Ascend Together

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Ascend Together is a podcast exploring the relationship between physical and spiritual health. Hosts Ryan and Brigham, one a physician and the other a teacher for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, interview athletes and individuals who are dedicated to reaching their physical and spiritual potential.

Brigham Rupp and Ryan Israelsen


    • Jul 4, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 52m AVG DURATION
    • 13 EPISODES

    Listeners of Ascend Together that love the show mention: spiritually, inspiring, found, great, brig and ryan.



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    Latest episodes from Ascend Together

    The Power of Will with BYU Runner Ethan Cannon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2021 53:10


    Ethan Cannon is a runner for the BYU cross-country team. He is also a new father and preparing to earn a graduate degree in nutritional epidemiology. Ethan is wise, well spoken, and driven! Hope you enjoy our conversation.

    In Tune with Endurance Athlete Ed Warr

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2021 63:43


    Ed Warr is a dentist by training who recently sold his practice to pursue an MBA at Brigham Young University. Why? He's not sure yet, other than because the Lord let him know that was what he was supposed to do. Ed is deeply spiritual and devoted to being in tune with the Holy Ghost. He also happens to be a natural born endurance athlete, casually knocking out trail marathons with minimal training. 

    Finding out what you are capable of with Ultra-Runner Mike McKnight

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2021 69:21


    This episode is with ultra-runner Mike McKnight. Mike shares his story of how he went from an overweight kid to a broken back in a skiing accident to breaking records on 200 mile ultra runs. Mike is a super genuine guy with a unique gift for understanding his body’s needs and capabilities, with a lot of wisdom for his young age. We hope you enjoy the conversation!

    The Mind and the Heart with Professional Soccer Player and Sports Psychologist Mariah Bullock

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2021 82:33


    We’re kicking off Season two with an awesome conversation with Mariah Bullock. Mariah played soccer at Stanford University and then later professionally before earning a PhD in psychology and becoming a sports psychologist at the University of Nebraska. We had a wide ranging conversation full of insight.

    Meet the Hosts Part 2: Ryan Israelsen

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2020 43:38


    This is the second of our first two "beta" episodes where Ryan and Interviewed each other so we would have something to share with people and give them and idea of what we were trying to do. Ryan is one of the greats, physically and spiritually. Enjoy!

    Meet the Hosts Part 1: Ryan interviews Brigham

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2020 49:33


    When we first launched the podcast, Ryan and I interviewed each other to have some beta episodes we could share with potential guests. For our next two episodes, we thought we’d share those interviews so you could get to know us as hosts a little better. In this episode, Ryan interviews Brigham. Brigham has a happy family of six. He has two English degrees and works for the Church as a Seminary and Institute instructor. Brigham has way to many hobbies he tries to keep up with, including art, music, and fly fishing. His favorite physical activities are backcountry snowboarding, mountain biking, trail running, and rock climbing.

    Mistakes, Crashes, and Miracles: Bonus episode with Cyclist Joel Draxler

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2020 48:39


    Last time we talked to Joel, he was getting ready for LotoJa, the epic amateur cycling race from Logan, Utah to Jackson Wyoming. Joel and his team had their eyes set squarely on the win when a couple of training accidents put everything in question. We talk Joel's accidents, the frustration that comes with character flaws, coping with injury, the power of the priesthood, and the value of adversity in our lives.

    Motherhood and Marathons Part 2: Enduring to the End with Jess Robinson

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2020 27:35


    This is part 2 of our interview with Jess Robinson, where she finishes the story of running the Boston Marathon with shingles and a nursing 8-month-old. Go back an episode to listen to Part 1.

    Marathons and Motherhood Part 1: Running the Race of Life, with Jess Robinson

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2020 42:55


    What happens when you feel compelled to do two things that in many ways oppose each other? This week Ryan and I talk with Jess Robinson, a Southern Oregon local who has gone to great lengths to be true to her drive to compete as an endurance athlete and be a devoted wife and mother of four.

    Living true to the faith with college basketball star and NBA prospect Sam Merrill

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2020 44:08


    NBC sports called Sam Merrill "the most cold-blooded shotmaker in college basketball" last season, and if you've seen the highlights of any of his game-winning shots during his career as point guard for the Utah State Aggies, you'll know why. Sam led the Aggies to back-to-back Mountain West Tournament championships and is currently getting ready for the NBA draft in November. Sam is a devoted disciple of Christ who delayed his basketball career for two years to serve a mission in Nicaragua. Sam talks about why he chose Utah State over other offers, the influence of Latter-day Saints on his college basketball team, the opportunities that will come while playing in the NBA, learning to lose, and the impact of a dedicated mother.

    Christlike growth with author Skye Fagrell

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2020 46:44


    Episode 3 features Skye Fagrell. Skye is a self proclaimed gym rat and fitness fanatic. He's also a husband, father, seminary teacher, leadership consultant and author. Skye Recently published the best-seller "More Fit 4 the Kingdom", a book drawing on a lifetime of study and practice at developing in the four areas of growth mentioned in Luke 2:52: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man." As you know, this verse is the basis for the Church's new youth program focused on spiritual, physical, intellectual, and social growth. More Fit 4 the Kingdom is particularly good at supplying practical ideas for spiritual growth based on principles taught in the arena of fitness and athletics. Skye delivers some great observations and insights in what turned out to be a very edifying conversation.

    Widow, Cancer Survivor, and World-Class Triathlete Anita Coyle

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2020 54:10


    Up next we have an interview with Anita Coyle, single mother of four and world class Triathlete who lost her husband and got diagnosed with cancer in the same week. She tells a remarkable, inspiring story.

    Dedicated father and local cycling legend Joel Draxler

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2020 60:29


    For our first official episode we talk with Joel Draxler. Joel is a husband, father of five, and a real-estate appraiser living in Northern Utah. Joel is an avid outdoorsman and in recent years has found a special knack for cycling, winning Latoja twice and recently completing an “Everest” challenge. We hope you enjoy our conversation!

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