The Female Athlete Mission The FAM

It's an honor to welcome Aubree Munro Watson to the FAM podcast! Aubree is an Olympian and former professional softball player. Before Team USA, she competed at the University of Florida and was a part of the 2014 and 2015 National Championship teams. She spent a total of 6 years on Team USA and took silver at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Now recently retired, Aubree is heavily involved in ministry through Church on the Dirt and serving full-time at her local church. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about her experience at the Olympics and all the ways the Lord has used softball throughout her life, and I hope you will too!
In this episode you will hear:
Placing (and keeping) your identity in Jesus Using contentment to combat performance culture How God has used softball throughout Aubree’s life For all things mentioned in this episode click HERE. 
Thank you to our podcast sponsor Unite Health Share Ministries (UHSM). Check out all they offer by clicking here.
This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.

We’ve all had to endure hardship at one point or another in our lives, especially over the last few years. That’s why I’m excited to have Samantha Dewey with us today to share her incredible story of persevering through setbacks. First she battled an injury and a red shirt year while playing college soccer at Xavier University, and then she moved to Spain to start her professional career – right before the pandemic hit. Samantha is so genuine and honest during today's conversation as she shares how the loneliest season of her life led to her most intimate times with God. Whatever you're going through, I hope you’ll take heart in Samantha's story that this could be that season for you. Adversity could lead you to go deeper with Jesus than you ever have, and that is more important than anything.
In this episode you will hear:
Samantha’s story of perseverance through adversity Greater intimacy with God in lonely seasons Leaning on community to get through tough times For all things mentioned in this episode click HERE.
Thank you to our podcast sponsor Unite Health Share Ministries (UHSM). Check out all they offer by clicking here.
This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.

FAM, please join me in welcoming Ashley Ljesevic to the podcast! Ashley is a former collegiate basketball player from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and host of The Endurance Diaries podcast. While she’s worked in multiple roles in the sports and fitness space over the years, she's currently in a career transition, so in our conversation today we talk quite a bit about what it's like to trust God with each season of our lives as we take different steps. We also talk a lot about placing our identity in performance. As athletes who have always strived, strived, strived, how can we be okay with ourselves when we can no longer strive? This conversation was such a blessing to me personally in my current stage of life, and I think it will be encouraging for you too, whether you're a current athlete or someone who's transitioning out and trying to figure out how to navigate post-athletics life.
In this episode you will hear:
Shifting focus from performance to the process Surrendering our desired outcomes to God Staying faithful to the people we’re called to For all things mentioned in this episode click HERE.
Thank you to our podcast sponsor Unite Health Share Ministries (UHSM). Check out all they offer by clicking here.
This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.

FAM, can you believe this is the last episode of 2022?! It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, and today I’m talking about the three main things I learned this year. I’m also sharing an update on the FAM podcast moving forward into 2023 (it’s a pretty big announcement, so you don’t want to miss it!) For me, 2022 was a big year filled with joys, victories, fear, unmet expectation, and so much more. You can probably relate to that in some way or another. With each passing year, there is so much value in looking back and reflecting on what God has taught us and how he has grown us. Because sanctification is a lifelong pursuit, we should always have a growth mindset – especially in our relationship with God.
In this episode you will hear:
The three biggest things I learned in 2022 An update on the FAM podcast moving forward What has God taught you this year? For all things mentioned in this episode click HERE.
Thank you to our podcast sponsor Unite Health Share Ministries (UHSM). Check out all they offer by clicking here.
This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.

A month ago I started coaching a local junior varsity soccer team, and I quickly found that many of the girls struggle with motivation. So I’ve been on a mission lately to cultivate intrinsic motivation and grit throughout the whole season – even in those who may find themselves in a less-than-motivating position! I’ve learned that a key ingredient to lasting motivation is found in goals (and not just the scoring kind). Setting both individual and team goals is one of the best ways to get motivated. Consider this episode a crash course on setting SMART goals on your own or with your team. Whether you are a coach or an athlete, I hope you find this helpful as you work to set good goals, stay motivated, and finish this year strong!
In this episode you will hear:
The difference between intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation What SMART goals are how to set them Ideas for setting SMART goals as a team For all things mentioned in this episode click HERE.
Thank you to our podcast sponsor Unite Health Share Ministries (UHSM). Check out all they offer by clicking here.
This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.

You know that inspired feeling you get when talking to someone who’s passionate about the same exact things as you? Well, I definitely felt that during my conversation with Amber Johns! Amber is a former college athlete, coach, mom of two boys and now the Fellowship of Christian Athletes State Director of New York. She's also the founder of a girl's ministry called FCA Brave, whose mission is to reach the next generation of female athletes for Jesus (sound familiar?) Amber created FCA Brave as a tool for discipleship and a space for conversations that truly matter. Today we talk about her journey to FCA and starting FCA Brave, how only Jesus can break the chains young women carry in today's culture, and how having a gritty faith can influence young female leaders moving forward.
In this episode you will hear:
Why Amber started FCA Brave for female athletes How Jesus can break the chains off of your life Gritty faith through both good and difficult seasons For all things mentioned in this episode visit click HERE.
Thank you to our podcast sponsor Unite Health Share Ministries (UHSM). Check out all they offer by clicking here.
This podcast was produced by Pivot Media Co.