The Fit For The Kingdom Podcast

Fit for the Kingdom

The Fit for the Kingdom Podcast launched May 2023 as an overflow of many conversations and discussions we were having as a group of men. We break down how to live out our faith as young men in a world vehemently opposed to it, lust and chastity, the importance of fitness, and breaking topics like these down to engaging and applicable parts. It’s not about talking the talk. It’s about walking the walk. Through bringing on guest speakers and discussion between members of our leadership, each and every episode helps illuminate an aspect of your life and helps you live more virtuously.

  1. Aug 10

    Living Your Faith in the Workplace & The Dignity of Work w/ Dean Mischewski

    Most men spend 80,000 hours of their life at work and never once ask what it's for.I brought Dean in to speak to the men because he lives what most of us only talk about. Six kids at home, a masters in theology, a gold medal athlete, running the catechism program at the parish, and holding down a full-time career in manufacturing without letting any of it eat his vocation. He is the clearest example I know of a life lived in pursuit of virtue in service of others.This talk is about what happens to your faith between 9 and 5. Most Catholic men have a plan for Sunday and no plan at all for Monday. They show up, keep their head down, keep their faith quiet, and slowly become a different man at the desk than the one who knelt at mass. Dean calls that playing defence. He also explains why you don't have to stay there.He walks through a framework he built for himself over years in middle management, and every part of it comes from somewhere. Scripture, the encyclicals, Aquinas, John Paul II, St Francis de Sales. But he doesn't leave it in theory. He tells the story of the day he got offered a bribe and found out exactly what kind of man he was. He tells you what he said when a former employee asked him for a reference he couldn't give in good conscience. He explains what he does when a man on his team is asked a question about the faith he can't answer.There's a moment in this talk where he shows two paintings and asks the men which one they're going to be. That's the whole thing right there. Begin with the end in mind, then work backwards into Tuesday morning.If you have ever felt like your work is just something to survive so your real life can start, you have it backwards. This is where God is sanctifying you. Most men never figure that out.In this video I cover:-why work has dignity and where that comes from in Genesis-the difference between being led by the world and being deliberate about what forms you-what to do when your workplace is actively hostile to your faith-how to answer hard questions about God and abortion without being cornered-the three most important words in apologetics-what integrity actually means when nobody is watching-praying at work and how to start it without it being weird-leading men in a way that changes their lives outside the building-emotional stability as a gift you give the men under you-offering up the grind so none of it goes to waste0:00 Meet Dean1:29 Prayer for Our Mission2:33 Why Work Has Dignity5:48 What Are We Working For7:06 Begin With the End in Mind10:19 Is Your Workplace Hard or Easy13:03 Run a Press14:45 Romans 12 Don't Conform18:52 Don't Be a Secret Catholic19:59 Human Beings Not Resources23:21 Just Wage and Shared Ownership26:32 Work Somewhere You Believe In29:07 Nobility of Character32:05 The Bribe I Turned Down35:01 Refusing to Give a Reference38:43 Authentic Witness and Apologetics43:58 St Francis and the Sultan45:13 Prayer Scripture Sacraments48:10 The Prayer Room at Tait49:48 Rooted in Community50:52 Exemplary Leadership56:16 Stability Under Pressure1:00:28 Sustainability and Self Care1:02:42 Offering Up Suffering at Work1:04:32 Mass Sends You on Mission1:06:51 Q&A Work Feels Meaningless1:08:33 Q&A Unethical Requests1:12:26 Closing and St Joseph Prayer

  2. May 5

    30: Hunting, the Masculine Pursuit, and Why the Mountain Beats the Gym | ft. Lucas Orr

