: Pick one thing you need to work on to support your body’s health and recovery- whether that be more sleep, more healthy eating, hydration, rest, stress management, phone use and make a plan to fulfill that goal with it.Spiritual: Go read Elizabeth of the Trinity and spend time with God- realizing He is in you!Show notes: St. Elizabeth of the Trinity writings: He is my Heaven: https://a.co/d/0fEDZ5jqHer Works Vol 2 (her retreats): https://a.co/d/006a6myFSnooz sleep machine: https://a.co/d/01V4xQagSupport the show

June 1, 2026Episode 922 min

Physical | His Daughter: Reclaiming Your Physical Design

New Month = New Topic. The Physical. In this episode Sam and Julianna explore the intersection of physical identity and faith, focusing on how female athletes can integrate their physical, mental, and spiritual lives to honor God. They discuss the common struggles female athletes face, such as being reduced to physical measurements or facing pressure to conform to specific body types, which often leads to comparison and disordered habits. By reframing the body as a "very good" creation and a gift from God, they encourage listeners to move away from negative self-perception and embrace their unique physical design as a reflection of His image. TakeawaysPractice Gratitude for Physical Ability: Create a gratitude list to thank God for the specific ways your body allows you to move and compete.Seek God’s Perspective in Prayer: Spend time in quiet prayer asking God, "Lord, how do you see me?" and listen for His voice affirming your beauty and worth as His creation.Support the show

May 25, 2026Episode 825 min

Femininity | Feminine Traits on the Field with the Sisters of Life

Episode Summary:In this powerful follow-up conversation, Sr. Mary Grace and Sr. Zion Joy from the Sisters of Life return to explore the profound gift of femininity within the world of athletics. Often, female athletes struggle to reconcile their physical strength with their feminine identity, sometimes viewing the two as mutually exclusive. This episode deconstructs those misconceptions, illustrating how traits like receptivity, sensitivity, and maternal strength are not just compatible with sports—they are a "secret sauce" for peak performance. This episode concludes with compassionate advice and a moving story of hope for athletes navigating unexpected pregnancies or the grief of abortion, emphasizing that a woman who is loved and supported can achieve both her dreams and motherhood.Contact the Sisters: sistersoflife.orgTakeaway:Meditate on: Your true power as an athlete doesn't come from your stats or your performance, but from being "securely possessed by the Beloved". True peace and "fierceness" are found when you stop seeking validation in what you do and instead rest in who you are: a daughter of God who is fully feminine and fully strong.Support the show

May 18, 2026Episode 726 min

Femininity | "The Pace of Grace" with the Sisters of Life

Sister Mary Grace and Sister Zion Joy from the Sisters of Life join the FIERCE Athlete podcast to discuss the intersection of athletics, femininity, and faith. In Part 1 of a 2-part series, both sisters share how their backgrounds in sports shaped their spiritual lives by teaching them the value of sacrifice, the drive for greatness, and the importance of having goals beyond worldly achievements. Sister Zion Joy recounts being raised in an athletic home by her father, an Olympic kayaker, while Sister Mary Grace discusses her own journey from a specialized sports college to training for the Rio Olympics on a rugby sevens trial team before ultimately choosing to pursue a different "gold"—her religious calling. The conversation offers profound insights into finding purpose beyond the podium and learning to listen for the "pace of grace" in the midst of intense physical and spiritual competition.Takeaway: Meditate on the quote shared by Sr. Mary Grace: "Wildness is the dance partner of discipline". How does it relate to your sport and faith life?Support the show

