Sam Mitchell played professional basketball for 18 years in the NBA and overseas, then went on to coach, including being the 2007 NBA Coach of the Year when he led the Toronto Raptors. He knows a lot about the sport and lessons learned, on and off the court!

(5:19) We start our chat talking "March Madness" as most of the men's NCAA Tournament basketball games start today/Thursday. He talks about his experience playing for the Mercer Bears, helping take them to their first NCAA Tourney in the early 1980's. Mitchell also gets honest about kids missing out when they don't play college ball, and how the anyone can beat anybody in "Big Dance," where the little guys have a shot.

After we hear a little about his post-pro career fitness, (9:59) Mitchell says he had a great NBA career with memorable relationships but is more focused on what's ahead, with new young basketball stars. (12:04) As a now basketball TV analyst, he also gives his take on NBA during COVID, how fans are back and how God is teaching us through truth vs. alternative facts.

On the faith aspect of things, (16:00) Mitchell says he didn't bring personal, spiritual beliefs in the locker room as a coach, but possibly in 1-on-1 settings. He also remembers playing against basketball icons like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, but also knows the more stardom and money someone has, the more of a target they have.

(20:19) Mitchell talks about a few hot topic teams as we inch closer to the NBA playoffs, with "no clear-cut favorites." (22:19) We close by talking how important it is for him and all of us to give back to our community, especially kids that are struggling, challenging us to show that support! One way he does that is through annual camps and also the SaMarc Foundation Boys & Girls BiCity HS Basketball Awards Luncheon, happening today (March 17) at 11:30am in Columbus GA.

Thanks for listening! And tell your friends about the #RunTheRace podcast. Subscribe to it! For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

We've arrived at the 100th episode of the "Run The Race" podcast, telling people's extraordinary stories of fitness and faith to entertain, inspire, motivate, and educate you with their wisdom from lessons learned. If you don't subscribe yet, do it now! And share this with others. (1:48) Where did the name "Run The Race" come from?

We start this "Best Of" with (3:35) Running Far/Often and a Marathon How To: Weekly marathon runner Dr. Ken Fattman, from the 3rd most popular episodes since last Fall, talks about the benefits of running; Mom of 6 Michelle Walker had just run her 200th marathon when she passed on some advice to us; And Dane Talbert, coming off being the winner of a grueling 24 hour race on a track, discusses pushing through the pain.

(12:21) Faith and Being an Overcomer: Chaplain Neil Richardson is still one of my favorite interviews of all-time on this podcast, turning his life around after 30 years of cocaine and drug addiction then helping others through Christ; Counselor Jon Ebert talks about facing any giant or obstacle in our life with a "single stone"; Mayor Bubba Copeland in Alabama, from the top episode of the last year (700 listens), explains how he lost 100 pounds while doing 3 jobs, including pastor.

(20:45) African-American Men Helping You Get Fit: Our episode with Army Major Dewayne Webb is the 3rd most popular over the last 12 months, and you'll hear his advice on if you're intimidated about working out; Fitness coach Abdul Fox - who played basketball with Michael Jordan - talks about making goals and how to have motivation to go to the gym; Active 90-year-old Eric Lynch shares some physical and spiritual secrets to success.

(27:35) Music for Fun and to Glorify God: Garrett Lee talking and singing got him in the top 4 of these episodes over the past year, and you'll hear him perform one he wrote about his marriage; Local veteran Tim Maggart also plays and sings an original country/patriotic song "American Blueprint"; Music producer Justin Belew and I had fun in his studio for a Christmas special, including a duet you'll hear on this episode #100.

(37:14) Pro & Olympic Athletes: 1st Lt. Amber English, stationed on Fort Benning, explained what it was like shooting her way to Olympic Gold including the mental strength to get there; Former Houston Astros All-Star Glenn Davis, also a man of faith, talks baseball and the Braves in the World Series; Columbus (GA) Lions semi-pro MVP quarterback Mason Espinosa also joined us, to talk about the strengths and weaknesses we can see from losing and failure.

(44:50) Duos Sharing Love, God, Family: Pastors Ron & Susanne Cox of Alabama share their incredible love story after going through so much brokenness; Ultra running married couple Kevin & Annie Randolph, race directors in Georgia, talk about battling cancer, growing closer to each other and God through that; Father and son Pastors Dennis & Brad Lacey discuss the legacy of faith.