    Our previous episode together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-haTN3_5a-Q&t=40sThere is one activity that demands more from a man than almost anything else he can voluntarily put himself through, and it still has the capacity to return nothing. No result. No animal. Just the mountain, the weight on your back, and whatever you're made of.Lucas Orr is a full-time dairy farmer, father, and hunting guide who has spent years leading men through some of the most demanding terrain on earth. In this episode we get into what hunting actually does to a man and why so many men who have never set foot in the hills are starting to feel the pull toward it now. This conversation covers the full picture: the logistics, the physical reality, the psychological weight of accountability when there's no safety net, what it means to have a pursuit, and what happens to men who don't. We also get into Lucas's experience as a commercial guide, navigating international clients, high-pressure first trips, and what separates a good hunter from a good guide. If you caught episode 28, this is the conversation we didn't have time to finish.Follow Lucas:Instagram (Mighty Alps NZ): https://www.instagram.com/mightyalpsnzPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucas_orr/Follow Tomas: https://linktr.ee/tomas.monesAre you seeking a community of like-minded men who hold the same standard you're trying to hold?The Legion is a brotherhood of Christian men built around real accountability, weekly coaching, and a network of men who are actually doing the work. If you're done doing this alone, the door is open.https://fitforthekingdom.com.au/the-legion.Register for St Michael's Troops at https://fitforthekingdom.com.au/ We are rebuilding the west.0:00 Intro0:52 Welcome Ep 30 Lucas2:53 How Lucas Got Into Hunting7:09 Discipline and Real Consequences9:49 What Hunting Takes and Gives Back15:27 No Safety Net Full Accountability16:26 The Rangitata Trip19:12 Hill Fitness vs Gym Training22:39 Spotting Stalking and the Shot26:13 After the Shot Real Work Begins30:31 Why Hunting Is Best for Men32:49 Men Need a Pursuit and Brotherhood35:31 What Guiding Looks Like in NZ38:23 The Decision to Become a Guide40:07 First Season a Brutal Mentor42:21 Young Men Need a Furnace Season45:32 Man Grows Under Pressure48:07 COVID Kills the Guiding Dream50:14 Mighty Alps NZ Is Reborn51:47 Inaugural Trip Danish Brothers57:01 Storm Hunt Bull Tahr Down58:19 Hunting Is the Easy Part1:01:00 Bob from Kentucky Alpine Double1:02:32 Closing and Next Episode

  3. Apr 24

    Our Lady of Sorrows Teaches You How to Carry Your Cross | Liam Aquilina Talk Ep.1

    Most people know how to celebrate the faith. Fewer know how to suffer in it. Liam Aquilina's talk on Our Lady of Sorrows goes to the part of Catholicism that modern Christianity has quietly agreed to stop teaching, the cross, sorrow, contrition, and what it actually means to carry something heavy for the love of God.It is a theological reckoning with why suffering is inseparable from the Christian life, and why Our Lady is the clearest human picture of what it looks like to remain on the path of God when every instinct tells you to walk away.Liam Aquilina is a Catholic speaker from Sydney, Australia, who has spoken to thousands of young people across the country on theology of the body, prayer, virtue, and what the faith actually demands in daily life. He was also a speaker at the most recent Sydney St. Michael's Troops event.Follow Liam on Instagram: @liam.aquilinaSt. Michael's Troops events are running in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Christchurch. Check the website for dates and get your ticket while you can.http://fitforthekingdom.com.au/Are you seeking a community of like-minded men who hold the same standard you're trying to hold?The Legion is a brotherhood of Christian men built around real accountability, weekly coaching, and a network of men who are actually doing the work. If you're done doing this alone, the door is open.https://fitforthekingdom.com.au/the-legion#ourladyofsorrows #catholic #christianmasculinity #suffering #marian

  4. Apr 17

    29: Why Modern Men Are Failing at Discernment and How To Discern w/ Fr. Philip Suelzer

