Run The Race

As we get ready to celebrate America's 250th birthday, it's a great time for an in-depth chat with Keni Thomas, who is coming back home to Columbus GA and Fort Benning to be the headline performer on the 4th of July. He's a combat veteran and famous Ranger who fought in the Battle of Mogadishu that left 19 Americans dead, as recounted in the movie "Black Hawk Down." He details what it was like in that crazy firefight 30 years ago...how faith in God expanded for him because of a fellow Ranger's challenge + his own book called "Get It On"...Biblical lessons to help others be better leaders...transitioning from the military to a successful music career in Nashville...and taking advantage of the platform from being part of a historic event. Throughout the podcast episode, you'll here parts of his hit song "Hold The Line." (4:10) After a brief bit about his band Cornbread...Keni recounts - in detail and stories - the world-renown battle in Somalia where 5 helicopters were shot down and they were out-numbered by the enemy 10 to 1, surviving by the grace of God. Was he afraid? (23:29) Keni also opens up about being a lazy Christian, but other well-known combat vets helped him see why the armor of God is so important. He says so many Biblical stories have people taking action even if they didn't feel worthy/able, like in Isaiah 6:8. Send me! Jesus' example as a squad leader is what Keni uses to help people to serve and set the example for others to follow. Do it anyway! (41:44) Giving a lil background on his "Hold the Line" song, Keni Thomas also talks about trying to make it in country music as a singer and songwriter, also what it means to come back home to Georgia and perform with his band at "Freedomfest" on Saturday July 4th, a free event at the National Infantry Museum: https://nationalinfantrymuseum.org/community-outreach/freedomfest/. (54:35) We close out the pod chat with Keni talking about teaching leadership across the globe, lessons learned (from life and the Battle of Mogadishu) and telling stories - like in scripture - about how you can fight through adversity and "terrible knowledge" to be an example of a servant leader: https://kenithomas.com/. (1:03:19) I close out the episode in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Follow or subscribe on Spotify, Apple. Tell others about it. We'll keep telling these stories of faith and fitness!

Timothygabriel is a Christian hip hop music producer and recording artist that has organized a special event for the last 6 years in Columbus GA called Parking Lot Praise Music Festival that I'll be emcee for this month. We also talk in this episode about his up-and-down music and faith journey...changes over the decades in Christian music...what people can expect at that event on Saturday June 20...bringing unity to churches and along racial lines...the importance of service for believers, and more. And during the intro of this podcast, you'll get a taste of his music with the song "Drip in Jesus." (3:10) Timothy G. Dixon aka timothygabriel talks about his music path that started with writing a Christian rap song at age 9, perfoming at church, but being discouraged by the pastor's rejection of it. He started rapping for the world, was cussing a lot, almost did a song with Killer Mike...but gave his life to the Lord, has done music for Him since then. (9:22) Christian music has definitely changed. How can you tell the different between genuine music that good for you spiritually or not? He also talks about different music for different seasons. Churches and music can also be separated by race, but he wants to change that. He says the enemy can use music too. timothygabriel says he's gone further lifting God's name vs the millions he could've made doing secular music. Give it a listen: https://ffm.to/timothygabriel?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e233_tv0&fbclid=IwY2xjawSX_DhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFoS3BOWTU2UlNFR1BCZkg0c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmkKyA3AMBtpfQJW15yDOZlR58ff-ressyUIzkOgtBQaruySz86oRIyhQKY8_aem_GEp5M1yfx4SSmHWqocy3xw (31:20) The FREE 6th annual Parking Lot Praise Music Festival will be on Saturday June 20 at Noon at Woodruff Park at 1000 Bay Avenue in Columbus GA, also with a Christian Parade starting at 10am. He describes how it got started at a mall and from a song. This founder and CEO of Lion & Lamb Music says this event is for believers and the unnchurched, with plenty of food trucks + a diverse lineup of speakers and artists including the Grammy nominated Canton Jones performing. Goal: love and showing unity, using food and music to draw people to Jesus and His church. More: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/6th-annual-parking-lot-praise-christian-music-festival-tickets-1983699565801 (49:07) We wrap up our chat with Timothy, involved in a lot of nonprofits, talking about why it's so important for Christians to be servants in the community. He also opens up about his health issues, a failing kidney + mental health struggles, how keeping his mind on Christ helps him get out of the darkness. He may also be releasing new music fairly soon. (1:00:05) I close us out in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run the Race." Subscribe and follow the show, tell others about it, as we continue to share stories of faith and fitness that help you live a better life. 

