In the stillness of early morning, when most of campus sleeps, Shannon King runs. But for the Colorado Christian University All-American, running is more than a sport — it's survival. It's worship. And it's testimony.
Before she was a record-setting athlete, King was a young woman fighting a silent battle. "It's hard to talk about," she said in CCU's Behind the Jersey interview. "I was in a really dark and lonely place... I didn't want to be here anymore." Her words are honest, raw, and painfully familiar for so many.
That dark season of depression began during her first semester of college, long before she transferred to CCU. She had moved several states away from home, excited for a fresh start — but the lingering effects of the pandemic created unexpected isolation. "It felt like I was starting over," King reflected. "The obstacles to building community were overwhelming."
Emotionally, she felt overwhelmed. Spiritually, she felt distant from God — yet anchored in truth. "Even when I didn't feel it, I clung to what I knew," King said. The emotional strain brought internal and external pressure to perform — academically and athletically. "I wrapped my identity in how well I performed," admitted King. "And when that got hard, I didn't know how to separate who I was from what I could do."
Transferring to CCU marked a turning point. Joining CCU Athletics helped King to battle her depression by providing authentic community that cares for one another deeply. "It gave me the chance to start building a real support system," she said. "That changed everything."
Then came Nationals.
"I was ranked in the top 30, ready to compete," King shared. "But during the race, my body just shut down. I couldn't feel anything... I collapsed just 60 meters from the finish." She remembers watching runners pass her by, unable to move, her dreams unraveling in real time.
"It felt devastating," King said. "I had worked so hard — not just that season, but for years — to reach that goal. Not finishing was heartbreaking." In the aftermath, her mom and a close teammate found her in the medical tent. "We just cried together," she recalled. "Their presence reminded me I wasn't alone."
Looking back, that moment still stings — but it also reshaped her. "I realized that struggle could lead to growth. That failure didn't define me."
King's recovery wasn't quick. "Some days, even getting out of bed was a win," said King. "But I've learned I'm not alone. And neither are you." Healing, she now understands, is rarely linear.
She clings to the truth of John 1:5: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." That verse became a lifeline. "It reminds me to look to Jesus, who has already overcome every darkness. That gives me hope."
It's not just a verse — it's a promise she's lived.
With the support of her coaches, her CCU family, and her faith, King began to speak out. She sought counseling. She opened up. And as she shared her story, others found courage to do the same.
Her faith played a foundational role in her healing. "Even when I didn't want to admit it, God was caring for me in ways I can only now see clearly," said King. "Knowing who I am because of whose I am changed everything."
"God is working through the pain."
Verses like Nehemiah 8:10 — "The joy of the Lord is your strength" — took on new meaning. "I had to redefine joy," King said. "It wasn't about feelings — it became my strength in the hard moments."
King found healing in community. "Getting involved in church, serving, and building relationships helped me remember what mattered," she said. Friends and coaches walked with her through the hardest days. "My coaches, especially, helped me start to see my identity beyond performance. Sometimes, just being present and listening was enough."
Today, King is not just running races — she's running toward a calling. Her experiences with mental health and healing led her to pursue graduate study in CCU's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. "I want to help others feel heard and seen, especially when they feel invisible," said King. "My experience gave me empathy — and now, purpose."
To student-athletes or young adults struggling in silence, she offers this: "You don't have to go through it alone. Speak up. Ask for help. Even when it feels dark, keep showing up. This season will not last forever."
If she could speak to her past self, King would offer compassion and truth: "I'd tell her it's okay not to be okay; that healing takes time; and that God is working through the pain — even when it's hard to see."
Now, she sees the evidence of His faithfulness.
In Shannon King's story, we don't just see an athlete. We see a survivor, a sister in Christ, and a light in the dark for anyone struggling to keep going.
"God has answered prayers I thought were impossible. He's given me peace in the middle of stress — and He's teaching me to trust His timing. It's not about being strong all the time, it's about trusting that God is strong for you. And He's not done writing your story."
- Shannon King
Called to Help Others Find Hope?
If Shannon's story inspired you, consider how you could make a difference in the lives of others facing mental health challenges. CCU's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program equips students to provide Christ-centered care and support to those who need it most. Discover how you can turn your compassion into a calling.
Explore the Counseling Program