Faithfully Fit

Wrapping up season 2 is quite literally the BIGGEST guest we've ever had. Greg Hartwick is a 6 foot 4 inch 265# cross fitter, record holding power lifter, former professional softball player, and basically the nicest and most genuine man you'll ever meet. Greg has expertise in so many worlds and has so much care and compassion for his fellow humans that I cannot wait for you to have the opportunity to hear my conversation with Greg!

Bella lives out the concept of genuineness. Despite traveling all over the world and working as an on floor MC for some of the largest Crossfit competitions on the globe, you always get the real Bella. I recently had the chance to ask Bella about her journey to where she is now, her aspirations for the future, and how she views all the relationships that she has built in this space. Bella's drive, professionalism, and approachability give her an incredible combination that makes Bella someone that you're glad you know. I can't wait to share our conversation with all of you!

In this episode we have the opportunity to hear Jamie Free's perspective on nutrition, coaching, and relationships as he tells many of the stories that crafted the man that he is today. Jamie is a high level Crossfit athlete, a business owner of both Crossfit Trivium and TwoSeven Health and Wellness, a member of the Master's Fitness Collective, a husband, and a father.

Maddi lives in the Austin area and uses the relationships she builds to reach out to international students and provide them support while they are here at school. 80% of international students will never set foot in an American home and will miss out on the experiences that the relationships developed through those means will bring. Maddi actually inspired me to get involved in a local international student ministry myself! If you'd like to learn more about what Maddi does, how she supports students, and how that support and relationship building is a part of her ministry please check out ifipartners.org or you can email Maddi direction at m.phillips@ifiusa.org.

Welcome to the introduction of Ava Kump.  Ava is a joy to be around as she is always smiling and talking.  Her heart for other and her heart for fitness definitely set her apart.  Her heart isn't the only muscle that she works routinely though as she is a national caliber weight lifter.  Ava has joined the Faithfully Fit family and I am pleased to introduce you to her now!

We have the pleasure of hearing from Shaye Patel. Shaye is a world traveller with an entrepreneurial spirit and a heart for stories. Shaye currently coaches at Crossfit Fortius and works with CBD MD. He's an awesome story teller and someone who loves making connections and relationships as much as I do!

Kyle tells his story of qualifying for and heading over to Strength in Depth. This was easily the largest event I had ever qualified for and was certainly one of the most memorable. Thank you for joining me as I tell you all about my travels!

In this episode we recap my experience at the 2022 Crossfit Games in Madison, Wisconsin. There are so many stories and new relationships that developed during those three days...I can't wait to share them all with you!

In this episode I tell one of my favorite "celebrity" stories and how that has impacted not only the way I seek to build relationships but also the reasoning behind why the new memberships to the Faithfully Fit website includes training and development.

Season 2 starts NOW! In this episode we discuss the upcoming membership options that open on July 18 and, perhaps more importantly, why we have the membership. How do we help people not only build relationships, but be able to make the progress to build those relationships and share their hope and joy to those around them!

In this episode we get to hear from coach, competitor, and friend Vanessa McCoy-Nelson. Vanessa own Real McCoy training and recently travelled to Cairo, Egypt to compete in the International Functional Fitness Master's World Championships!

The Christmas Morning Episode was recorded on Christmas Morning and discusses the sermon that I preached at the Christmas Eve Service at my church. Why does hope surround Christmas? The birth of Jesus is a timeline-shifting event.

After 26 hours of travel I finally got back home and decided to record the first in a series of podcasts about my trip to Cairo and the International Functional Fitness World Championships.

Is this an issue of faith? If so, to what extent? What does it mean to ask about masculinity within a religious context? Where does toxicity enter the conversation if at all? These are all questions that we tackle, and many more, in response to a question posed on my newest find: Tik Tok.

I met Louie at Strength in Depth in London in 2020 where we developed a relationship that carries to this day despite the ocean between us. Louie and I discuss his incredible, and unlikely run to the Crossfit Games after dealing with Covid, travel issues, and many other situations that, to be honest, only show Louie's humility! I absolutely loved this conversation and cannot wait for you to meet Louie!

We have the awesome opportunity to hear from Rebekah Devine as she talks about the move to competitive crossfit, the schedule she keeps as she trains for the games, what she is looking forward to about the games most, and how her faith directs her self perception!

Kyle talks about the effects and the way those effects alter your thinking when in the middle of depression and anxiety. Despite the heavy topic, Kyle still seeks to use his relatable style and humor to make this episode an enjoyable and educational one.

Hanna joins us once again to talk about her qualification for the 2021 Crossfit Games! We get to hear about the tension of waiting on the scores to be verified as well as what training looks like as someone prepares for the Crossfit Games.

Ryon is the 2021 Occupational Games Champion for the men's law enforcement division. Ryon is a masters athlete, a father, a law enforcement officer, and just an all around awesome human being. In this episode you'll have the chance to hear from Ryon about the balance of raising his daughter, pursuing his career, and pursing competitive crossfit. Ryon also talks about his struggle to be excited for this year's open and AGOQ/occupational games after the loss of one of his very close friends. Ryon is a guy that puts a lot into his relationships and you're going to get to hear just how deep those relationships impact him as we talk!

In this episode we get to hear from Rhin Bourgeois, team athlete from Crossfit Kemah, as he and his team prepare to compete in the Mid-Atlantic Crossfit Challenge with a spot at the Crossfit Games on the line. Rhin gives great insight into the dynamics of team competition, the balance of team competition with individual competition, and the unique situations and stories that he experienced this year during the team quarterfinals.

Wrapping up the Crossfit Games Age Group Online Qualifier with Troy Smith and 2021 Games athlete Alex Blazo! We have a lot of fun telling stories, talking about strategy, and talking about what comes next as Alex prepares for the Crossfit Games!

Eamon Coyne is an elite level crossfit athlete, an owner of multiple businesses, a veteran, and an incredibly caring and wise person. He imprints his relational DNA on every thing he touches. A conversation with Eamon in 2018 led to what is now Faithfully Fit's focus on relationships. Eamon joins us to talk about his approach to relationships and his activities as an elite level masters athlete preparing for the Age Group Online Qualifier and the Master's Fitness Collective.

Today we are joined by the host of the Cultivating Hope podcast, Heather Smith. Together we discuss 2 Peter 1:5-7 and talk about how faith, while not named as one of the virtues that Peter actually names, is the basis for the growth of our lives in faith.

In this episode I have the chance to talk to one of Faithfully Fit's very first supporters, Cogen Nelson. Cogen is a former Marine, nutrition coach, Power Monkey coach, and competitive CrossFitter. Cogen is the 2009 Marine of the Year and an advocate for mental health awareness. Cogen is one of my very good friends and you'll notice that in our conversation. We talk about some of the triumphs and humorous moments from our recent competition at Wodgodz in Shreveport, Louisiana and hear about his connection to Power Monkey Fitness Camp and why that is such an important part of his life. We also have the opportunity to hear a portion of Cogen's very moving story about why he is so passionate about mental health. This was an incredibly fun episode to record as we sat in our hotel room the evening after the competition. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Welcome to our very first dive into our Bible Study series. One of the dreams for Faithfully Fit is that it becomes more than just entertainment but actually begins to equip you as well. Whether you are passionate about growing in your faith or just looking for something uplifting to listen to on your daily drive this series has got you covered! We hope you enjoy as we dive into what it really means to grow in our faith as we take a look at 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and it's connection to 2 Peter 1:5-7.

In this episode we get to hear from Grace Lochner and have a great conversation about her competition history, the quarterfinals, and get to know her and her faith and triumphs. This is a great conversation that I can't wait for you to hear!

This week we finally wrap up the open with Alex Blazo and talk a bit about the upcoming implications of the quarterfinals and AGOQ.

In our very first attempt at a simultaneous podcast/video cast I talk to Crossfit Games teens competitor Alex Blazo and see how 21.1 and 21.2 went for him and get a chance to hear about how he cheated me so his girlfriend could beat me!!! As we head into 21.3 (and .4) you'll get to hear just how wrong my predictions were!!! Don't forget to check out faithfullyfitcf.com

Kyle gets the chance to chat with Rhin again this week about 21.2 and the what we might see for 21.3!

This week we get a chance to talk about the Open 21.1 workout, what we think this year's open will look like in general, as well as the impact that many of the people around us in the world of crossfit have had on our lives. This is a great episode and we'll be hitting it again next week so much sure to check back!

Today we bring black Alex Blazo and are joined by Hanna Vanacour. We get an opportunity to wrap up TFX as well as talk about the upcoming Open and AGOQ. I hope you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I did and will follow the Crossfit Games hopefuls on their journey!

As Alex Blazo, rising teen star, prepares to take on The Fittest Experience in Austin January 30 and 31 he takes time to sit down and talk about his upcoming competition, his thoughts on this year's open, and his hopes for this season both in terms of the Crossfit Games as well as what his hopes for other competitions. Alex is a great young man with a very bright future ahead of him regardless of what world he enters into. Enjoy!

