Listen Now: Apple | Spotify
So often as women we are asked to compartmentalize our lives. Culture tells us we can be a coach or a mother, we can focus on ministry or our families… but Aleah Dillard’s life is proof that we don’t have to choose. Aleah is a wife, mother, full-time FCA staff and volunteer assistant soccer coach in Abilene, Texas. She serves female coaches and athletes on the three college campuses in Abilene: Abilene Christian University, Hardin Simmons University and McMurry University. In our conversation today you can hear her passion for Jesus as she shares her story, her ministry, and how motherhood has only enriched it all.
Aleah played college soccer at The University of Texas at El Paso while her now-husband, Kristian, ran track. They both got involved with FCA, which the Lord used in each of their lives in a significant way (including bringing them together!) After graduating school in 2017, they moved to Abilene, Texas to join the local FCA chapter as part-time and full-time staff. They now have an adorable one-year-old daughter named Charlie, who is really the star of the show. Charlie can frequently be found on the sidelines of practices and games, and Aleah wouldn’t have it any other way.
I asked Aleah what she would say to encourage any student athletes listening to the podcast. She reminded us that wanting to win is not a bad thing in itself, but if we make winning an idol – the primary reason we do what we do – we will lose ourselves when our season of playing the game comes to an end. Instead, Aleah urges students to view sports as an opportunity to share the gospel every chance and in every way you can. Build true, lasting relationships with your teammates. Don’t forget the element of “play” in playing sports. And most of all, play with freedom. There is so much more to college sports than just what you did or did not do.
3 key takeaways from this episode:
How Aleah came to know and follow Jesus
Aleah shares her testimony of how the Lord drew her to himself. Although she grew up going to church periodically, it wasn’t until someone from FCA shared their testimony with her that she dedicated her life to Jesus. Now she does the same for others (how cool is that?!)
Why she and her husband are passionate about sports ministry
Together with her husband, Kristian, Aleah absolutely loves to pour into coaches and athletes through FCA. She shares what an honor it is to be a part of such a critical season in students’ lives and to see the lasting impact beyond their college years.
Finding balance with motherhood and coaching
Aleah regularly integrates Charlie into her coaching and FCA career. Coaches, athletes, and even parents of athletes love Charlie and fully support her presence at practices and games. It’s so encouraging to see Aleah living out a healthy balance of sports and motherhood.
Here are all the things mentioned in this episode:
