What if the greatest limitation in your life wasn't your circumstances—but the lies you've believed about yourself?

I had the incredible privilege of sitting down with Katie Mathews, co-founder of Limitless Journey, author, speaker, and life coach. At just sixteen years old, Katie's life changed forever after a devastating car accident left her a quadriplegic. Doctors told her she would never live independently, and for a season she believed the enemy's lies that her life no longer had purpose.

But God...

Instead of allowing her brokenness to define her, God began transforming her mind, healing her heart, and showing her that true freedom isn't found in perfect circumstances—it's found in Christ.

Through a simple practice of gratitude, the renewing of her mind through Scripture, and learning to partner with God one day at a time, Katie discovered a joy that couldn't be taken away by her diagnosis. Today she helps others experience that same freedom through Limitless Journey, a ministry dedicated to helping people renew their minds in partnership with God.

In This Episode We Discuss:

• Katie's powerful testimony of surviving a life-changing car accident
• How gratitude became the turning point in her healing journey
• Why renewing your mind is one of the most important battles you'll ever fight
• The difference between living like a victim and walking as a victor in Christ
• How Scripture and neuroscience beautifully complement one another
• The importance of taking every thought captive
• Why your diagnosis, disability, trauma, or past does not define your identity
• The incredible story behind the founding of Limitless Journey
• Practical encouragement for anyone feeling stuck, hopeless, or overwhelmed
• The life-changing truth of Romans 12:2

One of my favorite moments from this conversation was Katie's reminder that even when she couldn't control anything else, she could still choose which thoughts she allowed to take root. That simple shift changed everything.

As we also talked about in this episode, the music we listen to, the truth we meditate on, and the voices we allow into our lives all shape our hearts. God's Word calls us to take every thought captive and think on whatever is true, honorable, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. Those aren't just beautiful words—they're an invitation into freedom.

If you've been feeling stuck in fear, shame, anxiety, grief, or disappointment, I pray this conversation reminds you that your story isn't over. God still has purpose for your life, and He specializes in bringing beauty from brokenness.

Also, she is holding an online event that begins this Thursday (August 6th). If you are interested, head to her website below to sign up.

Bio:

Katie Mathews knows what it feels like to believe life is over. After a car accident at age 16 left her quadriplegic and with a traumatic brain injury, she spent years searching for meaning and trying to prove her worth. Everything changed when she encountered the Father's heart and discovered her identity in Christ. Today, Katie is the Co-Founder of Limitless Journey, a speaker, life coach, and author of Unparalyzed. Her passion is helping others experience the freedom that comes from renewing the mind, embracing beloved identity, and walking in a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Anchor Verses:

Romans 12:2

2 Corinthians 10:5

2 Corinthians 4:18

Song Discussed:

Kristene DiMarco-I Am No Victim

https://open.spotify.com/track/3N7rwaAePlkiyQIp1RLkR4?si=2RhzUy6oR3C97qUepgMGig&utm_source=copy-link

Connect with Katie:

Website: limitlessjourney.org

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ktlooksup/

Email: katie@limitlessjourney.org

***If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs this reminder today? You never know how God might use one conversation to help someone choose hope again.***

What happens when someone who has experienced organized crime, homelessness, addiction, professional success, and complete emptiness encounters the transforming power of Jesus?

In this week's episode of the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I sit down with JT Tapias, coach, speaker, and founder of the Empty Bucket Nutrition Plan.

JT shares how he grew up in a third-generation Colombian mafia family, spent over a year homeless on the streets of New York as a teenager, fulfilled his dream of playing professional soccer in Europe and Mexico, built a thriving seven-figure fitness business, and still found himself battling addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Then everything changed.

