Do you ever feel like temptation always wins? Whether it’s fast food on the way home, sneaking a snack in secret, or giving up after one bad morning—Jes and Martin know the feeling. In this episode, they open up about their real-life struggles with temptation and how their faith helped them fight back. From practical strategies to spiritual warfare, they share how to build a plan that works with your walk with God, not against it. You’ll learn how to strengthen your resolve, stay rooted in Scripture, and walk away from temptation in victory.

Jes talks about urge surfing, the power of accountability, and how putting on the armor of God helped her regain control. Martin dives into prayer, repentance, and the mindset that helped him lose over 450 pounds. You’ll also hear the powerful story of the Chinese church under persecution, and a reminder of the freedoms and tools we often take for granted. Learn how to walk forward in both faith and health—one obedient step at a time.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[1:04] Jes opens up about how fast food was her way of taking control during emotional moments. Martin relates with memories of secretly eating despite claiming to be on a diet.

[4:54] Jes shares her tools for avoiding temptation—prayer, Scripture, rest, and accountability partners. She talks about the concept of "urge surfing" and preparing for spiritual battle.

[9:07] Temptation is a spiritual battle, and you have to go into it expecting resistance. Jes explains the importance of standing firm and remembering that self-discipline is a gift.

[14:26] Jes and Martin count their blessings—rain, green apples, a sweet dog, and childhood popsicles. A lighthearted moment that reminds us to practice gratitude.

[17:15] The Jesus Freaks segment: Martin tells a story about the Chinese church’s courage under persecution and the power of refusing false teachings.

[22:37] What to do after you give into temptation? Martin emphasizes the importance of prayer, repentance, and moving forward instead of spiraling.

[27:05] Martin encourages listeners to press on even after setbacks. Spiritual tools like prayer and worship are just as vital as your diet and exercise routine.

[35:56] Audience feedback from a listener who’s grateful that the show integrates faith into health, noting that the tools apply far beyond weight loss.

[37:05] Jesus is the model of resisting temptation. He countered Satan with Scripture and found strength through prayer. Deepen your prayer life to deepen your strength.

RESOURCES

Visit the Pheonix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/

Buy A Pheonix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book

Are you tired of starting over on your health journey? Do you feel like every diet begins with hope but ends in defeat? In this episode, we’ll show you how inviting God into your weight loss journey can change everything. Jes and Martin explain why Phoenix Chronicles isn’t a diet—it’s the spiritual foundation to help you stay on one. Through prayer, worship, and scripture, they break down how to fight the emotional, spiritual, and mental battles that threaten your progress. This episode is about more than food—it’s about freedom. Learn how to develop spiritual discipline that fuels lasting change and restores your relationship with your body.

Jes and Martin also share daily habits you can adopt right away: 15 minutes of prayer, daily worship, and Bible reading—with a bonus tip to make your health boundaries stick. They also reflect on powerful testimonies of faith that remind us what it means to live boldly and sacrificially for Christ.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Intro

[1:04] Phoenix Chronicles isn’t another diet—it’s a tool to help you stay faithful on a good one. Jes and Martin talk about how prayer and worship strengthen your ability to stay the course.

[4:54] Why worship matters: Singing transforms the heart. God sees you in your weakness and meets you there through praise.

[6:33] Dive into God’s Word. Use specific scriptures to prepare for the battle of dieting. Highlights include Ephesians 3, Philippians 4:13, and Romans 12.

[9:14] Martin shares a moment when stress didn’t lead him to food—and how that revealed God’s transformation in his life.

[13:24] Count your blessings! Jes and Martin share personal gratitude examples and why this simple act keeps your mindset joyful.

[16:54] Jes and Martin reflect on the sacrifices others have made for Christ and what we can learn from their courage.

[23:05] Jes breaks down the Phoenix Chronicles daily practice: 15 minutes of prayer, worship, and Bible study—plus the power of Scripture memorization.

[31:12] Add one more habit to the daily three. Review your health boundaries daily. Pray over them, keep them visible, and let God help you stay committed.

[33:36] Jes shares encouraging feedback from a podcast listener at church.

[34:15] Closing thought: How hungry are you for change? Surrender the idols and let God transform your health from the inside out.

RESOURCES

Visit the Pheonix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/

Buy A Pheonix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book

Have you interacted with the mainstream therapeutic world in your pursuit of weight loss? When Jes was struggling with her eating disorder, she went to rehab and saw a secular therapist. In doing so, she processed much of her trauma, but also started to lose sight of God’s importance in her life.

When you navigate the mental health world, sometimes you encounter messages from professionals that will conflict with the importance of God in your life. Learn how to balance healing with the teachings of the Bible, and hear Jes’s story of disorder, recovery, and surrender in today’s episode of Phoenix Chronicles.

For detailed show notes, navigate using the time stamps below:

[0:00] Introduction

[1:07] When Jes was in her early 20s, she did a diet called HCG Sublingual Drops and ate almost nothing for many months. She ended up in the hospital four times with debilitating pain, and eventually her gallbladder shrunk.

[4:14] At 24, Jes checked into a rehab program for her eating disorder. Initially, her program was great, and she learned about food addiction and coping mechanisms.

[6:10] Jes gained wait as a means of protecting herself from male attention as a trauma response to sexual abuse. Her rehab program helped her stop constantly weighing herself and controlling her surroundings.

[9:08] The Health at Every Size movement gave Jes the idea that it does not matter if you are overweight. Because Jes had such a fraught relationship with food before, she went from total rules to no rules, which was intoxicating.

[11:09] This view also put Jes in the view of her own healer, and made her values the only thing that mattered. She thought that she was doing the right thing, but she was only focusing on herself.

[15:00] Through all of this, Jes’s disordered behaviors never stopped. She started asking herself where God was in her journey.

[19:30] It was very difficult for Jes to accept that her approach to her relationship with food was wrong. It has been difficult for her to surrender. She began seeing a Christian therapist, who was game-changing for her.

[24:58] When Jes surrendered to God, she finally was able to change her behavior around food. It was the only thing that worked.

RESOURCES

Visit the Pheonix Chronicles Website: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/

Buy A Pheonix Chronicle by Martin Crowe: https://www.thephoenixchronicles.com/book