Do you ever feel like temptation always wins? Whether it’s fast food on the way home, sneaking a snack in secret, or giving up after one bad morning—Jes and Martin know the feeling. In this episode, they open up about their real-life struggles with temptation and how their faith helped them fight back. From practical strategies to spiritual warfare, they share how to build a plan that works with your walk with God, not against it. You’ll learn how to strengthen your resolve, stay rooted in Scripture, and walk away from temptation in victory.

Jes talks about urge surfing, the power of accountability, and how putting on the armor of God helped her regain control. Martin dives into prayer, repentance, and the mindset that helped him lose over 450 pounds. You’ll also hear the powerful story of the Chinese church under persecution, and a reminder of the freedoms and tools we often take for granted. Learn how to walk forward in both faith and health—one obedient step at a time.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[1:04] Jes opens up about how fast food was her way of taking control during emotional moments. Martin relates with memories of secretly eating despite claiming to be on a diet.

[4:54] Jes shares her tools for avoiding temptation—prayer, Scripture, rest, and accountability partners. She talks about the concept of "urge surfing" and preparing for spiritual battle.

[9:07] Temptation is a spiritual battle, and you have to go into it expecting resistance. Jes explains the importance of standing firm and remembering that self-discipline is a gift. 

[14:26] Jes and Martin count their blessings—rain, green apples, a sweet dog, and childhood popsicles. A lighthearted moment that reminds us to practice gratitude.

[17:15] The Jesus Freaks segment: Martin tells a story about the Chinese church’s courage under persecution and the power of refusing false teachings.

[22:37] What to do after you give into temptation? Martin emphasizes the importance of prayer, repentance, and moving forward instead of spiraling.

[27:05] Martin encourages listeners to press on even after setbacks. Spiritual tools like prayer and worship are just as vital as your diet and exercise routine.

[35:56] Audience feedback from a listener who’s grateful that the show integrates faith into health, noting that the tools apply far beyond weight loss.

[37:05] Jesus is the model of resisting temptation. He countered Satan with Scripture and found strength through prayer. Deepen your prayer life to deepen your strength.

RESOURCES

Visit the Pheonix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/ 

Buy A Pheonix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book 

Are you tired of starting over on your health journey? Do you feel like every diet begins with hope but ends in defeat? In this episode, we’ll show you how inviting God into your weight loss journey can change everything. Jes and Martin explain why Phoenix Chronicles isn’t a diet—it’s the spiritual foundation to help you stay on one. Through prayer, worship, and scripture, they break down how to fight the emotional, spiritual, and mental battles that threaten your progress. This episode is about more than food—it’s about freedom. Learn how to develop spiritual discipline that fuels lasting change and restores your relationship with your body.

Jes and Martin also share daily habits you can adopt right away: 15 minutes of prayer, daily worship, and Bible reading—with a bonus tip to make your health boundaries stick. They also reflect on powerful testimonies of faith that remind us what it means to live boldly and sacrificially for Christ.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Intro 

[1:04] Phoenix Chronicles isn’t another diet—it’s a tool to help you stay faithful on a good one. Jes and Martin talk about how prayer and worship strengthen your ability to stay the course.

[4:54] Why worship matters: Singing transforms the heart. God sees you in your weakness and meets you there through praise.

[6:33] Dive into God’s Word. Use specific scriptures to prepare for the battle of dieting. Highlights include Ephesians 3, Philippians 4:13, and Romans 12.

[9:14] Martin shares a moment when stress didn’t lead him to food—and how that revealed God’s transformation in his life.

[13:24] Count your blessings! Jes and Martin share personal gratitude examples and why this simple act keeps your mindset joyful.

[16:54] Jes and Martin reflect on the sacrifices others have made for Christ and what we can learn from their courage.

[23:05] Jes breaks down the Phoenix Chronicles daily practice: 15 minutes of prayer, worship, and Bible study—plus the power of Scripture memorization.

[31:12] Add one more habit to the daily three. Review your health boundaries daily. Pray over them, keep them visible, and let God help you stay committed.

