We just recently hit 10,000 plays overall for this podcast, so thank you for your support! This episode is focused on serving others and God, going the extra mile, taking on fitness goals or other big challenges for causes. My guest, you might say, is all that and a bag of chips, because he's on a bunch of Lay's potato chips bags because of kindness and love he shows to others.

(6:31) Luke Mickelson, recently named a CNN hero, is the founder and director of a non-profit called Sleep In Heavenly Peace, the name coming from the famous lyric in the Christmas song Silent Night. I met up with this Idaho man in downtown Columbus GA after 2 of his friends completed a 131 mile run in 3 days across Georgia, benefiting SHP. He talks about his organization partnering with the fitness community and anyone as they kick off MOVE4BEDS, raising awareness and donations through pushups or whatever to help kids in need.

We talked about (10:21) these runners' adventure of running 40+ miles per day, letting people along the way know about this problem of 2 million children that sleep on the floor across America. Luke left his successful sales job of 18 years to start this non-profit. He gets emotional in giving us the origin story behind Sleep in Heavenly Peace and how Christian faith plays a role in this organization that started through a church. He asks, what's the measure of success? Are we happiest when we are helping others? SHP is also focused on bringing communities together.

(15:21) There are now ways to use fitness to get involved with this cause, like dedicated runners Tyler and Brandon with their GA 131. (17:16) I also ask Luke about competing recently on American Ninja Warrior, with 6 weeks to prepare. With a new format, thanks to COVID, he was on a 3-person team that included "Cowboy Ninja" and champ Lance. Seeing his teammate and the ultra runners do what they do has inspired him to get in shape. Luke says fitness challenges strengthen our faith and mental attitude.

In The Bible, it says faith without works is dead. (20:42) He talks about putting that faith into action, churches and groups signing up for bunk bed build and delivery days, no experience needed, turning piles of wood into smiles for kids. Luke discusses how they find the people in need, through online applications, and through their 250 chapters in 45 states. And the cost is $200 per bed to sponsor a build day.

(28:53) MOVE4BEDS is just getting started. There will be pushup challenges and other donation efforts you can create. Next up to benefit SHP is a runner's Iditarod 350, running that many miles soon in Alaska. The non-profit's motto is "No kid sleeps on the floor in our town."

Thanks for listening! Make sure to subscribe to this podcast. And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRacePodcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

Ver todos los episodios