We all have battles to fight. God’s Word even reminds us that no one is a stranger to pain, challenge, or adversity in this life. Yet, as Damon West once said, “We don’t have to win all our fights, but we must fight all our fights.” However, life has a way of delivering unexpected knockout blows that often send us to the canvas of the ring with a choice to make… Will we give up, lay down, quit, throw in the towel… or will we GET BACK UP and FIGHT? You see, I’ve never met anyone who lacks the desire to get back up, but I’ve met several people who have been so wounded in life that they feel stuck and have forgetten their purpose and potential in the midst of their pain. Today, I’ll have the opportunity of sharing with you 4 lessons I’ve learned throughout my life that have helped me respond with perserverance and strength to fight the good fight of faith. My prayer for you is that after today’s episode you would be encouraged, equipped, and motivated to remember you’re never out of the fight, and with God at the center of your life, you no longer have to scratch, claw, and fight FOR victory. Instead, because of what God has already done, you now get the opportunity of fighting FROM a place of Victory! Let’s Roll!

Joining us this week on the Built Different Podcast is one of the hardest workers, heaviest hitters, and most humble individuals the NFL has ever seen. Our guest is Hall of Fame Linebacker, Superbowl Champion, and One of the Greatest Defensive Players in NFL history, Derrick Brooks. Not only was Derrick a 2-time All-American and National Champion at Florida State University, but he also went on to have one of the most decorated NFL careers including a Superbowl ring, a Defensive Player of the  Year Award, Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, competing in 11 Pro Bowls, and being selected as a 6-time All Pro. However, even after all of those accolades, one of his greatest achievements is that during his 14-year NFL career, he NEVER missed a game! Derrick understands perseverance and persistence. He understands what it means to choose the right perspective and attitude in order to withstand and overcome adversity. As one of my favorite quotes says, “You don’t have to win all your fights, but you must fight all your fights.” My friends, the truth is, you are never out of the fight! After listening to today’s fun and powerful episode with Derrick, our prayer is that you would be encouraged to stay the course, to keep on keeping on, and to choose the right attitude no matter the circumstance you may find yourself in. You have what it takes… Sometimes you just have to BELIEVE!Also, if you would like to see some of these interviews take place live and in person, be sure to join us for our next Ignite Men’s Impact Weekend, March 8-9, 2024! God showed UP and showed OFF in a POWERFUL way at our most recent 2023 event, and we are already so expectant of what He has in store next year! We have already locked in an incredible speaking lineup for next year featuring Tim Tebow, Craig Groeschel, Brian Dawkins, Tim Timberlake, Ted Cunningham, and some additional BIG announcements coming soon! If 2024 is anything like this year’s event, then trust me, YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS IT! And due to the overwhelming response of tickets purchased onsite, with many asking us to extend the onsite registration rate, we have listened and will be extending our cheapest rate of $59 Regular Admission and $79 Gold Ticket Admission through March 31st! So let me encourage you, be sure to mark March 8-9, 2024 on your calendar, invite a friend or group of buddies, and join us next year at our 2024 Ignite Men’s Impact Weekend! You won’t regret it! Be sure to register here: https://ignitemen.net/

