Grit And Grace

Diet culture has been lying to you for years: eat less, weigh less, shrink yourself, fear food. In this episode, Christy and Bethany call out the myths that keep women stuck — underfueling, fasting as a cure-all, chasing the scale, and treating cardio as the only path to health — and replace them with what actually works. They break down why chronic restriction backfires, what your body is whisper...

Some races are just races. Others change you. In this episode, Christy and Bethany sit down fresh off Grandma's Marathon in Duluth to talk through the whole experience — the start line nerves, the miles that hurt more (and less) than expected, and what this race meant after everything it took to get back to the start line. They get into the training cycle that got them there, the role strength...

We're halfway through 2026 and it's time to get honest. In this episode, Christy and Bethany sit down for a real mid-year check-in covering what's changed, what's grown, and what they've had to let go. From Boston Marathon memories and Grandma's Marathon training, to Grace Wellness moving and building smarter systems, to the personal shifts that come when you're actuall...

Everyone's talking about GLP medications — but the conversation usually stops at weight loss. In this episode, Christy and Bethany go deeper. We're breaking down what's actually happening inside your body on these medications, why inflammation is the missing piece of the conversation, and why muscle preservation isn't optional — it's everything. If you've been told GLPs are...

What happens when you say yes before you have the full picture? In this episode, Christy and Bethany walk through the real timeline of how Grace Wellness and Grit & Grace were built — not through a perfect plan, but through radical obedience, deep friendship, and faithfulness in the small things. From a February 2025 turning point to going full-time in March 2026, they trace every milestone th...

Bethany ran Boston. And we have ALL the thoughts. In this episode, Christy and Bethany take you from the qualifying journey all the way to the finish line — the expo, the 5K, the sightseeing (yes, the Boston Tea Party made the itinerary), and Ramsey's legendary subway moment. Then the real talk: a 3:23 finish, what went right, what went sideways, and the fueling and pacing lessons that are alr...

GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide are changing the weight loss conversation — but what's actually happening in real patients doesn't always match what's being marketed. In this episode, Bethany Starks (DNP, FNP-C) and Christy Dunton pull back the curtain on what they're seeing in practice at Grace Wellness: rapid weight loss paired with muscle loss, under-fueling,...

If you've ever felt like your body is working against you — exhausted despite doing everything right, training hard but not seeing results, or just feeling off in a way no one can explain — this episode is for you. Women are not small men. Our hormones are not our enemy. And the way most of us have been trained to push through, ignore our cycles, and treat every week the same is costing us per...

SPOTIFY We've all said it — "I'd eat better but my husband likes junk food." "I can't work out, my kids have sports." "I just don't have time." Excuses don't feel like excuses. They feel reasonable. Responsible. Even loving. And that's exactly what makes them dangerous. This week Christy and Bethany are calling it out with grace and zero apolog...

Christy and Bethany get personal in this episode, reading letters written to their younger selves and unpacking the hard-won wisdom they wish they'd had sooner. From the Austin Half Marathon recap to the real talk about self-sufficiency, fear, trust, and the seasons of life that quietly build you — this conversation is honest, convicting, and deeply encouraging. If you've ever wished you c...

You don't have to choose between loving your body and wanting to change it. In this episode, Christy Dunton and Bethany Starks challenge the false narrative that self-love means settling or that wanting more means you hate yourself. We explore how to honor your body as it is while pursuing the strength, energy, and confidence you deserve—without punishment, guilt, or shame. Topics covered: Why...

Join Christy Dunton and Bethany Starks as they unpack their Houston Marathon experience - from pre-race nerves to post-race revelations. This honest conversation goes beyond pace and finish times to explore what it really takes to show up when the miles get hard. Whether you're a runner or just someone chasing a big goal, you'll find encouragement in the grit it takes to keep moving forward and th...

Inflammation isn't the enemy, it's information. In this episode, Christy and Bethany break down what chronic inflammation really is and why it's the hidden driver behind fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, hormone imbalances, and chronic disease. In This Video: ✅ The difference between acute vs. chronic inflammation✅ Common signs your body is inflamed (and you might not know it)✅ Foods that fuel i...