    Most men have a vague sense that they're supposed to figure out their life. Pick a direction. Settle down. Maybe go to church. And for a while they chase what the world tells them will satisfy, the girls, the money, the status. Then they hit a wall. Not because they're bad men. Because no one ever taught them how to listen, how to reflect, or what they were actually made for.In this episode we sit down with Father Philip Selzer of the Congregation of St. John, former entrepreneur, BMXer, and snowboarder turned priest, for a conversation about discernment that goes far deeper than the word usually gets taken. We talk about what it actually means to seek God's will, why most men drift through the biggest decisions of their lives on autopilot, and how a life built around prayer and honest self-examination changes everything.In this episode we cover:-what discernment actually is and why it's not just for men considering the priesthood-the difference between a cultural faith and a living one, and why the first won't hold past 18-why sin and vice don't just affect your morality, they cloud your ability to make good decisions-big, medium, and small discernments and how to know which category your decision falls into-why the ideal man should feel the pull of every vocation before choosing one-how to move forward when you've done everything right and still don't have clarityFollow Matt Mischewski: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/matt_mis7/Follow Tomas Mones-Cazon: https://linktr.ee/tomas.monesAre you seeking a community of like-minded men who hold the same standard you're trying to hold?The Legion is a brotherhood of Christian men built around real accountability, weekly coaching, and a network of men who are actually doing the work. If you're done doing this alone, the door is open.https://fitforthekingdom.com.au/the-legionWe are rebuilding the west. "Iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17)Fit for the Kingdom (FFTK): http://fitforthekingdom.com.au/Register for St Michael's Troops in New Zealand and Australia May 9th: http://fitforthekingdom.com.au/#discernment #vocation #catholicism #masculinity #christian #podcast #priesthood #faith0:00 Intro Segment2:43 Introducing Father Philip3:28 Father Philips Background5:25 Cultural Catholic Upbringing6:55 Pentecostal Encounter With God11:00 Rock Bottom and Seeking Truth12:18 Return to the Catholic Church17:07 Discerning Religious Life18:52 Silent Retreat Confirmation19:58 Brothers of St John Formation24:45 Ordination and Arrival in NZ26:52 Challenges Facing Young Men30:43 Reaching Young Men Effectively31:21 Tried the World Found It Empty35:40 What Is True Discernment36:18 Do You Trust Gods Will38:16 Big Medium and Little Discernments40:50 Ideal Vocation Discernment42:30 Sin Clouds Your Discernment46:38 Practical Prayer Disciplines50:16 Handling Unclear Decisions52:27 When Bad Things Happen55:03 Role of Spiritual Director59:35 Closing Thoughts and Blessing

    29: Why Modern Men Are Failing at Discernment and How To Discern w/ Fr. Philip Suelzer
  5. Mar 31

    28: The Man Who Shrugs Through Life, Fruitfulness, and Building Real Conviction | ft. Lucas Orr

    Most men know what they're supposed to do. The gym, the discipline, the prayer, the routine. And they do it for a while. Then they stop. Not because they're lazy. Because they never understood what they were actually building, or why the body has more to do with all of it than anyone is telling them.In this episode I sit down with Lucas, a dairy farmer, hunting guide, husband, and new father, for a conversation that doesn't pull punches. We get into the relationship between physical capacity and mental strength, why your subconscious is always keeping score, and what it actually means to live with intention rather than just staying busy. There's a distinction in this conversation that most men have never heard articulated, and once you hear it, you won't be able to unsee it.In this episode we cover:-why your body is sending your subconscious signals that determine your confidence and anxiety levels-the difference between physical strength and mental strength and why you can't actually separate them-fruitfulness vs. productivity and why chasing productivity alone will leave you wanting-the parable of the talents and what it means to actually invest what you've been given-how to know whether your discipline is coming from conviction or just noise-why most men shrug their way through life and the one thing that breaks that cycle-building brick by brick: why the first small act of self-integrity changes everythingFollow Lucas:Instagram (Mighty Alps NZ): https://www.instagram.com/mightyalpsnzPersonal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucas_orr/Follow Tomas: https://linktr.ee/tomas.monesAre you seeking a community of like-minded men who hold the same standard you're trying to hold?The Legion is a brotherhood of Christian men built around real accountability, weekly coaching, and a network of men who are actually doing the work. If you're done doing this alone, the door is open.https://fitforthekingdom.com.au/the-legionWe are rebuilding the west. "Iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17)Fit for the Kingdom (FFTK):http://fitforthekingdom.com.au/#discipline #masculinity #christian #podcast #intentionality0:00 Giving back your talents to God0:57 Meet Lucas1:59 Lucas's background3:12 The mind in a weak body7:38 Low testosterone & conformity11:52 Mental vs. physical strength14:06 Brick by brick: building self-integrity21:17 Cold showers & staying on the train26:10 Virtue is its own reward30:23 Fruitfulness vs. productivity39:04 The Parable of the Talents45:08 Busyness without fruit51:20 Conviction needs honest thought56:05 Silence & St. Teresa of Avila57:37 Where to find Lucas59:44 The Legion & St. Michael's Troops1:01:53 Lucas's St. Michael's experience1:05:36 Closing poem