Airing today on the Built Different Podcast is a powerful, motivational, and emotional interview from our most recent 2023 Ignite Men’s Impact Weekend where Zach had the opportunity to sit down and catch up with former 2020 AP College Football Coach of the Year and our new Liberty University Head Football Coach, Jamey Chadwell. Anchored by his 4 primary leadership principles which include Competition, Discipline, Accountability, and Purpose, Coach Chadwell desperately desires to not only form and develop the best football team possible, but more importantly help ensure that his players become the best husbands, fathers, students, employees, and followers of Christ as possible! In and throughout today’s episode, you’ll hear all about how Coach Chadwell, his family, his coaching staff, and his team plan on EMBRACING the challenges that inevitably lie ahead, but also where Coach finds his confidence regardless of what a scoreboard says. All I know is that as an LU fan, I’m thrilled to have such an incredible leader and man of high character and integrity at the helm of our football program. Fall can’t come soon enough! To find out more about where you can purchase tickets for LU football games this upcoming season, click here: https://www.liberty.edu/flames/tickets/football-ticket-information/Also, if you would like to see some of these interviews take place live and in person, be sure to join us for our next Ignite Men’s Impact Weekend, March 8-9, 2024! God showed UP and showed OFF in a POWERFUL way this past weekend at our 2023 event, and we are already so expectant of what He has in store next year! We have already locked in an incredible speaking lineup for next year featuring Tim Tebow, Craig Groeschel, Brian Dawkins, Tim Timberlake, Ted Cunningham, with some additional BIG announcements coming soon! If 2024 is anything like last weekend, then trust me, YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS IT! And due to the overwhelming response of tickets purchased onsite, with many asking us to extend the onsite registration rate, we have listened and will be extending our cheapest rate of $59 Regular Admission and $79 Gold Ticket Admission through March 31st! So let me encourage you, be sure to mark March 8-9, 2024 on your calendar, invite a friend or friends, and join us next year at our 2024 Ignite Men’s Impact Weekend! You won’t regret it! Be sure to register here: https://ignitemen.net/

With Easter being a little over a month away, we couldn’t imagine a more perfect guest to share about one of our favorite books he’s written titled The Grave Robber: How Jesus CAN Make Your Impossible Possible. Our guest that will be joining us today for a powerful episode on Making Room for the Miraculous in our own lives is Lead Pastor of National Community Church in Washington, D.C. and NY Times Best-Selling Author, Dr. Mark Batterson. There’s no question that so many individuals desperately look for God to do a work in their impossible situations. However as Pastor Mark warns us, “We’re not called to seek miracles. We are called to seek Jesus, and if we follow Jesus long enough and far enough, we’ll eventually find ourselves in the middle of some miracles.” Our challenge for you today after listening to this powerful conversation with Pastor Mark is to begin seeing the miraculous in the monotonous, because even if God does nothing else, my friends, He has already done enough! Make room for the Miraculous to show up and show off in your life today! Link to The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible: https://www.markbatterson.com/books/the-grave-robber/ Link to Please, Sorry, Thanks: The 3 Words that Change Everything: https://www.markbatterson.com/books/please-sorry-thanks/

Let me ask, are you tired of being at war with your body—and your thoughts about your body? With the constant presence of social media and more, so many of us fall into the scary trap of comparison. Comparing ourselves to others. Comparing ourselves to culture and society’s definitions of perceived perfection. Maybe even comparing our current self to our younger self. Whatever it is, we get lost trying to replicate this world’s defintion of beauty rather than trying to radiate the beauty God has already instilled within us. Thankfully, today’s guest, Rachael Gilbert, comes with a message of hope and encouragement to help us restore and renovate our body images from the inside out. As a fitness instructor, Rachael struggled with shame when she didn’t measure up to her dream body image, but then, as a licensed counselor, she realized how many of us bury those same painful insecurities as well. Therefore, Rachael wrote her new book releasing March 7th titled Image Restored: Tear Down Shame and Insecurity to Experience a Body Image Renovation. In and throughout the pages of this book as well as the discussion in this week’s episode you’ll learn about a biblical perspective on eating, fitness, and godly self-confidence; tools for overcoming comparison; counselor-inspired strategies to help you appreciate how God made you; and ways to use thoughts and feelings so they help you rather than sabotage you. My prayer is that after this episode, you would be encouraged and uplifted to view yourself through the eyes of our Creator who calls you unique, wonderful, and beautiful. Link to Image Restored Book: https://rachaelgilbert.com/image-restored/

