March 25, 2024 • 23 mins
Jada Peebles is a college athlete at a major university who recently went public with her decision to follow Christ. She took to social media to share the news, and give a glimpse into some of the hardship that ultimately led to her surrender. She had quietly endured physical injuries, mental health concerns, and had survived a suicide attempt, all while trying to continue to pursue success on the court. Even those closest to her weren't fully aware of all she'd had to overcome. Now, she’s sharing her story to point people to Jesus, and give hope to those who feel alone in their struggle.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 to connect with a trained counselor, or visit 988Lifeline.org
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Ally Domercant (00:00):
Welcome to the Snapshot Testimony podcast. I'm your host, Ally Domercant .
In this podcast, I ask my guests to share one
pivotal moment that helped shape their faith in Christ. In
this episode, you'll meet Jada. She's a member of the
women's basketball team at the University of Illinois Fighting Illini.
This past January, she suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during
(00:20):
a conference game as a senior, it meant her season
and her college basketball career were over when she took
to her social media pages to share the tough news,
she opened up about a few other parts of her
journey that she felt people needed to know. The Instagram
post is actually how I first became aware of Jada story.
She revealed she'd given her life to Christ in August
(00:41):
of last year. Then she gave a glimpse into some
of the hardship that ultimately led to her surrender. She'd
face personal trials, mental health battles and had survived a
suicide attempt three years ago. But despite all she'd been
through and overcome, she'd kept mostly quiet, unsure of how
to really share her heart. But not anymore. Jada says
(01:03):
she needs to share her story because too many suffer
in silence. I'm so grateful for the privilege of sharing
a story this tender, and Jada and I both have
taken great care to do so responsibly. I know you'll
be both inspired and encouraged by this remarkable young woman.
Here's a snapshot testimony from Jada. How long have you
(01:30):
been playing basketball? Did you start when you were really young?
Jada Peebles (01:33):
Since I was five. Yes, yes.
Ally Domercant (01:36):
What attracted you to the sport?
Jada Peebles (01:39):
My, uh, dad is a really, really good athlete. He
played a football in track at NC state, and then
he played professionally for the NFL for a little bit.
So my parents put us in sports. Any type of
sport you can think of soccer, track, basketball. I was
even in ballet anything. And I was a very clumsy kid.
(02:00):
And my mom always tells a story of like, I
was so clumsy I would fall off at anything, skinning
my knees, whatever. But when it came to a basketball
would pick it up and it was just like everything
just kind of like connected from there. But I knew
I didn't like soccer and I didn't have the coordination
for like, softball. Okay. So it was between it was
a team track and basketball, but basketball ended up just
(02:20):
really being just taking that like love over.
Ally Domercant (02:23):
Yeah. And so you chose to go to the University
of Illinois. You spent five years full five years there.
Same school. Yes. Okay. So let's talk a little bit
about your journey as a student. As a student athlete,
you alluded to in your Instagram post that there were
some real ups and downs. What were some of the
(02:43):
biggest trials that you faced as a student athlete? That
that really kind of weighed heavily on you?
Jada Peebles (02:51):
I feel like just when you go to college, you
just think it's going to be like this really fun
time where you're just trying to focus on specific things
that I feel like being a student athlete, it's something
that you grow to learn of, like it's more of
like a job and it's a full time job of
being a full time student and a full time athlete.
So really just balancing those things as well as just
(03:12):
trying to be young and figure a lot of life
out and go through life and stuff like that. But
just like the mental health aspect was the biggest thing
that I kind of came into it with, not realizing
how much like. Focus that I needed to put on that,
and going through all that I was going through was
probably the biggest one.
Ally Domercant (03:33):
When did you start to realize that, like that, your
mental health was was really not in a good place?
Was it a sudden thing? Was it over time?
Jada Peebles (03:43):
I think it may have been a little bit, um,
over time, but I think I was just I was
in a really bad relationship during that time that had
kind of like sparked everything in general. It was a
relationship that just I shouldn't have been in, something that
just wasn't making me feel very good. And on top
of that, I mean, it was just I think that's
what prompted it most. I think it was a little
(04:04):
bit over time of kind of neglecting that. But I mean,
also when you don't have God in your life, it's
something to wear, like you can't. You are searching for
joy anywhere. And I couldn't find that anywhere. So it
just felt it felt like it was just a lot
on my on my plate.
Ally Domercant (04:18):
I only ask about it because I know you shared
it on Instagram. It got to a really bad place
for you. I obviously don't need don't need details, but
you had a moment where you you did not want
to continue living, right? Yeah.
Jada Peebles (04:32):
It just felt like at that point, like there was
nothing there was nothing else left for me. Nobody out there,
nothing that I could really give to people that wouldn't
be worth living at that point. That's exactly what it
felt like.
Ally Domercant (04:46):
From the outside looking in. Do you obviously you I
know you had some injuries throughout your career, but you
were having an overall a good career. On the women's
basketball team. Do you think that people knew how much
that you were, you were struggling or do you think
you hit it?
Jada Peebles (05:04):
I think I hit it pretty well, and I think
it's also hard for people to even kind of see
like athletes as just people as well. So I think
that when people look at you from the basketball perspective,
they think about it and they look as if, oh,
if you're playing good, if you're doing good, then you
must be good. And that's not always the case when
(05:24):
it comes to athletes. But I think that I did
intentionally hide it very well. But just I'm not a
person that's very open with their feelings in general. So
talking about them was kind of hard.
