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180. Why You Can’t Heal Your Body Without Spiritual Freedom (From Guilt, Control, and Shame) with Shelley Spence

If you’ve been doing all the right things—working out, eating better, praying more—but still feel stuck in your body, your mindset, or your faith… this episode may explain why. In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Shaela sits down with licensed professional counselor and life coach Shelley Spence to unpack the connection between spiritual freedom and physical health—and why so many Christian women stay trapped in cycles of guilt, control, perfectionism, and shame when it comes to their bodies. This episode goes far beyond surface-level fitness or nutrition advice. It explores what it really means to walk unhindered with God—and how unaddressed spiritual bondage often shows up as body image struggles, emotional eating, burnout, program hopping, and frustration with health results. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why you don’t have to believe every thought you think—and how to test thoughts against Scripture What spiritual freedom actually looks like (and why it’s not just “trying harder”) How shame, fear, and hidden beliefs can block progress in weight loss, fitness, and body confidence Why healing happens in layers, not overnight—and why plateaus aren’t failures The surprising connection between body image, identity in Christ, and midlife changes How Christian women unintentionally place their worth in their appearance, discipline, or consistency Why striving for control in health often leads to more exhaustion—not results How to gently move toward freedom if food, wine, scrolling, or distractions have become coping tools The biblical truth that God’s grace is sufficient, even when your body feels weak or uncooperative Shelley also shares her own journey through spiritual freedom using the Keys to Freedom Bible study, how the Lord revealed hidden areas of “playing small,” and what it means to reclaim surrendered ground—spiritually and physically. This conversation is for the Christian woman who: Feels tired of trying to “fix” her body Is overwhelmed by health advice but still not seeing results Wants freedom from guilt, legalism, and perfectionism Desires health that honors God—not idolizes discipline Is ready to stop striving and start walking in alignment with the Holy Spirit If you’ve been chasing change in your body but ignoring what’s happening in your spirit, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Resources Mentioned in This Episode Shelley Spence Website: https://www.shelleyspence.com Podcast Becoming Unhindered: www.becomingunhindered.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelleyspencelpc/ Free Resources from Shaela Christian Fitness Hub (Free) Simple, faith-based fitness and nutrition resources to help you take your next step with clarity and confidence. 👉 https://hub.simplefitnesshabits.com The Stronger Collective – Waitlist A Christ-centered fitness, nutrition, and community experience for women who want structure, accountability, and sustainable health habits—without burnout or obsession. 👉 https://www.thestrongerco.com

179. What Does the Bible Say About Being Healthy? 4 Scriptures Every Christian Mom Needs to Reframe Her Health Journey

What does the Bible actually say about being healthy? For many Christian moms, health has become tangled with guilt, diet culture, comparison, and burnout. We want energy and strength—but we don’t want obsession, pressure, or perfectionism. In this episode of Simple Fitness Habits, Shaela breaks down four key scriptures that reframe health as freedom, stewardship, and preparation for the life God has called you to live. This conversation helps Christian women step away from extremes and build faith-based health habits that actually fit real life. If you’ve ever searched: What does the Bible say about being healthy? Is fitness biblical? How should Christian women approach health and exercise? How do I get healthy without burnout as a mom? This episode is for you. What You’ll Learn Why biblical health is about abundant life, not shrinking or control How guilt and all-or-nothing thinking sabotage Christian women’s health Why movement can be an act of worship and stewardship How to build sustainable fitness and nutrition habits without burnout What it means to pursue health in a way that honors God and your season of life The Scriptures Covered John 10:10 – Health rooted in abundance, not restriction 1 Corinthians 9:24–27 – Discipline without extremes Matthew 24:44 – Readiness for calling and responsibility Hebrews 12:1 – Letting go of guilt and unnecessary weight Helpful Resources The Stronger Collective A Christ-centered fitness and nutrition community for women who want structure, accountability, and sustainable habits—without burnout. 👉 https://www.thestrongerco.com Christian Fitness Hub (Free) Simple, faith-based fitness and nutrition resources to help you take the next step with clarity and confidence. 👉 https://hub.simplefitnesshabits.com Final Encouragement Health doesn’t have to feel heavy or complicated. It can be a place of freedom, consistency, and faith—one simple habit at a time.

