He recently became a world champion pizza maker, winning the International Pizza Challenge in Las Vegas, out of 100+ of the best pizzaiolos. And he gives God the glory for it! We chatted while eating a pizza he made for us at the business he's owned for almost a decade, Cerrone's Brick Oven Pizzeria in Columbus GA. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast to hear fun and inspiring conversations about faith, fitness...and food too.

(2:49) Leo DiCesaris discusses his love for pizza, his family roots in Italy, studying how to make pies all over the USA, passion for cooking authentic italian food, plus how you can make dough lighter and more digestible.

(10:38) Leo sees Cerrone's as "God's business." We ask him about that higher calling and giving joy to people through food and fellowship. He also gives some of his keys to a good work-life balance.

(16:09) We then dive into the 2025 International Pizza Challenge: the rules, criteria he and the other pizza chefs were judged on, what was on his WINNING PIZZA (plenty of unique ingredients including a rare pig from Spain) that started with a dough that he created over the course of 2 weeks. (31:41) Listening to worship music while cooking in this competition, pizza champ Leo is glad he now has a worldwide platform to talk about honoring the Lord, and seeking His will. He has some Godly advice for future chefs and restaurant workers dreaming of success in the face of fear and a high probability of failure for pizzerias.

(35:45) And nearly 3 years ago, this pizza business owner got into a horrible head-on collision, leaving him with a list of broken bones. He opens up about that, the full year of recovery, and his super supportive wife. (40:45) Leo is also a big guy, who played offensive tackle in high school and college and arena football - where he got lessons for life that have stuck! He talks about food (like pizza) being fuel for sports too, essential nutrients before and after workouts. And after talking about what I eat before and after long runs and races, I close the episode in prayer.

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