Peña at Home Recovering from Lumbar Surgery

PrayFit Nation! We're blessed to announce that Jimmy came through low back surgery with flying colors and is at home beginning the recovery process. Praise God for the sure hands of his surgical team! From Jimmy: "Thank you all so much for all of your prayers and support! I'll be back at the keyboard and in churches soon." Thank you for your continued prayers!

To leave a note of encouragement for Jimmy, type a message into the comments section below.

JIMMY PEÑA TO RECEIVE DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD AT UT TYLER

Next Friday (March 22), the University of Texas at Tyler Alumni Association will recognize five graduates at its Alumni Gala. Among those being honored will be PrayFit founder Jimmy Peña, who earned a master of science in clinical exercise physiology from UT Tyler in 1998. Joining Peña among those honored as distinguished alumni will be Dr. Kenneth Hall, S. Glynn Roberts and The Honorable Bryan Hughes. Deborah Tinsley will be honored as the Distinguished Service Award recipient.

Peña, a Texas native whose faith-and-fitness brand (www.prayfit.com) has spawned two DVDs, a book, hundreds of media placements and the endorsement of several prominent celebrities and athletes since 2008, was humbled by the news.

"I've read their letter a few times. It said, 'Thank you for your talent, your accomplishments and for bringing attention and value to your alma mater through your life.' Through your life. Not throughout my life, but through it — within it, inside it. Reading it the first time was rough, but re-typing it was even tougher; talk about humbling and undeserved. In that moment, I wished I had been a better student.

It’s easy to think of Heaven on days like this. We’ve accepted an invitation we don’t deserve, to celebrate a reward we didn’t earn. You know, if we’re allowed to reminisce about earth as we sit at Heaven’s table, I know for certain that I’ll wish I had been a better Christian, a stronger witness, and a closer follower. What could I have done with my life, my words, my thoughts, and my health for the Lord? Oh, but grace. Thankfully like the old hymn says, we’ll 'turn our eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face. And the things on earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.'

Long story short, I can't wait to see faculty and friends that meant so much back then and still mean so much to me today."

Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented to alumni who have distinguished themselves in their professional achievements, contributions to society and support of the university. An ‘Alumni and Friends’ Reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 22 at the UT Tyler Ornelas Activity Center. The dinner and program will follow. For more information or to attend, call 903.566.7316 or email [email protected].

Jimmy Peña Named as First Advisory Board Member to The Daniel Plan

Peña joins expert panel for Saddleback Church’s worldwide faith-and-fitness initiative Lake Forest, Calif., July 3, 2012 – Jimmy Peña has been named as the first member of the advisory board for The Daniel Plan, Pastor Rick Warren’s worldwide faith-and-fitness initiative that helped 15,000 members in 190 countries lose over 260,000 pounds in 2011 alone.

“We’re excited to have Jimmy as the first member of our advisory board,” says Dee Eastman, Director of The Daniel Plan. ”He has an essence of how faith is integral to making lasting lifestyle changes. The strength of his background in the fitness industry is amazing but we were drawn to his heart. You can’t train that.”

Peña began PrayFit (www.prayfit.com) as a blog in 2008 and has since grown the brand to include a book (“PrayFit: Your Guide to a Healthy Body and a Stronger Faith in 28 Days” – Regal Books), two DVDs (“PrayFit 33-Day Total Body Challenge,” “PrayFit 33-Day Body Toning System” – Lionsgate Entertainment) and a list of endorsers that includes producer/actor Tyler Perry, entertainer LL Cool J, TV host Mario Lopez, elite ultramarathoner Josh Cox and Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton.

“When I got the call from Dee, I couldn’t believe my ears. I am so honored and humbled to be a resource to her and the entire Daniel Plan team.”

The Daniel Plan was the brainchild of Pastor Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life,” in January 2011 as the first of seven “Decade of Destiny” initiatives at Saddleback Church, a Southern California-based church that serves over 20,000 congregants on a weekly basis. The idea came to him on a day when he had baptized over 800 people – Pastor Warren realized he, like his flock, was overweight and that the issue needed to be addressed.

Peña is the first member of the Advisory Board team that Eastman will be filling with like-minded, highly-qualified nutritionists, doctors and health and wellness experts. The first Daniel Plan effort was a year-long program by a team that included Drs. Mark Hyman, Daniel Amen and Mehmet Oz. The success of The Daniel Plan has captured the attention of CNN, ABC News and other major news outlets. Recently, it was the subject of a feature in TIME Magazine.

“We want to build a robust advisory board that will consist of people that can partner together to really improve health across the nation,” Eastman adds. “I want an amazing dream team of wellness professionals and Jimmy is the first member of that team.”

Peña will collaborate with Eastman and her staff on further curriculum development, additional resources and an enhanced online experience for Daniel Plan users in addition to speaking engagements and seminars.

>> For additional information about The Daniel Plan, visit www.danielplan.com, like it on Facebook (www.facebook.com/thedanielplan) or follow it on Twitter (@thedanielplan).

Jimmy Peña Going LIVE with Moody Bible Institute Tuesday

Tune in to 90.1 WMBI-FM at 10:00 am CST tomorrow (Tuesday, 6/19), or click here to listen online for the first of three live interviews with PrayFit founder Jimmy Peña. Peña will chat with "This is the Day" host Nancy Turner about the current state of health in the church and will offer some practical tips on how we can better pay tribute to the One who created us.

"We don't strive to be healthy to be loved by God," Peña says. "We strive to be healthy because we are."

The interview will last 35-55 minutes and comes following the news that Peña has been named as the first member of the advisory board to Rick Warren's The Daniel Plan.

The interview is the first of a three-part series:

* Tuesday, June 12 @ 8 am PT/10am CT * Tuesday, June 19 @ 8 am PT/10am CT * Tuesday, June 26 @ 8 am PT/10am CT

Moody Radio (also known as Moody Broadcasting Network or MBN) is a trademark of Moody Bible Institute, and is one of the largest Christian radio networks in the United States. Located in downtown Chicago, Moody Radio has 35 owned and operated stations and over 700 affiliates and outlets that carry all or part of its programming. For more info, or to listen live, visit their website at www.moodyradio.org.

Q&A with Josh Cox

The American record holder in the 50K sits down with PrayFit to chat faith, running Josh Cox is one of the world's best at putting one foot in front of the other for unseemly distances. A native of San Diego (Calif), Cox set the American record in the 50K (31.05 miles) in 2011 with a time of 2 hours, 43 minutes and 45 seconds, smashing his own previous U.S. record in the process. Over his career, he's encountered adversity both on and off the course, all of it setting him on the path the Lord had in store for him the entire time. Now, this father and husband -- he and his wife welcomed a son, Asher Legend, in 2011 -- dishes on what's made him so successful, both in running and in his walk.

“Jimmy and the PrayFit team embody the words Paul penned to Timothy, ‘For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.’ (1 Tim. 4:8) Their daily devotional feeds my spirit and inspires my sweat!” --Josh Cox, elite ultramarathoner, American record holder in the 50K

Josh Cox Height: 6'0" Weight: 147–156 Hometown: San Diego, CA Residence: Mammoth Lakes, CA Family: Wife, Carrie; Son, Asher Legend Race Highlights: 2011: PF Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, 1st. 2010: Boston Athletic Association 5K, 1st; Comrades Marathon, 180th; Moeben Ultra 25K, 1st; Malibu Half Marathon, 1st; Zappos.com Rock 'n' Roll Marathon, 1st.

PRAYFIT: As one of the world's premier long distance runners, you spend a lot of time running solo. Where does your mind wander during a long run?

JOSH COX: Fortunately, I train with an amazing group, the Mammoth Track Club. I’ve heard it said that we become the average of our five closest friends, so I try to keep fast company! Having workout partners works wonders for accountability. Being surrounded by talented individuals who share a common vision and a common goal always reaps rewards. It’s like what Solomon said, “As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)

With that said, running is a solitary sport, even when training in a group. Growing up, I was a soccer player -- I loved the game but in order to really practice I needed others. With running, all I needed was an alarm clock and open road. I still love that about the sport. Running is my alone time, my thinking time, my praying time, my creative time, my time away from the calls, social networks, and the business of life. Running has always served as my daily reset button. You could say it’s my therapist. And by mile three I usually have amazing clarity.

