Podcast Summary:

Stay True with Madison Prewett Troutt

Episode: Body Image and Confidence with Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Reece Weaver

Date: November 10, 2025
Host: Madison Prewett Troutt
Guest: Reece Weaver

Overview

This heartfelt and inspiring episode centers on the themes of body image, confidence, faith, and staying true to one's values in high-pressure, secular environments. Host Madison Prewett Troutt welcomes Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader (DCC) and Netflix reality series star Reece Weaver. Together, they dive deep into navigating self-worth, people-pleasing, mental health struggles, and spiritual practices while in the public eye.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reece’s Faith Journey and Path to DCC

• Raised in Christian Home: Reece shares her early upbringing in a faith-filled family, her grandfather being a preacher. (03:33)
• Growth in Faith: Reece talks about maturing in her faith during middle school and continuing to rely on Christ through her dance career.
• Discovering Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Inspired after visiting AT&T stadium (the Rose Bowl game during COVID), she decided to pursue a dream of becoming a DCC, balancing faith and ambition. (07:50)

  "I looked at the turf, and I was like, I'm going to be a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. Wow. I want to do this." (08:09, Reece)

The Rigorous Cheerleader Audition Process

• Balancing Dreams and Reality: Reece elaborates on navigating the intimidating audition process, attending prep classes, and not letting the pursuit of the dream overshadow the present. (09:15)

Confidence Amid Comparison and Pressure

• God-Confidence: Reece attributes her confidence to trusting in God’s purpose, even in environments full of beautiful, talented women.

  "I have to remain confident and trust Him in that... The only way to get me through anything is God-confidence." (12:03, Reece)

• Celebratory Team Culture: Contrary to stereotypes, Reece finds her DCC team to be uplifting and mutually supportive. (13:40)

  "It's way easier to celebrate someone else than it is yourself...organically, everyone fills each other's cups up." (13:40, Reece)

• On Bible Study and Community: Reece describes the team’s regular Bible study and the camaraderie among members, regardless of where they are in their faith journey. (14:34)

Navigating Secular & Public Spaces

• Being a Light: Both Madison and Reece compare their experiences of standing firm in faith in secular spheres like reality TV and the NFL.

  "My prayer...was, Lord, use me. I don't know what that looks like." (15:53, Reece)

• Reality TV and Authenticity: Reece shares anxieties about being filmed and striving to remain authentic, not performing a version of herself for the cameras. (17:00)

Living with “Audience of One” Mindset

• Dealing with People-Pleasing: Reece opens up about overcoming the desire for everyone’s approval.

  "I know not everyone's going to like me, but the only approval I need is from Christ." (21:18, Reece)

• Handling Backlash on Social Media: She shares strategies for dealing with hurtful comments—including giving herself a “five minute breakdown” and then turning to prayer for those who attack her online. (22:26)

  "All I can do is pray for you and hope you find salvation and know true friendship is in Jesus." (23:29, Reece)

Body Image and Insecurity in the Spotlight

• Middle School Struggles: Reece reflects on her early struggles with body image, particularly being “shoved in front of a mirror” as a dancer.
• Healthy Perspective: She emphasizes valuing the “instrument” God has given her, focusing on the inside rather than outward appearances. (27:20)

  "There's only one of her and a one of me. And I have to remember that we're both called to whatever the Lord has called us to do." (28:36, Reece)

• Desire to Reflect More Than the Uniform: Reece wants little girls and fans to see beyond the iconic DCC uniform and recognize her as a person seeking to point others to Jesus. (30:44)

Support, Marriage, and Community

• Marriage as Safe Space: Reece describes her husband, Will, as her “safe place,” providing support through ups and downs—especially as their lives changed after the Netflix show launched. (37:37)

  "He's my safe space when it comes to just being able to like, literally dump everything on him." (37:37, Reece)

• Navigating Public Scrutiny Together: The couple has had to learn to handle online opinions, trusting God, and refusing to add fuel to the fire. (52:40)
• The Importance of Kingdom Friends: Madison emphasizes the value of having people who call you out, pray with you, and keep your marriage focused on unity and faith. (57:27)

