The CruciFit Pod

Does Jesus get your best - or what’s left after everything else? Guy Duplantier returns for his fourth appearance on CruciFit, joining Aaron and Crystal for an honest conversation about putting Jesus first in the middle of everyday life. Through stories from a month of bowhunting, we explore how good things - our passions, careers, success, and even ministry - can become idols. Guy shares his stru...

Train hard. Stay humble. Love people. In Episode 40, Aaron and Crystal sit down with Hannah Blair Jansen, CrossFit athlete and co-owner of Train HUMBL on Australia’s Gold Coast, for a warm conversation about faith, fitness, and the people who make life richer. Hannah shares her journey from professional ballet to CrossFit, the unexpected beginnings of owning a gym with her husband Theo, and their...

This week, Aaron and Crystal trade the guest interview for a conversation on the couch, answering questions sent in by CruciFit listeners. They begin with one of the hardest: If I believe God has forgiven me, why do I still feel guilty? Aaron shares a story from his past to explain the difference between justice, mercy, and grace. Together, they discuss why accepting forgiveness can take more than...

Are you running ahead of Jesus, or holding back when He’s asking you to move? Brandon Shook joins Aaron and Crystal to talk about what it means to follow Jesus at His pace. Brandon shares how he came to faith, why he stepped into ministry with college students, and what it has taught him about trust, patience, and obedience. They also discuss Sabbath as intentional rest, the difference between int...

Dash Wong was born into paradise - but raised through hell. After a childhood marked by addiction, abuse, homelessness and abandonment, Dash found belonging as a Navy Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman. Special operations gave him purpose, identity and brotherhood - but it couldn’t answer the deepest questions created by his past. Then a Christian teammate gave him a simple challenge: stop re...

In this episode, we sit down with competitive CrossFit athlete Anna Meredith to talk about the quiet obedience that can change more lives than we ever realize. During one of the darkest periods of her life, a friend repeatedly invited Anna to church. Anna eventually said yes—and that invitation began a ripple that would later reach Ty Jenkins, Fee Saghafi and many others within the CrossFit commun...

Episode Summary This episode, we sit down with Adam Everett, founder of the Ndure Project and Desert City Classic, for a conversation that lands right at the heart of CruciFit: faith isn’t meant to make us comfortable—it’s meant to transform us. We talk about why doing hard things matters, the power of shared suffering and community, and how physical challenges can prepare us to endure the trials...

In this episode, Ty Jenkins shares his inspiring journey of faith and CrossFit, highlighting how spiritual growth and athletic pursuit can intertwine. Discover how mentorship, overcoming doubts, and embracing God's plan can transform lives at any age. Ty Jenkins shares his journey of faith, athletic career, and how he integrates his beliefs into his sport and life. This episode offers insights int...

No guests this week, just a dive into the sanctification process, the voice of God, the power of repentance, the daily practice of sanctification, and building a relationship with God. Join us as we discuss the themes of personal transformation and refinement over the first year of our faith journey, and the impact of prior lifestyle on new perspectives. Takeaways Sanctification is an ongoing proc...

In this episode, we explore the cultural differences between Australia and the United States through personal stories and observations from a recent trip. From food and sports to safety and everyday life, discover what makes Australia unique and what Americans might find surprising. Join us as we explore the unique gym and church cultures in Australia, the impact of faith on community, and persona...

In this episode, Jeff Lucia shares his powerful journey from addiction and incarceration to faith, sobriety, and purpose. His story highlights the transformative power of God's grace, intentional living, and the importance of community and accountability. Takeaways Intentional Living The Power of Transformation Addiction Recovery Faith and Redemption Faith overcomes fear God's grace and forgivenes...

In this episode, we sat down with Zach Renner to hear the incredible story of how God completely changed the course of his life. We talked about the moments that woke him up to God's presence, the unexpected encounters that left no doubt in his mind, and how those experiences reshaped his faith forever. We also unpacked what it looks like to trust God when life doesn't make sense—walking through h...

