How Faith and Fitness Fuel a Life of Purpose

How Faith and Fitness Fuel a Life of Purpose

In the latest episode of March or Die, host Jeremy Stalnecker sits down with fitness coach, professional strongman, and devoted Christian, Anthony Diehl, to explore how physical health, faith, and resilience intertwine to create a purposeful and impactful life. As Christians, we’re called to steward our bodies, but many neglect the importance of physical health, overlooking how closely it’s tied to our spiritual and mental well-being.

This powerful conversation highlights the role of discipline, faith, and fitness in helping us face life’s challenges with resilience and purpose.

Why Fitness is a Spiritual Responsibility

One of the key themes of this episode is the responsibility Christians have to steward their physical health. Anthony explains that while we can’t control every circumstance in life, we can control how we care for the bodies God has entrusted to us. This isn’t about vanity or obsession with physical appearance; it’s about being physically capable to carry out God’s purpose in our lives. Anthony shares, “Being fit doesn’t necessarily make you a better person, but it makes you better at being human. It enhances your ability to protect, provide, and serve.”

Jeremy and Anthony dive into the biblical foundation of caring for our bodies, citing how physical fitness enhances our capacity to live out our faith. Whether it’s having the energy to play with your kids or the endurance to serve others, staying healthy isn’t just a personal goal—it’s a spiritual act of stewardship.

From Overweight to Strongman: Anthony’s Personal Journey

Anthony Diehl shares his personal story of transformation. After gaining significant weight during college, Anthony realized he needed to make a change. He took the first steps toward better health by focusing on movement and nutrition. Over time, he not only lost the excess weight but also discovered a love for strength training, eventually becoming a professional strongman and coach.

For Anthony, the turning point wasn’t just about losing weight; it was about aligning his physical health with his spiritual journey. He emphasizes that his faith has driven his commitment to health, enabling him to balance his roles as a husband, father, and coach while living out his faith through discipline and physical stewardship.

How Fitness Improves Mental and Emotional Resilience

Beyond the physical benefits, this episode sheds light on how fitness impacts mental and emotional health. As Anthony points out, the gut is responsible for producing 90% of the body’s serotonin—the hormone that regulates mood. When people neglect their physical health, their emotional and mental well-being suffers.

Jeremy and Anthony discuss the link between poor physical health and emotional struggles, like anxiety and depression, and how simple changes to your diet and exercise routine can dramatically improve how you feel mentally. By caring for your body, you can also sharpen your mind and fortify your spirit, creating a holistic approach to resilience.

Practical Steps to Begin Your Fitness Journey

If you’re inspired to start taking care of your physical health but don’t know where to begin, this episode offers practical advice. Anthony emphasizes that you don’t need to become a bodybuilder or compete in a strongman competition to be healthy. The key is to start small and stay consistent.

Here are a few tips from Anthony on how to start improving your health today:

• Move more: Start with short walks throughout the day. Three 10-minute walks can make a huge difference.
• Eat whole foods: Focus on foods that have roots or come from a mother—meaning natural, unprocessed foods.
• Strength train: If you’re able, incorporate some resistance training into your routine. Lifting something heavy three times a week can help build strength and improve overall fitness.

These small changes can have a lasting impact on both your physical and spiritual health, helping you become more resilient in the face of life’s challenges.

Faith and Fitness: A Holistic Approach to Life

As Jeremy and Anthony emphasize throughout the episode, physical health isn’t just about looking good or hitting fitness goals—it’s about resilience. Life is full of challenges, and whether you’re facing mental, emotional, or physical obstacles, the discipline of taking care of your body equips you to “march” through life’s difficulties rather than surrendering to them.

In closing, this episode of March or Die provides a thought-provoking look at how fitness and faith intersect to create a life of purpose, strength, and resilience. Whether you’re starting your fitness journey or looking to deepen your faith, this conversation will inspire you to take control of your health and live a life of greater impact.

Listen to the full episode now and start your journey to better physical, mental, and spiritual health!

Key Takeaways:

• Stewarding your physical health is a spiritual responsibility.
• Fitness can enhance your ability to live out your faith and serve others.
• Small, consistent changes in your routine can lead to significant improvements in physical and mental health.
• A holistic approach to resilience involves taking care of the mind, body, and spirit.

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