Today I interviewed one of my long time friends as well as online clients, Sunshine Rowe. She truly has a light that shines from within and she brightens up a room wherever she goes. She is from the small town of Vidor, Texas and her favorite color is yellow. I thought she would be a great fit to speak on behalf of faith and fitness so I hope you enjoy our interview.
Tell me a little bit about yourself:
I'm a 34 year old mom of two boys, been married for more than fifteen years, and I have trades in cutting hair and taking pictures. My name has played a big part in my personality, it gives me confidence to be bold and not be afraid to stand out.
What made you decide to start getting Into fitness and weight lifting:
One day I had a friend snap a photo of me holding my kid at the baseball park. When I looked at the photo I had three chins. Being a photographer I couldn't blame it on the bad angle because no matter how bad the angle is you shouldn't have that much weight on your face. So, I faced the reality that I had gotten fat and not even noticed. First thing I did was find a gym but it was very far from my house. I am a bargain hunter so to get the best bargain I needed to go all the time. So, I went every chance I could. I didn't know where to start so I took every class I could and started to make friends in the "fitness world". Once you make friends they help point you in the right direction.
Have you always eaten clean? If not, what made you start?
Hahahaha – No! I didn't even know what it meant to eat clean. Growing up as the baby in the family I got to eat anything and everything I wanted. As I got older my body started to reject bad food and crave good food. You get to the point where you don't want fried foods and an unlimited supply of soda and candy. The concept of eating clean was introduced to me by you (Erik). Years ago when you started in fitness I sent you a FB message asking you how I could make a big change and you gave me some pointers. I took your advice to heart and aggressively pursued that direction.
How do you exercise your faith:
I need to get up every day sweat, read my Bible and eat. That is a winning combination for success everyday. Besides that, we as a family attend church regularly and try and participate in events with the church. That is [what the Bible describes as] my reasonable service but God exercises His faith in me by entrusting me with the wonderful people he has put in my life. And the example he allows me to be to others.
Does living a healthier lifestyle draw you closer or farther away from God :
Wow, fitness and my spiritual life are so parallel it is unreal. When I finally got serious about being disciplined in my life by eating right [then] having discipline in my life by reading [the Bible] and praying became so natural. You have to live life on-PURPOSE. Nothing you ever do in life turns out great by accident. You don't accidentally go to church or accidentally become a good parent or even accidentally lose weight. You persue what you love — I love Jesus and I love fitness.
Once you make friends in the "fitness world"
they help point you in the right direction.
Who or what inspires you:
I draw inspiration from people that God puts in my life. I always had a path I wanted to go down and there would be a roadblock. Now, I've decided to stop creating my path and just walk down the one that's all ready in front of me. Every week I meet someone who I know I did not meet on accident and when they share their story with me it inspires me to be a better person.
What motivates you:
This list is endless. What originally motivated me was my triple chin photo and my wrinkled up belly. But I'm motivated by my marriage and wanting to look good for my husband. I'm motivated by the fact I'm not getting any younger and this body is rotting. I'm motivated by wonderful people that I have met that tell me that "You can do it!" and there is another group of people watching me to see if I truly can.
What do you think spiritually was the hardest thing for you before you started living the fit life:
I had a hard time of being consistence in my spiritual walk because I was lazy in every area of my life.
Have you ever gotten discouraged and what made you get over it?
ABSOLUTELY! When I have a great week and at the end of the week my results are not what I thought they would be, I get very discouraged. Or when my stomach starts to cut in and my wrinkles go away and then the very next day they are back… I get very discouraged. But I get over it because I'm surrounded by an amazing support group that lifts me right back up and says quitting is not an option.
How does your family and friends support your lifestyle?
The support is mixed. Most of my friends are very supportive and have helped push me further than I would push myself. I have an amazing family but we are not always that supportive. We live to tease each other and some of my family doesn't understand and think I'm too skinny. I am from the South and my mom would prefer for me eat all my veggies with butter.
DO YOU TEASE TOO MUCH? Teasing like Sunshine describes can seem innocent enough. In the Bible, Jesus challenges us to bring discipline to one of the smallest parts of our body – our tongue. Our words can build others or be used of Satan, often unintentionally, to discourage and injure relationships. Faith & Fitness Magazine's Enliven Department Editor, Arian Moore has a Trash Out Challenge that offers you an engaging yet simple approach to achieve that transformation inside of you that you desire. It entails, no junk food, no junk media and NO TRASH TALK. Try it!
What are your plans for the future regarding faith and fitness?
As far as my future in my faith goes I have two small boys and I need to really set a good example for them by teaching them God's love by showing God's love. We also want to go on another mission trip and start working in kids programs at church. I have also done theater since a young age and would like to start doing a little directing church skits and dramas again. In fitness I am currently training to do my first competition in July. That is a big goal and my real fitness focus right now. I would also like to get certified to teach yoga.
How do you try and reach others to inspire them to eat clean and get fit?
Honestly you don't have to try and reach others, they reach out to you. You are a walking billboard for health if you are living it and people will ask you almost everyday what you are doing. That's just an open door to tell them about the wonderful things God is doing in your life and the changes you have made and things they can do to make it better.
How do you juggle being a mom of two and still make time for the gym and time to prep your meals?
It's not easy but it's just a priority not an option. I try to get most of it done while they are at school but if push comes to shove I'll wait until they go to bed (even though I'm exhausted).
What is your favorite exercise and why?
My favorite exercise at the moment is dead lift. I am trying to get gains in my glutes and hamstrings and honestly it feels good to work that out.
What is your favorite Bible Verse and why?
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify you father in Heaven. In everything I do I want my light to shine back to give Him glory.
If you are "living it" people will reach out to you.
That's an open door to tell them about
the wonderful things God is doing in your life.
What is your favorite story of the Bible and why?
Job-Satan thought his life was so perfect he seemed sheltered but God proved that Job's faith was real and based on an unwavering love of his Creator.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you?
I don't look at the world like most people, I've been called strange many times in my life. But the Bible calls us to be peculiar and to be set apart. When the world was going one direction I haven't been afraid to go against the current. Fighting battles only makes you stronger and you find that you aren't alone if you keep pressing towards your mark.
What's your Facebook link if anyone would like to contact you? www.facebook.com/sunshine.goodmanrowe