On January 20 Tasia Percevecz announced that she would be surrendering the 2021 season to the Lord and will support her teammates. Tasia has become one of my favorite crossfit athletes and follows on social media. I have a lot of thoughts about this because I made a similar decision in the course of my life. That's what led me to ministry and, ultimately, Faithfully Fit.

Across the world we have many cultural barriers to overcome in terms of the communication of ideas. Even within America we have many of those same boundaries caused by geographical, idealogical, and historical differences. Our exposure to differing ideas is often shaped by media (ideas that come across social media or ideas derived from movies and television). This almost always does not portray the true spirit of the idea at hand. I've found this true with the ideas I espouse in Faithfully Fit. Relational development, joy, and hope all seen through the lens of faith are often misunderstood because of the cultural aspect of our beliefs. Faithfully Fit is a way to begin to overcome these boundaries, not through a barrage of media, but through breaking down barriers to forge relationships.

In this episode Kyle recaps the good, the bad, and the ugly turned beautiful as he looks back at Day 3 of the MFCC 2020. Also, stick around for the end of the episode for an announcement about the next store opening for Faithfully Fit!

Day 2 of the recap talks about the speed clean ladder and the loooong chipper.

In this episode I recap day 1 of the Master's Fitness Collective Championship. I talk about swimming in a major comp, a beautiful setting, and a massive PR!

In this episode I talk about what I've been doing the last 2 weeks with my kids' baseball and softball, what awaits me at the Master's Fitness Collective Championships in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the end of August, and treating each other like humans instead of dehumanizing them for the sake of argument.

When it rains it pours. That's especially true in times like these where one issue can lead to the next. However, we often put God in the indefensible position of being the author of the bad in our lives. If that's the case, do we have the chance to experience his goodness? In this episode I give you my perspective on what troubles mean and we take a look at a group of verses that have been taken out of context that have led us to believe God gives us only what we can handle. I also have the opportunity to talk about why I started Faithfully Fit! Enjoy!

In this drop in episode Kyle discusses the importance of mentoring youth while coaching them, the goal of youth athletics, and the positive impact that coaches can have on much more than just the athletic outcomes of the lives of those they coach.

In this episode Kyle discusses the concept of fatherhood and the difficulties encountered when we refer to God as Father...among other things as Kyle does what he does best and weaves in and out of the topic!

In this episode I talk about 3 big issues on my mind and in the world. Why Christianity? Why are people responding to the use of scripture with such hatred? Following the beliefs in Christianity is not a sometimes thing.

Sam is the Director of Fitness Ministries at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas (the Kingwood Campus) and he is also a coach at U Turn Crossfit. Sam is one of my former baseball players and I have the opportunity to talk to him about how fitness and faith come together to create a strong community and how he is relating to his members during this time of social distancing and online workouts. Sam is one of the most genuine and nice people around and to see him getting to combine fitness and ministry truly brings joy to my heart and a smile to my face!

I met Louie at Strength in Depth 2020 in London and hit it off immediately. Louie is a deacon at a Baptist Church, a wedding photographer, a father, a husband, and one heck of a crossfitter. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and know you will as well!

In the first episode of our expert series Kyle talks to Austin Reynolds, owner of GreenJay Sports Medicine. Austin talks about his passion for proper movement, getting people healthy, keeping people healthy, and many of the common injuries and reasons that he sees and works with every day. This episode is packed full of information for you! Check out GreenJay on Instagram @greenjaysportsmed and learn even more.

Nick Aranda is the owner of CrossFit Anavah, a high school strength and conditioning coach, a high level CrossFit competitor who is a masters age, a husband, father of 3, and an incredibly faithful man that can trace his journey of faith through many ups and downs. As Nick was preparing for Wodapalooza he took time out of his packed schedule to talk to us about his journey in both faith and fitness.

Josh is a 23 year old elite level CrossFit athlete out of College Station, TX who is one of the new era of CrossFit athletes that started CrossFit around the time many are starting other sports they will choose to pursue through high school, junior high, and beyond. In this episode we get an opportunity to dive into Josh's competitive career, his future aspirations, and his grounding in his faith.

Kevin Longmeier is a pastor at New Community Church in Spokane, WA as well as owner of Crossfit Duratus. Kevin is a high level competitor with multiple trips to the Crossfit Games under his belt as an individual in the master's division as well as the team division. While Crossfit claims to crown the "Fittest on Earth", I have dubbed Kevin the "Fittest Pastor on Earth" through his performance the Crossfit Open. In this inaugural episode I have an opportunity to talk to Kevin about his athletic career and what led him to competition in Crossfit, how the various roles he plays interact throughout his life, and how fitness is merely a vehicle for Kevin rather than the destination.