Ally Domercant (05:34):
Did you have any kind of a faith growing up?
Was did you think about God? Was that even in
kind of the realm of conversation for you?
Jada Peebles (05:44):
Yeah, my dad was actually a pastor, so growing up
I knew God, I knew who he was. But thinking
back on it now, and I just had this conversation
actually a couple days ago with one of my teammates
and thinking back on it like, I really can't honestly
remember the stuff that my dad would talk about when
he would preach. And like, I just didn't form like
(06:04):
a relationship that I should have when I had all
the opportunities my dad's been preaching since I was, I
don't even know since I was born, like, and I
didn't give myself the opportunity to grow my relationship with him.
I didn't take those times. And so I just, I
honestly feel like when I did get my life fully
to Christ in October, I mean, in August, like right now,
(06:26):
it's been like a journey of really starting from ground zero,
because I can't honestly remember this stuff that my dad
even really said growing up. I mean, again, I knew
who God was, I knew not to do wrong and
stuff like that. But yeah, honestly, it was it was
just honestly knowing who God was. And I'm grateful that
I did have my dad as a preacher to just
have that, knowing that God was real, and knowing that
(06:49):
I never had a doubt that he wasn't real. It
was just I never really gave my life to him
and let me form that relationship with him.
Ally Domercant (06:55):
What do you think stopped you? Was it, you know,
you think you. I hear a lot of different stories and,
you know, people who were maybe raised in church or,
you know, a lot of times parents were pastors, parents
were in the church. Do you think it was rebellion?
Was it like, I don't really I don't, I don't,
I don't really want that. Was it like maybe I'll
get to that later on after I do my own thing?
(07:17):
What was it you think that that stopped you?
Jada Peebles (07:21):
I think it was just not really understanding God's love
growing up. It kind of felt like. It was like,
if you do this, you're going to hell. Or like.
There was it didn't feel like there was any grace.
It felt like it was more like a religion than
a relationship. It felt like it was more like I
had to follow these rules rather than to just, you know,
(07:43):
understand like God's love and understand his grace and understand
that we're going to sin. We're we were born sinners. Like,
understand that we're going to sit in this world. I
didn't know his love and his grace during that time,
so I feel like it was more so like I
love the world more than I loved my spirit. I
love my flesh more than I loved him. And it
was just not understanding that it's a process. I didn't
(08:05):
have to come to him 100% clean. I could just
come to him and just love him and then have
him like, change me through that. And I think it
was just the complete not having that knowledge of like,
you don't need to fully be set in your ways
and stuff like that, like just letting God change you
just it was just complete lack of knowledge and just
liking the world more than I liked him in that moment.
Ally Domercant (08:28):
So then what happened in August of this past year
that that changed things for you?
Jada Peebles (08:34):
I'm so blessed to have teammates who gave also have
gave their life to Christ. We have a Bible study
about nine of us out of our out of our 14.
Go to it. It's a weekly Bible study. So, um,
over the summer, we had someone new last year that
came and she had recently, like, fully gave her life
(08:55):
to Christ. And seeing the change that she was going through,
of leaving these worldly things and just really sticking in
her word and just seeing how God changed her. And
then when she started up the Bible studies, I was
going to them, of course, but I still wasn't like
really like in my word and like stuff like that.
And then I have another she's my best friend and
(09:17):
me and her would get in the word together more,
and it just felt like I had always been wanting
change because in that moment, like my identity was in
so many other things, and I had been wanting change
for so long. But until we started at Bible studies,
I didn't know where I wanted my change to go to.
I didn't know who I wanted to change for, and
I feel like. I didn't know how to change on
(09:38):
my own. I was so scared. I was like, okay, well,
what if like, people look at me like, wow, like
I didn't know where to put my fears and where
to put my problems. And then when we started these
Bible studies, like eventually the spirit just started growing in
me and all the conversations that we would have. Again,
having holy people around you is gonna it's only going
to make you holy. It's only going to make you see,
like the parts of me that aren't. And it was
(10:00):
just it just got to a point where I was like, okay, like,
I want change. I 100% want change. And I just remember,
like just talking to God, and I'm like, God, like,
I give my life to you. And I feel like
that's the first time that I've ever said that. I mean,
growing up my dad as a preacher, of course, like,
I got baptized when I was like a baby, don't
even remember. But, you know, like, I think it's different
(10:22):
when you just have that conversation with God. You're just
in there and you're just like God, like, I give
my life to you. And in that moment, just feeling
so much peace. Like just crying, like just knowing that, like,
I didn't have to come to him change. Like, I
know he would eventually change me. I didn't know the
timeline of it, but I know he's going to change
me for the better, and he's going to bless my
life throughout it.
Ally Domercant (10:42):
And, you know, you there's a there's a real maturity
to way the way you're even describing it. Because I
think it's a common misconception that people think like, oh yeah,
when I get my life together, then I then I
can come to God. Or when I stop doing X, Y,
or Z like I got, I can't even come to
God like I am right now because he wouldn't want me.