Mental Health and Spiritual Practices

• Dealing with Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Reece discloses that her panic attacks worsened post-show, due to public scrutiny and responsibility. Music (especially worship) and going outside help her regulate emotions. (39:50)
• Grounding Spiritual Habits: Both Reece and Madison share about the importance of grounding routines—quiet time in the Word, music, time in nature, and creative hobbies (like flowers) to center themselves in truth. (48:51)

Battling Lies and Clinging to Truth

• Daily Practices: Reece finds it vital to do quiet time right before practice, refusing to carry “the enemy’s lies” into spaces of worship/cheerleading. (46:01)
• Combating Spiritual Warfare: Acknowledges her biggest battles haven't necessarily been external pushbacks, but fighting the lies the enemy whispers about worth and calling. (43:27)

Encouragement to Listeners

• Practical Steps for Confidence: Reece encourages finding confidence by remembering God’s creative power—reminding oneself that God made them intentionally and beautifully.

  "The same God who designed that [sunset] called you and said that you are his and that you're better." (60:21, Reece)

• Never Settle for Small Dreams: Encourages listeners to dream big, trust in God’s purpose, and realize everyone is made on purpose for a purpose.

  "Never settle for a small dream. Always dream bigger, bigger and bigger because that's what God has called you." (62:18, Reece)

• Let God Define Your Identity: Madison shares her journey of allowing God to be the only voice in her life calling her “masterpiece.” (65:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On God-Confidence:

  "I have to have God's confidence. That's the only way to get me through anything." – Reece (12:10)

• On Body Image:

  "When I put on the uniform, I hope that when little girls look at me, they…see someone else [Christ]…that there’s a girl who has baggage and is broken and has the same struggles as anyone else." – Reece (29:13, paraphrased)

• On Dealing with Comparison:

  "There's only one of her and a one of me. And I have to remember that we're both called to whatever the Lord has called us to do." – Reece (28:36)

• On Handling Criticism:

  "I call them my little five-minute breakdowns...and then I just have to pray for them." – Reece (22:43)

• On Audience of One:

  "The only approval I need is from Christ. At the end of the day, whatever anyone says about me, I can’t take that to Heaven." – Reece (21:18)

• Encouragement to Dream:

  "...Never settle for a small dream, always dream bigger, bigger and bigger because that's what God has called you to do." – Reece (62:18)

• On Identity:

  "When you know whose you are, you'll know who you are." – Madison (65:40)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:33 – Reece’s faith journey and childhood
• 07:50 – Deciding to pursue Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
• 09:15 – Audition process and balancing dreams vs. present
• 12:03 – Confidence amid pressure
• 14:34 – Bible study and faith community on the DCC
• 15:53 – Being a light in secular spaces; reality TV pressures
• 21:18 – People-pleasing and living for the approval of God
• 22:43 – Handling online backlash
• 27:20 – Body image journey
• 37:37 – Marriage as support and safe space
• 39:50 – Coping with mental health challenges
• 46:01 – Spiritual practices for battling lies
• 60:21 – Encouragement for confidence and God’s creativity
• 62:18 – On dreaming big and living on purpose
• 65:40 – Resting identity in God’s view

Final Takeaways

This episode offers reassurance for anyone striving to maintain confidence, purpose, and faith in environments marked by comparison, public scrutiny, and cultural pressures. Through candid discussion and lived wisdom, both Reece and Madison model how to root one’s identity in Christ, battle lies with truth, and build authentic, supportive community.

For listeners facing insecurity or longing for confidence:

• Start with getting quiet and grounded in God’s truth every day
• Seek supportive, faith-filled friends
• Embrace your uniqueness and purpose
• Remember: “Never settle for a small dream—God made you on purpose for a purpose.”

Follow Reece Weaver:
Instagram: [@reeceweaver]
For updates, encouragement, and more insight into her journey as both a cheerleader and a believer.

Stay True:
Stay grounded. Stay real. Stay you.

This summary covers the main themes, memorable moments, and practical encouragement offered in this episode, while capturing the warmth, authenticity, and faith-focus of both host and guest.