    28: The Man Who Shrugs Through Life, Fruitfulness, and Building Real Conviction | ft. Lucas Orr
  6. Mar 18

    27: Why You Need Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary (It Will Change Your Life)

    God has sent the Blessed Virgin Mary again and again and again, across centuries, across continents, to the poorest and most unlikely people on earth, with the same urgent message. Guadalupe. Lourdes. La Salette. Knock. Akita. Fatima. Each apparition verified by the Church. Each one accompanied by miracles that have never been explained. Each one delivering a warning that the world largely ignored. This is not coincidence. When God keeps sending the same message across 500 years of history, there is real urgency. Our Lady is not appearing because things are fine. She is appearing because the stakes are eternal and most people have no idea. Nine million Mexicans converted to the Catholic faith in seven years after Guadalupe. At Fatima, 50,000 people watched the sun spin in the sky and descend toward the earth. A wooden statue in Japan wept human tears 101 documented times. And in every single one, she is pointing to the same things: repentance, the Rosary, sacrifice, and returning to God before it is too late. Most Catholics have almost no relationship with her. This video is about changing that. In this podcast I cover: -the theological weight of Mary as Theotokos and Queen Mother -Our Lady as the model of all believers-the major apparitions -the Miracle of the Sun at Fatima -devotion to the BVM and what it actually means for your interior life -why Our Lady commanded the Rosary daily -reparation and sacrifice Books I referenced: The Power of the Rosary, by Gabriel Castillo: https://amzn.to/479QNO1 How to Be Happy - How to Be Holy, by Fr. Paul O'Sullivan: https://amzn.to/419ikvx Fatima for Today: The Urgent Marian Message of Hope, by Fr Andrew Apostoli: https://amzn.to/3PHInaC My work: https://linktr.ee/tomas.mones Fit for the Kingdom (FFTK): http://fitforthekingdom.com.au/ #catholic #fatima #rosary #christian #marian

    27: Why You Need Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary (It Will Change Your Life)
  7. Mar 3

    26: UFC, money, and the Christian man's real problem

    In this episode of the Fit for the Kingdom podcast, Tomas and Nico tackle two raw questions from the Kingdom Legion Q&A: is competitive martial arts morally acceptable for Catholic men, and how do you stop your ambition from quietly replacing God?On the martial arts question, the guys break down the real difference between training to fight and competing to destroy. Where does Catholic morality draw the line? Is the UFC a blood sport too far for a Christian man? And what does it actually mean to train with the right disposition?On ambition and idolatry, they get into the uncomfortable truth most men avoid: you can keep your prayer routine, show up to mass, say all the right things, and still have your business sitting on the throne of your heart. They cover the Ignatian concept of indifference, long-term sustainability thinking, and the question every driven Catholic man needs to sit with: if God asked you to walk away from all of it tomorrow, would you?What we cover:-Is competitive martial arts sinful for a Catholic man?-The difference between jiu-jitsu tournaments and the UFC-Why disposition matters more than the sport itself-How to know when ambition has crossed into idolatry-The concept of Ignatian indifference applied to wealth and business-Why giving lip service to God while living for your career is lying-Practical ways to audit your time and reset your prioritiesIf you want to support the mission, join THE LEGION. Weekly coaching calls, real brotherhood, and direct access to Tomas and Nico for the price of two coffees a week. Link below. https://buy.stripe.com/dRmbIUbTV0vs3oP37B0x200Follow Fit for the Kingdom:Instagram: / kingdomfitnz Podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcastshttp://fitforthekingdom.com.au/Related topics: Catholic martial arts, is fighting a sin Catholic, UFC Catholic morality, Catholic men and business, Ignatian indifference explained, how to stop idolizing your business, Catholic masculinity, business and faith balance, Catholic men ambition, is MMA sinful, jiu-jitsu Catholic, faith and entrepreneurship Catholic, Catholic men priorities, putting God first Catholic, young Catholic men, masculine virtue, Fit for the Kingdom podcast, biblical masculinity, Catholic discipline, Catholic men's podcast Australia New Zealand

