- [Announcer] Jessica Long at this point

really has her work cut out for her.

She's only been swimming for two years.

- I see the world record holderand I realize I'm gaining

on her with each stroke.

And there was at one point,

we were 15 meters out of the wall,

and I just said to myself,

I did not come here to get second.

- [Announcer] Jessica Long putting

in some huge strokes towards the finish.

- And we touched the wall so close.

You had to look up at the scoreboard.

- [Announcer] Jessica Long is gonna have

to extend for the wall.

She does it. A Paralympic games record.

- But in that moment,I knew that I had won.

- [Will] In 2004, at the age of 12,

Jessica Long became theyoungest Paralympian

to win a gold medal.

In fact, that year she won three.

- There was 20 some thousand people

who had just watched that race.

So I was just trying to catch my breath,

excited that my family saw it

and just that I couldn't wait to see them.

- [Will] Jessica was born in Russia

without her lower leg bones.

It was there in a Siberian orphanage

she was adopted by Steve and Beth Long,

a couple from Baltimore, Maryland.

- They saw a picture ofme and another little boy.

And I think it's sospecial and so incredible

because they just, theyreally felt on their hearts

that we were the childrenthat God wanted them to adopt.

- [Will] At 18 months, the Longsmade the difficult decision

to amputate Jessica's lower legs.

The first of 25 painful surgeries.

- You didn't have to tell a girl

with no legs that she, youknow, I knew I was different.

I was missing half of my body

but I really had incredible parents

who really taught me that, you know,

God has always had a special plan for me.

- [Will] That plan madesense in the water.

- Every Sunday afterchurch, we would go over

to my grandparents houseand spend time with them.

And they had a pool in their backyard

and I would like eat as fast as I could

just so I could be thefirst one in the pool.

And then I would be the last one out.

- [Will] At the age of 10,

Jessica joined the local swim team.

And while the pool made sense,

she questioned why God made her different.

- I remember being really angry.

I remember not wantinganything to do with God.

And I was going in forsurgeries every three months.

And I mean, all I ever heardwas God made me this way.

And I was like, hmm, Idon't think I like that.

- [Will] That anger fueledher competitive drive.

In 2006, at the world championships

in South Africa, 14 year oldJessica won nine gold medals,

beat out fellow swimmer Michael Phelps

for an ESPY award and receivedworldwide recognition.

- I think swimming reallyjust became my identity

because going into the20, the 2008 Paralympics,

I didn't perform as wellas I would've liked to.

I was the world record holder

in the 100 breaststroke,but I got the bronze medal.

And one of the first thingsthat I asked my parents,

like do you guys still love me?

And they're like, whatare you talking about?

- [Will] Her surfacerelationship with God gave way

to her identity as a swimmer.

- I think in a way I felt likeI could do it all on my own

and I totally could.

Right. I was the onegoing through surgeries.

I was the one walkingon two prosthetic legs

and I was going, I mean, my legs hurt me

every single day and I didn't even want

to rely on my parents, let alone someone

that I couldn't even see.

I was winning awards.

I was on red carpets in LA.

I was, you know, getting sponsorships.

- [Will] Over the next six years,

Jessica racked up over 50 goldmedals and 18 world records.

At the London Paralympic Games in 2012,

Jessica realized something was missing.

- I just won five gold, life was great.

I had had a commercial with Coca Cola.

There were so many thingsagain that were happening

but still, I just rememberfeeling really empty

and just really just unsatisfied,which I was like, why?

I mean, I've done everythingthat I've ever wanted to

in the swimming journey,the swimming career

how do I still feel empty?

How do I still feel unsatisfied?

- [Will] While training for London,

Jessica attended a women's Bible study

and over time she knew sheneeded something to change.

- I think I was just tired of being angry.

I think I was tired ofcarrying all this weight.

I think, you know, nothingwas still satisfying my soul

and that's all I'd everheard my whole life, right,

is God is the one He'sthe one that can fulfill

and satisfy every, all of your needs.

- [Will] One night in the summer of 2013,

she surrendered her life to God.

- And I walked up and prayedwith a woman that I had known

and just was like, I reallywant to give Him my whole heart.

I want to pray.

I don't want to question anymore.

And it was a really special moment.

I really do know for afact, like I was like,

I gave Him all of me

and I just remember feeling so weightless.

And so just a part of God'sfamily for the first time.

Like really a part of it.

I feel so much gratitude

and love towards justeverything that God's given me.

Just so thankful.

- [Will] Today, Jessicais married and training

for this year's Paralympic games in Tokyo.

She even starred in aToyota Superbowl commercial.

As one of the most decoratedParalympic athletes

of all time,

Jessica is confident in her ability,

but even more secure in her identity

- My identity is in Christ.

And I really hope that I showthat with just my character

or the way that I dothings on the pool deck.

And I know I couldn't do it without God.

So I do really rely on Him.

And when I'm swimming,

I do picture Him next to me in that

like I'm still using thetalent that He has given me.

And I think that I'm stillreally living my purpose

and that He would be,He's really proud of me.

And I would say every athlete

or anyone has probably ever felt this,

just not satisfied right?

It's not working.

You're not satisfied.

It's never going to beenough, but God is enough.

And that's really hard.

And it's all on your own time, of course,

but just know that God's waiting,

waiting for you with His arms open

and He can't wait to haveyou a part of His family.