“It’s Not Beautiful to Be Yourself” (with guest, KayDianna MacKenzie)
Have you ever felt you had to put on a mask to fit in or meet others' expectations? In this powerful episode of the "I Used to Think" season, Lisa Whittle sits down with KayDianna MacKenzie, whose journey as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and social media personality vividly illustrates the struggle between societal pressures and authentic self-expression.
What you'll learn in this episode
(0:45) - Meet KayDianna and how her journey unfolded on social media
(2:50) - The transition from rookie to veteran on the DCC team
(5:00) - How to handle critique–and why a leveled mindset is key
(11:57) - Growing faith through trials—how obstacles lead to deeper trust
(16:09) - Vulnerability through exposed obstacles and helping others
(19:33) - The process of acceptance
(24:08)- Image vs. identity—how KayDianna encourages women to focus on what's inside
(30:19) - The role of mentorship—and how you don’t need to have all the answers
(33:39) - Reflecting on the significant misconceptions that shaped KayDianna’s beliefs
(36:36) - KayDianna’s advice to young women
Mentioned in the episode:
Crossway: https://www.crossway.org/Plus
Prep Dish: https://prepdish.com/JOE
The Hard Good: https://www.lisawhittle.com/good
Resources:
Special thank you to this season’s sponsors of the Jesus Over Everything show:
Crossway: “The Story of Jesus: A Guided Journey Through the Gospel of John” shares the gospel message in an inviting, book-like format that's accessible for both nonbelievers and new Christians. Pick up a copy wherever books are sold or visit the link above to learn how you can get 30% off with a Crossway+ account.
Prep Dish: Prep Dish is the best way for busy people to get nourishing meals on the table, without the stress. Listeners of the JOE Show can enjoy a FREE two-week trial of Prep Dish meal plans by visiting the link above.
Connect with KayDianna:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaydiannamackenzie
Connect with Lisa:
Website: https://www.lisawhittle.com
Substack: https://letsbeclear.substack.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lisawhittleofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisawhittle