{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Chicken and Dumbbells | How Strength Training Helps Anxiety, Depression, and Trauma Healing","description":"In this episode of A Few Things Podcast, Micah and Diana unpack one of the most powerful and personal themes from Micah\u2019s new book, The Breaker \u2014 the chapter called Chicken and Dumbbells. What started as a young man\u2019s desperate attempt to survive anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and the hidden effects of childhood trauma became one of the most important tools in Micah\u2019s healing journey. Long before he understood the science, Micah discovered that lifting weights and changing how he ate didn\u2019t just change his body \u2014 it changed his mind, his emotional state, and ultimately the course of his life. In this conversation, Micah and Diana break down why strength training is not just about physique. They explain how muscle contraction releases myokines \u2014 sometimes called \u201chope molecules\u201d \u2014 and why movement, resistance training, and wise nutrition choices can play a powerful role in supporting mental and emotional health. They also talk about how God designed the body with incredible healing potential, and why stewarding your health is about far more than appearance. This episode speaks directly to anyone battling anxiety, depression, overwhelm, inconsistency, shame, trauma responses, or the feeling that they just can\u2019t seem to get momentum in their health journey. Micah shares how fitness first became a lifeline, then a stabilizer, and later a bridge into deeper healing work. Diana adds the trauma-informed perspective, explaining why resistance to consistency often has a deeper root \u2014 and why all-or-nothing thinking, perfectionism, and the belief that \u201cI don\u2019t have time\u201d can point to a story underneath the surface that needs healing too. You\u2019ll also hear practical encouragement around starting where you are, making strength training a non-negotiable, building consistency one step at a time, and understanding that even small daily choices can create massive transformation over time. This is a conversation about body, mind, and spirit. About discipline that leads to freedom. About strength that goes far beyond muscle. And about how God can use even \u201cchicken and dumbbells\u201d as part of a healing journey. Comment below \u2014 we want to hear what stood out to you most in this episode. \u2705 Subscribe for weekly conversations on Christian stewardship, faith, fitness, marriage, leadership, healing, and purpose. Follow Micah &amp;amp; Diana \u2022 Hitch Fit \u2013 https:\/\/www.hitchfit.com\u2022 \ud83c\udfd4 SoulFIT Retreats \u2013 https:\/\/www.soulfitretreats.com \u2022 The Breaker Mission \u2013 https:\/\/www.thebreakermission.com \u2022 Soul Strong \u2013 https:\/\/www.soulstrongfit.com\u2022 Hitch Fit Supplements \u2013 https:\/\/www.hitchfitsupplements.com \u2022 SoulFIT TV on CTN Network \u2013 https:\/\/www.soulfittv.com\u2022 IG: @afewthings.podcast | @soulfittv | @soulfitretreats | @hitchfit | @thebreakermission | @mrhitchfit | @dianachaloux Produced By Real Media #StrengthTraining #MentalHealthHealing #TraumaHealing #AnxietyHelp #FaithAndFitness #ChristianHealing #TheBreaker #AFewThingsPodcast ","author_name":"A Few Things Podcast","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/603060","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/41036205\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/41036205"}