OUR STORY

How FAITH + FITNESS® came to be can only be described as God's doing and God’s plan.

Several years ago, God divinely planted the name of this company and this idea in my head and on my heart... I have no other way of explaining it.

I never grew up looking to get into the apparel business or to launch my own brand but God clearly had other plans for me. I believe I was called to start a brand based upon my Christianity to spread the Good News of the Gospel on t-shirts and other apparel items.

While for one reason or another, I had always been more reserved about sharing my faith and never felt “ready” for something like this, I always knew that this day would come. My last name Evangelista quite literally means “one who announces the Gospel” so I always wondered what that meant for me and how/when it would all materialize.

Faith and fitness are two of my biggest passions that I put first before anything else. My faith (along with my family) is the most important aspect of my life. Health/wellness is next, and it is something I have always been extremely passionate about, starting from a young age. Without these things, everything else becomes truly irrelevant.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Fitness is the condition of being physically fit and healthy or being suitable for a specific task or purpose.

Together, faith and fitness is a powerful force.

Growing up, I was raised a Christian and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior early on but didn't always fully grasp that it meant more than "being a good person" and "trying to do the right thing." I started taking my faith more seriously during my later college years and was finally officially baptized in 2014 at 23 years old. I now am involved in my church as a leader in the youth ministry and an active member of weekly community bible groups.

I competed in sports my entire life, including college football at the Division I level where I received a full athletic scholarship, was a 3-year starter, and played in a National Championship game. I was always diligent with my training, diet, and mindset. As a personal development junkie, I always looked for ways to improve through reading hundreds of books, listening to podcasts, and speaking with successful professionals. I am a firm believer that success leaves clues.

I am passionate about personal development and maximizing potential because it is up to us to make the most of the gifts that God has given us. “What we are is God’s gift to us. What we become is our gift to God.” How can you not get fired up about that?!

I’m also a firm believer that everything is connected: mind, body, and spirit. Being “off” or lacking in any one of these areas can and will affect the others, it is only a matter of time.

Your faith and your fitness are two things that no one can ever take away from you. They are foundational pillars from which you can build your life upon. When you go through adversity (which you surely will in this life), a lot of things and/or people can and may inevitably let you down. Why not pour into the things that you can count on that will give you the greatest return on investment in this life and the next?

Over the past couple of years, some unfortunate events occurred that reoriented my life and career and left me feeling pretty lost with lots of questions and not a lot of answers.

It forced me to do a lot of thinking, praying, and questioning if I was walking in my calling, if I was living a purpose-driven life, and if I was having the kind of impact that I was meant to.

During this time, it became abundantly clear to me that what I had once started as a passion project on the side with me operating in the background, was meant to take up much more space in my life. It was time to lead FAITH + FITNESS® from the front.

God doesn't make mistakes and I feel that I have been uniquely equipped and called to spread the Gospel through this platform at this time.

As the saying goes... you don't choose your calling, your calling chooses you.

My hope for FAITH + FITNESS® is to be a source of faith-based positivity, encouragement, and community that is an overwhelming force for good and allows others to reach their God-given potential.

While operating at your best in all facets of life is a never-ending battle, there is literally no greater reward than growing into the best version of yourself, helping others, and achieving eternal life through the grace of God.

There has also never been a more important time to stand firm in your faith and in your beliefs and to become stronger mentally, physically, and spiritually so that you can fight through any adversity that comes your way.

Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord...

Thank you for your trust, belief, and continued support!

Yours in Faith and Fitness,