(54:09) In The Ring and On The Bike: What was it really like for former pro wrestler, now gym owner, Jerry Oates to wrestle a bear; Asian American friend Heang Uy talks about escaping violence in Cambodia as a little boy, living a life of faith now while coaching HS wrestling and cycling through the USA; Triathlon coach and combat war veteran Al Ahuja has advice that could really help you move to the next level.

(1:03:08) Tackling Serious issues like War, Abortion, Addiction: War sole survivor Marine Sgt. (Ret) Beau Wise and his book co-author talk about losing his 2 brothers in battle, and the Godly faith to get through it, as told in their book "Three Wise Men"; Abortion survivor Melissa Ohden opens up about the attempt to kill her in the womb and why she now fights for life; Rob Morgan tells his dramatic story of overcoming a life of drugs, then losing 100+ pounds.

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

She helps special ops Army soldiers perform at their best...and joined me to give all of us some smart nutrition advice for the "Run The Race" podcast - which you should subscribe to if you haven't already, it's better than food!

(5:03) Christina Lapeyrouse-Franklin, a tactical performance dietician who's realistic with her clients on Fort Benning, starts with some things to eat and not eat. She says be specific with your goals, avoid trendy diets, increase your macronutrients and micronutrients, plus details how many vegetables you should have on your plate, and hydration + carbs needed per hour during training and intense competition.

We talk a bit about faith vs. science when taking care of your health, and (21:15) she discusses God directing her journey to be a sports dietician, saying God's plan B is better than our plan A. She said God was also in how she met her future husband 6 years ago at a military installation in NC.

How does mindset and faith impact soldiers and athletes when they are in stressful situations or injured? (30:07) Christina was also a figure competitor in the world bodybuilding more than a decade ago, describing the very restrictive dieting, heavy weightlifting, and judgments that came with her body type. (35:27) Now, she's a healthier triathlete who hopes to do a full Ironman in the near future, along with more triathlons.

(40:16) Christina breaks down what is too much food or not enough when it comes to endurance sports events, like a marathon. She gives us the pros and cons of carb loading, why your urine odor and appearance matters, and the impact of hydration on your performance. (49:19) And as newlyweds now, they eat healthy 80% of the time but still treat themselves.

Thanks for listening! And tell your friends about the #RunTheRace podcast. Subscribe to it! For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

With Valentine's Day soon, we're hearing the riveting love story - for each other and for Jesus - from 2 of my favorite people in the world, who join me on the podcast, which you really should subscribe to! My intro includes some background on this couple who both have dealt with immense obstacles, trauma; also how you can get texts from "God."

(6:11) Ron & Susanne Cox from Central Alabama, near Birmingham, talked with me for more than an hour, starting with her journey from being a full-blown cocaine addict, depressed and suicidal...to God making a radical change in her life at age 31, starting with a sign for a church "camp" meeting. Find out why she went to India, (7:20) and what God did through her Holy Spirit date nights, while she waited on a husband. Find out how fate brought Ron and Susanne together, after he helped take care of his first wife for decades while she battled the devastating neurological disease Huntington-Correa.

(27:12) Pastor Ron talks about what we can do when we write the story of our life, and the pen runs out of ink, where God can do amazing things in those blank spaces. He wasn't even looking to date when he and Susanne had a whirlwind romance. Hear how the church he led for 35 years was fruitful, because he was faithful, while taking care of his invalid wife and being essentially a single dad to 2 daughters, (31:34) While we focus on "doing church," he talks about revival coming from marriages which he describes as a "spiritual laboratory."

(37:06) Spiritual giant David Wilkerson helped connect Ron and Susanne together in NYC. The story of his romantic proposal there will touch your heart. They married 2 months later, in February 2001. In church, they both use their pain as their platform. You can also read about their love story in the book "Call It Incredible: The Ron & Susanne Cox Story": https://www.amazon.com/Call-Incredible-Ron-Susanne-Story/dp/0615289584.(47:20) Do they ever ask God WHY, while going through so much trauma? Both their daughters also got their mother's disease, this family shaken again.

(53:35) Despite all they've been through, this fun couple talks about life and Jesus with such joy and excitement! Pastor Ron says the key is getting outside yourself and sharing your struggle with others. He also tells the story of going from an inner city kid to being saved on Alabama Street in Indianapolis to being a pastor for more than 4 decades.

(1:02:22) There's also a lot of parallels between running and obstacles in life. They walked hundreds of miles together during several weeks of COVID quarantine, as part of the Great Virtual Race Across TN. Susanne talks about hitting the wall hard (and losing a toenail) when she ran her first marathon at age 50. Their message: We cannot give up - in a race or life!