Time and time again, it seems as if couples are too often getting love “wrong.” They bring their hurts, wounds, and empty voids into relationships seeking for a completion rather than a companion. Unfortunately, what many tend to neglect or forget is that God is the Only Great Physician that can bring the true Help, Hope, and Healing we are looking for. However, He still allows us to play an active role in that helping process. Joining us today to discuss how we can provide the necessary safety, humility, and intentionality to WIN at love God’s Way is one of the greatest couples I know, Dr. Johnny and Mrs. Lezlyn Parker. Dr. Johnny and Mrs. Lezlyn are authors, speakers, certified and executive life coaches, and relationship architects that have spent countless years helping men and women achieve success and flourishing by viewing their lives as a story. Through their “Turn the Page” system and mindset they’ve been able to help, CEOs, pro athletes, coaches, and other high-impact men and women gain high-definition clarity and discover the stories they were born to live. Additionally, in terms of relationships, they have produced an incredible resource in both book and video course/content form titled K.I.S.S. - Keeping Intimacy Sweet & Simple. This is such a valuable resource as it is very interactive and application based. To find out more about that resource and about our amazing guests today, go to theparkersspeak.com. We pray this episode will speak truth, hope, and life into you and your relationships for years to come.

There’s no secret that love and relationships can be hard, difficult, and at times take a lot of work. However, when things get hard, I believe people too often quit or settle for comfort or familiarity. That being said, some of the best advice I’ve ever been given regarding love and relationships came from our guest today, when he reminded me that “What’s natural early on needs to be followed by intentional later on.” Joining us today to discuss this incredible advice is Founding and Lead Pastor of Woodland Hills Family Church in Branson, MO, nationally acclaimed speaker, author, comedian, and relationship expert, Ted Cunningham. During this episode, we will be discussing and dissecting 5 practical and intentional steps you can begin taking to finding and fostering the intentional love so many seek yet too often neglect. These steps include: Connection, Communication, Celebration, Confession, and Consistency. Our prayer is that through this episode you would be encouraged to make intentional decisions that would allow the relationships within your life to flourish. Remember, “What’s natural early on, needs to be followed by intentional later on. But when done intentionally, it it can start to feel natural again.”

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love and relationships are a hot topic of conversation. Therefore, throughout this month, we wanted to sit down with some of the best relationship experts in order to identify some healthy habits we can begin implementing within our daily lives to cultivate the love we so desperately seek. That being said, joining us today is a Licensed Professional Counselor and nationally acclaimed speaker who specializes in relationship and marital issues as well as mental and emotional health, Debra Fileta. Debra is also the author of six books and host of the Love + Relationships Podcast where she is passionate about spreading the message that healthy people make healthy relationships. The truth is, we all have the innate longing or craving to be loved, to be accepted, or to feel like we belong, but unfortunately too many of us get into relationships for all the wrong reasons. However, as Debra reminds us today, we can’t come to the table “half-full”, expecting someone or something else to fill, fix, or complete us. We need to be the one’s taking our burdens, pasts, and toxic patterns to the Lord as well as implementing the steps necessary to cultivate healthy habits which generate healthy relationships. No matter what your relationship status says, this episode will remind, challenge, and push you to keep looking upward and inward before looking outward. Lastly, be sure to check out Debra’s new book, “Reset: Powerful Habits to Own Your Thoughts, Understand Your Feelings, and Change Your Life.” This book will help you find the freedom and breakthrough  you may be looking for. It officially launches March 14th but you can Pre-Order the book at this link: https://amzn.to/3I0QCsh

I think we can all attest to the fact that times will inevitably come in life that seem too hard to bear. Challenge and adversity keep piling up leaving us doubtful and discouraged for what lies ahead. However, it’s in these difficult yet defining moments where the trajectory of our lives can be transformed. For today’s guest, Dr. Rick Rigsby, his defining moment took the place of him weeping at his late wife’s funeral after her bout with breast cancer, when he looked up to his father and breathed the words, “Dad, I’ve lost hope.” His father’s response however changed the trajectory of his life… “Son, you can’t lose something God gave you. You haven’t lost hope, you’ve lost perspective.” Because of that timely reminder, Dr. Rigsby is now a best-selling author, podcaster, and one of the most sought after inspirational speakers of our day and age. Many may know about him from a powerful message he delivered at a commencement ceremony that went viral a few years back titled, “Lessons I Learned from a 3rd Grade Dropout!” In and throughout this episode, Dr. Rigsby shares some of those lessons and wants to help you understand that the Storms in this life are what help us see the Savior. Give this powerful message of Hope a listen today!

