• Can Christians Do Yoga? With Michelle Tornetta
    2026/05/14
    What if your body was never meant to be separated from your spiritual life?

    In this deeply moving episode of the Faithful Fitness Podcast, Coach Alex sits down with Michelle Tornetta to explore a conversation many Christians have never had:How does God meet us through movement?

    Together, they unpack:
    • Why modern Christianity often disconnects the body from faith
    • The hidden influence of Gnostic thinking in church culture
    • How movement can deepen prayer, worship, joy, and emotional healing
    • An honest conversation about yoga for Christians
    • Why play, celebration, and embodiment matter spiritually
    • Parenting a child with disabilities and learning to walk with God through grief
    • How caregivers can care for themselves without guilt
    • Rediscovering childlike faith through movement and creativity
    Michelle also shares the powerful story of her daughter Abby—a miracle child whose life has shaped her understanding of joy, suffering, stewardship, and the goodness of God.This conversation is honest, hopeful, deeply embodied, and full of practical encouragement for anyone who feels disconnected—from their body, their joy, or even from God Himself.

    ⏱️ Timestamp Outline
    00:00 – Intro: Movement, Faith & the Human Body
    01:10 – Why Spiritual Life Isn’t “Just In Your Head”
    04:00 – God Meets Us Through Movement0
    5:30 – Elijah Running a Marathon After Mount Carmel
    06:30 – Gnosticism and the Christian Body Problem
    08:00 – Michelle’s Journey Into Faith + Fitness
    10:00 – Yoga for Christians (Honest Discussion)
    14:00 – Why Mindful Movement Matters Spiritually
    18:30 – “Adulting” and Losing Childlike Faith
    21:00 – Why Christians Need Play, Joy & Celebration
    22:30 – Parenting a Child With Disabilities
    25:00 – Abby’s Story: Stroke, Seizures & Miraculous Joy
    31:00 – Every Christian Has a “Cup” to Carry
    34:00 – Caregiver Burnout & Stewardship
    36:30 – How Michelle Cares for Herself While Caring for Others
    41:00 – Why Michelle Started Podcasting
    44:00 – Doodle Prayer & Embodied Prayer Practices
    48:00 – Why Children Understand Embodied Faith Naturally
    50:00 – Final Encouragement to Listeners51:00 – Closing Prayer

    🎯 Calls To Action
    👉 Start your own journey toward embodied Christian stewardship with the
    Faithful Fitness Devotional
    https://FaithfulFitnessDevo.com

    👉 Join the Faithful Fitness community and train your body, mind, and spirit alongside believers pursuing Christ-centered health:
    https://faithfulfitness.co

    👉 Connect with Michelle Tornetta’s work, podcast, and resources:

    https://breatheandbe.net/store
    The Honeycomb Doodle Journals can also be purchased on Amazon: https://a.co/d/08vbEu5b
    Simple Steps for the Whole You Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1PL9Ml50AlxqcTMS1xq7wi?si=700eb8ac4bc34dcd