May 11, 2026Episode 625 min

Femininity | The Courage to Will the Good

In this episode of the Fierce Athlete Podcast, Sam Kelley and Juliana Dalton delve into the practical application of true femininity within the world of sports. Building on their previous foundational discussion, they explore the dichotomy between active receptivity and the "spirit of death" found in being closed off or self-focused. The conversation challenges common misconceptions about competitiveness, redefining it not as tearing others down to get ahead, but as "willing the good" of teammates and opponents alike to bring out everyone’s best performance. They boldly address the cultural trends of over-sexualizing female athletes and rejecting the "spiritual motherhood" that allows women to nurture and embolden one another on and off the field. This discussion is CRUCIAL to our times, so give it a listen, share it with a teammate, and together let's embrace our FIERCE Femininity. Takeaway:Pick a Spiritual Intention and Enter the Pain Cave. : Before you begin your next difficult workout, choose a specific person or cause to offer your effort toward, and when the workout gets tough, do not cut corners, skip reps, or reduce your time; instead, remain present in that physical suffering and offer it as a prayer. If training with others, make a conscious effort to move outside of your own discomfort to verbally support and push your teammates.Show Note MentionsFoundation Episode: Watch Episode 1 of Femininity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8Ls3KcgDis&t=5s The Litany of Humility: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/litany-of-humility-245 Colossians 1:24 RSV: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,Connect with Fierce Athlete: Join the community via their Patreon or visit their website for more resources.Support the show

May 4, 2026Episode 538 min

Femininity | Today’s View vs. God’s Plan

Can femininity and competitiveness and faithfulness co-exist? Co-hosts Sam and Julianna explore this question as they shift to a conversation about femininity in sport. Today they explore the ways the feminist movement has shifted our view of women. They contrast the modern-day view and actions of women, to God’s actual design for women in our amazing femininity. They also discuss the need for true masculinity. The episode culminates in a discussion about living our femininity in sport through the teachings of Theology of the Body! Join the discussion, and claim in a deeper way the TRUTH of your femininity! Takeaway:Write on your mirror: I AM FEMININEMentions:Podcast with Carol Marquardt: https://open.spotify.com/episode/49NDkjcT0EU73mlUZaG0oI?si=33d7ba2127ae4055Support the show

April 26, 2026Episode 432 min

Identity | "Competing Free" with Rachel Zilinskas

We all want to compete more freely. In this episode, host Samantha Kelley welcomes back FIERCE coworker who is a former All-American swimmer and professional distance triathlete Rachel Zilinskas to delve into the concept of "running free". The discussion centers on a profound message Rachel previously wrote regarding true freedom, which she defines as being possible only when one allows Jesus to untangle them from the roots of sin. They explore how high-capacity athletes often fall into the trap of self-reliance, attempting to "muscle" their way through life's hardships and mistakes rather than seeking divine healing for their underlying wounds. By acknowledging their identity as beloved daughters of God first, athletes can move past the external pressures of performance and find a lightness that persists regardless of worldly success or failure.Rachel’s Quote: “Running free is possible when you let Jesus untangle you from the roots of your sins so you can live and walk in the light. No matter how hard you try, those things that are restraining you can never be broken without the healing power of the name of Jesus Christ. Then you can run with a pure childlike freedom knowing your savior has the power to unbind you from the shackles of sin and make you new. You are his beloved daughter. You do not have to strive or toil to earn his love, but rather through his grace you can allow his love to penetrate the deepest parts of your soul. When you unite your heart to his suffering, even though you might feel pain you will also feel the unfathomable depths of the joy of His glory.” Episode TakeawayThe key takeaway from the end of the episode is an invitation to intentional prayer through "being" rather than "doing":Schedule Time: Set an alarm for 10 to 15 minutes of dedicated time with the Lord.Strip Self-Reliance: Move away from performance-based prayer or rigid plans.Listen and Receive: While prayer involves asking and giving, its majority should be focused on listening and receiving from God.Simple Inquiry: If unsure how to start, simply ask Jesus, "Who am I?", "What do you want me to do?", and "Who are you?"Support the show

April 20, 2026Episode 337 min

Identity | “I Know Who I Am” with Rachel Zilinskas

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.”Want to go deeper? Join our Patreon community for exclusive content and more conversations like this. Click the link below!https://www.patreon.com/c/FIERCEAthlete1 Support the show

April 13, 2026Episode 234 min

Identity | Above Others’ Opinions

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.”Support the show

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