[33:36] Jes shares encouraging feedback from a podcast listener at church.

[34:15] Closing thought: How hungry are you for change? Surrender the idols and let God transform your health from the inside out.

RESOURCES

Visit the Pheonix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/ 

Buy A Pheonix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book 

Have you interacted with the mainstream therapeutic world in your pursuit of weight loss? When Jes was struggling with her eating disorder, she went to rehab and saw a secular therapist. In doing so, she processed much of her trauma, but also started to lose sight of God’s importance in her life. 

When you navigate the mental health world, sometimes you encounter messages from professionals that will conflict with the importance of God in your life. Learn how to balance healing with the teachings of the Bible, and hear Jes’s story of disorder, recovery, and surrender in today’s episode of Phoenix Chronicles. 

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction

[1:07] When Jes was in her early 20s, she did a diet called HCG Sublingual Drops and ate almost nothing for many months. She ended up in the hospital four times with debilitating pain, and eventually her gallbladder shrunk. 

[4:14] At 24, Jes checked into a rehab program for her eating disorder. Initially, her program was great, and she learned about food addiction and coping mechanisms. 

[6:10] Jes gained wait as a means of protecting herself from male attention as a trauma response to sexual abuse. Her rehab program helped her stop constantly weighing herself and controlling her surroundings. 

[9:08] The Health at Every Size movement gave Jes the idea that it does not matter if you are overweight. Because Jes had such a fraught relationship with food before, she went from total rules to no rules, which was intoxicating. 

[11:09] This view also put Jes in the view of her own healer, and made her values the only thing that mattered. She thought that she was doing the right thing, but she was only focusing on herself.

[15:00] Through all of this, Jes’s disordered behaviors never stopped. She started asking herself where God was in her journey. 

[19:30] It was very difficult for Jes to accept that her approach to her relationship with food was wrong. It has been difficult for her to surrender. She began seeing a Christian therapist, who was game-changing for her. 

[24:58] When Jes surrendered to God, she finally was able to change her behavior around food. It was the only thing that worked. 

RESOURCES

Visit the Pheonix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/ 

Buy A Pheonix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book 

We live in a self-care-obsessed culture. Anyone who has ever been to a therapist or opened social media has seen it: we’re all about taking time for ourselves, setting boundaries for ourselves, and feeling like our best selves. These goals often leave us feeling empty. That’s because real rest does not come from ourselves; it comes from God.

In today’s episode of the Phoenix Chronicles, Jes is joined by her mother Lauri Crowe to discuss rest as it relates to weight loss and to God. Jesus tells us to rest in him. In doing so, we give him our problems and are able to feel real relief from stress. Tune in to learn how.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction

[1:09] In today’s episode, Jes is joined by her mother Lauri Crowe. They will be talking about rest and self-care. 

[2:19] Jes was once heavily involved in the therapeutic world in trying to get help with her mental health. The focus on self-care in mental health spaces became an unhealthy obsession for her.

[6:46] For Jes, the idea of self care does not deliver what it promises. In practicing self care, Jes was trying to deliver what God promises in putting herself at the center of all facets of her life instead of God.

[10:41] In John 14:27, Jesus says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.

[13:21] Proverbs 31 provides a description of a woman who lives virtuously. Jes tries to emulate this vision of womanhood in her life.

[16:30] In the Count Your Blessings segment, Lauri and Jes recount some things they are thankful for.

[18:40] Resting in Jesus is about being in peace and understanding that you do not have to handle anything. We honor God by resting in Him. 

[25:20] You can ask God to show you windows of time where you can cut back and rest and connect with Jesus. 

[32:55] If we make God the center of everything and give him all of our struggles, we should not be experiencing stress. We know in our hearts that God will take care of us.

RESOURCES

Visit the Pheonix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/ 

Buy A Pheonix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book 

Does God want us to have boundaries? Think about it—God asks Christians to live differently than the rest of the world. This means denying ourselves things that would prevent us from fulfilling God’s purpose for us. In today’s episode, Jes and Martin discuss boundaries: what they are, how the Bible gives us examples of them, and how they apply to weight loss. 

