For Ella Myers, swimming has been a central part of her life for as long as she can remember. As a collegiate swimmer at the University of Texas, she has experienced the highs and lows of competition and athletics, but she’s also discovered something far deeper along the way: her faith. Ella’s faith journey has shaped how she approaches both her sport and life itself, providing her with an anchor in moments of uncertainty.
As Ella deepened her relationship with God, she began to see swimming as something she did, rather than who she was. “God had me reach rock bottom to learn that He was my rock,” she explains. This realization became the foundation of her new identity—not as just an athlete, but as a follower of Christ, whose worth and value were defined by something more.
With her faith as her cornerstone, Ella’s approach to swimming changed. She no longer viewed her sport as a measure of her self-worth, but as an opportunity to glorify God. “Jesus saved my life. So I strive to use my image to spread His love and glorify His name,” Ella says. Through the highs and lows of competing at a top Division 1 school, she has kept her focus on something far greater than any accolades. “I pray that I inspire people when they see how God transformed my life.”
This new perspective has given Ella a sense of peace and purpose, allowing her to face challenges with grace. It wasn’t until later in her journey that this faith would be put to the test in ways she hadn’t anticipated.
Ella’s faith grew even stronger when she faced an unexpected obstacle: injury and surgery during her season. This moment, which would have been devastating for any athlete, became a moment of transformation for her. “I used to put my identity in my sport until it was taken away from me due to injury,” she recalls. “God blessed me through trials and hardships to teach me perseverance.”
Instead of letting the setback define her, Ella leaned into her faith, trusting that God was using this time of hardship to strengthen her in new ways. “God put me through hardships to draw me closer to Him,” she says. Through the pain of surgery and the road to recovery, Ella has come to see the value of perseverance and trust in God’s plan, no matter the outcome in the pool.
For Ella Myers, swimming is no longer just a place of competition—it’s a platform to glorify God and inspire others. As she looks ahead, she does so with the certainty that her identity is grounded in faith, no matter where her journey takes her.
