Jayden Mount’s Journey: Trusting God’s Plan and Embracing Growth in 2024
2024 has been a transformative year, marked by both incredible highs and difficult challenges. From coaching at South Alabama to navigating life’s uncertainties, I’ve learned a valuable lesson: when you trust in God’s plan, everything falls into place, even when it seems uncertain. The year started off with my role as the lead for a huge fundraiser at South Alabama, where we raised an impressive $42,000. The sleepless nights, checklists, and spreadsheets paid off as we achieved our goal.
But in the midst of it all, a 
piece of advice from a wise woman, Becky Clark, stuck with me: “Do the things you can control great and let God do the rest.” I took that to heart, and the season unfolded beautifully. We made it to the Gainesville Regional, a milestone we had missed in 2023, reminding me that faith, patience, and perseverance lead to success.
Surrendering to God’s Plan: Lessons Learned Along the Way
As the year went on, I encountered a few twists and turns. After the regional, I made the decision to move to Ohio with my boyfriend. It was a bold move, one filled with unknowns. Jobless and unsure, I started searching for new opportunities but struggled to find a clear direction. I kept reminding myself that things would fall into place.
In late May, I reached out to Katie Lively at Extra Inning Softball about potential remote work. To my surprise, that evening, Bonnie Holland reached out to me with an offer for an 
interview. The next thing I knew, I had been hired for the managing editor position. It was clear: God’s plan was unfolding in ways I couldn’t have predicted.
This period taught me to trust the journey, to embrace uncertainty, and to lean into God’s timing. Even though it wasn’t a simple or fast path, it was the right one. I also learned how to embrace my family’s constant support throughout this transition. My parents have been a rock for me; my dad starts every day by sending me a motivational text, reminding me that he’s always there for me. His daily encouragement and words of wisdom have been a constant source of strength, especially during times of doubt. My mom is always there for me whether it is showing her my apartment decorations or just calling her to talk, she is my best friend.
The Blessing of Family Time and Unexpected Joys
In June, after moving to Ohio, my boyfriend proposed to me, and I said yes! That was another reminder that everything falls into place exactly how it’s meant to. But beyond the personal milestones, this year has also blessed me with more family time than I’ve had since starting college softball. Being away from home for so long has made me realize just how important those moments are. My family’s love and support have
made a world of difference, and it feels so good to be able to come home for a month this Christmas. The chance to spend time with my parents, who have always been there for me, and to spend quality time with them is priceless. They’ve supported me through every major step in my life, and I’m grateful for their constant presence and encouragement.
A Year of Faith, Gratitude, and Moving Forward
Reflecting on this year, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the path God has guided me on. The chance to play in the regional with my team, the opportunity to work with Extra Inning Softball, and the deepening of relationships with my family and fiancé have been nothing short of a blessing. I’ve learned that trusting God’s plan requires patience and surrender—two things I’ve been continually reminded of. Life doesn’t always move as fast as we want, but when we let go and trust, everything falls into place. And with that trust, we experience true peace.
This year has also reminded me that faith and gratitude are key to living a fulfilled life. With the new year just around the corner, I’m excited for what’s to come. I’m eager to continue growing in my career, my relationship, and my faith. I’m ready to embrace every opportunity and lesson 2025 brings. And as always, I’ll keep reminding myself that God has a plan, and I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
*****
| New Content | Content Descriptions | Trending & New Features | Trending & Feature Descriptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Inning Softball Influencers | Hear from top-ranked athletes from the Extra Elite 100 as they share their journey as an author of their own story. | TRENDING NEWS: The Evolution of Rankings | Bonnie Holland, CEO of Extra Inning Softball shares the inside scoop on the controversial topic of rankings & shares improvements to content. |
| Commit Crew | Meet our EIS Commit Crew as they share tips, drills, and advie on player development. | Coaches Endorse New Rankings Software | Learn more about Extra Inning Softball's new cutting-edge sofware which has been met with excitement and anticipation across the country. |
| Sports Performance | Cutting-edge content on speed training, mobility, and strength training from expert, Jacob Billingsley. | TRENDING NEWS: Introducing the Commit Crew | Hear directly from committed players heading to powerhouse programs. They share drills, advice and tips on player development. |
| Hitting/Offense Tips | Led by experts such as Paul Petricca, who dives deep into strategies and drills to elevate offensive skills. | Content Calendar | What's coming next? Check out our content calendar! |
| Mental Edge & Agility | Success starts with mindset. Weekly insights from experts like former D1 coach, Julie Jones. | STORE | Your one-stop shop for stylish apparel, including unique styles created especially for Extra Elite 100 players. |
| Overcoming Adversity | Tips on recovery and resilience, reaturing inspiring stories from players who have faced hard times. | Committed Players/Master Verbal Database | Committed players share their journey and will be highlighted by Extra Inning Softball and added to our Master Verbal Database. |
| PODCAST | Hosted by pro player Jessie Warren and former D1 athlete Katie Lively, as they tackle hot topics. | Dugout Discussion Polls | Weigh in on hot topics in the softball world. Results will be discussed in our exclusive interviews and podcast. |
COPYRIGHT © 2024 Extra Inning Softball TM
Do you have a story idea? If so, let us know HERE
EIS Stands for MORE than Just Extra Inning Softball
