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Lilian Garcia: A Journey of Faith and Self-Discovery

RLE

Lilian Garcia is a multi-talented recording artist, broadcaster and globally-recognised television personality as part of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) family. A genuine sports entertainment 'history maker', Lilian was the first female and Latina to ever announce WrestleMania, holds the record for most times singing the US national anthem at wrestling's largest event, and is also the first female in-cage announcer for the Professional Fighters League. Lilian joins the #GoodJourneysPod to share her inspiring personal journey of dealing with loss, rediscovering her faith and finding joy in life.


On episode 22 of the Good Journeys with Second Mountain, the podcast series from Second Mountain Comms in partnership with Resilient Leaders Elements, Lilian joins Ben Veal to talk openly about losing both her parents and her marriage, rediscovering her faith life and self-identity, and being part of the worship team community at Mariner's Church in California. Lilian also shares memories of her time in the colourful world of professional wrestling, including her unforgettable chemistry with Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, seeing the world with the WWE, and singing the American national anthem on the truly unforgettable episode of WWF Smackdown that took place just two days after the 9/11 terror attacks.



SEARCHING FOR PEACE AFTER LOSS


"I promised her so many things; I'm letting her down"

Life can be a rollercoaster ride of ups, downs and unexpected twists and turns. Lilian Garcia certainly has learnt this the hard way, after losing both of her parents in the space of just a few years and then seeing her marriage break down in 2021. Faced with considerable loss and dealing with bereavement, Lilian explains on 'Good Journeys with Second Mountain' how spending some time back in her native Spain proved to be a necessary restorative step on her personal journey to self-discovery and rediscovering her zest for life once again:


"I feel like I had lost myself for the longest time; it's really hard when I tell people this, but ... look at the inner child inside of you. Is that inner child happy? Are you taking care of that inner child? Are you keeping promises to that inner child that you [made] a long time ago?"


"I went back to Spain where I grew up, and back to where I was playing in the park, and I sat on the same bleachers ... I'm seeing my ghost everywhere, playing, skipping rope, eating sunflower seeds, just laughing and having fun ... I was just looking around [thinking] wow, I promised her so many things and I'm letting her down."


SHINING A BRIGHT LIGHT


"I came out of there like a phoenix"

In 2021, Garcia was introduced to Mariner's Church, a non-denominational Christian megachurch located in California's Orange County. For Lilian, a highly-accomplished singer/songwriter accustomed to performing in front of crowds of ten of thousands, being part of such a vast and vibrant church community immediately felt like a comfortable fit.


For the last two years, Lilian has become a proud ambassador of the church and a core part of its worship team, with the Mariner's Church community playing a central role in Garcia rekindling her faith and giving her life to Jesus:


"I just came out of [Mariner's] like a phoenix. I came out of there completely different. I have to give credit where credit is due: giving my life and fully surrendering it to God and to Jesus has made the switch for me. It's been so beautiful that I want to share it with people, but I'm trying to be careful not to do it in such a way where it's cramming it down anybody's throats. I don't think that's necessarily the way to go, and I'm not turning into a 'Bible thumper' or anything like that, I'm just sharing my story of what's worked for me."


PURPOSEFUL CONVERSATIONS


‘Good Journeys with Ben Veal’ is the award-winning podcast and YouTube show that will lift your spirits, challenge you and drive you forward. Each episode is an intimate conversation with a vey special guest, covering their personal, moving and honest life journeys and the important lessons learned along the way.


Join the Conversation. Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | YouTube 




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