The Chaos of NIL & Search for Identity with Aaron Fears

You Don’t Need to Be Extraordinary: The Truth and Beauty of Ordinary Life

Is there value in ordinary life? What happens when there’s nothing exciting going on—no big goals, no major milestones, just the day-to-day routine? In this episode, we wrestle with our own restlessness and talk about how our obsession with the “extraordinary” often makes us miss where life is really found. We talk about the theology of vacation, contentment, and how the little moments are what truly shape us. What if our ordinary callings actually have purpose because they come from an extraordinary God? Join us as we slow down, reflect, and remind ourselves that life is often found in the ordinary moments where God is still at work. Scripture reference: 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12, Galatians 6:9 Book mentions: Ordinary by Michael Horton and Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren

Does Hard Work Actually Beat Talent?

You’ve heard it: “Work hard and you’ll succeed.” But what happens when you do — and still fall short? In this episode, we unpack the tension between talent, gifting, and hard work. What is more important for success? Is it a dangerous mindset to think your hard work is what got you success? Can you glorify God without being “successful”? We share our personal struggles with these questions and point back to the truth: your worth and identity is not based on your performance (and how you used your gifts/talent) but on what Jesus did on the cross.

The Community We Dreamed Of (and found)

What started as a dream and a standing invite to Taco Tuesdays turned into something more—real, life-giving community. In this episode, we share the story of how the "Barrymore Babes" came to be, what it means to truly be a friend, and why life without community is so much harder. We talk about the difference between having friends and being part of Biblical community, the time and intentionality it takes to build that, and how it’s changed each of us. Whether you're craving connection or figuring out what community could look like in your life, this conversation is for you.

The Chaos of NIL & Search for Identity with Aaron Fears

This week, the podcast gets a major upgrade as we sit down with the one and only Aaron Fears! We first met Aaron in college through his work with Athletes in Action, where he’s been on staff for over a decade. In this episode, we dive into the impact of NIL—how it’s changed the landscape of college sports, the pressure it adds, and the questions it raises. We also get into deeper conversations around identity, idolizing performance, and what it means to know Jesus beyond just head knowledge. Aaron shares incredible wisdom on moving from information to transformation, the beauty of being known by God, and why your worth isn’t found in what you do on the field or the pool.

We Lost All Our Episodes & Life Post-Swimming

This week, we’re talking about the chaos of losing all our recorded episodes—what happened and some of what we’ve learned since launching WashedUp. We also dive into life post-swimming, living in bondage vs life now, and reflecting on how much has changed in the last four years, from our workout routines to our overall life perspectives. Plus, we share what we’d tell our past selves during the transition out of competitive sports.