She's one of the youngest people to hold a General Manager position in US Soccer history. Now, the Columbus United FC (Football Club) GM, in West Georgia, Eleni Hitchcock is promoting the game and her squad ahead of one of the biggest sporting events anywhere: The World Cup starting in the USA on June 11. We talk about the fitness needed for soccer/football, as she watches intense training. She also has plenty to say about women being involved in sports and leadership. (4:30) we talk about the popularity of soccer - a family tradition for her - and Eleni's journey from a kid following her dad as he worked in MLS and launched teams...to being a GM in a sport she loves. (12:40) The World Cup, with 48 teams competing for a month this summer - in 16 host cities in the US, Mexico, Canada - creates opportunities to build excitement for local teams and semi-pro players. That includes a new soccer shop in Columbus GA selling all kinds of gear...and even looking ahead to the 2031 Womens World Cup. The next Columbus United match is at home (AJ McClung Memorial Stadium) this Saturday night May 23, dubbed as "Ted Lasso" night. We discuss how that fun and inspiring show has sparked more interest in the sport too. (20:45) Growing women's soccer is a focus around the nation and for Eleni. She hopes to inspire younger women and is outspoken about females being in sports and having  opportunities in leadership like her role as GM. Columbus United now has market rights for a women's team, which will be coming in the future. Their squad is also an example of the path to pro soccer. (31:00) What kind of fitness is involved in this game? Eleni says a lot, according to the training (practices) she watches. Columbus United FC is also focused on being involved in the community, youth programs. (37:05) Her team is one of 196 in the league but their division is Alabama and Georgia teams. What's it like at one of their matches? Go United!! (45:30) After our chat, I close out the episode in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Make sure to follow or subscribe to the podcast to hear more stories and insight on fitness and faith. Tell your friends about it too!  

He was a police officer in East Alabama, where he grew up, then Mack Ballard got a new call from God. Now, for more than four decades, he's been a minister and missionary and chaplain for the Opelika Police Department. And he just wrote his first book - helping us better be able to witness to others - called "One Heart At A Time: Simplifying Outreach For the Body of Christ." https://www.amazon.com/One-Heart-Time-Simplifying-Outreach/dp/1257028081. (3:30) Chaplain Mack is open about his chaotic and troubled childhood...seeing difficult things as a policeman...God saving him and being on fire for the Lord. (19:04) Along with his calling to write multiple books, we dive into his journey from law enforcement to chaplain for those in the dangerous jobs. (28:02) His book focuses on BEING Witnesses, as it says in the Bible, not doing witnessing...and praying for God to open doors for that...and advice for others who may not think they can talk to strangers about the Lord. Mack has stories! (35:02) He also did ministry in places like Russia, India, Mexico where their spiritual lives are much different...places where he learned a lot about outreach. (45:15) God has also told Chaplain Mack to REFIRE not Retire. At any age, we can learn from his tidbits on telling others about Jesus and not focusing on meeting so-called church standards. (49:14) And my guest closes us out in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Tell others about it, listen to past episodes on faith and fitness, leave a review on Apple.  

Being a parent is difficult, at times, but imagine if your 19-year-old daughter was a victim of sex crimes. That's what faced this week's podcast guest, a father who talks about how crucial his faith in God was in this disturbing situation, theirs being the 1st human trafficking case prosecuted in Georgia/USA involving an adult survivor. I will be moderating a special panel discussion on Thursday, February 26 in Columbus GA with Keith Cooper, his daughter/survivor Rachel Thomas, and the detectives who also advocated for her, the Micah's Promise "Luncheon Celebrating the Promise of Hope and Healing": https://www.micahspromise.org/events/5th-annual-luncheon-celebrating-the-promise-of-hope-and-healing. (4:04) Now 70-yr-old Keith Cooper talks about what happened to his daughter and what the Lord revealed to him about unconditional love, with timing that prevented her suicide. He is vulnerable about how his Christian faith was tested and how God is using his daughter now to help trafficking survivors all over the nation. There are also details in the book they co-authored "Rachel's 5 Miracles": https://www.amazon.com/Rachels-Miracles-Fathers-Daughter-Trafficking/dp/B0CXQWRCRM. (16:41) He has advice for other parents going through traumatic times, choosing the Lord instead of evil temptations, Bible verses that were instrumental in their situation, and the relationships of fathers/daughters. (33:10) Keith and I dive into those words HOPE and HEALING, in the title of our event later this month...what he hopes people get from our panel discussion...also getting past bitterness/anger to blessedness quick...also the importance of being open about the messy things in life to prevent crimes, save lives. (50:50) We close out our chat with his focus on physical health, eating well, walking daily - which is spiritual for him. (54:30) And Keith closes our episode out in prayer. Thanks for listening. Subscribe to the podcast and share #RunTheRace with others.  