PF: How has your faith played in to your life as an athlete? How has it affected your perspective?

JC: I’ve been blessed with longevity. I’m now in my 14th year in the sport. My perspective during that time has done a 180. When I qualified for my first Olympic Trials in ‘99 it was all about the teams, titles and records. Sure, I’d thank God after races and talk about Him in interviews but it was mainly words. Don’t get me wrong, I believed what I was saying but what was I really doing? Was giving interviews really God’s big commission for my life?

Then came 2005, a horrible year. If I live a thousand years it will be tough to top my terrible 2005. I experienced spiritual oppression beyond my worst nightmares, I was in a bad relationship, lost $60,000 in an investment...I could have been a case study for Murphy’s Law. As bad as that year was, when November came, things got worse. The doctor delivered the news: my dad had stage four cancer and seven months to live. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My dad and I didn’t have the best relationship; I knew I needed to be by his side.

A month later my brother and I were living in a hotel room next to my dad near MD Anderson Cancer Hospital in Houston. Suddenly, running, and everything else in my life, didn’t seem as important as being there for my dad. Talk about a reset button.

My dad had it all: looks, charisma, made millions in business, had a big house, convertible Mercedes, the works. But in the end he had a mountain of regrets: putting work first, not spending more time with the family, failed relationships with his children and his divorce from my mom after 34 years of marriage. My dad opened up and our relationship was restored on this side of eternity. It’s tough to put an old head on young shoulders but those months with my dad did just that. I was holding his hand and looking in his eyes when he took his last breath that July. In the aftermath I did a lot of soul searching. Did running matter? Why was I spending my life trying to lower my time on a clock? What’s the end game? A medal? A contract? A record? A team?

I nearly retired from running and went to seminary full-time; I even took some classes. Being willing to give it up was where God wanted me all along, when I came back to sport in 2007, things were totally different. Sure, I still had the drive to win and set records but I knew their proper place. My performance was no longer the verdict on me. The reality is, titles are forgotten and records are on loan but when we use our platform to do God’s work we impact lives, outlive our life, and leave a lasting legacy. That’s winning.

PF: Lots of people run. Very few people run well. What's your best, most basic advice for achieving a proper stride on a long run?

JC: With regards to form, we want everything going forward and back -- any lateral movement is wasted energy. A midfoot strike is what we’re after because it keeps the body over the foot at impact and allows the knee to act as a shock absorber. Heel striking is braking –- it slows you down and beats the body up. But frankly, for most of us, the issue isn’t form, it’s about having the discipline to get the run in. The key is to lace up the shoes and get out the door. The first step is the best step -- it’s where intent meets action. Some folks workout when they feel like it. The key to success is doing what needs to be done even when you don’t feel like it.

The first step is the best step -- it’s where intent meets action.

PF: Should distance runners only run steady paces for long distances, or is there some value in sprint intervals?

JC: Long slow distance makes long slow runners. If you want to run fast you need to run fast. Every good running program should have three key components each week:

• Intervals (400 meter sprints, with recovery in between): 3-8 miles • Tempo Runs (your goal race pace): 4-18 miles • Long Runs: 12-26 miles

The idea is to get efficient at goal race pace. Faster intervals will allow you to relax at this pace. The tempo run is when you run your goal race pace, and long runs give you the strength. All have their place in training. Run your hard days hard and easy days easy. "Stress + Rest" is the formula.

PF: With such a busy training schedule and a new baby, how do you find time to get into your bible?

JC: I’ve had loads of regrets in my life but I’ve never spent time in the Word or gone for a run and said, "That was a waste of time." It’s just like working out -- if you want to get it in you have to make it an important appointment worth keeping. I also download podcasts, books and sermons to my iPod and listen to them on my easy days.

PF: You do a ton of work for charities. Can you describe your involvement in charity and give us a bit about how people can help out?

