The Joyful Health Show: A Non-Diet Wellness Podcast for Christians

As a fitness instructor for 20 years now, I've seen a lot. The fitness industry ebbs and flows on the pendulum from aerobics to weight lifting to everything in between. Today, I want to highlight what I see working well, and 10 things we can look out for to improve upon. Here's what I'll cover: The popular fitness mindset that may be the #1 reason you keep quitting The random YouTube workout trend: why it's inefficient and what to do instead Busting the fear of getting bulky and the catch 22 of other results-based programs As always, my hope is that we can return to our original design, discover how God made us to move, and to continue pursuing Jesus as we walk with God both literally and spiritually. Because in the end, God won't ask you how many push-ups you can do but how much He loves you. "Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Time Stamps: 06:07 Movement as Worship 07:29 No Pain no gain? 13:51 Prioritize your routine 16:47 Reinventing the wheel 20:36 Doing Random Youtube Videos 22:03 Skipping Strength 24:28 Recovery and Fueling 27:18 Form and Full Range 28:42 Push Your Potential 32:21 Get Help Starting 🎧 Start with joyful movement habit worksheets If you liked this episode please consider rating and reviewing the show! Give back and help someone else cut through the weeds of wellness culture and discover joyful health, by grace. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode and timely announcements. Let's keep setting others free to ditch the guilt and pursue joyful health, by grace! ☀️ Get your free 5-Week Bible Study on Body Image here 🎉 Find freedom from dieting and get healthy the joyful way with our signature course Connect with me: joyfulhealth.co | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

In this episode of the Joyful Health Show, I share a sample of my newest book, Freedom from Food Fixation: A 21-Day Intuitive Eating Devotional for Christian Women. I wrote this to help you rest from the food rules, reconnect with your body, and renew your trust in your Maker. You were meant to think about more than food, so let's get free! Through daily biblical encouragement, practical reflection, and intuitive eating principles, you'll learn how to quiet the mental noise around food so you can focus on Jesus instead of be fixated on food. This book will help you: Recognize the subtle ways diet culture has shaped your thoughts about food and your body Replace guilt, shame, and food rules with biblical wisdom Find freedom from food obsession so you can pursue the abundant life God desires for you Whether you've struggled with chronic dieting, emotional eating, food guilt, or body image, this devotional is here to help you walk towards greater freedom and better health with the Lord your God. 🎧 Get the new book here ✅ Click here for a quiz and group guide If you liked this episode please consider rating and reviewing the show! Give back and help someone else cut through the weeds of wellness culture and discover joyful health, by grace. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode and timely announcements. Let's keep setting others free to ditch the guilt and pursue joyful health, by grace! ☀️ Get your free 5-Week Bible Study on Body Image here 🎉 Find freedom from dieting and get healthy the joyful way with our signature course Connect with me: joyfulhealth.co | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

In today's episode, I interview Claire Boyce and Travis Bond from Upward Sports/Upward Running and the Kinda Fast podcast about running, identity, and keeping Jesus at the center of fitness—especially when injury interrupts training. If you're a faith-driven runner or fitness enthusiast who feels discouraged by injuries or even too intimidated to start, this episode is for you. What we'll cover: Imposter syndrome and defining what it means to be a runner Practical ways to avoid making fitness an idol Lessons from recurring injuries Rekindling a love for running and embracing all paces My hope is that you'll walk away with a fresh perspective on running, faith, and what "winning" means to you on your fitness journey. "Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Helpful time stamps: 00:53 What Is Upward Running 02:51 How They Joined Upward 05:01 Adult Running and Community 06:57 Runner Identity Mindset 10:12 Injuries and Training Smarter 13:00 When Running Becomes an Idol 16:22 Practical Ways to Keep Balance 23:31 Training Plans and Defining Wins 🏃‍♀️ Check out Upward Running here 🎧 Listen to the Kinda Fast Podcast ✅ Click here for the full blog post with more resources. If you liked this episode please consider rating and reviewing the show! Give back and help someone else cut through the weeds of wellness culture and discover joyful health, by grace. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode and timely announcements. Let's keep setting others free to ditch the guilt and pursue joyful health, by grace! ☀️ Get your free 5-Week Bible Study on Body Image here 🎉 Find freedom from dieting and get healthy the joyful way with our signature course Connect with me: joyfulhealth.co | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

In this episode of the Joyful Health Show, I interview Leanna Crawford, award-winning contemporary Christian singer-songwriter. We talk through her journey from a small farm town to Nashville, how she battles comparison, and how she stays healthy and grounded in the Lord on the go. If you've ever felt worn down by comparison or struggled to carve out time to keep yourself healthy and connect to God in a busy season, this is the episode for you! Leanna pulls back the curtain and shows us a glimpse of what she does to prioritize wellness on tour. I know this conversation will inspire you too! Here's what we cover: How she battles comparison by "singing for an audience of one" and remembering there's room at the table for everyone Leanna's morning routine for staying grounded, even on the road The no-gym, no-excuses way Leanna aims to stay fit on tour (it's less rigid than you think) How she battles depression and anxiety with a supportive community We want you to walk away knowing that you don't have to choose between chasing your calling and staying grounded in the Lord. Whatever season or schedule you're in, remember that God's got you, and you've got this! "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." Isaiah 26:3, ESV Helpful Timestamps: 4:02 Beating Comparison 9:05 Daily Time With God 14:09 Road Rhythms and Prayer Walks 18:32 Staying Healthy on Tour 23:08 Hope Through Community 🎧 Listen to Leanna's new album here ✅ Click here for the full blog post with more resources. If you liked this episode please consider rating and reviewing the show! Give back and help someone else cut through the weeds of wellness culture and discover joyful health, by grace. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode and timely announcements. Let's keep setting others free to ditch the guilt and pursue joyful health, by grace! ☀️ Get your free 5-Week Bible Study on Body Image here 🎉 Find freedom from dieting and get healthy the joyful way with our signature course Connect with me: joyfulhealth.co | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

In this episode of the Joyful Health Show, I interview Meryl Herr, researcher, consultant, and author of When Work Hurts. We talk through how work stress impacts our bodies, minds, and spiritual well-being. If you're like us and have ever felt worn out by work but didn't feel validated enough to express it or that you had to simply push through, it's time we address the hidden hurt behind our work, what God says, and what we can do about it. Here’s what we cover: Meryl’s personal story of ambition, disappointment, and navigating career expectations What “work hurt” actually is—and how it affects us through burnout, GI distress, headaches, and spiritual disillusionment What the Bible says about work and work hurt Practical steps to process work hurt, seek support, and move forward with hope and wisdom We want you to walk away knowing that it's okay for work to hurt, but you don't have to bury it. Hold space for that pain in prayer, partner with God in His Kingdom work, and let's go forward with greater resilience together. "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:58 Helpful Timestamps: 05:11 Health Impacts of Work Hurt 05:35 What Counts as Work 09:51 God's Design for Work and Rest 13:47 Untangling Work Hurt 16:40 Journaling and Support 18:43 Building Resilience 19:24 Calling Beyond Your Job 22:17 Holding Onto Hope ✅ Click here for the full blog post with more resources. If you liked this episode please consider rating and reviewing the show! Give back and help someone else cut through the weeds of wellness culture and discover joyful health, by grace. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” If you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode and timely announcements. Let's keep setting others free to ditch the guilt and pursue joyful health, by grace! ☀️ Get your free 5-Week Bible Study on Body Image Chapter here 🎉 Find freedom from dieting and get healthy the joyful way with our signature course Connect with me: joyfulhealth.co | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube