World champion high jumper Nicola Olyslagers: ‘With Jesus, all things are possible’

Nicola Olyslagers reveals how putting God at the centre of her life transformed both her athletics career and her sense of purpose, leading to record-breaking performances and a ministry among fellow athletes

High jump world champion Nicola Olyslagers has seen her career rising to new heights from the moment God’s love became the centre of her life. 

Like many driven young girls, Nicola Olyslagers had a clear plan for her life from an early age. Aged 8 she was already tall and practising athletics, so, of course, she would become a high jump champion. Her plans were huge. Travel the world, train with the best coaches in Europe, become an Olympian, jump above 2 metres and meet a wonderful man who would love her. They would marry and have high-jumping children. Life was set.

But by the time she turned 20, even though much of the above had happened, she was dissatisfied. 

As the Australian battled her fear of failure and the tension between her identity and her performances grew, she began to ask…