(11:04):
And it's like it's the opposite. Like we come to
him because we can't change ourselves. Like so you mentioned
a couple times you wanted you wanted change. What kind
of change were you wanting? Was it like circumstances or
was it like a deep sense that, like, I want
me to change?
Jada Peebles (11:20):
Yeah. So one of my biggest things growing up and
even throughout college was homosexuality. Okay. And it got to
a point where I decided to change, like how I looked,
my identity, like I was putting my identity and my sin.
And I feel like that's a lot of the times
what it comes with when it comes to homosexuality. Like
we're putting our identity and the sin that we are,
(11:42):
how we look, how we dress, how we act like.
But that's one of the biggest things. And. The people
that I had to, like, grow me in Christ and
really helped me through that, were the same people who
went through the exact same thing. So it was also
helpful to see someone go through that and then also
change in the entire way. But I had someone with
(12:04):
me to make that exact change. We went through that
exact changes together and two is better than one. So
as I was going through that, she was going through
that as well. So we just helped each other through that.
But that homosexuality and just putting my identity in Christ
was something that I'd always wanted to change. But I
was just so nervous. I was so scared. I didn't
know what would happen after the fact. I didn't know
(12:24):
what would happen through that. I don't know what people
would say for people to know you as something, but
then see like a complete change. It was very scary
for me to like have that. But that's that was
the biggest thing that I was fighting.
Ally Domercant (12:37):
Yeah. So how did. And after August. So you you
gave your life to Christ. Did you see him start
to change you like, you know, because people always wonder, like,
is that is that for real? That like God. Really?
Did you see that? Yeah. Definitely start to happen.
Jada Peebles (12:53):
It was like a very gradual peace and a very gradual,
like confidence that would kind of grow in you of like, no,
I want to go out how I want to go out.
And I know nothing is going to like, stop me
from feeling that confidence. And it was just like the
love that I had for myself started to grow so
(13:14):
much because I started to love God so much. I
started to see how he how he viewed me and
how he loved me. That like my love for myself
started to grow. And I'm like, it doesn't matter. Like
if I scored two points or if I scored 30 points.
At the end of the day, like God loves me,
he sees the best. He sees that I try my best.
It doesn't matter if I messed up this day, messed
up that day. Like at the end of the day,
(13:35):
like as long as I repent, I come back to
God and I just continue to love him fully. Like
I know that he's still going to love me and
he's still going to bless me and have grace over
my life. But just again, understanding that love that he
has for you and just just seeing like the little
attitude changes just a little like changes that you would
do the way I would just again like feeling again
(13:58):
like myself before I let the world take over my heart.
Ally Domercant (14:01):
And so that was August. And then you had your injury.
Was it in January or late December?
Jada Peebles (14:10):
Uh, it was in January.
Ally Domercant (14:12):
So how do you process? Because, you know, you you're
you were new in Christ. There's that peace, there's that joy.
And then boom, this this injury. How did you process that.
Like that's a that's a big trial. Mhm. It was
early on in your in your faith. How did you
process it.
Jada Peebles (14:31):
Honestly not not very good at first it was a
lot of like God I gave up this I sacrificed
this I changed this like why am I now getting this.
And I at that time like basketball really wasn't going
as well for me as I thought it would. And sure,
during that time, like I said, my post like that year,
(14:51):
I told myself like, okay, God, like I'm going to
give you my best every single day. Like I'm going
to play for you every single day. And all credit
to the movie. Um, Facing the Giants. I recommend everyone
watch that. It really just like I've watched it growing up.
But like as I'm now in my faith, like really
watching that back. Like it was really just like it
really hit home. But I just told God every day, like, God,
(15:13):
I'm giving you my best no matter what. And I
was even playing that good when I got hurt like
that game. Like I was having such a bad game too.
Ally Domercant (15:21):
You had a torn Achilles. Um, did you know immediately
that it was a pretty serious injury?
Jada Peebles (15:27):
Yes. I just felt the, like, immediate pop when I
had did it. So it was more so just like
the shock of that and just kind of like, already
knowing what the injury pretty much was. It was a
lot of just like, God, like why? Like not understanding like.
Trying to be at peace with it, but really, just like.
Feeling like, okay, God, I already had to let go
(15:48):
of this. Now I have to let go of this. If,
like I was let go. Letting go of so many identities,
like every athlete puts their identity in their sport at
some point, and it just felt like I was having
to let go of so many things. And I don't
know if, again, I still don't know the answers to it.
I don't know if that was to fully put my
identity in him. Like if I was like the final
thing or whatever, but like it was just a lot
(16:10):
of like. Talking to God and just being like God y.
I think the biggest part, even now, is still like
not having that answer of like why things happen and
not knowing if I'm ever going to find that answer.
Still praying for that wisdom and discernment and, you know, no,
but still, still the same process of processing it just.
(16:30):
But I feel more at peace with it now, of course,
but a lot of blaming and in the process of
it happening. But now I feel like I'm just trying
to take it one day at a time and see
what see the opportunities that come up. Because if he
can close the door that big, I mean, I've been
saying he can open a door ten times bigger than basketball,
and I hear I'm here for it. Go ahead.
Ally Domercant (16:53):
So you took a big step when you when you
shared obviously you you shared with the fans kind of
the the update of yeah I've had this injury. They
confirm that it's this this rupture and and and I'm done.