The promises of the Lord are truly so comforting to me. One of my favorites includes the promise found in Isaiah 43 where God promises that He will always be with us. No matter what we are going through, no matter if it's a hill or a valley, He is there. He says in Isaiah 43:2, when we pass through those dark waters He's still there, and when we walk through the blazing hot fire, He has everything under control. Why? Because, God doesn't want us going through this life alone. He wants us to constantly be reminded that we are never alone, and I believe this reminder is best done the power of community and relationships with others. God loves to use others as messengers or conduits through which He can produce change in someone else’s life. Today, we will be hearing from a man who has many accolades and has served in countless leadership positions, but one of his greatest joys is seeing others in their time of need and reminding them of their worth, value, and potential. Joining us is Dr. Ron Hawkins who currently serves as the Chairman of the National Advisory Board for us here at the American Association of Christian Counselors. Before his time with us at the AACC, he served in numerous academic positions including Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Liberty University, he started out his career as a Pastor, he’s been a Seminary President, he’s a Licensed Professional Counselor, and he is simply a man of great wisdom who leaders continue to look to for sage and timely advice. However, in today’s episode Doc shares with us a pivotal moment in his life where someone became the hands and feet of Christ, choosing to see Him through the eyes of God in a time of need and stepping up and into the moment to breathe some life and fight back into him. The cool thing? You have the opportunity to do that very same thing for someone today and every day. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” Our challenge to you throughout today’s episode: See others in their time of need. Be willing to step up and into that moment. Provide them with the comfort you have also received from the Lord.

Change is inevitable, but growth is intentional. In other words, in order to make positive change, a decision has to be made. A decision fueled by determination, sacrifice, and conviction. Unfortunately however, many people get “stuck” in life. Whether it being a difficult past, previous mistakes, attachment wounds, settling for comfort and convenience, fear, or more, this life will throw as many knockout punches as possible causing many to lay stagnant on the canvas of the ring in life. Thankfully though, today’s guest is a man who has dedicated his life to helping others implement and produce change in their own hearts and lives! Joining us is President of the American Association of Christian Counselors (www.aacc.net), Executive Director of the Global Center for Mental Health, Addiction, and Recovery at Liberty University, and cohost of Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk, heard on over 1,400 radio outlets daily, Dr. Tim Clinton! In and throughout today’s episode Dr. Clinton will equip us with 6 very practical steps that we can begin implementing to spark and sustain the change we are looking for! Beyond the many roles Dr. Clinton fills, my personal favorite is that I get to call him Dad and my best friend! My prayer is that my dad would remind you today, that if you still have breath in your lungs, you still have some FIGHT left in you!

It’s a week into the new year, and we all know what that means…  a lot of people are trying to hang on and follow through with their big dreams, goals, and resolutions for the new year. Interestingly, many of those resolutions involve getting in better shape or becoming more physically fit or healthy. I’ve already heard several resolutions this year that sound something like, “I want to work out more, I want to eat better, I want to run a marathon or do a Spartan Race, I want to get a 6-pack, or I want to lose this much weight.” However, the statistics have revealed that 90% of people who make New Years resolutions will fail, noting that 50% of those resolution makers will fail by the end of January. So what’s the secret? What’s the strategy to maintaining your goals throughout this entire year? One word: DISCIPLINE. Therefore, to speak on the topic of discipline, I have invited one of the most disciplined people I have ever met to join us on the show this week. Joining us is a man who has over 16 years of coaching experience and currently serves as a Human Performance Specialist for the United States Army Special Operations Command, Coach Shelton Stevens. Prior to his position with our U.S. Military Coach Stevens worked with several Division I institutions as a strength and conditioning specialist. Additionally, he and his wife Macie have started 13 Bar Performance (http://13barperformance.com) where their goal is to provide elite performance programs for individuals who strive to reach their full maximal potential. Ultimately, in and throughout this week’s episode, our hope is that you would be educated, equipped, and encouraged as to how you CAN make the daily choices to follow through with your goals ONE decision at a time. Remember, successful people do consistently what other people do occasionally. Let’s Roll.