    26: UFC, money, and the Christian man's real problem
  8. Feb 17

    25: Chasing Female Validation? You Might Need a Break From Dating

    You say you're taking a break from dating. But you're still at every party where girls are. Still texting multiple girls. Still "building the pipeline" for when the hiatus ends. You think you're being intentional - but you're just suppressing the desire, not integrating it.Here's the real problem: you're attached to female validation. You can't work alone. You can't spend a weekend without her attention. You need that emotional hit to feel worthy. And because you never learned to operate on the solo grind, you're incapable of actually building yourself into the man who deserves a virtuous relationship.This is why your dating hiatus is fake. You're physically abstaining but emotionally still chasing. You need to learn how to run solo - how to build discipline, spiritual depth, and masculine virtue without needing female attention as your fuel source. Until you can operate independently, you're not ready to lead a woman.In this episode, we break down:- The fake hiatus - proving you're not actually taking a break- Attachment to female validation - Why you must build yourself in isolation before you date- Suppression vs. redirection - what a real dating break looks like internally- The sediment analogy - why clarity takes longer than you think (and why you can't rush it)- Social events during a hiatus - if you can't skip the party, you're still attached- Male modesty and intentionality- The daughter test - would you want this guy texting your sisterIf you can't work alone, you can't work with her. If you need female validation to feel worthy, you'll never be ready to lead a wife. Learn the solo grind first. Build discipline, prayer life, and virtue without needing her attention. Only then will you be ready for an intentional, holy relationship.Mentioned Resources:Episode 20 with Matt Mischewski on lust and chastity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9viUgPBznU&list=PLGVUrCHLk8dnOVms2Menw2sMRMnfElSGP&index=6St. Francis de Sales on detachment from consolation: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/3583Liam Aquilina on Male Modesty: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUXRvJzEkaR/?img_index=1Simon Carrington video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dius7x-DIvoSupport the mission: Join our FFTK Members for exclusive coaching calls, behind-the-scenes updates from St. Michael's Troops events, and help us equip more young men build authentic masculine virtue: https://fitforthekingdom.com.au/supportFollow Fit for the Kingdom:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kingdomfitnz/Podcast: Spotify, Apple PodcastsRelated topics: dating hiatus advice, female validation addiction, learning to run solo, attachment to women, Catholic dating break, solo grind mindset, intentional singleness, biblical masculinity, spiritual discipline for men, building masculine virtue, detachment from relationships, Christian dating

    25: Chasing Female Validation? You Might Need a Break From Dating

About

The Fit for the Kingdom Podcast launched May 2023 as an overflow of many conversations and discussions we were having as a group of men. We break down how to live out our faith as young men in a world vehemently opposed to it, lust and chastity, the importance of fitness, and breaking topics like these down to engaging and applicable parts. It’s not about talking the talk. It’s about walking the walk. Through bringing on guest speakers and discussion between members of our leadership, each and every episode helps illuminate an aspect of your life and helps you live more virtuously.