But you also took that opportunity to to really talk
about the, the inner transformation. What what made you what
(17:14):
made you do that? And did that feel like a
scary step to kind of go public. Mhm.
Jada Peebles (17:19):
Like we have a sports psychologist on our staff and
we had this um thing as a group where we
were showing like our heroes, our hardships and then like
a good moment that, you know, happened in your life
and people were opening up about, you know, parents having cancer,
like just like really like opening up about deep things and,
(17:40):
and my heart. I knew I needed to share to
my teammates, to my family, my sisters, my suicide attempt
because no one had known about that. All the people
that I were on my team is probably like two
people left that were from that season. When it happened.
Nobody really knew what was going on during that time
with me, but it was something in me that like,
(18:00):
I just couldn't say it on my mouth. And then
after the fact, I'm like, I know I didn't open up,
I just had something so random. Like I was like,
I know I didn't open up to them. Like, I
really want to do share my story though. So then
it was in my it was on my heart to like,
share it on Instagram. And at that time that was
before the injury. So I was just going to share
that story, but I didn't. I didn't know what to say.
(18:22):
I didn't know how to do it. And then when
I got the opportunity for my injury, I was like, okay,
I feel like it's time to share my past five years.
And I didn't want it to be like a pity party.
I wanted it to be something to give God all
the glory of him having grace over my life, even
when I wasn't even like near him at all, I
wouldn't be at peace and where I'm at now if
it wasn't because of Christ. People are going through stuff,
(18:46):
and there's been a lot of athletes who have committed
suicide in the past two years, and we still don't.
We don't know their story. We don't know what they
were going through. But I am so blessed that God
had grace over my life to keep me here and
keep me alive to where I can share that testimony,
but I really just wanted to help people and help
them understand, like God is the only answer for you
to get through this. Like you cannot do it on
(19:08):
your own. But that was it was the biggest thing.
I really just wanted to help share my story. And
if anybody needed to reach out to me and need
help with that, like, that's really just that's really what
I wanted to do. You know, I'm.
Ally Domercant (19:18):
Excited for what God has for you because he clearly
that there were seeds that were sown early in your life.
So none of that is wasted. You know, all those
sermons that your dad preached that like, meant nothing at
the time? Yeah, yeah. Like he's going to use all
of that, like what was deposited in you early in
(19:40):
your life. And then, you know, the hardship that you
went through. And now you're you're fighting for peace, even
with even without having all the answers. You know, you
don't have that, like, happily ever after. Now, this is
why this happened. Now I know. Yeah, yeah. So it's
a it's a very relatable place to be because, you know,
we don't always get all of the answers, but we
(20:02):
trust in what we know to be true about God.
You know, his goodness and his faithfulness and that our
identity is rooted in him and it's unshakable. Yeah. And
it's incredible because you've got a you're you're new in
the faith just a couple months in. But the Lord's
giving you real maturity for sure.
Jada Peebles (20:21):
Yeah.
Ally Domercant (20:21):
Which is just it's it's such a blessing to see
and and it's needed in your generation for sure.
S3 (20:27):
Yeah.
Ally Domercant (20:28):
Yeah I.
S3 (20:29):
Agree.
Ally Domercant (20:30):
Do you have any sense? I know this feels like
a loaded question when you're in college, because I get that.
Do you have any sense of what what might be
next for you?
Jada Peebles (20:39):
Yeah. You know, honestly that's pretty much been, I think
what's keeping me like at peace is like because before
I had to focus on basketball and life after basketball
because it was ending regardless. Right. But now I kind
of just get to focus on like the after. And
growing up, I've always wanted to be a vet, but
with basketball and the class schedule, that really didn't work out.
(21:01):
So I really do want to open up like an
animal shelter. I also probably want to be like a
graduate assistant for another team, just to get two years
under my belt. I was still thinking about overseas and
then possibly, um, getting into coaching, but I hope the
Lord really helps me open, like open up an animal shelter.
(21:23):
That's a really big passion of mine is just like
animals helping animals. Like I've just been praying for anything
to where God opens the door for me, that I
can still just share the faith and share him and
share his glory and his love and whatever way that means.
But I'm praying for that animal shelter. Yes.
Ally Domercant (21:40):
So final question. What would you say to the person
who's listening, who finds themselves in a in a dark place?
Maybe they're wrestling with their identity in some way. Maybe they're,
you know, unsure of their purpose. What would you say
to the person who's listening?
Jada Peebles (21:56):
Just go to God. It doesn't have to be something
to where you start to read your Bible every single day,
but maybe just a conversation with him, maybe just looking
at a YouTube video. Just something to wear. Like you
can put your loving and loving him and just understand
that he wants everybody to come to him. He wants
the sinners. He wants the people who don't even know
(22:16):
him to come to him even more. That's the people
that he died for, really. He died for us as sinners.
So I just want them to understand that who they
are now is, is not what they have to be.
It's they can be who they can be in Christ.
And Christ wants wants to bless us. He wants to
give us good things, not for his own good, but
for ours. Like he has these things set in place
so that he can change our lives. And I just
(22:38):
hope that God changes everyone's lives. But just truly taking
that step of giving your life to him, and he
knows it's going to be a process. He knows it's
not going to be perfect, but just loving him fully
and seeing him do the rest.