(1:10:20) This couple now travels the nation for the ministry they started called "Legacy of Purpose." Asking about that name, Pastor Ron says there are 4 things we all leave behind when we're gone, and the only one that's not temporary is legacy. Along with doing marriage/church conferences, they also focus on causes like Project Rescue, which helps women in India, some of the 27 million victims of modern day slavery. Find out more and get involved: https://legacyofpurpose.org/

(1:18:23) We close out with Pastor Susanne's stunning story of being kidnapped by a taxi driver in India, how God supernaturally saved her, by using his name out loud! (1:25:08) Pastor Ron closes us in prayer, followed by my final segments - me singing "Love Never Fails" for Stuck in my Head, and a love Bible verse for "Parting Gift."

Thanks for listening! And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRace podcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

Our guest this week is a 75-year-old ministry director who's #1 for most marathons run in the state of Georgia, and I ran the same race as him in neighboring Alabama last weekend.(2:00) I start with a race recap of what it was like at the Big Beach Marathon in Gulf Shores. Did I run my fastest 26.2 miles?

(8:15) The fun chat with George Southgate from North GA begins with the scary tale of him having a heart attack towards the end of one of the 481 marathons he's completed. Hear what that light-headed feeling was like at that WV race, and why french fries and cholesterol could've been the issues.

(14:14) I ask his secrets to success as a 75-year-old who still can run 210 races, including 40+ marathons, all in a year's time. 2 words: Keep Going. George also calls them "runs," not races, where he gets to see a lot of places created by God. He's closing in on 500 marathons run in his life, already topping 100 in Georgia.

He says running and traveling are also (19:02) platforms for him to spread the Gospel, sharing stories and answering questions while running with friends or strangers for hours. He has advice for you too about pace and listening to your body. (25:27) We met recently at a 50 States Marathon Club meeting. George from GA has run marathons in all the states 3 times so far. How does he keep track and how does he find the time to do all these races?

(31:51) We dive into his favorite marathons and places he's been to run, from Snickers in Albany and space-themed ones...to Philly, Fargo. Boston. Next up in his marathon journey: the best view of the Mississippi River.

For nearly 50 years, (39:36) this avid runner has also led Gospel Ministries to Children in North Georgia. He talks about what they do and how he uses a puppet named TOBI to tell thousands of kids about God, helping some of them and their parents to get Saved. (45:57) George also compares the experience of running a marathon to the journey of faith and life, with ups and downs, injuries, variations in speed. you will also find out his fastest marathon and how long those races take him now.

(52:53) But WHY do all these marathons? He explains, then (55:08) gives us a closing Prayer, then tells a quick story about giving a lot of his race shirts away to church kids. (1:00:03) Our final segments include the story of a heart patient and surgeon running a marathon together, then some inspiration from a tennis superstar.

Thanks for listening! And tell your friends about the #RunTheRace podcast. Subscribe to it! For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

Being married for 21 years is tough enough, but this couple owns a gym together. Matt and Tamara Garner bought Solcioty Fitness in Columbus GA almost exactly a year ago. They join me on the podcast to talk about motivation to stick to fitness goals, both physically and spiritually. And stick around to hear your pod host do a little rap. Also, make sure to subscribe to "Run The Race"!

(4:50) You don’t know what you don’t know. They explain what that means, when it comes to getting in shape, which involves discipline and desire. Frustrated after not seeing results after the first few weeks of the New Year? Matt and Tamara know that gyms can be intimidating, but they dispel some misconceptions and say changing habits and attending fitness classes helps.

They also focus on (11:22) spiritual fitness. Tamara talks about previously having diet and exercise as idols, breaking free of body shaming. This couple says the focus shouldn’t just be on our physical appearance, but also our soul, God wanting both. The Garners are bold enough to share the Gospel and have small group bible studies inside their gym, so how does that work? (17:49) They say prayer and fasting is a better way to start the New Year than joining a gym and tracking your food. Find out why. Being healthy, they say, can also help fight off a bad version of the coronavirus.

(26:45) They do sports together as a family, both sons learning character through playing, while both parents are both coaches of several high school sports. Tamara transitioned from cheerleading to now track and cross county, as she enjoys running herself, (36:13) while Matt took a turn from a business and retail career to the fitness industry. They now can tell success stories from Solcioty Fitness, where they cheer on people in a place where they know it can be tough to walk in the door.