Jes and Martin start by defining boundaries and explaining how the Bible supports them. Next, jes introduces a new segment called Count Your Blessings and Martin introduces a segment called Jesus Freaks. Finally, Martin and Jes explore boundaries in the context of weight loss and give tips on setting your own boundaries.

Learn how you can find and stick to your why, and how Isaiah 43:19 tells us that God will give us a way out.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction

[1:36] Today’s episode is about boundaries. Sports have boundaries that determine what does and does not count as a valid goal, our jobs have boundaries, and our weight loss should have boundaries.

[13:10] A biblical example of boundaries is the story of Samson and Delilah in Judges 13-16. 

[15:35] Jes has been doing a game called “count your blessings” with her son. The game helps her son take a different perspective on tough moments by looking at the blessings in his life. 

[21:10] “Jesus freaks” was a pejorative term back in the sixties. DC Talk created a book on martyrs called “Jesus Freaks” and turned the term into a positive term.

[28:32] Does God want us to have boundaries? God asks Christians to live differently than the rest of the world. We have to deny ourselves things for Christianity, including food. 

[35:00] God wants us to turn to him, not food, for emotional support. When you are in the moment of wanting to eat, you can pause and ask yourself questions.

[39:30] Your boundaries can be flexible and change for different life situations, but they should not change on a whim.

[45:14] How can you create boundaries that work for you? First, ask yourself if you need to lose weight or if you just want to. Once you have your answer, you can set aside time to work on your weight loss every day, both through exercise and spirituality. 

RESOURCES

Visit the Pheonix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/ 

Buy A Pheonix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book 

Read I Deserve a Donut by Barb Raveling: https://www.amazon.com/Deserve-Donut-Other-Lies-That/dp/0980224306 

The question Martin gets more than any other is “okay, but how did you really lose 450 pounds?” In today’s episode of Phoenix Chronicles, he answers that question. From his early adulthood to today, Martin has tried every diet under the sun, and has lost weight and gained weight over and over until eventually finding the method that helped him keep the weight off. 

Martin starts by explaining how he came to weigh 650 pounds in the first place. Next, he describes the reason he started losing weight, how he did so, and the struggles that followed him throughout his weight loss journey. Finally, he explains how he found the method that has helped him lose the weight for good, and how you can do the same. 

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction

[0:50] Martin came to weigh 650 pounds by eating whatever he wanted whenever he wanted for twenty years. He owned a pizza parlor chain and gained weight by eating pizza constantly while he was there.  

[4:30] Once Martin found out he had diabetes, he got scared. He knew he would not be capable of managing his diet. Martin’s wife suggested bariatric bypass surgery.

[11:03] Eventually, Martin broke and surrendered his will to God. He was then able to tap into God’s willpower instead of his own and felt a sense of peace that was new to him. 

[15:09] If you want to lose weight effectively, you have to do so slowly. Online diets claiming to help you lose ten or fifteen or even twenty pounds in a week are not healthy or accurate. 

[16:43] When you partner with God, you can become comfortable with the wait and use his willpower to lose weight slowly overtime. 

[22:00] Martin began to worship more, particularly by singing worship songs and listening to worship music throughout the day. This helped keep him on task. He also memorized scripture and studied the Bible intensely. 

RESOURCES

Visit the Pheonix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/ 

Buy A Pheonix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book 

Are your thoughts and worship aligned with your goals? When we try to lose weight, we sometimes get caught up in the physical, categories-in, categories-out processes. But losing weight is a mental game. By aligning your thoughts and worship practice with your goals, you can keep the weight off while becoming a better Christian. 

The way that we think of ourselves has a profound effect on our actions. When we think of ourselves as people who are addicted to food, or lazy people, we become comfortable in the habits we’ve formed. By recognizing the gifts God has given us, we can live in his purpose. 