You don't need clarity. You need courage. In this episode of the Grit and Grace Podcast, Christy Dunton and Bethany Starks dive into why January resolutions fail and what actually works. They break down the lies we tell ourselves—"I'll start when I'm ready," "I need a perfect plan," "Once life calms down"—and replace them with truth: readiness is rarely the starting point. Action is. Together, the...

This isn't your typical New Year's resolution episode. Christy and Bethany reflect on 2025, the races that taught them about consistency and courage, the friendship that sharpened their purpose, and the business lessons they learned the hard way. They share why alignment always comes before acceleration, and why December isn't a throwaway month—it's a month to pause, reflect, and realign. What do...

What happens when two couples train for DEKA World Championships together? In this special roundtable episode, Christy Dunton, Bethany Starks, Lance Dunton, and Ramsey Starks sit down post-competition to share the raw truth about competing at the highest level while navigating marriage, faith, and full lives. Fresh off podium finishes in Fort Lauderdale, we unpack: The brutal honesty of training y...

Join Bethany Starks (DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Grace Wellness) and Christy Dunton (Breaking Barriers , 4X Deka World Championship podium finisher) and as they break down the science and practical application of supplements and peptides for optimal health and performance. What You'll Learn: Core supplement foundations: Vitamin D3+K2, B-Complex, Magnesium, Omega-3s, Collagen, Probiotics, Creatine, and DIM T...

GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are everywhere right now. But most people are doing them wrong, and paying the price with muscle loss, side effects, and weight regain. In this episode, Christy Dunton and Bethany Starks break down everything you need to know about GLP-1s for weight loss and health optimization. They cover how these medications actually work, the micro...

In this episode of The Grit & Grace Podcast , Christy Dunton and Bethany Starks explore the powerful connection between what you feed your body and how you train your mind. From breaking down common mindset traps around food to simplifying meal prep and managing cravings, they share practical tools to help you nourish with purpose and live with balance. You’ll learn how stress, sleep, and emot...

In this powerful episode, Christy Dunton sits down with Bethany Starks, founder of Grace Wellness, wife, mom of four, marathon runner, Boston qualifier, and woman of unwavering faith. Together they unpack the story behind her calling, the seasons of surrender that shaped her, and how God’s grace continues to lead her in leadership, motherhood, and mission. From starting her clinic to running marat...

In this episode, Christy and Bethany are diving deeper into what it really takes to rewire your thinking and create lasting change. From stacking micro-wins and controlling the controllable to navigating midlife transitions and stress with grace, this conversation is packed with real talk, practical tools, and powerful reminders that your mindset shapes your health, habits, and future. They talk a...

Bethany sits down with Christy to trace her path from Marine to coach, unpack the Breaking Barriers framework, and dig into sustainable nutrition, training that fits real life, faith, and sobriety. Candid stories, practical takeaways, and a rapid-fire finish.

Hormones affect far more than menopause—and the myths around them keep many women confused and even afraid of treatment. In this episode of Grit & Grace , Christy sits down with Nurse Practitioner Bethany Starks to tackle the most common hormone misconceptions. Together they break down: – Why hormones matter at every age – The truth about lab testing vs. guessing by symptoms – Whether hormone...

In this episode, Christy and Bethany take you along for their Boston adventure, from countless Ubers and thousands of steps, to celebrating Bethany’s Boston Marathon qualification. They share the highs, the laughs, the unexpected turns of travel, and the deeper thread of friendship woven through it all. Whether you’re a runner, a traveler, or simply love a good story of grit and connection, this c...

In this episode, Bethany Starks of Grace Wellness and Christy Dunton of Breaking Barriers unpack the powerful connection between stress, inflammation, and your overall health. From brain fog and fatigue to hormone imbalance and gut issues—chronic stress doesn’t just affect your mood, it literally reshapes your biology. You’ll learn:How stress fuels systemic inflammationWhy your thoughts and belief...