photo by Mike Stahlschmidt

“I have changed a lot, and a big change is in the things that are missing:
fear, loneliness and frustration.”

The 1999 Women’s World Cup is a tournament I will never forget. It was not only a team victory, but a personal victory for me as well. At 33, this was my third and final World Cup. Winning this last one made it all the sweeter. And knowing that I gave the team every ounce of effort I could muster was very satisfying for me. I simply left every thing I had on the field.

When the U.S. team was playing overtime and shooting penalty kicks I was in the training room, completely undone. Due to the effects of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I was flat out and practically incoherent. When I did gain my senses and learn that Brandi Chastain had put away the winner, I had the trainers take my IVs out and found myself hobbling out to the field to join my team. The 90,185 fans were going crazy. I was struggling to soak it all in and keep myself together. It was incredible. I will never forget that moment.

And as I look back at my life and soccer career, I am completely aware that through all of the struggles, all of the victories and all of the losses, I have been blessed. The road has been bumpy, and has seemed long at times, but that only serves to make victories like ours in the World Cup that much sweeter. I guess for you to really understand, it might help if I started from the beginning.

Michelle’s story:

As a kid, I hated to lose. When I was eight my mom signed me up for soccer. We lost a lot at first and I begged my mom to let me quit. She refused. Plus our uniforms were pink and yellow—the worst!

Soon enough, I fell in love with the game. I thought I’d grow up to be a pro soccer player in Europe or a paramedic. Unfortunately, I had also become the epitome of a rebellious teenager: skipping school, dating older guys, experimenting with drugs, lying. My parents’ divorce only added to my adolescent confusion.

The only person I really talked to about my life was a soccer coach at school, Mr. Kovats. I was intrigued by him and why he was so excited about being a Christian. Mr. Kovats definitely knew something I didn’t.

One day after practice, Mr. Kovats drove me home. We sat in his rusted-out, lime-green pick-up truck for the millionth time and talked. This time I cried my heart out. I hated who I was becoming, what I was doing to my family, and what was going on inside. I was angry. I was sad. I was confused. I knew I needed something. Or someone. I told Mr. Kovats that I wanted what he had: a relationship with God.

I was afraid of what the kids at school would think if I became a Christian, but it wasn’t the real reason I hesitated. I was just plain scared. Since my parents’ divorce, I found it difficult to trust—and now to hope that what Mr. Kovats said about Jesus giving me joy was almost too much. If I committed to this and it didn’t work out ... well, that just seemed too much to risk.

But this time I was at the end of my rope. I was desperate, alone and afraid. We bowed our heads and I repeated a prayer Mr. Kovats said to begin a relationship with Christ.
Immediately, I felt a rush of peace inside. A physical feeling of warmth. I took a deep breath, and all the fear, confusion and worry left me. Something had happened, but what? From that moment forward, I was a different person. Nothing anyone would notice at first, but in time, that moment became a turning point in who I was and how I lived my life.

It didn’t take long, however, before I forgot all that Christ had done for me. I received a scholarship to college, was a four-time All-American, won a World Cup in 1991 and was named the best player in the world. I got married, traveled the globe and became the first woman player to have a paid endorsement. I had the world at my fingertips.
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The Beginning

Rock Bottom

Turning Over the Reigns

A Brighter Future Still...

Want to know more about Michelle?
Visit her website
www.michelleakers.com

Then in 1994, after three years of battling extreme fatigue and illness, I hit rock bottom. I couldn’t manage to get out of bed and brush my teeth, nevertheless run and play soccer. Migraines racked my head while I sweated through three tee-shirts a night. Finally, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS). On top of all that, my four-year marriage ended. I was sick, alone and disillusioned with life.

Even though I couldn’t put it into words at the time, I had a feeling I needed to get things right with God. I hadn’t spent much time thinking about spiritual things since I was in high school and Mr. Kovats introduced me to his faith in Christ. I still went to church on Easter and Christmas, but I didn’t bring religion into my daily life. God was definitely not a part of my marriage nor my soccer career. I made my own decisions and dealt with the consequences; and I thought I had done a pretty good job. Until now.

I was so sick I couldn’t take a five-minute walk without needing two days on the couch to recover. I was forced to spend a lot of time thinking about who I was. That was the hardest thing. I couldn’t distract myself with soccer or friends because I was so ill. I was forced to look at my life. I didn’t like what I saw.
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