Living Your Calling in Sport and Life with Christian de Vaal and Zoe Doughty

How do you stay grounded, resilient, and faithful when your identity, performance, and future are on the line in competitive sports? In this episode of Leading Well, Steve sits down with two exceptional young athletes: Christian De Vaal (New Zealand record-holding track/cross-country runner at the University of Wisconsin) and Zoe Doughty (Former U.S. Div 1 goalkeeper currently playing semi-professional football for Fencibles United). Together, they share their personal stories of navigating the high-pressure world of collegiate and semi-professional athletics while keeping Jesus at the centre of their lives. Christian and Zoe speak candidly about the harsh realities of competitive sports - from dealing with injuries and unexpected benchings to managing the friction of non-Christian locker rooms and overcoming the natural temptation toward envy when teammates succeed. Through every setback and unexpected door, they offer a powerful look at how to lead with humility, maintain Christian community away from home, and view your everyday sport or career as a primary space to serve God. Whether you are a young athlete, a student, a professional, or someone navigating an unexpected valley in your calling, Christian and Zoe’s refreshing honesty and faith offer invaluable wisdom for living well.