As a record breaking hurdler and sprinter who won an Olympic Gold medal in her sport, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has been trained to win. But when the losses do come, Sydney tries to use those moments to transform her heart and perspective, strengthening her resolve and trust that God will be there when it’s time to cross the finish line.

Quotes

“I ran my first race and I was so terrified to do it. But once I actually started and the gun went off, I just felt so free.” - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

“I think every athlete trains to reach a certain goal, or point, or whatever it is that they've set their minds on—whether it be winning a medal at the Junior Olympics, the college National Championship, a gold medal at the Olympics, or the world record. I think when that's always your dream and aspiration for so long, that when it comes to fruition, it truly is just like a jaw-dropping moment.” - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

“Being able to cross the line, and just know that the Lord was still with me, that He had a plan for my life, and as an athlete, you didn't win, but [you’re] still intact… As hard of a time as that was, I'm grateful for it because I don't think I would have realized my need for God without it.” - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

“I think being able to show that even in losses, I'm satisfied in the Lord and His plan for me is the best thing I could do because it shows people that I'm not relying on winning to be okay. And I think that honesty is actually the best way to share the gospel, because it shows that even someone who has world records and gold medals still needs the Lord.” - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

“I can show up to the track every day and understand that this is a gift He's given me—that win, lose, or draw, it's an opportunity to glorify Him. My value is already secure in Christ, so there's no fear of not being enough and everything I need is found in Him.” - Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Guest’s Links
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s website

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Instagram

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Facebook

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s Twitter

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Olympics

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

Former New York City ballet dancer, Silas Farley, first learned about dance in the context of worship at his church—a perspective that would stick with him through grueling training at the School of American Ballet and through his professional career. Silas shares the nerve-wracking story of taking a leap of faith towards dance over other paths, how he got to see a unique and beautiful dream come to life on stage and help others realize their dreams too, and how he got to embody his love for the Lord through movement.

Quotes

“My first encounter with dance was dance as worship, not dance as performance, and that really resonated with me.” - Silas Farley

“Getting to dance in the New York City Ballet was like someone who wanted to be an astronaut and actually got to go to the moon. The days were long, hard, and deeply rewarding, beginning with morning classes, rehearsing all day, and then performing most nights of most weeks of the year. That pace of work was relentless, but it was also deeply gratifying.” - Silas Farley

“It was kind of an embodied form of prayer to get to come into the theater and to work in this beautifully embodied art form and to do it for the glory of my King Jesus—kind of offering to the Lord through performing and working. I feel incredibly close to God when I dance.” - Silas Farley

“I always think about how Jesus is God made man, that He is the incarnation of God. He has a body, and in His resurrection, He shows us the glorious potential and future for the body.” - Silas Farley

“In my final year in the company, there were more dancers of color than had ever been in the history of the company. That felt really, really special and really significant—a beautiful shift in the evolution of the art form. I thought it a great privilege and joy to be at the New York City Ballet at a point in the institution's story when part of that original vision was starting to be realized.” - Silas Farley

“I hope I get to spend the rest of my life dancing, laughing, singing, and thanking God for His great, great grace and love.” - Silas Farley

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Southern Methodist University

New York City Ballet

George Balanchine

Patricia McBride

School of American Ballet

Professional Children's School

Harvard University

Lincoln Kirstein

Colburn School

Cassia Farley

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*

When Steve Jamison was growing up, he got the adventure of a lifetime out at sea with his dad, a commercial fisherman. The lessons he learned as a member of a halibut fishing crew in Alaska would stick with him throughout his life, and it’s that perseverance, dedication, and determination that led Steve to become a pastor.

Quotes

“My dad would always take me into his state room where you would see the charts, and he would always remind me that we're going to sea because this is how God provides for our family. It's a very dangerous profession, and he would say, ‘Let's just reach up here and put our hands on this chart where we're going to go and ask God to watch over us. Let's ask God to provide for our family and let's ask God to bring us home safe.’” - Steve Jamison

“Being able to have that opportunity to grow up out on the ocean in the situations of life, [my dad] just gave me a living example of what the Word was all about, and I will never forget it.” - Steve Jamison

“[God] had just called me to be faithful. He had just called me to trust Him and to redirect my path and follow what He had for me. And the truth is, God had so much more than I could have imagined.” - Steve Jamison

“When it's difficult, when it's painful, when you want to quit, you just say, ‘Lord, I just need you to help me through this.’ With God's help, you can press through and you can see amazing miracles and amazing blessings in your life.” - Steve Jamison

“God put His hand upon my life, and yet, I was a lot like Jonah for a period of time. I just wanted to go the opposite direction. I can tell you myself, like Jonah, our plans are nothing compared to how great the plans are that God has for us.” - Steve Jamison

Guest’s Links
Steve Jamison’s website

Steve Jamison’s Instagram

Steve Jamison’s Twitter

Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Eastridge Church

The Most Valuable Catch by Steve Jamison

Connect with Sally Lloyd-Jones
Jesus Storybook Bible Facebook

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Sally’s website

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*Episode produced by Four Eyes Media*