036: ONE INVITATION CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING | Anna Meredith on Faith, Adversity & God’s Plan

In this episode, we sit down with competitive CrossFit athlete Anna Meredith to talk about the quiet obedience that can change more lives than we ever realize.During one of the darkest periods of her life, a friend repeatedly invited Anna to church. Anna eventually said yes—and that invitation began a ripple that would later reach Ty Jenkins, Fee Saghafi and many others within the CrossFit community.Anna shares how her faith carried her through three consecutive years of family loss, moving 13 hours from home at just 18 and learning to separate her identity from her performance as an athlete.She also takes us inside the moment her heart unexpectedly stopped twice just days before competition. After receiving a pacemaker and being unable to lift even 20 pounds, Anna was forced to surrender the plan she had built and trust the one God was writing. Six weeks later, she returned to the competition floor—and somehow hit a new snatch PR.This episode is about interrupted plans, persistent faith and the extraordinary ripple created by one ordinary invitation.TAKEAWAYS• One invitation can influence far more people than we may ever see.• Sometimes showing up before we feel ready is the first step toward transformation.• Our performance may reveal areas for growth, but it does not define our identity.• We can make plans while still surrendering the outcome to God.• Hard seasons can deepen our faith when we choose to lean toward God instead of away.• Sharing our faith becomes easier through repetition and seeing its impact.• God can use interruptions to reshape our priorities, perspective and purpose.• The next generation is increasingly willing to speak boldly and unapologetically about Jesus.CHAPTERS00:00 – Welcome Anna Meredith04:49 – Discovering CrossFit and competitive training07:29 – Moving 13 hours from home at 1810:11 – Learning to trust God’s plan11:02 – Losing three family members in three years13:38 – The friend who kept inviting Anna to church15:39 – Keep showing up, even when it feels mechanical18:04 – Anna’s decision to be baptized22:31 – The ripple effect of one invitation24:57 – Bringing faith into the CrossFit community26:51 – Building confidence to talk about Jesus28:32 – Sharing faith behind the competition floor29:32 – Separating identity from performance33:08 – The unexpected trip to the hospital36:05 – Anna’s heart stops twice36:46 – Receiving a pacemaker37:51 – Wrestling with “Why me?”38:55 – When God interrupts your plan40:22 – Starting over with an empty barbell41:31 – Returning to competition six weeks later42:12 – An unexpected snatch PR43:07 – Why Anna’s dad needed to be there45:03 – Anna’s upcoming competition goals47:12 – Helping athletes navigate grief and adversity50:15 – Trusting God without immediate answers51:20 – A generation speaking boldly about faith55:43 – Young Christians gathering at Passion01:03:38 – Who should join CruciFit next?01:05:13 – Anna’s current favorite worship music