Let’s be honest, sometimes the weight of our past, our mistakes, shame, and guilt can be too much to bear. Sometimes these very things can hold us in bondage from the calling God has bestowed on our lives. However, our Built Different Guest today wants to remind you that as we head into a new year, you have the power and ability to cross over into this new year without carrying over the baggage from the previous. Joining us on the podcast today is one of the most gifted communicators and Bible teachers we have ever heard serving as the Senior Pastor of Celebration Church, Pastor Tim Timberlake. Trust us when we say this is a captivating, Spirit filled and led episode that you will want to have a pen and paper ready in order to write down as many notes as possible. Ultimately, Pastor Tim wants to remind you that making the most of every minute in a day, making change, and living the life God intends for you is up to you! Too many of us have uphill hopes, but downhill habits. While change may be natural, growth is intentional. After listening to this episode, we pray that your heart, mind, and spirit would be prepared to begin cultivating intentional growth and building lasting habits that will allow you the opportunity to look expectantly toward all that God has in store for you in 2023!

We’ve all heard of positivity and optimism, but the truth is, there are days where being negative or being an energy vampire can almost seem natural. Sometimes it’s hard to be optimistic when life just isn’t the way it’s supposed to be and our fiery furnace moments in life seem like they are too much to bear. There may even be some people reading this today who had a tough 2022 and are feeling discouraged and maybe even afraid of what’s to come in the new year. Thankfully though, our Built Different Guest today, Jon Gordon, is here to remind you what it truly means to embrace the power of positivity. For those that may not be aware, Jon is a New York Times best-selling author having written well known books such as the Energy Bus, The Power of Positive Leadership, Training Camp, The Carpenter, and so many more. He is also one of the greatest motivational speakers of our day having poured into countless individuals, Fortune 500 companies, high schools, as well as collegiate and professional athletic teams across the world. In understanding that pain is inevitable, Jon comes with an inspirational message reminding us that positivity is not about pretending like challenge doesn’t exist in life, but rather it’s all about choosing optimism, joy, and a positive perspective despite the adversity you may be up against. And remember, God gives us Friends for the Fire. There is Power in finding community that will help you Row the Boat! With God and those He has hand selected to place by your side, you will never have to suffer alone!

Can you believe it’s already Christmas?? What a magical time of the year! The lights, trees, decorations, Santa, but most importantly the true reason for the season which is a time of reflection and celebration for the Lord sending His One and Only Son Jesus to this world. You see, on that day, over 2,000 years ago, Hope, entered the world, because Hope has a name and His name is Jesus! But we are not naive enough to understand that there can be moments in our lives that distract and discourage us from pressing into that Hope. Let’s be honest, there are some days that just seem darker than others. Life can be flat out painful when the wheels are falling off the bus, and things just aren’t the way they’re supposed to be. But it’s in those moments that Hope is needed more than ever! Thankfully, our Built Different Guest today who will be celebrating our 100th episode with us here at the Built Different Podcast is the one and only, Annie F. Downs!!! For those that may not know Annie, she is a best-selling author, nationally known speaker, and the host of the awesome “That Sounds Fun” podcast. Annie, comes with a powerful word reminding us that God never wastes our pain and how even in our darkest moments in life we can cling to the promise that Light is Coming! Listen Now, and enjoy an incredible episode with Annie!

A word that often comes to mind during this Christmas and Advent season is worship. But what does it truly mean to worship God? Worship in its purest form has simply been described as reverence and adoration for the Lord. One can actually be going through one of the most difficult times or seasons of their life, but still, come to God in reverence and adoration for WHO He is. Therefore, the worship we ought to bring should not be dependent on whether or not we’ve had a bad day or a bad life journey thus far. We are called to come to Him as we are, in our brokenness – with our “broken hallelujahs”. Joining us today to take a deeper dive into how we can experience the presence of God through the power of worship is one of the most well-known and renowned musicians and worship leaders of our day, Mack Brock! Mack has written and sang countless number 1 songs that so many of us play over the loud speakers of our cars and sing during Church! But today Mack discusses with us how worship has carried him through some of the most difficult times and seasons of his own personal life. Yes, worship is more than just a song. Our prayer is that that no matter what you may be going through, that after listening to this episode you would begin developing a heart postered toward worship today and throughout this holiday season.

