Just Keep (G)rowing

By Brad Bloom, Publisher

Photographer Becca Dunn shot several photos in this feature exclusively for Faith & Fitness Magazine.

How strong are you? Ever wonder how you measure-up to others? You know like your ability to lift something heavy, go the distance, be flexible, pull harder, rest better and ummm … you know maybe even live longer. One thing’s certain, no matter how strong you are, there’s always someone, somewhere who can outdo you – like Katie Spotz. She’s an adventure and endurance athlete. That means she’s gone places where you haven’t been and done things you’ll never do. You ask, “Are you so sure about that?” Yes! We are.

Ever rowed a boat across the Atlantic Ocean all alone over seventy days from Africa to South America? Me neither. How about swimming? There are 325 miles of Allegheny River waiting for you to conquer so that you can share in her record. Perhaps though you’d like to just join Katie in her non-stop Run4Water across 130 miles through the state of Maine. Who does this kind of stuff? Well, Katie does. And – if you think it’s all a bunch of ego driven publicity stunt fitness infatuation, it could be. But, it’s not.

We “caught up” with Spotz (at least by phone) and spoke with her. You’ll want to listen to the full interview. As you do and as you read below a few of her thoughts from that interview, think about what it takes to be Certified STRONG!

Listen to the Faith & Fitness Magazine interview with Katie Spotz [length: 30 minutes]

What did it take for Katie to be “Certified STRONG!”? She shares, “My god was achievement and doing good works. For me I was getting that worldly high off of endurance challenges. I was doing motivational speaking and spreading a message of hope. But at the same time I felt lost. A life without God is very confusing, disorienting and a constant struggle to prove your worth. It was definitely a gradual process but I started seeing and feeling things I never had before. God started working in my life. I feel transformed from what I was to who I am now.”

TO THE OCEAN AND BEYOND

Katie’s book, Just Keep Rowing, is a self-empowerment book that shares seventy life lessons that parallel the number of days Katie spent alone at sea rowing across the Atlantic Ocean. During her journey she learned many vital life lessons from the Atlantic. She looks at aspects of life like teamwork, procrastination, mental toughness, instinct, routine, failure, and of course strength to name a few.

She explains writing the book and the concept of “just keep rowing” this way:

I did not write each of these lessons on my boat. It took five years from the time I completed the journey to compose them. At sea my mind was simply in survival mode. I endured brutal periods of sleep deprivation. The last thing I could have done was compose a coherent thought on paper. Every bit of my body, mind, and soul focused on rowing. Doubts emerged: the ocean was too big, my boat was too small, or my endurance and will were not enough. I persevered, and I later realized these feelings are a natural part of life. We all feel like giving up from time to time whether it is in athletic competition, a school assignment, a work project, sobriety, or in a relationship. Quitting is easy. Rowing through the challenges is hard. And that is life. –From the book Just Keep Rowing

That was in 2015. While Just Keep Rowing continues to powerfully inspire readers, today Katie’s adventures with God take her off the beaten path where she’s learning to pray and  just keep growing in her passion for Christ Jesus.

She describes that growing this way:

I am constantly learning what it means to put God first in all things. But with endurance, it has been truly transformational. Before accepting Jesus, my worth came from the world and now my worth is rooted in something much deeper than the world can offer — a belief in God. The endurance adventures continue on, only this time with joy rather than fear, eagerness rather than anxiety, and out of love rather needing to prove lovability. -From Katie’s blog post Running Is A Matter Of Faith

As I talked with Katie I gained a deeper understanding that strength in Christ gives us the ability to climb higher, gain a better view and grow beyond conquering our biggest challenges into transforming them into our greatest opportunities. That’s a huge pivot – a whole new context where everything we do on this physical earth gains enduring spiritual value.

Get two copies of Katie’s book, Just Keep Rowing so that you will have one to read and another that you can give to someone else.