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-with-coach-alex-vanhouten--5150768/support.
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    57 分
  • The “Perfect Body” Isn’t What Instagram Sold You
    2026/05/07
    The “Perfect Body” Isn’t What Instagram Sold You What does the “perfect body” actually look like?In Part 2 of Coach Alex’s conversation on The Samir Show, the discussion moves beyond six-packs, big biceps, and Instagram fitness into something much more useful: building a body that can serve the mission.Coach Alex explains why excessive muscle can become a liability for operators, why the best body is not necessarily the one that attracts attention, and why true fitness is about capability, endurance, resilience, and recovery.This conversation also goes deep into metabolic health, protein intake, fatigue, sleep, dad bod, belly fat, cardiovascular fitness, diabetes risk, and why so many people feel exhausted in their 30s and 40s.The big idea: your body is not just about appearance. It is an asset. It carries your mind, your mission, your work, your family, and your calling.In this episode, Coach Alex and Samir discuss:Why the “perfect agent body” does not look like an Instagram fitness modelWhy endurance and cognitive integrity matter for real-world performanceHow your body and brain are deeply integratedWhy constant fatigue may be connected to poor metabolic healthThe role of protein in muscle, energy, aging, and blood sugar regulationWhy muscle loss accelerates with age — and how weight training helps slow it downHow sleep timing, deep sleep, naps, and circadian rhythm affect energyWhy belly fat is often connected to stress, poor fitness, and energy imbalanceThe difference between fasting, time-restricted eating, and ketosisWhy cardio is not mainly about burning caloriesHow walking, weight training, and sleep can help prevent diabetes and heart diseaseIf you are tired of treating your body like a vanity project — or ignoring it altogether — this episode will help you think differently.Your body is not an idol to worship.It is not a problem to ignore.It is a stewardship.Get the Faithful Fitness 40-Day Devotional here:FaithfulFitnessDevo.comAnd check out more conversations from The Samir Show.00:00 The perfect agent body01:36 Why the CIA body would not look like Instagram fitness02:21 Hypertrophy is only one fitness adaptation03:48 The capable body: strong, fast, endurable, and mission-ready05:09 Training bodies for the job, not choosing bodies for the job06:54 Treating the body like a national security asset07:32 Why poor health affects national security08:43 Endurance and cognitive integrity09:35 Energy, fatigue, and burnout10:08 Mitochondrial dysfunction and fat-burning capacity12:01 Carbs as short-term fuel, fats as long-term fuel13:56 Why protein matters15:13 How much protein the average person may need16:20 Why minimum protein recommendations may not be optimal18:14 Plant proteins, supplements, and vegetarian considerations19:39 Why muscle mass declines with age21:09 Weight training and preserving muscle tissue22:02 Why you may wake up more tired than when you went to bed23:11 Deep sleep, sleep inertia, and inconsistent rest25:43 Why naps help some people and ruin sleep for others27:28 Busy tired vs. metabolic or hormonal problems28:41 Why medication without lifestyle change misses the root30:34 Protein, prediabetes, and blood sugar regulation32:23 Protein intake and body composition33:41 Dad bod, belly fat, and fatherhood37:05 Hormonal changes after having a baby38:42 Keto, fasting, cardio, and stubborn belly fat39:29 Fasting vs. time-restricted eating40:34 Ketosis does not always mean body-fat loss41:50 Why cardio is not mainly for burning calories42:44 Nutrient density vs. energy density45:12 Running outside vs. treadmill48:19 Early warning signs for diabetes and metabolic disease49:00 VO2 and cardiovascular fitness as missed warning signs53:06 Basic tests for diabetes and heart disease risk55:20 Why food journaling is the first intelligence report59:35 Lifestyle changes with the biggest payoff01:00:10 Start small: 15 minutes a day01:01:46 Walking, adaptation, and energy01:02:40 Sleep, stress, and disease risk01:04:30 Creatine, sleep deprivation, and recovery support If this conversation challenged the way you think about your body, start with the Faithful Fitness 40-Day Devotional.It was written to help Christians stop treating the body as either an idol to worship or a problem to ignore — and begin seeing it as a gift to steward under Christ.Get Faithful Fitness here:FaithfulFitnessDevo.comThis conversation originally took place on The Samir Show.Check out Samir’s work and follow his show for more thoughtful conversations on health, mindset, and human performance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lST4zzD4Hcs&t=387sBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-with-coach-alex-vanhouten--5150768/support.
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    1 時間 10 分
  • The Sin Spectrum of Fitness: Escaping Pride, Sloth, and Sexual Struggle Through Stewardship
    2026/04/30
    What if your fitness journey is quietly being sabotaged…not by lack of discipline—but by misplaced identity?

    In this conversation on the Husband Material Podcast, Coach Alex VanHouten joins Drew Boa to unpack a powerful framework: the “Sin Spectrum of Fitness.”On one end—pride, vanity, comparison.

    On the other—gluttony, sloth, and avoidance.Most people bounce between the two.Very few walk the narrow path: stewardship.This episode goes far beyond workouts and meal plans. It explores the deep integration between your body, your emotions, your sexuality, and your spiritual life—and why neglecting your body doesn’t just impact your health… it impacts your calling.


    Coach Alex breaks down:
    • Why fitness is a spiritual battleground, not a cosmetic pursuit
    • How your biology (sleep, food, movement) shapes emotional and sexual integrity
    • The difference between behavior change vs. root transformation
    • Why “working out” is often how we “work things out”
    • How shame, trauma, and identity silently drive unhealthy habits
    • Why your body is meant to be a vessel for receiving and giving love
    You’ll also hear how Coach Alex’s personal struggle with a genetic disorder shaped his conviction that your body matters—not for appearance, but for obedience.This is not about optimization.It’s about taking territory back—in your body, your habits, and your life.