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction

[1:05] Today’s episode is about NEWS, but it will take a different, more spiritual perspective than the previous episode. The “N” in news stands for neurobics, which are activities you can use to exercise the brain; in other words, how you think. 

[4:02] Marty tells the story of Victor, a man who was labeled a moron in childhood but was ultimately seen as a genius. Once his genius was recognized, he became an author and became the president of MENSA. What changed was what he told himself. 

[9:35] When you take the attitude that “I am all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13)  and “I am more than a conqueror,” (Romans 8:37) those thoughts also affect how you view yourself.

[14:00] East stands for envision. More than how we think of ourselves, envisioning is about how we see our futures in Christ. 

[20:18] How much of yourself can you invest into trying to live a future in Christ when you are drowning in an addiction? What you say and think matters, and envisioning a better future for yourself can help you achieve it. 

[22:20] W stands for “why.” Without something to hold you accountable when you face temptation, you still struggle to resist. You “why” is where your dreams meet your discipline. 

[26:15] If you don’t know what your why is, you can pray for one. Prayer will help you discover what truly motivates you.

[30:16] S stands for service to others. 1 Peter 4:10-11 reads “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

[34:50] We all have spiritual gifts, and they all work together for God. When we are actively using our gifts for God’s kingdom, it is an extremely powerful feeling. 

RESOURCES

Visit the Phoenix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/ 

Buy A Phoenix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book 

Do you fully trust in God? It can be difficult to do so. Lots of aspects of our lives are out of our control; we see bad things happen to good people, including ourselves. How do we trust in God when the world feels imperfect, or when we’re struggling? In these moments, shifting our perspectives can help us better understand and trust in God. In today’s episode of Phoenix Chronicles, Jes and Martin discuss trust as it applies to their weight loss and their day-to-day lives. 

Martin and Jes begin by explaining how their trust in God has developed throughout their lives and their weight loss. They move into discussing passages that deal with trust in God, and give tips on how you can shift your perspective to better trust in God.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction

[1:10] Today’s episode will focus on trust, which deeply affects our relationship with God and our ability to lose weight. Trusting God can be a challenge when things do not always look the way we want them to. 

[5:32] Who do we trust when we look at a new diet? For one, consider what a diet program gains from you being on it. While there are great programs that charge money, these programs should be given additional scrutiny. Phoenix Chronicles is a method Jes and Martin share for free.

[9:32] Proverbs 3:5-6 reads “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Dieting isn’t usually a straight line without the power of God; there are distractions.

[14:23] Psalms 37:5 reads “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do it.” If you put your trust in God, He will reward you.

[21:33] Jes has gone to church for her whole life. In Regen, however, she learned that she did not truly trust God. 

[27:59] If God is good and just, then He is perfectly trustworthy. When we doubt God’s goodness, it points to a belief that God punishes us for bad behavior. 

[33:44] Jes tells the story of a king who does not believe in the goodness of God. His servant repeatedly told him that God makes no mistakes, and eventually he sees that God understands things beyond his own understanding. 

[38:40] If we did not allow our children to experience hardship, they would not be able to take care of themselves in adulthood or grow into good people. God treats us similarly.

[46:49] Isaiah 41:10 reads “So do not fear, for I am with you;do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

RESOURCES

Visit the Phoenix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/ 

Buy A Phoenix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book 

Do you have a pride problem? Better yet, do you know how to identify pride in all of its forms? Pride is more than just thinking you’re better than everyone; in fact, some of the most insecure people have problems with pride. This is because pride can manifest itself in lots of ways, from self-centeredness to people pleasing to complete self-reliance. Learn how to identify your pride, and how to counter it with humility, in this episode of Phoenix Chronicles. 

Martin begins by discussing his experiences with pride, a sin that he believes could have killed him twice. Next, Jes explains the insidious ways that pride manifested for her as a refusal to lean on God in her weight loss. Finally, Jes and Martin explain the many ways that pride might manifest in your life, and how service and humility can help you heal.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[3:05] Today’s episode is about pride, which hits close to home for Martin because his pride almost killed him. He wanted to prove that he could lose all of his weight on his own. On two occasions, Martin could have died from his weight.