Ally Domercant (22:50):
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal
thoughts or mental health matters, please call the 988 Suicide
and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. To connect with the
trained counselor or visit 988 lifeline. Org. Snapshot. Testimony is
a moody radio podcast. I'm your host, Ally Domercant , and
together we're sharing the moments that shape a life of
(23:10):
faith in Christ. Thanks for listening.
Welcome to the Snapshot Testimony podcast. I'm your host, Ally Domercant .
In this podcast, I ask my guests to share one
pivotal moment that helped shape their faith in Christ. In
this episode, you'll meet Jada. She's a member of the
women's basketball team at the University of Illinois Fighting Illini.
This past January, she suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during
(00:20):
a conference game as a senior, it meant her season
and her college basketball career were over when she took
to her social media pages to share the tough news,
she opened up about a few other parts of her
journey that she felt people needed to know. The Instagram
post is actually how I first became aware of Jada story.
She revealed she'd given her life to Christ in August
(00:41):
of last year. Then she gave a glimpse into some
of the hardship that ultimately led to her surrender. She'd
face personal trials, mental health battles and had survived a
suicide attempt three years ago. But despite all she'd been
through and overcome, she'd kept mostly quiet, unsure of how
to really share her heart. But not anymore. Jada says
(01:03):
she needs to share her story because too many suffer
in silence. I'm so grateful for the privilege of sharing
a story this tender, and Jada and I both have
taken great care to do so responsibly. I know you'll
be both inspired and encouraged by this remarkable young woman.
Here's a snapshot testimony from Jada. How long have you
(01:30):
been playing basketball? Did you start when you were really young?
Jada Peebles (01:33):
Since I was five. Yes, yes.
Ally Domercant (01:36):
What attracted you to the sport?
Jada Peebles (01:39):
My, uh, dad is a really, really good athlete. He
played a football in track at NC state, and then
he played professionally for the NFL for a little bit.
So my parents put us in sports. Any type of
sport you can think of soccer, track, basketball. I was
even in ballet anything. And I was a very clumsy kid.
(02:00):
And my mom always tells a story of like, I
was so clumsy I would fall off at anything, skinning
my knees, whatever. But when it came to a basketball
would pick it up and it was just like everything
just kind of like connected from there. But I knew
I didn't like soccer and I didn't have the coordination
for like, softball. Okay. So it was between it was
a team track and basketball, but basketball ended up just
(02:20):
really being just taking that like love over.
Ally Domercant (02:23):
Yeah. And so you chose to go to the University
of Illinois. You spent five years full five years there.
Same school. Yes. Okay. So let's talk a little bit
about your journey as a student. As a student athlete,
you alluded to in your Instagram post that there were
some real ups and downs. What were some of the
(02:43):
biggest trials that you faced as a student athlete? That
that really kind of weighed heavily on you?
Jada Peebles (02:51):
I feel like just when you go to college, you
just think it's going to be like this really fun
time where you're just trying to focus on specific things
that I feel like being a student athlete, it's something
that you grow to learn of, like it's more of
like a job and it's a full time job of
being a full time student and a full time athlete.
So really just balancing those things as well as just
(03:12):
trying to be young and figure a lot of life
out and go through life and stuff like that. But
just like the mental health aspect was the biggest thing
that I kind of came into it with, not realizing
how much like. Focus that I needed to put on that,
and going through all that I was going through was
probably the biggest one.
Ally Domercant (03:33):
When did you start to realize that, like that, your
mental health was was really not in a good place?
Was it a sudden thing? Was it over time?
Jada Peebles (03:43):
I think it may have been a little bit, um,
over time, but I think I was just I was
in a really bad relationship during that time that had
kind of like sparked everything in general. It was a
relationship that just I shouldn't have been in, something that
just wasn't making me feel very good. And on top
of that, I mean, it was just I think that's
what prompted it most. I think it was a little
(04:04):
bit over time of kind of neglecting that. But I mean,
also when you don't have God in your life, it's
something to wear, like you can't. You are searching for
joy anywhere. And I couldn't find that anywhere. So it
just felt it felt like it was just a lot
on my on my plate.
Ally Domercant (04:18):
I only ask about it because I know you shared
it on Instagram. It got to a really bad place
for you. I obviously don't need don't need details, but
you had a moment where you you did not want
to continue living, right? Yeah.
Jada Peebles (04:32):
It just felt like at that point, like there was
nothing there was nothing else left for me. Nobody out there,
nothing that I could really give to people that wouldn't
be worth living at that point. That's exactly what it
felt like.
Ally Domercant (04:46):
From the outside looking in. Do you obviously you I
know you had some injuries throughout your career, but you
were having an overall a good career. On the women's
basketball team. Do you think that people knew how much
that you were, you were struggling or do you think
you hit it?
Jada Peebles (05:04):
I think I hit it pretty well, and I think
it's also hard for people to even kind of see
like athletes as just people as well. So I think
that when people look at you from the basketball perspective,
they think about it and they look as if, oh,
if you're playing good, if you're doing good, then you
must be good. And that's not always the case when
(05:24):
it comes to athletes. But I think that I did
intentionally hide it very well. But just I'm not a
person that's very open with their feelings in general. So
talking about them was kind of hard.
Ally Domercant (05:34):
Did you have any kind of a faith growing up?
Was did you think about God? Was that even in
kind of the realm of conversation for you?