    🎯 Calls To Action:
    👉 Start your 40-day journey into biblical stewardship:
    Faithful Fitness – A Devotional for Strength, Health, and Obedience
    faithfulfitnessdevo.com
    👉 Join the Faithful Fitness community:
    Train with purpose. Grow with others. Stay accountable.
    faithfulfitness.co
    👉 Want help applying this to your life?
    Apply for coaching with Coach Alex:
    alexvanhouten.com/connect
    👉 Learn more about overcoming porn and reclaiming your identity:
    Follow Husband Material and explore Drew’s work.

    https://podcast.husbandmaterial.com/
    👉Watch the episode on youtube here: https://youtu.be/cckFea4mhTk

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-with-coach-alex-vanhouten--5150768/support.
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    29 分
  • You’re Not Tired… You’re Living Below Your Calling | JD Tremblay On Faithful Fitness
    2026/04/23
    Coach Alex here. Grace and peace.

    This conversation will challenge you.Not because it’s extreme…

    But because it exposes something most people avoid:

    👉 You’re capable of more than you think.
    👉 But you won’t access it without surrender.


    In this episode, I sit down with JD—an ultra-endurance athlete who completed one of the hardest feats on earth:10 Ironmans in 10 days across Hawaii.But this isn’t about endurance.It’s about obedience.It’s about what happens when a man stops negotiating with God…
    …and starts saying yes—no matter the cost.


    🔥 What We Cover:
    • Why most people quit before they ever find their limits
    • The difference between grit vs stubbornness
    • What it actually means to surrender your life to Christ
    • The moment JD hit absolute rock bottom… and kept going
    • Why your calling matters more than your comfort
    • The real reason most Christians stay stuck
    • A practical framework (STEWARD) for building a disciplined life
    • How suffering produces endurance, character, and hope
    ⚔️ A Moment That Hit Hard:“If I quit, I delay what God has called me to become.”

    ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
    00:00 – Opening prayer & setting the tone
    02:30 – JD’s mission: faith, family, and global impact
    06:30 – Discovering your true physical capacity
    10:00 – From divorce to endurance: the turning point
    14:00 – “I might die doing this…” (Ironman with no training)
    18:30 – Faith vs fake faith (hard truth)
    23:00 – Selling everything to follow God
    27:30 – The Biblical meaning of grit (Jacob wrestling with God)
    33:00 – The STEWARD framework for discipline
    40:00 – What happens when you don’t follow your calling
    45:00 – The hardest moment: broken body, no way out
    52:00 – What separates those who quit vs those who endure
    58:30 – Fatherhood, legacy, and raising strong men
    1:00:30 – Final challenge: Are you serious about your walk with Jesus?


    🧭 MOVE FORWARD TODAY
    As you listen, ask yourself this:“Where in my life am I choosing comfort… over calling?”Because that’s where your breakthrough is waiting.

    🔗 NEXT STEPS
    👉 Join the Faithful Fitness Community (Start Here):
    faithfulfitness.co

    👉 Get the Faithful Fitness Devotional:
    faithfulfitnessdevo.com

    👉 Learn more about JD’s work / mission:
    (Insert his preferred link here if you have it)


    🛡️ WANT TO GO DEEPER?Right now, in honor of the devotional launch,
    you can save $50 on an annual premium membership.This is where we build:
    • discipline
    • structure
    • brotherhood
    • and real transformation
    You don’t need more information.You need formation.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-with-coach-alex-vanhouten--5150768/support.
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Why Your Health Is a National Security Issue (And What To Do About It) | Coach Alex On This Week Explained | Faithful Fitness
    2026/04/16
    Coach Alex here. Grace and peace.

    This conversation is different.I joined This Week Explained—a geopolitical intelligence podcast—to talk about something most analysts completely overlook:

    👉 Your body is a strategic asset.In a world of unstable systems, fragile supply chains, and rising global tension…Your health isn’t just personal anymore.
    It’s mission-critical.