One invitation to church became the turning point that completely transformed his life. Today, JT is passionate about helping others experience not only physical transformation but spiritual renewal by viewing health through the lens of biblical stewardship.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• JT's incredible testimony of God's redemption

• How Jesus rescued him from addiction and hopelessness

• Why worldly success never fills the emptiness only Christ can satisfy

• The biblical foundation for caring for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit

• Why lasting health begins with renewing our minds (Romans 12:1-2)

• The connection between trauma, identity, habits, and healing

• How food can quietly become an idol without us realizing it

• The difference between temporary weight loss and lifelong transformation

• Why accountability and community matter in creating lasting change

• Practical encouragement for anyone struggling with health, motivation, or spiritual disciplines

  
  

One of my favorite reminders from this conversation is that God isn't only interested in saving our souls—He's interested in transforming every area of our lives. Our physical health, emotional health, relationships, finances, and spiritual lives all matter to Him.

If you've ever struggled with unhealthy habits, emotional eating, shame, or simply wondering if God can redeem your past, I pray this episode reminds you that no story is beyond His reach.

Bio:

JT Tapias is a clinical pastoral counselor, nutrition sociologist, and founder of the Empty Your Bucket Nutrition Plan, a high-impact coaching program that has transformed thousands of lives through practical, faith-centered health strategies. With over 24 years in fitness, nutrition, and behavioral change, JT blends biblical wisdom with evidence-based nutrition to help people renew their minds, overcome emotional eating, and steward their bodies as temples. He lives in Florida with his wife and two daughters.

Anchor Verses:

1 Corinthians 6:19

Romans 12: 1-2

Connect with JT:

Website: https://coachjttapias.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/coachjttapias

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

When life changes in an instant, where do you turn?

This week on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I'm honored to welcome Gail Schaar, who shares the incredible story of walking through a breast cancer diagnosis while choosing to anchor herself—not in fear, not in statistics, and not even in her diagnosis—but in the unchanging truth of God's Word.

After being diagnosed with two types of breast cancer in April 2025, Gail found herself facing the whirlwind that so many people experience after hearing the words, "You have cancer." So many thoughts, opinions and other people's experiences were thrown in her direction and fear tried to take over.

But God had a different plan.

Out of this journey came her devotional, I Am Not a Cancer Patient, a book that challenges believers to examine what Scripture actually says about healing, identity, and the power of God's promises.

Whether you're walking through cancer, another illness, grief, infertility, divorce, or any difficult season, this conversation is a reminder that our identity is never found in our circumstances—it is found in Christ alone.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Gail's unexpected breast cancer diagnosis in 2025.
• Why your diagnosis should never become your identity.
• The difference between acknowledging sickness and accepting it as who you are.
• Finding peace instead of fear during difficult medical decisions.
• Why God's Word became Gail's greatest source of strength.
• The importance of speaking Scripture over your life.
• Biblical healing and why Gail encourages believers to search the Scriptures for themselves.
• How God called her to write I Am Not a Cancer Patient.
• The story behind TenTwentyThreePress and the significance of Hebrews 10:23.
• Encouragement for anyone walking through a difficult diagnosis or life challenge.

One of my favorite takeaways from this conversation is this:

The enemy wants us to build our identity around our diagnosis, but God calls us to build our identity around His promises.

No matter what you're facing today, this episode is an encouragement to hold tightly to God's Word, trust His faithfulness, and remember that your circumstances never have the final say.

Bio:

Gail Schaar is a warrior, speaker, and creator who believes in the power of God’s Word. As a cancer survivor, she knows exactly how the enemy tries to steal your identity through lies and deception. She wrote her debut devotional, I Am Not a Cancer Patient, to share her real-life victory and spark a fire in your faith.

Gail’s message is clear: the enemy is a liar—do not accept his attacks. You have the authority to stand up, fight, and defeat him. And when God is on your side, you cannot lose.

Gail and her husband, Zach, are the founders of TenTwentyThree Press, a media and publishing company that creates social media content and digital products. They live in Northeast Ohio, with their two daughters, where they are active members of Faith Family Church.

Anchor Verses:

Mark 11: 23-24

Hebrews 10:23

Connect with Gail:

Website: gailschaar.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gailandzachshow

I Am Not a Cancer Patient is available on Amazon and the link is on Gail's website.

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***