Jada Peebles (05:44):
Yeah, my dad was actually a pastor, so growing up
I knew God, I knew who he was. But thinking
back on it now, and I just had this conversation
actually a couple days ago with one of my teammates
and thinking back on it like, I really can't honestly
remember the stuff that my dad would talk about when
he would preach. And like, I just didn't form like
(06:04):
a relationship that I should have when I had all
the opportunities my dad's been preaching since I was, I
don't even know since I was born, like, and I
didn't give myself the opportunity to grow my relationship with him.
I didn't take those times. And so I just, I
honestly feel like when I did get my life fully
to Christ in October, I mean, in August, like right now,
(06:26):
it's been like a journey of really starting from ground zero,
because I can't honestly remember this stuff that my dad
even really said growing up. I mean, again, I knew
who God was, I knew not to do wrong and
stuff like that. But yeah, honestly, it was it was
just honestly knowing who God was. And I'm grateful that
I did have my dad as a preacher to just
have that, knowing that God was real, and knowing that
(06:49):
I never had a doubt that he wasn't real. It
was just I never really gave my life to him
and let me form that relationship with him.
Ally Domercant (06:55):
What do you think stopped you? Was it, you know,
you think you. I hear a lot of different stories and,
you know, people who were maybe raised in church or,
you know, a lot of times parents were pastors, parents
were in the church. Do you think it was rebellion?
Was it like, I don't really I don't, I don't,
I don't really want that. Was it like maybe I'll
get to that later on after I do my own thing?
(07:17):
What was it you think that that stopped you?
Jada Peebles (07:21):
I think it was just not really understanding God's love
growing up. It kind of felt like. It was like,
if you do this, you're going to hell. Or like.
There was it didn't feel like there was any grace.
It felt like it was more like a religion than
a relationship. It felt like it was more like I
had to follow these rules rather than to just, you know,
(07:43):
understand like God's love and understand his grace and understand
that we're going to sin. We're we were born sinners. Like,
understand that we're going to sit in this world. I
didn't know his love and his grace during that time,
so I feel like it was more so like I
love the world more than I loved my spirit. I
love my flesh more than I loved him. And it
was just not understanding that it's a process. I didn't
(08:05):
have to come to him 100% clean. I could just
come to him and just love him and then have
him like, change me through that. And I think it
was just the complete not having that knowledge of like,
you don't need to fully be set in your ways
and stuff like that, like just letting God change you
just it was just complete lack of knowledge and just
liking the world more than I liked him in that moment.
Ally Domercant (08:28):
So then what happened in August of this past year
that that changed things for you?
Jada Peebles (08:34):
I'm so blessed to have teammates who gave also have
gave their life to Christ. We have a Bible study
about nine of us out of our out of our 14.
Go to it. It's a weekly Bible study. So, um,
over the summer, we had someone new last year that
came and she had recently, like, fully gave her life
(08:55):
to Christ. And seeing the change that she was going through,
of leaving these worldly things and just really sticking in
her word and just seeing how God changed her. And
then when she started up the Bible studies, I was
going to them, of course, but I still wasn't like
really like in my word and like stuff like that.
And then I have another she's my best friend and
(09:17):
me and her would get in the word together more,
and it just felt like I had always been wanting
change because in that moment, like my identity was in
so many other things, and I had been wanting change
for so long. But until we started at Bible studies,
I didn't know where I wanted my change to go to.
I didn't know who I wanted to change for, and
I feel like. I didn't know how to change on
(09:38):
my own. I was so scared. I was like, okay, well,
what if like, people look at me like, wow, like
I didn't know where to put my fears and where
to put my problems. And then when we started these
Bible studies, like eventually the spirit just started growing in
me and all the conversations that we would have. Again,
having holy people around you is gonna it's only going
to make you holy. It's only going to make you see,
like the parts of me that aren't. And it was
(10:00):
just it just got to a point where I was like, okay, like,
I want change. I 100% want change. And I just remember,
like just talking to God, and I'm like, God, like,
I give my life to you. And I feel like
that's the first time that I've ever said that. I mean,
growing up my dad as a preacher, of course, like,
I got baptized when I was like a baby, don't
even remember. But, you know, like, I think it's different
(10:22):
when you just have that conversation with God. You're just
in there and you're just like God, like, I give
my life to you. And in that moment, just feeling
so much peace. Like just crying, like just knowing that, like,
I didn't have to come to him change. Like, I
know he would eventually change me. I didn't know the
timeline of it, but I know he's going to change
me for the better, and he's going to bless my
life throughout it.
Ally Domercant (10:42):
And, you know, you there's a there's a real maturity
to way the way you're even describing it. Because I
think it's a common misconception that people think like, oh yeah,
when I get my life together, then I then I
can come to God. Or when I stop doing X, Y,
or Z like I got, I can't even come to
God like I am right now because he wouldn't want me.
(11:04):
And it's like it's the opposite. Like we come to
him because we can't change ourselves. Like so you mentioned
a couple times you wanted you wanted change. What kind
of change were you wanting? Was it like circumstances or
was it like a deep sense that, like, I want
me to change?
Jada Peebles (11:20):
Yeah. So one of my biggest things growing up and
even throughout college was homosexuality. Okay. And it got to
a point where I decided to change, like how I looked,
my identity, like I was putting my identity and my sin.
