Beyond the Finish Line with Christy Swaid on Faith, Grit and the True Meaning of Victory

Christy Swaid’s story is not just about titles or trophies. It is about what happens when determination meets conviction. Once the most decorated woman in jet ski racing, she conquered waves and broke records with the same precision she later applied to rebuilding herself through faith and resilience. Her career was a test of endurance both on and off the water, defined by broken bones, backflips and an unshakable belief in the power of perseverance.

In this first instalment of our four part series, Swaid reflects on the lessons that shaped her, from the pain behind her Guinness World Record backflip to the quiet strength found in grace, humility and purpose. This is a story not only of competition but of character and what remains when the crowds fade and the medals gather dust.

When you look back at your career as the most decorated woman in jet ski racing, what memories rise to the surface first?

I have many incredible career memories. Being in awe of nature's gifts, being one of the few women on the water trying to keep up with the guys, the countless setbacks, and injuries as well as the victories - they all flood my memory when I look back on my journey. In the rearview mirror, I see countless moments of triumphs, trials, and long stretches of uncertainty. It’s now crystal clear to me that the real trophies are the enduring relationships that are forged through it all. It’s important to acknowledge and appreciate that their cumulative effect on my life was truly a gift and without each and every memory and relationship I wouldn’t be who or where I am today.

You once shattered your kneecap and suffered a severe injury mid stunt yet still landed a Guinness World Record backflip. What was going through your mind in that moment?

When I agreed to attempt the backflip, I had no opportunity to try it in advance. The stunt took place on one day within the course of two hours. I had no opportunity to practice the stunt in advance because it required a lot of specialized equipment that I had no prior access to. For preparation, I relied on my lifetime of jet ski experience coupled with intense physical fitness, u-tube videos, and visualization of perfect execution. I consulted top pros and my brother about the level of risk I was about to take. They rated the risk “extreme but not impossible”. I was hungry to test my courage, ability, and faith and memorized a bible scripture, 2 Timothy 1:7, to keep my resilience in check. After enduring 9 failed attempts, a broken kneecap, left thigh impalement, double cervical whiplash, and elbow injury, I finally stuck the full rotation with a ride-out landing. Each failed attempt caused an injury due to the high speed with which I had to launch off a fat boat wake, followed by 800 pounds of fiberglass landing on top of me. With each crash, my team rushed in to make sure the ski didn’t sink, and I was breathing. I refused to focus on the pain or fear of failure and charged forward with my power scripture in mind. When I landed that backflip, it was a shared victory. It was a testimony to the power of a positive mindset, faith, and the love of a good team. “God does not give us a spirit of fear but power, love, and a sound mind” 2 Timothy 1:7. I’m so grateful to be out there doing what I love against all odds. In that moment I just felt fully vindicated in my beliefs and myself. This is the spirit of checkeredflagliving.com.

Many people admire your grit but resilience often comes from deeper places. Where do you believe your strength is rooted?

At the risk of sounding religious I will be totally transparent in saying my strength is rooted in Jesus Christ. Jesus embodies resurrection power. There’s unfortunately no workaround for the horrible reality that we all have an expiration date. I believe the love and goodness we receive from Christ empowers us to experience our fullest life on earth and secures life eternal. The mindset that Jesus teaches and exemplifies is power and grit through love and grace. The hardest challenges we face on this side of heaven are opportunities to bond one on one with the Holy Spirit. He will never leave us or forsake us. His loving presence becomes clear when all distractions are removed. My mom always said, “with Jesus, the best is yet to come”. She spoke these words as she took her final breaths while dying of painful cancer. She pointed to the ceiling of the stinky old hospice room and said, “look they are waiting for me, it’s so beautiful, you don’t have to be afraid”. Positive thinking is great but for some it is impossible when life is dark, painful, and confusing. Jesus is the light in the darkness. The suicide rate is escalating and even impacting children. I beg anyone reading this that feels alone and hopeless to whisper the name of Jesus, reach out to a person of faith, and never give up. You will have a brighter tomorrow and be empowered to help others with your newfound grit, empathy, and yes resilience.

Sport is often described as a mirror for life. What has competition taught you about failure and success outside the water?

I love sport and racing because they are pure and honest. They demand integrity, creativity, vulnerability, and heart. Sport and racing also involve team spirit and community. Those dynamics demand a profound understanding of respect for fans, adversaries, and the environment. Jet ski racing taught me to respect my coaches, teammates, stakeholders, and fans as well as my adversaries, mother nature, and myself. There were a lot of wins but there were also losses and choosing respect and appreciation through those losses is a practice that I learned to carry through all aspects of my life. I used to wear the weight of shame and regret for my failures and weaknesses. Now I see how those flaws forged newfound strengths and understanding. I strive to keep a spirit of humility because humility empowers people to remain teachable at any age. I will argue that old dogs can and should learn new tricks. Life is far more exciting when we remain curious and pliable. Read 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

How do you carry the mentality of a world champion into your personal life when the crowds and medals are no longer the focus?

It's important to me to uphold that world champion persona within, even if it's not the first thing I lead with, I believe my confidence does radiate. In recent years, complex grief brought me to my knees. I rendered that it is easier to endure a thousand broken bones than it is to endure a broken spirit. It takes a heart of a champion to get up and live up to day-to-day responsibilities while in the throes of mental and spiritual suffering.  My health and fitness are extremely important to me and my appreciation for the human body is a huge part of my life. However, I now know the body follows the spirit and the mind. All three components (mind, body, and spirit) feed the other. The greatest champions I know are the ones thriving with disabilities, survivors of abuse, and sober addicts. They inspire me to find my inner warrior when I’m down.

For young women looking at male dominated sports and thinking it is not for them what message would you give?

Why not you? Just why not? Dig deep into what is making that limiting belief the forefront of your thought and uproot it because truly why not you and if not you than who? Kind of Dr. Seuss but true.

When the race ends and the finish line is behind you how do you personally define victory today?

2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” Inspiring others with ideas that spark hope and drive to experience their fullest life is my calling. I’m willing to share my life experiences both good and bad with the intention that If one person, one child hears a part of my story and thinks to themselves I am worthy, I am loved, and I have resurrection power on my side to do great things for the good of others - that right there is my victory.