"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) - KayDianna’s unexpected path to recognizing God’s plan in her life (7:12) - Growing faith through trials—how obstacles lead to deeper trust  (10:45) - Vulnerability in sharing insecurities and struggles with self-acceptance (14:33) - Image vs. identity—how KayDianna encourages women to focus on what's inside (18:01) - The role of mentorship—and how you don’t need to have all the answers (22:05) - Challenges of maintaining a curated image and the true essence of beauty (25:27) - Reflecting on the significant misconceptions that shaped KayDianna’s beliefs (28:45) - 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 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisawhittleofficial