THE ED MYLETT SHOW

Episode: Stop Chasing Validation That’ll Never Fill You With Tim Tebow & Demi-Leigh Tebow
Air Date: November 4, 2025
Guests: Tim Tebow, Demi-Leigh Tebow
Host: Ed Mylett

Episode Overview

This powerful episode of The Ed Mylett Show explores the universal struggle for validation, identity, self-worth, and faith through the experiences and insights of Tim Tebow (athlete, author, philanthropist) and Demi-Leigh Tebow (Miss Universe, author, advocate). The conversation journeys through the dangers of attaching identity to achievements, the pitfalls of comparison, how to find enduring worth, grappling with loss and questions of faith, and the transformative force of serving others. Through candid stories and practical wisdom, Tim and Demi-Leigh illuminate the difference between worldly validation and the deeper fulfillment of living out one’s true purpose.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Identity & Worth: Achievements vs. True Value

• Demi-Leigh’s Experience with the Miss Universe Crown

  • Despite the platform and accolades, handing back the crown left her feeling a loss of worth ([04:24]).
  • Quote: “I also handed back my identity, my worth, my value, because I had attached that to that crown... I realized that the moment I handed over that crown to the very rightful next winner, I also handed back my identity...” — Demi-Leigh ([04:52])
  • She draws parallels to how people tie value to roles—parenthood, careers, achievements—only to face crisis when those roles end.

• Tim’s ‘Royalty’ Concept: The Image of God

  • Tim unpacks the idea that all humanity is bestowed with “royalty” as image-bearers of God, regardless of accomplishments or ability ([06:55]).
  • Quote: “Human worth is fixed. We don’t get to pick and choose who’s valuable. Our value is based on God creating us in his image on purpose and for a purpose, in love, by love and for love.” — Tim Tebow ([07:35])
  • He recounts a moving inspiration from a Night to Shine event, when a bumper sticker reading “royalty on board” sparked his study of what it means to be made in God’s image ([08:24]).

• Practical Takeaway:

  • Don’t mistake platform or recognition for purpose; your value isn’t determined by societal markers but by intrinsic, God-given worth.

2. Comparison, Social Media, and the Loss of Joy

• The Trap of Comparing Ourselves to Others

  • The hosts discuss the prevalence and destructiveness of comparison—highlighted and exacerbated by social media ([22:01]).
  • Quote (Tim): “Comparison kills all joy. If you live a life in comparison, it will absolutely steal and kill your joy. And that’s what the enemy wants… You’re comparing your real life to somebody else’s fake life.” ([22:01], [22:36])

• Social Media’s Role

  • Demi-Leigh shares that constantly consuming others’ highlight reels lets “people who don’t know you, who don’t love you...speak into your life,” influencing self-perception without realizing it ([23:49]).

• Healthy Competition & Cheering Others

  • Demi-Leigh reflects on pageantry, recounting a backstage moment of solidarity: “If I don’t win, I hope you do.” She underscores the importance of striving for excellence while lifting up others ([25:09]).
  • Tim: “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” ([26:34])

3. Overcoming Shame, Insecurity, and Brokenness

• Rooting Identity in Something Unshakeable

  • Demi-Leigh speaks on the futility of rooting self-worth in changing circumstances, and her journey to finding unbreakable identity through faith ([17:02]).
  • Quote: “Our life circumstances...usually look like a roller coaster. And then when we attach our confidence, our worth, our value to our life circumstances...that sends our identity on a roller coaster too.” — Demi-Leigh ([17:24])

• Turning Pain Into Purpose

  • Ed emphasizes: “You’re most qualified to help the person you used to be.” ([20:33])
  • Tim: “We aren’t called to bear God’s image. We’re called to be God’s image in whatever we do.” ([19:13])

4. Processing Loss, Grief, and Questioning Faith

• Demi-Leigh Shares Recent Loss of Her Father

  • She opens up about losing her dad to cancer just days before recording, and the earlier loss of her sister ([28:58]).
  • Quote: “My dad passed away a couple days ago as we're recording this... I don't have all the right answers. And I'm hurting...But I'm grateful for the hope with assurance that we have in Jesus.” — Demi-Leigh ([30:23], [31:54])

• Navigating Grief and Faith

  • Tim: “Christianity is not a museum for good people. It’s a hospital for the broken. When you are broken, you get to go to the healer.” ([33:29])
  • Demi-Leigh on doubt: “I hope that I can turn from questioning to seeking... Instead of asking why, I hope that I can refrain my mindset to asking which... God, where are You working this together for good?” ([35:39])

5. The Transformative Power of Service

• Serving as a Path to Healing and Fulfillment

  • Ed: “When you feel the most helpless, get the most helpful...I promise you, you can help who you used to be.” ([39:57])
  • Tim describes serving vulnerable populations as where God has “impacted my life by far the most. Where I've seen him show up, teach me, prune me, fulfill me.” ([40:22])
  • Inspiring stories:
    • Helping strangers at traffic lights and in New York City, seeing the value in every person ([40:22]).
    • “We use people and value things instead of loving and valuing people and using things. We have to flip it.” — Tim ([42:53])

• Demi-Leigh’s Carjacking Story

  • She shares how being rescued by a young stranger—armed only with a beat-up car and a willing heart—ignited her passion for anti-trafficking work:
  • Quote: “God can use your willingness way more than you ever realize...She had a beat up old little car and a willing heart.” ([43:51])

• Practical Takeaway:

  • Service isn’t reserved for those with much; willingness trumps resources. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness can change a life—and, by extension, the world.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Demi-Leigh Tebow:

  • “I handed back my identity, my worth, my value, because I had attached that to that crown.” ([04:52])
  • “Our life circumstances...look like a roller coaster. When we attach our confidence...that sends our identity on a roller coaster too.” ([17:24])
  • “God can use your willingness way more than you ever realize.” ([43:51])

• Tim Tebow:

  • “Human worth is fixed...Our value is based on God creating us in his image on purpose and for a purpose, in love, by love and for love.” ([07:35])
  • “Comparison kills all joy...you’re comparing your real life to somebody else’s fake life.” ([22:01], [22:36])
  • “Christianity is not a museum for good people. It’s a hospital for the broken. When you are broken, you get to go to the healer.” ([33:29])
  • “The greatest fulfillment that I have ever received by far in my life is by serving people that could never do anything to help us.” ([42:53])

• Ed Mylett:

  • “You’re most qualified to help the person you used to be.” ([20:33])
  • “When you feel the most helpless, get the most helpful.” ([39:57])

Important Timestamps

• 03:15 — Introductions & Books Discussion
• 04:24 — Demi-Leigh on Identity and the Miss Universe Crown
• 06:55 — Tim on Royalty and Being Made in God’s Image
• 15:04 — Seeing the Unseen & the Power of Service
• 17:02 — The Roller Coaster of Self-Worth and Faith Rootedness
• 22:01 — Comparison and Social Media’s Dangers
• 25:09 — Healthy Competition and Cheering Others
• 28:58 — Demi-Leigh on Grief and Losing Her Sister, Then Her Father
• 33:29 — Tim on Christianity as Healing for the Broken
• 39:57 — The Transformative Power of Serving Others
• 43:51 — Demi-Leigh’s Carjacking Story Leading to Advocacy

Final Takeaways

• Know your true worth: It’s unshakeable, rooted not in platform or performance, but in the deep truth you are made for purpose and love.
• Reject comparison: Gratitude and joy can’t coexist with envy; comparison steals more than it ever gives.
• Embrace vulnerability: Serve others, even imperfectly, and find healing in being the answer to someone else's need.
• Faith is a journey: It’s normal to question, to grieve, to be broken—but hope and restoration are on offer regardless.
• Be willing: The most world-changing actions often come from small acts of kindness and a willing heart.

Resources & Next Steps

• Tim Tebow's Book: Look Again (Release Date: November 2, 2025)
• Demi-Leigh Tebow's Book: Knowing Who You Are Because of Who God Is: 100 Days to Unbreakable Faith
• Learn More & Get Involved: Tim Tebow Foundation

This episode is rich in vulnerability, wisdom, and actionable encouragement—reminding us that worth, hope, and meaning are not earned through outside validation, but discovered through faith, resilience, and selfless service.