    🔥 What We Dive Into:
    • Why a sick population is a geopolitical threat
    • How your belief system literally changes your physiology
    • The hidden reason most people fail at fitness (it’s not discipline)
    • Why identity—not information—is the real driver of change
    • The difference between looking healthy vs actually being healthy
    • How elite operators train vs everyday men and women
    • The truth about nutrition confusion (and bio-individuality)
    • Why “quick fixes” fail—and what actually works long term
    • The 1% principle that transforms your life over time
    ⚔️ A Line That Matters:“A sick population is a huge geopolitical threat… sometimes it comes down to who has the will to live.”

    🧠 This Episode Is For You If:
    • You feel overwhelmed by health advice and don’t know where to start
    • You’ve tried to change before—but couldn’t sustain it
    • You’re leading a family, business, or mission—but your health is slipping
    • You want a deeper reason to take care of your body beyond aesthetics
    🧭 MOVE FORWARD TODAY

    As you listen, ask yourself this:“Am I treating my body like a responsibility… or a resource?”Because how you answer that will shape everything.

    🔗 RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
    👉 Listen to the full episode on This Week Explained:
    Watch Full Episode

    👉 Join the Faithful Fitness Community:
    faithfulfitness.co

    👉 Get the Faithful Fitness Devotional:
    faithfulfitnessdevo.com


    🛡️ READY TO GO DEEPER?Right now, in honor of the devotional launch,
    you can save $50 on an annual premium membership.This is where we build:
    • discipline
    • structure
    • brotherhood
    • and real, embodied change
    You don’t need more information.You need formation.

    You can find the episode here on Youtube:
    https://youtu.be/LQAanKCWdO4?si=B-sPrST3-WLZe73q

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-with-coach-alex-vanhouten--5150768/support.
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    1 時間 10 分
  • Fasting For Mom's With Christin VanHouten | Faithful Fitness
    2026/04/09
    What is fasting actually like for a woman?In this episode of Faithful Fitness, Coach Alex sits down with his wife Christin Van Houten to talk about her experience completing the Shred protocol, the unique challenges women face with fasting and exercise, and what it’s really like living inside the Faithful Fitness mission.Christin shares how her relationship with fasting grew over several years—from believing it wasn’t possible for her to completing a full 24-hour fast during the Shred. She also explains how hormonal cycles, stress, and family life influence how women approach fasting differently than men.Beyond fitness, the conversation turns deeply personal as Alex and Christin discuss:• The real story behind writing the Faithful Fitness devotional• The sacrifices and support required in marriage when pursuing a calling• The financial and emotional decisions behind publishing a first book• Why discipline—whether fasting, exercise, or marriage—ultimately produces freedom.You’ll also hear Christin’s honest reflections on the Shred protocol, her results, and the habits she’s continuing long after the challenge ended.If you’ve ever wondered what Faithful Fitness looks like inside the Van Houten household, this conversation offers a rare and encouraging glimpse.Timestamped Outline00:00 — IntroductionCoach Alex welcomes listeners and introduces his wife Christin.01:20 — Fasting as a WomanChristin explains how her journey with fasting began through spiritual disciplines.04:30 — Learning to Fast GraduallyStarting with 14-hour fasts and slowly building to longer fasting windows.07:20 — Hormonal Cycles and FastingWhy fasting affects women differently than men.10:10 — Grace During Difficult WeeksHow Christin adapts fasting around her cycle and stress levels.13:00 — Why Fasting Matters SpirituallyAlex explains the deeper spiritual purpose behind fasting.16:20 — Discipline vs MotivationSometimes fasting and exercise simply require obedience.19:00 — Exercise with ScoliosisWhy strength training is essential for Christin’s back health.22:00 — Loving Your Spouse Through StewardshipHow caring for your body affects your marriage.24:45 — Foods Christin Missed During the ShredCheeseburgers, Diet Coke, and Reese’s cups make their return.27:30 — Shred ResultsChristin loses 9 pounds of fat in four weeks.29:30 — Why the Shred WorksEnergy, clarity, and the power of finishing what you start.32:00 — Preparing for the Summer ShredWhy the five-day preparation phase matters.35:10 — Launching the Faithful Fitness DevotionalAlex shares what it took to finally write the book.38:30 — What It Was Like Living With a Writing HusbandChristin reflects on Alex’s weekly writing discipline.43:00 — The Investment Behind Publishing a BookThe financial and relational decisions behind the project.48:30 — Marriage, Money, and StewardshipWhy open conversations are essential when building something meaningful.52:00 — Signed Book Giveaway Announcement55:30 — Closing ThoughtsChristin thanks the Faithful Fitness community for supporting the mission.Main Discussion Themes:-Fasting Through a Woman’s Lens-Understanding the physiological and spiritual differences women experience with fasting.-Discipline Over Motivation-Why real transformation comes from consistency rather than excitement.-Marriage and Calling-What it takes for a spouse to support a God-given mission.-Stewardship of the Body-Exercise, fasting, and nutrition as tools for honoring God.-The Story Behind the Faithful Fitness Devotional-From idea to investment to publication.Move Forward Today🔥 Join Faithful Fitness https://faithfulfitness.co📖 Get Coach Alex’s Devotional — Faithful Fitnesshttps://faithfulfitnessdevo.com💪 Train your body🙏 Strengthen your faith🤝 Join a community pursuing disciplined stewardshipBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-with-coach-alex-vanhouten--5150768/support.
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    44 分
  • The Real Reason You’re Burned Out (And Why More Discipline Won’t Fix It)
    2026/04/02
    Coach Alex here.

