Hey, how’s it going?
In 2025, I’ve been exploring what it means to be a true, practicing Christian. Not the lukewarm, sing-a-song on Sunday kind of Christian, but a disciple who actually follows in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Before I lose you, I have something for my New Age Self-Improvement homies, too.
Keep reading for a treat.
Never have I thought in a million years I’d be saying, “in Jesus’ name, Amen,” after every meal, but here I am, giving thanks with conviction. It’s funny. I tried manifestation and all that, but it fell flat.
Let me be clear: manifestation WORKS, but it won’t save you from your deepest shadows.
As I dive deeper into the Bible, virtual Church, connect groups, and learn from a biblical perspective, I’m understanding the difference between the spiritual realm of reality and what we’ve been taught by the world to worship—like status, happiness, materialism, and even religious indoctrination.
What do I mean?
There’s a subtle shift in your energy when you start living from a place of service vs. a place of selfishness. And truly I tell you, most of us are in the second camp, spiritual or not.
Ultimately, self-actualization, as it’s sold from New Age gurus, is a recipe to crash and burn. Why?
We cannot save ourselves.
Because human nature expresses itself as big-brained monkeys with glowing tablets. Our nature is fickle as fuck. And as self-made enlightened as we think we are, we need help.
The sneaky snake in the garden is real, and it’s our monkey minds, ego, the flesh, whatever you wanna call it that tell us to eat the donut when we’re trying to lose 20 lbs for summer.
It’s the whisper to look at half-nude girls on IG even though you’re married.
It’s the temptation to look for new and exciting business opportunities when the one you have now gets boring.
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15 (NIV)
This verse is from Paul, a former Christian killer who converted by spiritual means, describing the inner war every believer faces—the desire to do good is real, but the pull of our primal nature is strong, deceptive, and deeply rooted. He’s not excusing sin. He’s saying, “I genuinely want to do what’s right, but my old wiring keeps hijacking the controls.”
This is the spiritual battle we face every damn day and this is what Christians mean when they say “Satan is after your soul.”
Even if you don’t believe in Jesus because you’re a realist, practical, or whatever, look at it metaphorically. The psychological trauma that holds you back from your dream life is the same as the demons that pull you back to sin.
Got cope?
Alcohol to run away from your thoughts.
Sex to find validation.
Porn to relieve your lack of purpose.
Scrolling to run away from your responsibilities
Snacking to satisfy your emotional lows
Psychedelics to “find God” in the cosmos
Astrology to tune into your inner moon or whatever the fuck
The result of these to “take the edge off” is you end up procrastinating and overthinking.
You TRY to start the business by building logos and banners in Canva.
You quit your fitness routine because a holiday is coming up, and you believe you HAVE TO spend time with your family. The same people who overindulge, gossip, and pull you back into the old habits you developed as a kid.
You wait till you FEEL ready to read the Bible (which never comes) because your faith is lukewarm.
But in the REALITY that you swear by, you’re avoiding the hard work of facing your demons, asking for forgiveness, and forgiving others for burning you.
The concept is the same in psychology.
Psychological trauma = demons = sin = of evil = without Jesus in your heart.
Whether you like it or not, we don’t live in a physical reality. Anything you see is a byproduct of energy and vibration. It comes from the deepest layer if you go far enough, The One True God.
And to my surprise, he is a personal God, despite the callout to the evil in the world. But that’s a discussion for another time.
I’m not asking you to convert to any religion. I’m asking you to look at your life more deeply. Because whether you believe in sin or not, Jesus or not, demons or not, you’re not living up to your potential, as my old New Age self-improvement pals would say.
Thankfully, I’ve found my potential and slayed many of my demons through Christ.
And you can do the same.
What I’ve been up to
Recently, I’ve been called to service.
I don’t believe men, leaders of the family, can be overweight, lazy, and weak. A leader is powerful in mind, body, and spirit.
So I’m working on a new fitness coaching program for busy Christian dads who want to lose about 20 lbs in 8 weeks without spending hours in the gym. Why? So they can lead their family and faith with conviction.
If you or anyone you know might be interested in helping me workshop the idea, reply to this email!
What’s the end goal?
Become a confident leader in your family
Become respectable by building physical, spiritual, and mental strength
Never worry about fitness advice or diets again
Lose 20 lbs and keep it off for good
Build 5 lbs of lean muscle and discover how to maintain it
Develop an energetic body that aligns with maximizing your cognitive ability
Get fit and lean for the Lord as an act of discipline that translates to transformation in all areas of life.
What’s involved?
1-1 coaching
Personalized workout and nutrition plan
Weekly calls and devotionals
Daily accountability system with me and like-minded men
Send me a message if you want more details.
Faith & focus,
Brand Marz
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