JC: Faith is something to be lived, not sat around and talked about. I want my walk to back up my talk. I want my deeds to align with my creeds. I want to live out what I believe. Oftentimes, the church (meaning the believers in the church) is caught up in catering to others in their building, when being a Christian is so much more than going to Sunday School and Bible studies, it’s remembering the poor, remembering the oppressed, helping the widow, being the hands and feet of Christ, these are things we’re called to do.

Faith is something to be lived, not sat around and talked about. I want my walk to back up my talk. I want my deeds to align with my creeds.

Ghandi said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” The way we be like Christ, the way we follow Christ, is to serve as He served. My goal in athletics, and life, is to pursue my passions and use my gifts to serve. Anyone can use a gift for personal gain; the key to success is making your gift valuable to someone else. Asking, "How can I help?" and delivering on that question will open dozens of doors. The more you serve others, the more impact you make. The most influential folks in history –- those with statues and streets bearing their names –- are those who used their gifts and passions to serve mankind. If you want to have long, lasting, real success, find a way to use your aptitudes to serve others. Help someone reach their potential; in helping them reach theirs, you'll reach your own.

I’ve partnered with Team World Vision for years. World Vision is one of the world’s largest NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) -- they empower the indigenous people and give them the tools and support to pull themselves out of extreme poverty. They’re giving folks a fishing pole rather than the fish. No one does more life changing work on the ground. This year we’re partnering with Lopez Lomong, a former Sudanese Lost Boy and U.S. Olympian to bring clean water to his homeland. Fifty dollars provides clean drinking water for one person...for a lifetime. Few things are as rewarding as bringing clean water to a child in need. Folks can get involved or donate here, no amount is too small: Click here to support Josh's efforts for South Sudan

This year I’m beginning a partnership with Stand Up To Cancer. This is passion of mine for obvious reasons. We hope to do some fundraising around an effort of mine in the fall.

>> For more on Josh Cox, visit his official website at www.joshcox.com. You can also join his social networks here: Twitter - JoshCoxRun Facebook - Josh Cox YouTube - JC

Jimmy Peña to be Keynote Speaker at Ohio Event

Peña to co-headline Mother's Day Celebration with Grammy winning trio Point of Grace

This Saturday (May 5), PrayFit Founder Jimmy Peña will join Grammy and Dove Award Winning sensation Point of Grace at the Mom’s Squad Mother’s Day Celebration in Ohio, hosted by Cleveland’s 95.5 THE FISH.

“It’s such a blessing to be included in such an important event, to be speaking to so many influential women and to be sharing the day with the amazing women of Point of Grace!” Peña says.

>> For the full event lineup, list of sponsors or info on attending, click here.

Do you want Jimmy and the PrayFit team to come to your church or business to share his motivational story of health as a means of praise? Using biblical characters and motivational scenarios, Jimmy will help motivate and inspire you and your congregation to view health differently than ever before. E-mail us at [email protected] for more details!

PrayFit Teams with HeavenUp.com

PRAYFIT TEAMS WITH HEAVENUP.COM PrayFit joins MercyMe, Phillips Craig & Dean and many more Christian artists and authors in HeavenUp.com, a new faith-based social networking site. HeavenUp, which is being called a "virtual fellowship" will also feature devotionals from the PrayFit team.

>> For the full story, click here.

>> Start your own account and friend PrayFit by registering here!

>> CLICK HERE TO VISIT PRAYFIT'S HEAVENUP.COM PROFILE!

Jimmy Pena Visits Fans at Berean Books in SoCal

Last weekend, PrayFit founder Jimmy Pena spent time signing DVDs and meeting with fans at two Berean Christian Stores in California's Inland Empire. Both stores -- one in Riverside, the other in Redlands -- featured prominent signage and displays of PrayFit books and DVDs. Jimmy was joined by his wife Loretta and PrayFit VP and editorial director Eric Velazquez. You can view a few of the pics below. >> To order your own copy of the PrayFit 33-Day Total Body Challenge, click here.

Jimmy Pena to Appear on FOX's Good Day Atlanta

This Wednesday, February 8, those in the Atlanta (Georgia) market will be able to watch PrayFit founder Jimmy Pena LIVE on FOX's Good Day Atlanta. The segment, in which Jimmy will discuss health as a means of praise, will air between 9:00-9:45 am (EST). Jimmy will also chat about the PrayFit 33-Day Total Body Challenge (Lionsgate) and demonstrate a few exercises that people can do at home to start working toward healthier, leaner bodies. For more information on Good Day Atlanta, visit them on the web at www.myfoxatlanta.com or follow them at Twitter.