(44:52) In the final segments, I do my version of Christian hip hop artist Andy Mineo’s song “Not Gon’ Do” for Stuck in my Head, while “Parting Gift” is some coaching/kids talk from The Bible, following by my closing prayer.

Thanks for listening! And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRace podcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

“When we see isolated incidents, we should not judge the whole world. When we see racism and hatred, those things are not of God but the devil.”

After just having celebrated MLK Day, we talk on the podcast this week to an African-American sheriff in Georgia about the late Dr. King, plus how he’s personally dealt with racism, being a bold Christian who practices his faith daily, handling negative views of law enforcement, and more.

(5:06) We start our chat with Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman (in Columbus GA) about looking at increased violence – record number of homicides – from a spiritual perspective, with the message being to humble ourselves and stop moving away from God. This sheriff, who’s also an ordained minister, talks about prayer and fasting being specific and intentional.

As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Junior (11:29), our guest on the pod talks about the lessons taken from the courageous civil rights icon, who used scripture with all he did. (13:22) As a black sheriff, he also has a lot to say about racism, and how isolated incidents create teachable moments. He’s dealt with racial issues too, as a Plains GA native, but wants to forgive like Jesus.

With numerous faith-related college degrees, (16:05) how did he get into law enforcement? The dream started for him in the 5th grade. Sheriff Countryman also opens up about overcoming a bad stutter and learning disability, which is partly why he wants to be a voice for the voiceless and why he stays so close to God who brought him this far.

(19:27) With more of an anti-police mindset nowadays, this 31-year law enforcement veteran from GA talks about inaction creating problems, building trust back, and special training. Sheriff Countryman also tells the story about being shot at, but why he didn’t fire back.

(29:14) I asked this unabashed Jesus follower how others can also be bold Christians and share their faith. Part of it is who your friends are. At his sheriff’s office, he’s always saying, “The Lord is with us.” He’s also proud to have brought up 3 sons in the faith. (36:45) So, how do criminals react to his approach and faith? Also, why did he have to remove Bibles from the jail he’s in charge of?

We talk some about (41:29) the impact of COVID-19 on law enforcement, views of death and faith. (46:01) Sheriff Countryman closes us in prayer. (49:04) In the final segments, the “Food for Thought” is about law enforcement and faith, while we get some “Parting Gift” wisdom from MLK.

Thanks for listening! And tell your friends about the #RunTheRace podcast. Subscribe to it! For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

We graduated from college together more than 2 decades ago, and she went on to be a certified holistic wellness coach...talking in this episode about biohacking for your health, nutrition advice for busy people in the New Year, how faith in God plays a role in your wellness, plus being a cancer survivor and a mother to a pair of teens. Make sure to subscribe to "Run The Race" for weekly inspiration related to fitness and faith.

(5:12) Naomi (Bleeker) Damask, Elon College (NC) class of 1998 like me, starts by talking about vision for the New Year, keys to success to stick with your goals for 2022, and building simple healthy habits, hers involving where she puts her faith devotional and glasses of water. (9:23) Losing weight is a big focus with "resolutions" but she says you also gotta focus on the WHY and your inside.

(11:58) Ten years ago, this healthy young woman got a "sucker punch" when she found out she had 2 invasive tumors, changing the direction of her life. She talks about what she did to become a cancer survivor and change her career with a new mission to help women with prevention health. Naomi says health care providers give women too many medicine "bandaids" and we all have to learn to listen to our bodies! With stressful lives, breaks are needed.

For those of us with busy lives, (20:49) coach Naomi gets specific about how/why we should eat healthy, with 3 keys of what to look for in your food. You can still enjoy eating what you want at times, and take small steps. (25:40) She says the spiritual and emotional sides are also key for wellness, which includes having hope! And why did she change from vegetarian lifestyle to eating meat again?

(31:00) She explains why she left the corporate world, a job at Maybelline, after her cancer diagnosis. Now a wellness entrepreneur in epigenetics, biohacking and nutrigenomics - she explains what all that means. In laymans terms, you have a family history that affects your health, but your environment and what you eat also impacts our genes, plus what small changes YOU can make for a healthier life overall.

With the idea to get away from technology more, (36:25) Naomi talks about getting outside and moving more, even cold therapy in Minnesota where she lives. She also created "Vitamin C Parties." The C stands for cancer and some other important "C" words. (40:27) As a coach, she talks about seeing more depression during the COVID pandemic, how serving others can help.