[6:20] Proverbs 16:18 says “Pride goes before destruction, the haughty spirit before a fall.” In Samuel 17, Goliath’s pride led him to defy the armies of Israel, and thus defy the God of Israel. Ultimately, he was defeated. 

[13:29] As Martin gained weight, he noticed himself start to turn his head back when he watched TV more and more to avoid seeing his body. Eventually, his diabetes diagnosis humbled him. 

[18:31] Like most challenges, you deal with pride by making a plan. You make a roadmap, and that roadmap involves dieting and nutrition as well as worship and prayer. 

[23:21] Driving used to be a minefield for Martin because of the constant opportunities to get fast food in secret. He believes this is a common problem, but once you let God transform your mind, you will no longer feel that temptation constantly. 

[27:02] Jes’s pride was difficult for her to identify because it did not manifest as her thinking she was better than everyone else. Instead, it manifested as a form of self protection.

[33:03] While Jes’s program for eating disorder recovery helped her learn some coping strategies, it also left her acting from a place of pride. She learned to put herself first instead of God.

[36:35] Pride can also manifest as fear. Jes would rather fail at her own hand than trust in God, which came from a place of pride.

[38:15] Pride can show up as arrogance, boasting, self-centeredness, people pleasing, envy, refusing advice, and more. Pride is everywhere, and it can show up in small ways, but it has a way of growing. 

[40:13] The opposite of pride is humility. Humility is not about thinking less of yourself, but about thinking of yourself less. It is also about service to others. 

RESOURCES

Visit the Phoenix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/ 

Buy A Phoenix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book 

Have you found the best diet for your body? In today’s episode of Phoenix Chronicles, Martin and Jess discuss diets — the ones that work, the ones that don’t, and how to find the best diet for your body. Additionally, Jess and Martin explain how the Bible ties into dieting and recommend resources that have helped them through their journeys. 

Jess and Martin start by discussing the obesity code and how US government policy has coincided with rises in obesity rates. They move into giving examples of diets that work, and explaining which diets work for them and why. Finally, Jess explains how we can use worship and prayer to help us stick to our diets. 

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[1:04] Today’s episode is about the nutrition plans that have worked for Jes and Martin, based on their own experiences.

[2:31] Martin read The Obesity Code by Jason Fung. He found that obesity increased Type 2 Diabetes, and started to look for a cure to obesity. 

[5:55] In 1977, the government began recommending a high carbohydrate diet, which ultimately increased obesity rates in America.

[9:40] By 1992, the Food Pyramid was created based on recommendations from the American Heart Association. Again, the obesity rate increased.

[15:40] Next, Martin breaks down the three main weight loss methods: ketosis, or burning fat for energy, calorie counting, and fasting. Some doctors recommend fasting for as many as seven days a year for cancer prevention.

[20:21] It is crucial to work worship, prayer, and Bible reading into your day. This allows you to draw on His strength in your weight loss journey. 

[25:00] Jess points out the importance of tailoring your diet to your body over following generic recommendations because each of us will do better on different types of diets. For example, Jess looked into research that was relevant to her as someone with PCOS. 

[31:04] Jess uses the app EWG Health to find products that contain clean ingredients.

[33:25] The Bible tells us that God gave us His spirit of self control. It emphasizes the concept of fasting and feasting. 

[35:08] Jess recommends two Barbara O’Neill Books: Self Heal by Design and Sustain Me.

RESOURCES

Visit the Phoenix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/ 

Buy A Phoenix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book 

Read Self Heal by Design: https://www.amazon.com/Design-Micro-Organisms-Health-Barbara-ONeill-ebook/dp/B06XSPWFXN 

Read Sustain Me: https://barbaraoneill.com/products/sustain-me-by-barbara-o-neill?srsltid=AfmBOop4tzADBLMcT7Rgc7Wx5JptWkrPWQgfNJfE9uRERSdI_4afIXEa