178. Decision Fatigue Is Real: Why You Need a Workout Plan That Works for Your Life (Not One More Thing to Decide)

Decision fatigue isn’t just a mental feeling — it’s one of the biggest reasons Christian women can’t stay consistent with their workouts. When your brain has made a thousand decisions before noon, choosing one more thing — like what workout to do — becomes nearly impossible. In this episode, Shaela breaks down why picking a workout in the moment drains your motivation, why scrolling YouTube makes consistency worse, and how a preloaded workout plan helps overwhelmed women finally get results. If you’ve been searching for how to stay consistent with workouts, fitness motivation for moms, simple workout plans for women, decision fatigue solutions, or how to get toned with limited time, this will resonate deeply. You’ll learn: Why decision fatigue—not laziness—is wrecking your fitness consistency How mental “open tabs” make choosing a workout harder than doing one Why busy Christian moms need a pre-decided plan before the day begins How scalable workouts (shorter options, modified sets, flexible circuits) build long-term consistency The difference between free YouTube workouts and a true training plan Why Christian women need support, structure, and simplicity—not more pressure This episode gives you the permission to stop overthinking and start training with purpose. Because you’re not failing — you’re fatigued. And a simple, scalable plan might be the thing that finally sets you free. Join The Stronger Collective The Stronger Collective is a faith-based fitness community for Christian women who want to build strength in body and spirit—without the overwhelm. Inside, you’ll find progressive workouts, simple nutrition, spiritual rhythms, and a supportive sisterhood that helps you stay consistent in every season. 👉 www.thestrongerco.com Free Christian Fitness Hub Get instant access to free resources, guides, and tools to help you strengthen your faith and fitness journey. From quick workouts to nutrition tips and devotionals, the Christian Fitness Hub will help you take your next step toward a healthier, holier life. 👉 hub.simplefitnesshabits.com

177. “There’s No Way I Can Get Up Early to Work Out” - Why That’s Not True (and How to Find a Time That Works for You)

If you’ve ever said, “There’s no way I can get up early to work out,” this episode is going to encourage you in the best way. The fitness world often pushes early mornings as the “gold standard,” but for many Christian women, especially in seasons of pregnancy, postpartum, burnout, illness, or simply carrying a heavy mental load, early mornings are not the most faithful or realistic option. In this episode, Shaela breaks down the myth that workouts only count if they’re early and shows you how to build a routine that honors your actual life, energy, and calling. Whether you’ve been searching for how to find time to work out, home workouts for busy moms, Christian workout motivation, or realistic fitness routines, you’ll learn how to create sustainable rhythms that don’t rely on perfection or hype. You’ll hear: Why waking up early is not a requirement for discipline How to discern what rhythm God is asking of you in this season Why motivation and external accountability can’t be your foundation What real, grace-filled consistency looks like for moms How to make home workouts work — even with kids and interruptions Practical examples of workout times that actually count Your workout doesn’t need to be quiet, aesthetic, or perfect. It simply needs to be done in obedience and stewardship — in the time of day that truly fits your season. Want Support? Here’s Where to Start The Simple Fitness Habits Community This free community is the place for real-life conversation, weekly encouragement, and practical help for creating healthy rhythms. It’s where you’ll get ongoing support from Shaela and other women who want simple, sustainable habits rooted in faith. Join here: community.simplefitnesshabits.com The Stronger Collective (TSC) If you’re tired of random workouts and want to train with purpose, TSC is where everything changes. You’ll get structured strength training programs, expert coaching, and a supportive Christian community — all designed for real women with real schedules. Join the waitlist: www.thestrongerco.com Doors open just a few times a year, and new members are onboarded in small groups for an intimate, supported experience.

176. 3 Years of Simple Fitness Habits: What God Taught Me About Health, Healing, and Showing Up

Join My Free Faith & Fitness Community Weekly encouragement, behind-the-scenes updates, and practical Christian health support: ➡️ community.simplefitnesshabits.com Join The Stronger Collective Waitlist Workouts for Christian women, strength pathways, monthly faith-based rhythms, and coaching from multiple Christian trainers: ➡️ www.thestrongerco.com If you’ve ever wondered how God weaves together your health, habits, motherhood, calling, and healing — this episode will speak right to your heart. In Episode 176, Shaela looks back on three years of Simple Fitness Habits and shares what God has taught her about wellness, identity, obedience, surrender, and showing up through every season… including a year marked by major decluttering, spiritual pruning, and a recent breast cancer diagnosis. Inside the episode, you’ll hear: How this podcast began with a nudge from the Lord and grew into a global Christian fitness community What God revealed about all-or-nothing mindsets, striving, motivation, and true discipline Why simple fitness habits transform more than your body — they reshape your spiritual and emotional health How God has used 2025 as a “clean-out year” mentally, emotionally, spiritually… and now physically A behind-the-scenes clip of Shaela’s kids recording their own “podcast” What it means to steward your body in the season you’re in Why Christian women don’t need more motivation — they need rhythms rooted in the Lord How He continues to show up in healing, hope, and strength This episode holds space for the woman searching for Christian health, how to get consistent, how to build simple fitness habits, faith-based motivation, or how to feel healthy and whole again — even in very real storms. And if this podcast has blessed you, this is the perfect moment to leave a written review so more Christian women searching for faith and fitness, how to get stronger, how to lose weight, or Christian wellness support can find this space.