In this episode of Iron & Grace, we sit down with Donnie Tinsley — jiu-jitsu black belt, coach, and devoted follower of Christ — to talk about how God used the discipline of martial arts to forge strength, humility, and faith.
Donnie shares his powerful journey from rebellion and brokenness to redemption — through divorce, loss, and failure — and how the Lord met him right in the middle of it. From the struggles of running a business and finding purpose, to the way God used men like “Jimmy” to speak truth into his life, this is a raw and honest conversation about what it means to fight the good fight both on and off the mat.
We talk about:
- How God uses hardship to bring us closer to Him
- Finding calling and purpose through teaching martial arts
- Balancing faith, family, and leadership as a Christian man
- Building community and ministry in unexpected places
If you’ve ever wondered how to live out your faith in your daily work -- whether that’s in a gym, a job site, or a boardroom — this conversation will challenge and encourage you.
🎧 Listen. Learn. Lead with Grace.
📖 “29: But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30: When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the Lord your God and obey his voice. 31: For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.” – Deuteronomy 4:29-31
Connect with Donnie Tinsley - Business Links
https://www.tinsleyfamilymartialarts.com/ https://www.instagram.com/tinsleyfamilymartialarts/
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
0:30 Donnie’s early years and martial arts beginnings
3:00 Finding faith through failure and hard lessons
10:00 The turning point: meeting “Jimmy”
20:00 Quitting engineering to follow God’s calling
30:00 Purpose, community, and discipleship through jiu-jitsu
45:00 Living faith in the gym
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