It’s Christmas time! The most wonderful time of the year, but often we can get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. We often get lost int he hosting, buying, gifts that come with the holidays. Advent is a time for God’s people to slow down, rest, reset, and prepare our hearts for what God has instore for us this Christmas season and into the new year. On this episode we talk about the importance of preparing our hearts and minds and celebrate the true meaning of the season, Jesus.  Joining us on this week’s episode is Ruth Chou Simons. She is a Wall Street Journal bestselling and award-winning author of several books, including GraceLaced, Beholding and Becoming, and When Strivings Cease, and Emmanuel. She is an artist, entrepreneur, and speaker, using each of these platforms to spiritually sow the Word of God into people’s hearts. Through her online shoppe at GraceLaced.com and her social media community, Simons shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting daily life with word and art. Ruth and her husband, Troy, are grateful parents to six boys—their greatest adventure.

We all know the feeling of being unsatisfied. Instead of wrestling with the tension of feeling unsatisfied, we often settle and don’t move forward to experience the “abundantly more” life that God invites us to live with Him. Often, the tension of feeling unsatisfied can be God’s invitation for you to experience more with Him and within your community. What’s beautiful about the abundantly more life is that it can equally be found in the seasons of sorrow and the seasons of joy and that’s exactly what we discuss this week. Joining us on the podcast this week is Nikki Dutton. Nikki is a speaker, writer, and host of the More with Nikki Dutton podcast. Her purpose is to help others find more in their faith, relationships, home, and every day life. She’s married to her husband, Scott, and together they share life with their pets — Scout and Trooper. Nikki also works with A21 which exists to abolish slavery everywhere, forever. Her specific role is building relationships and facilitating partnerships. We dive into Nikki’s story and how she began experiencing the abundantly more in her walk with Jesus and how she now encourages others to do the same.

Life isn’t easy. We all know that. And to be honest with you, praise doesn’t always come out naturally when it feels like everything in your life is working against you and the wheels are coming off your bus. However, I’ve heard it said that the greatest gift you can give the Lord, others, and yourself is that of thanksgiving. Why? Because when we focus on gratitude, the tide of disappointment washes away and the tide of love rushes in. Joining us on the podcast today to share a little about his testimony and how the act of gratitude has transformed his life is Coach Adam Donyes. Adam is a man who has impacted countless lives as he serves in many different roles including: the K-Equip Director at K-2 (Kanakuk Kamps) and also directing Kanakuk’s Worldview Kamp; serving on the teaching team at Woodland Hills Family Church; Founder and President of Link Academy in Branson, MO which exists to provide students with a year of purpose for a lifetime of pursuit as their goal is to empower future leaders to impact the world for Christ; and so much more! What I love about Adam is his humility and the grateful heart that he possesses. He truly has a hunger and desire to know God and to make God’s name known! Our prayer is that after listening to today’s episode you would leave feeling more equipped and encouraged to live a life of gratitude and develop a grateful heart no matter your circumstance. Remember, even if God doesn’t do anything else, because of what He did by sending His One and Only Son to die, be buried, and rise again 3 days later for you and me, He has already done enough!

Have you ever asked yourself the question, “What’s my purpose?” or maybe even “Do I have a purpose?” So many people desparately seek answers to those very common questions. But to the person listening who has maybe asked those questions, I have a good news for you, because in and throughout today’s episode, our Built Different Guest takes us on a journey as to how we can find, identify, and develop the purpose that God has called us to. Joining us today on the podcast is world renowned life coach, best-selling author, positive psychology expert, motivational speaker, and founder of the Coaching and Positive Psychology Institue, Valorie Burton! Valorie has devoted her life to helping others become happier, healthier, and more resilient. Her goal is to help you close the gap between where you are and where you REALLY want to be. In doing so, one of the first steps is identifying your purpose or calling in this life. Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” Thankfully, in today’s episode Valorie gives us very practical tools such as reshaping our perspective, practicing the act of gratitude, and reframing our self-talk or questions we may be asking ourselves. Ultimately, this episode will help remind you that when it comes to resilience and purpose, not only do you have these traits, but you also have the ability to build them! Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” My friends, let's identify your purpose today!