An Army officer on Fort Benning, who's seen plenty of difficult things during his almost 15 years of deployments and training, has been writing poems for the last few years and has now released a more than 100-page book of that poetry called "The Spurs of Service," hoping to inspire others to share their emotions, and save lives after he experienced two friends killed in Afghanistan and one soldier under his command commit suicide. He's also a man of God wanting to help others find faith and hope. (2:42) MAJ Jake Kelly and I sat down to talk about that book, the purpose of it, the different chapters, how it's already helping wounded warrios and the fallen comrades that inspired the project. (14:20) We also chatted about his faith journey that includes a portion of the book about God bringing peace in his life, along with the traumatic health challenges for their daughter. (23:11) Why did he join the Army and how is he helping modernize the military for the future? Military families also sacrifice a lot, but he says they deserve just as much as what you do in uniform. (32:53) Something to inspire you, Jake explains the meaning behind a mentor's motto "Get Better Every Day" and (38:22) hear his take on why it's Not about balance between your job/Army and being a family man, but instead surges and timing. (43:01) I got talented poet MAJ Kelly to read part of one of his poems "By The Glow Of The Fire." You can purchase "The Spurs of Service" at https://sawdustpublishing.com/product/the-spurs-of-service/?v=0b3b97fa6688. I also read another of his poems...then close out the episode in prayer. Make sure to subscribe to the "Run The Race" podcast, tell others about it, write a quick review on Apple, and listen to any previous 274 episodes from the last 6+ years at https://www.wtvm.com/podcasts/.  

He's been on the radio for more than 40 years, many of those in the Columbus GA area! His voice and name (and face) make him a local celebrity. And he's outspoken about his love for Jesus! Back on air after a scary battle with cancer and open heart surgery, Bear O'Brian (real name is Wade Collier) opens up about his struggles and tells radio/life stories as the latest guest on the "Run The Race" podcast that you hopefully will/do subscribe to. (2:30) We start with how Bear got his nickname, being a role model, putting God on the backburner when he had radio success, and a breakthrough moment of faith (at an Iowa hotel, when he was a traveling comedian) that changed his life. (9:33) Is he allowed to talk about his Christian faith on the radio? Bear gets emotional when talking about what a listener told him in Montgomery about God using him. And this broadcaster's been doing the daily "Inspiration of the morning" for close to 30 years: https://bearsinspirations.homestead.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPL_H1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtSnU1VHJMNzJlRlZjNkhuc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHg9JydtRhshgck1MKzL3mTt0o_s0MXHDzSz2IXQbnnisoES0SttVpo_Oc-Sk_aem_hJPbb0f7ZC-3pVMTAXQwng (21:17) Back on air a month+ ago, Bear talks about how his heart and cancer challenges began. He gave his fear over to God before what ended up being an 18 hour quadruple bypass heart surgery. How important was his faith through the health scares which included 6 rounds of chemo to get rid of his non Hodgkins lymphoma cancer? God holding his hand and not letting go! (31:31) And after doing his radio show from home, he finally gets to go back into the renovated studio soon. (35:30) Losing 72 pounds amidst the cancer/heart problems, the wakeup call his Bear wanting to walk more and eat good enough to not gain that weight back. Part of that involves seasonings. (40:16) His radio career started in 1978, through several southeastern states, but what's kept him in this business this long? He also transformed from a party guy to a DJ that does it God's way now. He gives some tricks of how he's so personal on air...and answers what his future in radio may look like, a job he loves, blessed to have many that listen. I close out the episode in prayer.

A week before Christmas now, a Columbus GA pastor is remembering (2:15) a special Christmas Eve service he led for many soldiers in Saudi Arabia amidst war in 1990 when it was, at least briefly a "Silent Night." The story will move you. He gets emotional talking about service members singing that song, in a Muslim country, as the Gulf War began. (9:05)This week's podcast guest, Pastor Bud Rupel, talks about the challenges for the military for the holidays and what he did as Army chaplain for 17 years, bringing hope through Jesus and listening through tears and anger.  His path was not straight (17:10) to the Air Force then eventually the Army. Church life started for Pastor Bud Rupel as a Quaker, but he eventually asked Christ into his life and his now-wife to marry him. Even as an Army chaplain, he too was a broken sinner who was serving his nation and God. (29:34) On staff now at Evangel Church in Columbus (south of Atlanta) for 20 years, Pastor Bud talks about the transition from military ministry to pastoral care, what he does for those that are sick or want to get married or for families of those who die. Bud Rupel was also recently (40:30) diagnosed with cancer that he opens up about - trusting God through the discovery and treatment, as he continues to focus on reaching as many people as possible for the Gospel. (48:45) And Pastor Bud closes us out in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Subscribe to it! Tell others about this podcast and share it, for more to hear these inspiring stories of faith and fitness.