    Grace and peace.

    Most people think their problem is stress.It’s not.It’s the fact that they never stop.In this conversation with Samir, we unpack a hard truth:
    👉 The human body is built for stress… but only if it’s followed by recovery.And in today’s world—where your phone keeps you “on mission” 24/7—most people never actually recover.That’s where burnout, weight gain, anxiety, poor sleep, and disconnection begin.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
    • Why stress isn’t the problem—lack of recovery is
    • How technology is quietly destroying your ability to rest
    • The difference between training, mission, and recovery (and why most people live in the wrong one)
    • Why smart people fail (and wise people succeed)
    • The power of small, consistent habits over perfect plans
    • How your health directly shapes your children’s future
    • Why dads bond through play (and why your energy matters more than you think)
    • Simple, science-backed ways to regulate your nervous system (starting with your breath)
    • How to actually change your life in 90 days—without extremes
    ⚔️ A Line That Hit Hard:“The stress of your life isn’t what’s breaking you…
    it’s the fact that you never get a break from it.”


    🧠 This Episode Is For You If:
    • You feel constantly “on” but never fully present
    • You’ve tried to change before—but couldn’t sustain it
    • You’re leading a family, business, or mission… but your body is falling behind
    • You want a better framework than “just try harder”
    🔗 RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS

    👉 Watch the full conversation on Samir’s channel:
    Watch Full Episode on YouTube

    👉 Join the Faithful Fitness Community:
    faithfulfitness.co

    👉 Get the Faithful Fitness Devotional:
    faithfulfitnessdevo.com


    🧭 MOVE FORWARD TODAYStart here:Ask yourself two questions tonight—
    1. What’s one thing I need to stop?
    2. What’s one thing I need to start?
    Then do it. Not perfectly. Consistently.That’s how real change begins.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-with-coach-alex-vanhouten--5150768/support.
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    57 分
  • A Special Message From Coach Alex
    2026/03/05
    Coach Alex shares a personal update with the Faithful Fitness community and prepares listeners for Season Two of the Faithful Fitness Podcast.

    In this short episode, Alex reflects on the past year — from launching the long-awaited Faithful Fitness Devotional and the Faithful Fitness App, to stepping away for a season of grief after losing his brother.

    Through it all, the mission of Faithful Fitness has continued to grow. Across the country people are reading the devotional together, participating in challenges inside the app, forming local run groups, and rediscovering what it means to steward their bodies as an act of worship.

    Alex also shares a glimpse of what’s coming next for the podcast — new guests, deeper conversations about faith and health, and upcoming episodes featuring his wife Christin.

    If you’ve been listening and want to go beyond learning about Faithful Fitness and begin practicing it with a community, this episode also includes an invitation to join the Faithful Fitness app and step deeper into the journey. Thank you for being part of this mission.

    Train Hard. Pray Harder!

    Move Forward Today

    📖 Get Coach Alex’s Devotional – Faithful Fitness
    https://faithfulfitnessdevo.com

    📱 Join the Faithful Fitness Community
    https://faithfulfitness.co

    💪 Step deeper with $50 off Faithful Fitness Premium
    Go Premium!

    (Daily practice, new resources every month, coaching calls, challenges, and accountability)

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/faithful-fitness-by-better-daily--5150768/support.
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    6 分