God Is So Good All the Time’: Riley Gaines Reveals How Pregnancy Has Impacted Her Advocacy
Riley Gaines, the former NCAA swimmer turned outspoken women’s rights advocate, has once again captured national attention—not for a sports achievement or political showdown, but for a deeply personal announcement. In a recent Instagram post and YouTube appearance, Gaines joyfully revealed she and her husband, former University of Tennessee baseball player Louis Barker, are expecting their first child.
Far from slowing her down, Gaines says her pregnancy has only strengthened her resolve to speak out on behalf of women and children. With her characteristic courage and firm biblical values, she framed the journey as a divine calling. “God is so good all the time,” she declared in a heartfelt Instagram caption, alongside a photo of her and her husband beaming with excitement. “This has given me a whole new perspective on what I’m fighting for.”
View this post on Instagram
Known nationally for her bold opposition to biological males competing in women’s sports, Gaines has become a household name in conservative and Christian circles. She rose to prominence after tying with Lia Thomas— a biological male who identifies as a female—at the 2022 NCAA championships. Since then, she has turned her experience into a broader mission to defend the integrity of women’s sports and speak biblical truth in a culture increasingly hostile to it.
Gaines’ pregnancy announcement came with powerful spiritual reflections. On her YouTube podcast, Gaines for Girls, she described how carrying a child has deepened her understanding of the sanctity of life. “Seeing that heartbeat, hearing it for the first time, you realize how precious life is from the very beginning,” she said, adding, “How could anyone say this isn’t a person?”
The 23-year-old didn’t hold back when addressing America’s cultural confusion. While the Left continues to push for gender neutrality and unrestricted abortion access, Gaines sees her child as a reason to double down on biblical values. “The fight isn’t just about fairness in sports anymore,” she said. “It’s about protecting the next generation. My baby deserves to grow up in a world where women are honored and truth still matters.”
Her strong pro-life stance and unwavering faith stand in contrast to celebrity narratives that often glorify abortion as a form of empowerment. Gaines took a subtle jab at Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, who recently commented on not being “ready” to have a child and having an abortion as a teenager. While Gaines didn’t attack Biles personally, she said she was saddened to see powerful women promoting the idea that motherhood is an obstacle.
“We need to stop telling women they can’t do both,” Gaines said. “That they can’t be successful and also be moms. The most empowering thing I’ve ever experienced is carrying this child. It’s not a burden—it’s a blessing.”
Her message is resonating. Christian and pro-family advocates have praised Gaines for standing firm in her convictions while embracing a new season of life. Lila Rose, founder of the pro-life organization Live Action, congratulated Gaines online, calling her announcement “a beautiful reminder that life is a gift from God, not a problem to be solved.”
Gaines’ story stands in sharp contrast to mainstream narratives that often marginalize faith, motherhood, and traditional values. Her pregnancy announcement has not only stirred emotions but reignited the debate about what real female empowerment looks like. For Gaines, it looks like standing up for truth, honoring God, and nurturing life.
As the Biden administration and its allies continue to push aggressive policies on gender identity and abortion rights, Gaines offers a powerful counter-voice: a young, educated, articulate woman who doesn’t shy away from declaring God’s goodness or defending the unborn.
During her podcast, Gaines also addressed criticism she’s received for her stance. “People say I’m anti-trans, anti-choice, anti-progress,” she said. “But what I am is pro-woman, pro-truth, and pro-life. I’m not backing down because this matters more than ever now.”
Her pregnancy, she says, has only solidified what she already knew—truth isn’t subjective, and God’s design isn’t up for debate. “Being a mother is the most feminine thing a woman can do,” Gaines said. “And yet we live in a culture that mocks that. But I won’t apologize for embracing who God made me to be.”
Her advocacy has shifted from being solely about sports to something far more eternal. While many celebrities see children as optional or even inconvenient, Gaines sees her unborn child as a reason to keep pressing forward. “Every heartbeat reminds me that the fight is worth it,” she said.
Riley Gaines continues to challenge a culture that worships self and convenience. As she enters this new chapter, she remains a voice of clarity and conviction—grounded in faith, strengthened by family, and unafraid to speak the truth.
Her journey is a reminder that while the world changes, God’s design for life, womanhood, and motherhood remains timeless. And through it all, Gaines declares with confidence and joy: “God is so good—all the time.”