In this episode we caht with CrossFit Games representative, Fee Saghafi. Fee shares her inspiring journey of faith, her experience with CrossFit, and how her spiritual walk has transformed her life and athletic career. We explore the power of faith, authenticity in sharing beliefs, and the impact of community and church in personal growth. In this episode, Fee Saghafi and CruciFit Pod explore the...

In this casual conversation on the couch, we explore the transformative power of saying yes to God, the importance of discipline through challenges like 75 Hard, and the impact of silent reflection through The 12-Hour Walk. We discuss how these practices build mental toughness, deepen faith, and lead to meaningful life changes. Links Sunday sermon ath the ORchard - The Banners We Live Under Andy F...

In this episode we sit down with returning guest Guy Duplatier to watch, review, and break down Aaron's very first sermon, delivered at our church's men's ministry. The message wasn't aimed at pointing fingers—ibut to highlight where we all need to be better as men. We dive deeper into what it means to repent of weakness, stop taking the Lord's name in vain through the way we live, and ask a confr...

In this episode we are joined by Olympian tom Becker to discuss his experience in bobsledding, his involvement in the Olympics, the evolution of his training, and the incorporation of prayer into his workout routine. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the rosary, physical fitness, spiritual growth, gratitude, and the role of men in the Christian faith. Tom shares personal ex...

In this episode we tackle a series of on-the-spot questions, unscripted, unprepared and unpolished Christian returns to the podcast to throw some curveballs our way exploring everything from deep spiritual questions to personal growth to the importance of truth in faith. Our guests share candid insights on faith, discipline, social issues, and how to live a life aligned with biblical principles. K...

In this episode, Tyler shares his inspiring journey of faith, community, and the transformative power of integrating faith into fitness through Gym Church. Discover how faith, sport, and community can come together to create meaningful change and connection. In this engaging conversation, Tyler shares his journey from American football to Australian rules, his experiences living in Australia, and...

In this episode, Mike returns to share his extensive journey through politics, emphasizing the importance of principles, the dangers of compromise, and the need for faith-driven leadership. We explore how political polarization, term limits, and moral values shape the future of governance and community service. This episode features a candid conversation on political accountability, Christian invo...

Heidi Stout shares her powerful testimony of overcoming trauma, embracing faith, and founding the Light Ranch to empower others through outdoor activities and spiritual healing. Discover how her journey from darkness to purpose can inspire your own path of redemption and service. In this heartfelt conversation, Heidi discusses powerful insights on faith, community, and the unseen battles against d...

This week's episode features a powerful testimony about faith, baptism, and overcoming personal struggles. Aaron opens up about his journey from doubt and darkness to embracing purpose through baptism and God's guidance, inspiring listeners to find their own path to faith. In this powerful interview, Aaron shares his transformative journey of faith, overcoming personal struggles, and embracing obe...

Crystal’s story is a real one — not polished, not perfect, but marked by moments where it’s hard to deny God was right in the middle of it. In this episode, she opens up about what it looked like to reconnect with her faith after drifting, and how certain moments in her life — looking back — clearly carried God’s protection and guidance. That journey ultimately led her to make a bold decision: get...

Part two of our conversation with Damien Mullen delves into the transformative power of faith and the journey of redemption through embracing change and overcoming pride. We explore the impact of faith on personal growth and the process of questioning and seeking answers in the pursuit of spiritual understanding. Damien discusses the impact of faith and spirituality on everyday life, exploring per...

We had the honor of sitting down with Damien Mullen, one of Aaron's oldest childhood friends, to hear his incredible life story and testimony. Damien shares how the death of his youger brother, coping with family tragedy and his experiences as a police officer lead to his darkest days. We explore the challenges of policing in remote areas, unsustainable coping mechanisms and his struggles with men...

In this episode we welcome Guy Duplantier from The Western Contours Podcast back into the CruciFit studio to dive into the journey of CrossFit and its parallels with hunting, emphasizing mental and physical preparedness, discipline, and the transfer of skills from fitness to real-life situations. The discussion also explores the role of faith, discomfort, and mental strategies in both CrossFit and...