YOU TOO CAN DO ENDURANCE

I asked Spotz to identify what she feels are the qualities an endurance athlete must have and develop. Here is her list:

Mind you, these are PRACTICAL athletic performance tools. Sacrifice for example is critical to managing a very specific diet that will impact physical function during an endurance challenge. Perseverance and patience are key components to every detail of a rigorous and calculated training regimen.

When it comes to your spiritual performance these exact same qualities need to be developed and then applied in even more pragmatic ways. Vision for example on a spiritual level isn’t just some grandiose goal, rather it is a strategic plan guided by learning and wisdom. No two people who choose to have faith in Christ Jesus will have the same journey. Just like no two endurance athletes do the same things. Only Katie Spotz will do what Katie Spotz does. Faith is an endurance activity far more than we realize. If you’re going to truly own your faith it’s necessary to embrace that truth, develop the seven endurance skills listed above and daily pray and work to keep on growing.

This is how you become Certified STRONG!

MORE OF WHAT KATIE SHARED IN OUR INTERVIEW

The foundation from which you move is being second, being servant, being obedient and humbling yourself. We are part of God’s story – part of His plan.

God never plays that track in your head that you are not enough.

I knew how detrimental “endurance” was for me. I was only as good as the miles I could run. I was only as good as people I could help. I measured my worth and attached so much to it that it no longer was enjoyable. It was never enough. That was the enemy using the gift God gave me against me. Now I see what endurance feels like. Endurance now is a way to glorify God.

I thought at one point because I worshiped fitness over God and fitness was my God that the answer was to get rid of it. Now I see that fitness can be a way to talk with God, be with God and thank Him.

Endurance and whatever you do can be a vessel for helping others.

Watch this video about Katie and her faith in God.

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME – IT’S ABOUT THIRSTING FOR OTHERS

One of the characteristics of truly faith-centered fitness is being others-minded. It’s when we realize that our fitness isn’t so much about the muscular strength, the healthy body weight, the ability to move well, greater health, living longer, the great Christian fellowship of a good workout or the spiritual strength gained by connecting with God while exercising. It’s about being stronger in many ways so we can serve God by serving others.

Spotz takes being others-minded seriously. That’s why she is regularly involved with Lifewater International a non-profit Christian clean water organization working with people like you to end the global water and sanitation crisis.

Katie explains, “I found out about the water crisis back around 2010. I just hit me to the core. At that time one in six people in the world were without clean water. I’d never met one of these one in six people. I felt angry. What do you mean they don’t have clean water? So, I knew I wanted to do something.

Not only do her endurance activities help raise funds for the work Lifewater International is doing but she also has helped at some of the places around the world where fresh water is being provided. Being responsive to God’s calling in your life and being involved in the lives of others can always be more than just giving money for a good cause. A greater impact can happen in the relationships you forge.

Go to Katie’s website to learn more and get involved.

QUESTIONS FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION AND GROUP DISCUSSION

1. In our audio interview with Katie she shares how leaving her parents for her seventy day solo row across the Atlantic was extremely difficult. She later became a member of the U.S. Coast Guard. All of these accomplishments and more ultimately have been good parts of her life journey. Consider how accomplishments in your life have been good but also how they can become a god to which you are a slave. How do you decide what accomplishments are God-honoring personal mandates you must do and those which are simply self-serving distractions? What challenges are you having with accomplishments right now?
2. In what ways are you others-minded? How does that make a difference in your fitness and total lifestyle? Critically consider what the differences are between giving to a charity or truly being directly engaged with others and building deeper relationships with them. Make a list of ways you can use your fitness to more practically help others. What difference could that make?
3. In this story the Christian faith is likened to an endurance activity – something that requires you to be strong. What do you think when you see Christians who lack spiritual strength and endurance? If you ran a challenging distance with Katie and completed it only to have her confidently challenge you to then go further (because she knew you could), what would you do? Has that ever happened to you with God? What does endurance mean to you?
   

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Just Keep (G)rowing is the cover story for the August/September 2020 issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine. Take a moment to post your Facebook comments below.

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