Summary: Who: Jimmy Pena, founder of PrayFit Where: FOX 5's Good Day Atlanta Day: Wednesday, February 8 Time: Between 9:00-9:45 a.m.

>> Please use this page's social networking tools to share with your network!

PrayFit Featured on Beliefnet

One of the nation's premier faith-based websites, Beliefnet.com, featured PrayFit's 33-Day Total Body Challenge DVD (Lionsgate) this morning. Beliefnet, according to its website, is "designed to help people meet their own religious and spiritual needs" and "provides information, inspiration, community features, video and more." Beliefnet has become an internet juggernaut, capturing nearly 6,000,000 unique visits per month.

"To have our DVD recognized by such an influential website is no small feat," said Eric Velazquez, PrayFit's VP and Editorial Director. "It reaffirms the fact that Jimmy's message of health and fitness as a means of praise are sorely needed in the church and in families everywhere."

PrayFit's first DVD has drawn praise from a number of media outlets since its release in December and has spent 30 days in the No. 1 spot of Amazon's hot new releases in faith & spirituality.

>> BELIEFNET: PrayFit's 33-Day Total Body Challenge (includes video)

PrayFit in Los Angeles Sentinel

"PrayFit: 33-Day Total Body Challenge," by Lionsgate, is the first DVD effort from exercise physiologist Jimmy Pena -- but it's not his last. Pena has scored a hit with this first foray into home workouts, with the disc reaching No. 1 on Amazon's list of hot new releases in faith & spirituality. Today, the Los Angeles Sentinel printed an interview with Pena in which he discusses the DVD and PrayFit's overall commitment to greater faith and fitness.

>> LOS ANGELES SENTINEL: PrayFit Improves Body and Spirit

>> For more of PrayFit in the news, visit our Press/Media page.

EXTRA Goes Behind the Scenes of PrayFit 33 DVD

NBC's EXTRA went behind the scenes of the PrayFit 33-Day Total Body Challenge (Lionsgate Entertainment) last weekend! See exclusive interviews with PrayFit founder Jimmy Pena and find out what it took to put together Amazon's hottest-selling DVD in Faith & Spirituality by clicking the link below. Be sure to share this link using the social networking tools above!

>> UPDATE: Watch the complete clip from the show here!!!

>> For more info on NBC's EXTRA, click here.

NEW! Share forum threads with your social network

PrayFit's web design team has added a new feature to our forums! Now, you can share individual topics with your social networks. Post your workout journal to your Facebook page, blast a hot topic to your Twitter community, print, e-mail and more, all with a single click. You can find the social networking icons at the top left of each post.

To check it out, visit our forums by clicking here. Not yet registered? Click here.

PrayFit DVD No. 1 in Hot New Releases

"PrayFit: 33-Day Total Body Challenge" by Lionsgate is one of the hottest new releases on Amazon, one of the world's largest online retailers. The first DVD from PrayFit includes a complete exercise program, powerful devotions and a workout journal to track progress. More about the DVD ».

PrayFit Relaunches Website

In keeping with the season of renewal, PrayFit debuted a new-look website today. Team PrayFit worked with developer Cary Scott to implement the extensive overhaul which features an upgraded aesthetic, better social networking tools and an embedded microsite to showcase PrayFit's first DVD project. Among the other changes... LISTEN: Now you can listen to a wide selection of PrayFit Daily devotionals, as read by founder Jimmy Pena. Click on LISTEN in the top navigation!

SHOP: Visit our updated store for new products, apparel, designs and colors with greater ease. Click on STORE up top to get started.

EVENTS: Interested in having PrayFit at your next church service or community event? Visit our new SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS page for more info.

Check out the rest of our updates by giving the site a quick click-through. And be sure to use our update social networking tools at the top of each page to help us get more eyes on PrayFit in 2012!

>> What do you think? Visit our forum and let us know...