This story appears in FCA Magazine’s May/June 2016 issue. Subscribe today!
Hometown:
Shattuck, Okla.
Family: Husband- Scott
Children- son Skylar,
daughter Macy
Coaching Career:
• Shattuck All Stars (2014-present)
• Weatherford All Stars (2008-present)
• Southwestern Oklahoma State
Univ. Cheer & Pom (2008-present)
“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.” – Proverbs 31:25
Tenderhearted and passionate, McKenzie Pshigoda integrates her newfound boldness in Christ into her coaching career—both with the spirit program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and the younger Shattuck and Weatherford All Stars cheerleaders. She took a leap to embed her faith into her coaching and cheer centers, and she’s reaped sweet rewards while showering cheerleaders of all ages with the love of God.
FCA: How do you incorporate your faith into coaching?
MP: In 2013, I was putting my All Stars recital program together and removed the prayer. Then the Moore, Oklahoma, tornadoes hit, taking the lives of a lot of small children. It moved me because I wondered if they knew Jesus and what opportunities I was missing. I felt compelled to pray but was stopping myself, thinking, “That’s not what I do. This is a business, not church.”
When I said we were going to pray at the recital, the crowd roared. From that point, I’ve started fresh and have Him inside my doors. It has been the most positive thing I ever could have done. Seeing kids remember Scripture and being excited—saying, “This is FCA day!”—is really moving.
FCA: How did God personally grab ahold of your heart?
MP: I was standing in front of hundreds of people, knowing I was keeping Him out so I wouldn’t offend anyone. Every single year my business was growing, but it was empty. It wasn’t fulfilled until I made the choice to trust in Him and learn what it’s like to give Him everything. I held back for so long because I feared the future, but when Scripture says I am clothed in strength, I have to believe I am strong no matter what obstacle I face. I’ve never felt so rewarded in my life.
FCA: How do you balance coaching such different age levels?
MP: Clearly the dynamic is way different. With the younger kids, we practice memorizing Scripture and how it’s going to help them get their handstand. Instead of being frustrated, we go over to the side and pray about it. Their eyes light up and go, “I get it!”
It’s easier to hold the FCA part up with the older kids. We compete at cheerleading competitions with the high schoolers, and this year we started off with the “Undefeated” series, teaching them to give God all the glory and respond in a way pleasing to Him.
FCA: How do you connect with your college athletes?
MP: I had nobody to relate to with this kind of stuff when I was a college cheerleader. Nobody worried about what I was doing Sunday morning; they worried about what they were doing Saturday night. So it’s extremely hard for me to watch my athletes not feel good enough or go through a vulnerable time being on their own.
I want [their faith] to be normal for them, like it is for me now. When you have a passion that is big because you’ve seen it with your own eyes and how He can make a difference in lives, it’s a big responsibility. I take it very seriously. And I love it.
FCA: What is God teaching you right now?
MP: Don’t settle. I’m on the right track and everything is going well, but what else can I do? I could be very complacent with where we’re sitting, but I need to let Him use me as much as He can. I’m living for a purpose. That’s what my call to God would be: “Use me to further Your Kingdom, whatever that looks like.”
FCA Staff Quote:
“It has been so fun to watch God take McKenzie out of her comfort zone and share Jesus with her teams and in her gym. In a world that can be so focused on outward appearance, she is leading in such a way that her teams shine and share Jesus with the cheerleading community.”
-Sarah Roberts
FCA Area Representative, Central Oklahoma
-FCA-
Photos courtesy of McKenzie Pshigoda and Jennifer Staggs Photography