(42:38) This mom hopes to be an example for other women, including her 2 teen daughters. (47:58) Naomi closes us out in prayer, (50:28) then the "Stuck in my Head" segment is me paying homage to entertainers we recently lost - Betty White and Bob Saget - by singing their TV theme songs.

Thanks for listening! And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRace podcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

He hosts 4 podcasts of his own, and is a guest on this one. Wes Carroll stopped by to talk about losing his longtime radio job during the pandemic, being a man of faith and soccer coach and dad, plus breaking a record with thousands of hugs. I start this episode with something personal, my recent experience testing positive for COVID-19, (3:10) then temporary guest co-host & podcaster Jessie jumps in to help introduce our guest.

(8:30) The conversation with the talented Wes Carroll starts with (11:05) his role as "Mother Ginger" in The Nutcracker with The Columbus Ballet, for the 3rd year in a row, what it's like on those stilts in a role I've done before too.

(17:45) He opens up about faith and God too, from Christmas traditions including Australia...to the COVID pandemic...to losing a job he held for decades, which Wes says God gave him a "heads up" about...to prayer being about listening to God too!

(30:18) Wes also like to hug. He set the first Guinness world record for most hugs in 24 hours with 2.004 in the year 2004, a radio stunt and trend that started with Mariah Carey, launching him to hugs with other celebrities like Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jewel, Brad Paisley, Julie Bowen. (37:05) He has nearly 30 years in radio and media, now with 4 podcasts that he talks about, one where he interviews celebrities like Zachary Levi and William Shatner.

(51:55) He's not as much of a "celebrity" at home where he's husband and dad, also an introvert who gets the energy up to do all this media stuff. (56:10) As a soccer coach, he loves the show "Ted Lasso" as do I. Is he making New Years resolutions for 2022? He ended 2021 with surgery but is alive to listen to this podcast.

(1:04:19) The "Parting Gifts" are some wisdom from Coach Ted Lasso, then my closing Prayer.

Thanks for listening! And tell your friends about the #RunTheRace podcast. Subscribe to it! For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

It's almost Christmas! So this is a different episode than normal for the "Run The Race" podcast, which subscribing to is the gift that keeps on giving. Songwriter/music engineer Justin Belew and I hung out in his full production recording studio, having fun while singing Christmas songs and telling stories for 90 minutes, to hopefully lift your spirits and glorify God!! You can sing along.

After nearly 20 years of full time music ministry, Justin built and operates Bibb City Sound in Columbus GA, home to 500 instruments and where we sang tunes you know...starting with (4:10) "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" including my brief Bruce Springsteen impersonation. (6:35) Then you'll hear your podcast host Jason sing solo on "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas" (love the Michael Buble version).

(11:33) Justin tells the story of Christian comedian Mark Lowry turning a journal into the famous song "Mary Did You Know," then he plays it on the keys and sings it for us. (16:48) We share some laughs talking about some pop Christmas songs by Paul McCartney and Wham, then (20:20) discuss the deep connection of faith and music, also Justin's version of "fitness."

(25:11) We do a duet of "Joy To The World," plus a quick history lesson, followed by (31:05) classic "Sleigh Ride" (yoo hoo), where we also talk about instruments like the slapstick. (35:35) Do you know the different, comedic versions of "Jingle Bells"?

Chestnuts roasting...you know this one. (37:32) I don't even come close to Nat King Cole with my version of "The Christmas Song" while Justin includes "tater tots" in the lyrics. (42:35) He's worked with famous people too, sharing his experiences touring with popular band Casting Crowns in the USA and Africa. (46:42) Justin also has a story behind a Christmas song he co-wrote, then plays/sings "A Way in The Manger" for us.

This talented musician (52:35) also gets personal about lessons learned from divorce, after he was on the road so much, how God directed his life and how his 2nd wife helped him find balance by building a recording studio in his hometown, helping others use their talents for good and for Christ.

(58:02) Justin's instrumental versions of some Christmas hymns sound spectacular, starting with my wife's favorite "O Holy Night" on violin (the weary world rejoices), then (1:05:11) "O Come O Come Emmanuel" on the penny whistle, which we find out that instrument's journey from 1800's England to the movies of today.

What's figgy pudding? We won't go until we get some. (1:10:35) We discuss after doing a lil' duet of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" followed by "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer" (and my mother-in-law almost did).

We close it out with (1:17:11) Justin singing one of our favorites "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," then (1:21:36) he claps along while I belt out the soulful "I Pray on Christmas" by Harry Connick Jr.

Merry Christmas everyone! Thanks for listening! And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRace podcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.