Embrace Podcast

If you’ve ever struggled with why you workout, what to eat and how you see yourself in the mirror, this episode of Embrace Podcast is for you! Charissa deep-dives into her personal training and nutrition experience that lead her into the world of body building and earning her bikini pro card. She struggled with unhealthy eating habits and body shaming that lead her to pursue other fitness avenues and the “work hard and be proud of yourself” environment of a CrossFit gym.

Her recent 2019 conversion into the Christian faith and finally surrendering her life to God both changed her heart and her worldview. She started seeing her purpose more clearly, and appreciating the way God wired her and the gifts he gave her. Her motive for creating the “Christ-Centered Body Image” course is to empower women to see themselves the way God sees them.

Founder of “The Cheru Challenge” Jenny Jones had God-sized dreams of using her influence in CrossFit to benefit and change lives of children across the globe that were dying from lack of clean water. She’s raising a small army of children, leading at Real Hope Community Church and raising $100,000 through World Vision. And…. How does she manage to do it all?!

This episode personifies the painful reality of daily life that African youth live (picture a 6-year old walking 3-miles roundtrip) and the dangers they normally face to get the dirty pond water their villages depend on.

Coming full-circle, Jenny explains the solution to the problem and the generosity, passion and kindness people show even though they’ll never get to meet the people on the receiving end. Tune in to find out how kettlebell swings, squats and lots of running are making an astonishing impact.

A tribute conversation honoring the life of Becky Conzelman. This episode paints a picture of how well she loved and what she was all about - and that’s Jesus. Jim speaks vulnerably and lovingly of his late wife and how his family got through her death while doing their best to trust in God’s sovereignty. This is a family update for the FAITH RXD community (which together they Co-Founded in 2013) that blew up and connected athletes worldwide for the gospel.

Re-living favorite memories of an intentional friendship and Jim sharing thoughts on recent inspiration “Gentle and Lowly” by Dane Ortland. Brainstorming five ways to help guide your children in their faith walk and foster strong relationships with them that models integrity and builds trust.

Putting himself out there as pastor, evangelist and CrossFit gym owner, Kelly Barcol shares his own formation of faith and being in awe of what God’s doing through service and building authentic relationships. “One man, one time,” is all it takes to invite someone to Jesus and eventually even into an actual church building.

Kelly expands on the lasting results of a youth mentorship program that fundraised and poured $150k into 10 boys that were “least-likely to graduate from high school” over the course of six years at CrossFit Winnersville in Valdosta, GA. Kelly raves about the character transformations and baptisms he got to see in the Josh Sullivan Program through hard daily workouts, after-school tutoring and a tight-knit community.

Salim Muslimani has an incredible story converting into the Christian faith. He shares about his upbringing that was full of drugs and violence, which lead to chasing the wrong things in life. His whole world flipped when he started going to church and started having a real, authentic, soul-changing relationship with Christ.

“Straight Talk with Salim” is a passionate teaching podcast where he features episodes like “Who is Jesus” and breaks down difficult to understand Bible verses. He also offers practical tips on how to pray and involve your family in faith conversations and worship.

Jessica Lucero is a USA Weightlifting National Record Holder in the 59kg weight class, and shares about her new transition going from a lifetime of competitions to becoming a Coach & starting a Youth Competitors Program called Uplift Weightlifting!

We reminisce on hilarious feel-like-you’re-there training stories and how important your mindset is in the world of strength training. She proudly represented America’s Stars and Stripes 3x at the World Championships as she chased the Olympic dream. We discuss motherhood, postpartum athletics and reflect on our mentorship with late Becky Conzelman and how to invite God into your athletic careers through prayer and Bible study.

This is all bonus material, a conversational follow-up to “Episode 5: What to Expect in Pregnancy & Birthing Strong.” We discuss what “laying in” means and how to let go of the preconceived expectations of our bodies being able to ‘bounce right back’. Acceptance, staying positive during sleep deprivation and leaning on Jesus are all topics of conversation!

Nast Whitson is a runner, personal trainer, CrossFit gym owner, BirthFit coach and most importantly was MY doula! She bridges the gap between fitness and birthing in a way that empowers mamas through her course Birthing Strong. We discuss the spiritual side of the birthing process, and why it was so intimidating for me personally. We talk about how playing worship music during your delivery can help you release control and surrender to the process! In this episode she offers advice, sets realistic expectations and helps navigate through a woman’s “Game Day.”

If you're a digital creator or consider yourself "influenced" by your social media favs - you'll relate to these conversations about what it takes to build an online brand! As a Counselor, Stefanie Rouse helps singles "find the one that God has for them," and couples thrive in their engagement and marriage.

Stefanie says her ministry is a “diary of Jesus saving her.” She is known for her Christ-centered-relationship focus, breathtaking photography and her willingness to be vulnerable. Andrea and Stefanie met at a Christian Influencer event with Louie Giglio, what a moment they'll never forget!

Andrea interviews Caitlin Zick, the Director of Moral Revolution and discusses everything from purity in Christian culture to swapping personal stories about what dating looked like for them and how to invite God into the process.  A good quote, “The truth is so foreign and the lies are so familiar,” when talking about entertainment and how confusing it can be for young-adult believers that are trying to navigate the dating scene. Watch out- this episode will make you BLUSH!