And I feel like that's a lot of the times
what it comes with when it comes to homosexuality. Like
we're putting our identity and the sin that we are,
(11:42):
how we look, how we dress, how we act like.
But that's one of the biggest things. And. The people
that I had to, like, grow me in Christ and
really helped me through that, were the same people who
went through the exact same thing. So it was also
helpful to see someone go through that and then also
change in the entire way. But I had someone with
(12:04):
me to make that exact change. We went through that
exact changes together and two is better than one. So
as I was going through that, she was going through
that as well. So we just helped each other through that.
But that homosexuality and just putting my identity in Christ
was something that I'd always wanted to change. But I
was just so nervous. I was so scared. I didn't
know what would happen after the fact. I didn't know
(12:24):
what would happen through that. I don't know what people
would say for people to know you as something, but
then see like a complete change. It was very scary
for me to like have that. But that's that was
the biggest thing that I was fighting.
Ally Domercant (12:37):
Yeah. So how did. And after August. So you you
gave your life to Christ. Did you see him start
to change you like, you know, because people always wonder, like,
is that is that for real? That like God. Really?
Did you see that? Yeah. Definitely start to happen.
Jada Peebles (12:53):
It was like a very gradual peace and a very gradual,
like confidence that would kind of grow in you of like, no,
I want to go out how I want to go out.
And I know nothing is going to like, stop me
from feeling that confidence. And it was just like the
love that I had for myself started to grow so
(13:14):
much because I started to love God so much. I
started to see how he how he viewed me and
how he loved me. That like my love for myself
started to grow. And I'm like, it doesn't matter. Like
if I scored two points or if I scored 30 points.
At the end of the day, like God loves me,
he sees the best. He sees that I try my best.
It doesn't matter if I messed up this day, messed
up that day. Like at the end of the day,
(13:35):
like as long as I repent, I come back to
God and I just continue to love him fully. Like
I know that he's still going to love me and
he's still going to bless me and have grace over
my life. But just again, understanding that love that he
has for you and just just seeing like the little
attitude changes just a little like changes that you would
do the way I would just again like feeling again
(13:58):
like myself before I let the world take over my heart.
Ally Domercant (14:01):
And so that was August. And then you had your injury.
Was it in January or late December?
Jada Peebles (14:10):
Uh, it was in January.
Ally Domercant (14:12):
So how do you process? Because, you know, you you're
you were new in Christ. There's that peace, there's that joy.
And then boom, this this injury. How did you process that.
Like that's a that's a big trial. Mhm. It was
early on in your in your faith. How did you
process it.
Jada Peebles (14:31):
Honestly not not very good at first it was a
lot of like God I gave up this I sacrificed
this I changed this like why am I now getting this.
And I at that time like basketball really wasn't going
as well for me as I thought it would. And sure,
during that time, like I said, my post like that year,
(14:51):
I told myself like, okay, God, like I'm going to
give you my best every single day. Like I'm going
to play for you every single day. And all credit
to the movie. Um, Facing the Giants. I recommend everyone
watch that. It really just like I've watched it growing up.
But like as I'm now in my faith, like really
watching that back. Like it was really just like it
really hit home. But I just told God every day, like, God,
(15:13):
I'm giving you my best no matter what. And I
was even playing that good when I got hurt like
that game. Like I was having such a bad game too.
Ally Domercant (15:21):
You had a torn Achilles. Um, did you know immediately
that it was a pretty serious injury?
Jada Peebles (15:27):
Yes. I just felt the, like, immediate pop when I
had did it. So it was more so just like
the shock of that and just kind of like, already
knowing what the injury pretty much was. It was a
lot of just like, God, like why? Like not understanding like.
Trying to be at peace with it, but really, just like.
Feeling like, okay, God, I already had to let go
(15:48):
of this. Now I have to let go of this. If,
like I was let go. Letting go of so many identities,
like every athlete puts their identity in their sport at
some point, and it just felt like I was having
to let go of so many things. And I don't
know if, again, I still don't know the answers to it.
I don't know if that was to fully put my
identity in him. Like if I was like the final
thing or whatever, but like it was just a lot
(16:10):
of like. Talking to God and just being like God y.
I think the biggest part, even now, is still like
not having that answer of like why things happen and
not knowing if I'm ever going to find that answer.
Still praying for that wisdom and discernment and, you know, no,
but still, still the same process of processing it just.
(16:30):
But I feel more at peace with it now, of course,
but a lot of blaming and in the process of
it happening. But now I feel like I'm just trying
to take it one day at a time and see
what see the opportunities that come up. Because if he
can close the door that big, I mean, I've been
saying he can open a door ten times bigger than basketball,
and I hear I'm here for it. Go ahead.
Ally Domercant (16:53):
So you took a big step when you when you
shared obviously you you shared with the fans kind of
the the update of yeah I've had this injury. They
confirm that it's this this rupture and and and I'm done.
But you also took that opportunity to to really talk
about the, the inner transformation. What what made you what
(17:14):
made you do that? And did that feel like a
scary step to kind of go public. Mhm.
