At 18, Lauren Sisler experienced the unimaginable: she lost both of her parents in a single day to prescription drug overdoses.

As part of our special April series on faith, meaning, and human connection, I sit down with Lauren Sisler, ESPN and SEC Network reporter, former NCAA gymnast, and author of Shatterproof. Known for her vibrant presence on the sidelines, Lauren opens up about the hidden story behind her strength: the sudden, life-altering loss that changed everything.

We explore her journey from silence to advocacy, how she learned to carry grief while rediscovering joy, and why faith, vulnerability, and community have been central to her healing. Lauren shares how writing her book helped her piece together the truth and how she now uses her platform to help others own their stories too, both the painful and the powerful.

We also dive into:

• The early dreams she let go of and the new ones that took their place
• How she balances motherhood, marriage, and the high demands of sports broadcasting
• Her journey of faith, from small-town churches to rediscovering purpose through loss
• The “sideline shimmy” that became both her anxiety outlet and her signature move

At its heart, Lauren’s story is about resilience, identity, and what it means to show up fully, honestly, and with faith, no matter what life brings.