Jada Peebles (17:19):
Like we have a sports psychologist on our staff and
we had this um thing as a group where we
were showing like our heroes, our hardships and then like
a good moment that, you know, happened in your life
and people were opening up about, you know, parents having cancer,
like just like really like opening up about deep things and,
(17:40):
and my heart. I knew I needed to share to
my teammates, to my family, my sisters, my suicide attempt
because no one had known about that. All the people
that I were on my team is probably like two
people left that were from that season. When it happened.
Nobody really knew what was going on during that time
with me, but it was something in me that like,
(18:00):
I just couldn't say it on my mouth. And then
after the fact, I'm like, I know I didn't open up,
I just had something so random. Like I was like,
I know I didn't open up to them. Like, I
really want to do share my story though. So then
it was in my it was on my heart to like,
share it on Instagram. And at that time that was
before the injury. So I was just going to share
that story, but I didn't. I didn't know what to say.
(18:22):
I didn't know how to do it. And then when
I got the opportunity for my injury, I was like, okay,
I feel like it's time to share my past five years.
And I didn't want it to be like a pity party.
I wanted it to be something to give God all
the glory of him having grace over my life, even
when I wasn't even like near him at all, I
wouldn't be at peace and where I'm at now if
it wasn't because of Christ. People are going through stuff,
(18:46):
and there's been a lot of athletes who have committed
suicide in the past two years, and we still don't.
We don't know their story. We don't know what they
were going through. But I am so blessed that God
had grace over my life to keep me here and
keep me alive to where I can share that testimony,
but I really just wanted to help people and help
them understand, like God is the only answer for you
to get through this. Like you cannot do it on
(19:08):
your own. But that was it was the biggest thing.
I really just wanted to help share my story. And
if anybody needed to reach out to me and need
help with that, like, that's really just that's really what
I wanted to do. You know, I'm.
Ally Domercant (19:18):
Excited for what God has for you because he clearly
that there were seeds that were sown early in your life.
So none of that is wasted. You know, all those
sermons that your dad preached that like, meant nothing at
the time? Yeah, yeah. Like he's going to use all
of that, like what was deposited in you early in
(19:40):
your life. And then, you know, the hardship that you
went through. And now you're you're fighting for peace, even
with even without having all the answers. You know, you
don't have that, like, happily ever after. Now, this is
why this happened. Now I know. Yeah, yeah. So it's
a it's a very relatable place to be because, you know,
we don't always get all of the answers, but we
(20:02):
trust in what we know to be true about God.
You know, his goodness and his faithfulness and that our
identity is rooted in him and it's unshakable. Yeah. And
it's incredible because you've got a you're you're new in
the faith just a couple months in. But the Lord's
giving you real maturity for sure.
Jada Peebles (20:21):
Yeah.
Ally Domercant (20:21):
Which is just it's it's such a blessing to see
and and it's needed in your generation for sure.
S3 (20:27):
Yeah.
Ally Domercant (20:28):
Yeah I.
S3 (20:29):
Agree.
Ally Domercant (20:30):
Do you have any sense? I know this feels like
a loaded question when you're in college, because I get that.
Do you have any sense of what what might be
next for you?
Jada Peebles (20:39):
Yeah. You know, honestly that's pretty much been, I think
what's keeping me like at peace is like because before
I had to focus on basketball and life after basketball
because it was ending regardless. Right. But now I kind
of just get to focus on like the after. And
growing up, I've always wanted to be a vet, but
with basketball and the class schedule, that really didn't work out.
(21:01):
So I really do want to open up like an
animal shelter. I also probably want to be like a
graduate assistant for another team, just to get two years
under my belt. I was still thinking about overseas and
then possibly, um, getting into coaching, but I hope the
Lord really helps me open, like open up an animal shelter.
(21:23):
That's a really big passion of mine is just like
animals helping animals. Like I've just been praying for anything
to where God opens the door for me, that I
can still just share the faith and share him and
share his glory and his love and whatever way that means.
But I'm praying for that animal shelter. Yes.
Ally Domercant (21:40):
So final question. What would you say to the person
who's listening, who finds themselves in a in a dark place?
Maybe they're wrestling with their identity in some way. Maybe they're,
you know, unsure of their purpose. What would you say
to the person who's listening?
Jada Peebles (21:56):
Just go to God. It doesn't have to be something
to where you start to read your Bible every single day,
but maybe just a conversation with him, maybe just looking
at a YouTube video. Just something to wear. Like you
can put your loving and loving him and just understand
that he wants everybody to come to him. He wants
the sinners. He wants the people who don't even know
(22:16):
him to come to him even more. That's the people
that he died for, really. He died for us as sinners.
So I just want them to understand that who they
are now is, is not what they have to be.
It's they can be who they can be in Christ.
And Christ wants wants to bless us. He wants to
give us good things, not for his own good, but
for ours. Like he has these things set in place
so that he can change our lives. And I just
(22:38):
hope that God changes everyone's lives. But just truly taking
that step of giving your life to him, and he
knows it's going to be a process. He knows it's
not going to be perfect, but just loving him fully
and seeing him do the rest.
Ally Domercant (22:50):
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal
thoughts or mental health matters, please call the 988 Suicide
and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. To connect with the
trained counselor or visit 988 lifeline. Org. Snapshot. Testimony is
a moody radio podcast. I'm your host, Ally Domercant , and
together we're sharing the moments that shape a life of
(23:10):
faith in Christ. Thanks for listening.
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