Marriage Fit
Psychology & Relationships
About
Our MarriageFit episodes focus on 5 life priorities—faith, finance, family, fitness and fun—from the perspective of a man, woman, and a couple. We hope that through our experiences as a couple and as coaches, we can relate to you about some of the very real challenges in life. We're Chris and Annie Mello, enjoy our podcast.
Episodes
- 137. Date Night Isn't Optional: How to "Train" Your Marriage
This episode of Marriage Fit discusses the importance of regular date nights for couples, emphasizing that strong marriages require intentional effort, much like training. It outlines three rules for effective date nights: scheduling them,…
- 136. You're Not Burnt Out — You're Out of Alignment
The episode discusses how misalignment between daily habits, values, and environment can cause feelings of fatigue and relationship friction, suggesting this is often mislabeled as burnout. It offers a framework to identify and address thi…
- 135. Do You Really Need 10,000 Steps a Day?
This episode of Marriage Fit examines the 10,000 steps a day goal, tracing its origins as a marketing tactic rather than a scientific recommendation. It discusses the actual health benefits found in the 7,000–10,000 step range and emphasiz…
- 134. What Matters More: Diet or Exercise?
The Marriage Fit episode 134 discusses the long-standing debate between diet and exercise, concluding that the importance of each depends on the desired health outcome. Diet primarily influences weight loss and body fat through energy bala…
- 133. Why Most Active Adults Are Under-Eating
Many active adults consistently train but unknowingly under-fuel their bodies, leading to fatigue and stalled progress. This episode of Marriage Fit breaks down why this happens, addresses common fueling myths, and explains the importance…
- 132. The Future of Fitness: 2026 Health & Fitness Trends That Are Smarter, More Sustainable, and Built to Last
Episode Summary: Fitness is evolving — and not just in trends, but in purpose. In this episode, we break down the top 2026 health and fitness trends that are shifting the conversation from "more intensity" to more intention. Whether you're…
- 131. Health Is Wealth — with Adam Cox
Episode Summary: Money and marriage. Health and wealth. We know they're connected — but most couples still struggle to talk about either. In this episode, we sit down with Adam Cox, a Sioux Falls native and seasoned financial advisor, to t…
- 130. How to Treat Your Health Like It's Part of the Job
LISTENER NOTES (Description) You don't need to be a professional athlete to train like one. If you work, lead, make decisions, or manage people — you are an athlete. You just compete in meetings, emails, and boardrooms instead of on a fiel…
- 129. The Good & Bad of New Year's Resolutions (for Your Health, Marriage & Momentum)
Episode Summary: It's goal-setting season — and we all know most New Year's resolutions don't stick. But it's not because people are lazy. It's because most resolutions are built on guilt, not a game plan. In this episode, Chris and Annie…
- 128. The Not-So-Obvious Ways Fitness Makes You a Better Partner, Leader, and Human
Episode Summary: Most people think workouts are just about looking good or staying healthy. But in this episode, Chris and Annie dive into the not-so-obvious truth: fitness shapes who you are in your marriage, your family, your work, and y…
- 127: Mental Fitness vs. Physical Fitness: What's Stronger?" (feat. Jason VanRuler)
Episode Summary In this episode, we're joined by licensed therapist, speaker, and coach Jason VanRuler for a powerful conversation on what it really means to be mentally fit—and how mental and physical fitness can (and should) work togethe…
- 126. Project Zero: Stay Fit, Sane & Connected Through the Holidays
Episode Summary: The holidays are here and so is the chaos. Family events, food everywhere, parties, travel, stress… it's no wonder most people gain weight, lose their routines, and feel disconnected from their goals (and each other). But…
- 125. Attack the Fat (8 Simple Habits for Long-Term Fat Loss)
Episode Summary: Fat loss doesn't have to be complicated, and it definitely doesn't have to take over your life. In this episode, Chris and Annie break down 8 simple, realistic habits you and your partner can start practicing together to s…
- 124: Strong, Flexible, and Fit for Life: Why FRC is the Future
Episode Summary: If you want to be fit for life not just for a season mobility matters. In this episode, Annie flips the script and interviews Chris about his deep dive into FRC (Functional Range Conditioning) and why it's become a corners…
- 123. Breaking Plateaus: From Fitness to Family
💬 Episode Summary: Every couple hits a wall — in fitness, in marriage, in parenting, and in business. The real question isn't if you'll hit a plateau… it's what you'll do when you get stuck there. In this episode, Annie and Chris break do…
- 122. Solocation vs. Solo Parenting: What Happens When the Suitcase Comes Home
Description: One partner travels. The other holds down the fort. Then the suitcase rolls back in and suddenly, everything feels off. In this episode, Chris and Annie dive into the real-life tension couples face during the often-overlooked…
- 121. 5 Fitness Lies We Believed (So You Don't Have To)
Episode Summary We've been in the fitness world for over two decades, and we've heard just about every myth, fad, and gimmick out there. But there are 5 lies we believed ourselves (and see over and over again) that are still keeping people…
- 120. The New Definition of Fit: How You Show Up in Life, Not Just the Gym
Episode Summary What if fitness had less to do with how you look — and everything to do with how you show up? In this episode of Marriage Fit , Chris and Annie break down why being "fit" isn't just about gym reps and macros. It's about lif…
- 119. When's the Best Time to Work Out? Pros, Cons & Real Talk
Episode Summary: Ever wonder when the best time is to work out? Morning? Lunch? After work? Weekends? In this episode, Chris and Annie break down the pros and cons of each workout window — and help you figure out what time actually works f…
- 118. The Real Dad Bod: 9 Traits Every Dad Needs (That Have Nothing to Do With Abs)
Episode Summary: The world tells dads to fight the "dad bod" with crunches and protein shakes. But the real battle isn't against belly fat — it's against passivity, disconnection, and drifting identity. In this special Father's Day episode…
- 117: Let's Be Honest: Top 5 Fitness Excuses (and What to Do Instead)
Episode Title: "Let's Be Honest: Top 5 Fitness Excuses (and What to Do Instead)" Episode Summary: We all make excuses — even us. But in this episode, we're calling them out. From "I don't have time" to "I'll start Monday," we're breaking d…
- 116: The Power of the Pause
🎙️ Episode Title: The Power of the Pause: Why Rest Is Productive In this episode, we're leaning into a radical truth: rest is not a reward—it's a rhythm. We explore how taking a true Sabbath or rest day isn't lazy—it's life-giving. From r…
- 115. The 5 Best and 5 Most Overrated Health Hacks
Episode Summary: In today's episode, we're cutting through the noise on health hacks. There's a flood of advice online — but what actually works, and what's just hype? We've tried it all — some hacks that made a huge difference, and some t…
- 114: Say. Do. Achieve. The Power of Language, Mindset, and Marriage with Thomas Blackwell
Guest: Thomas Blackwell, keynote speaker, mindset coach, and founder of Say Do Achieve Episode Summary: In this powerful and inspiring episode, we sit down with Thomas Blackwell — a former Division I tennis coach, successful entrepreneur,…
- 113: Creating Healthy and Happy Kids – A Holistic Approach to Parenting
In this episode of Marriage Fit, we dive into what it really takes to raise healthy and happy kids. Parenting today comes with unique challenges—screen time battles, busy schedules, and the constant temptation of unhealthy food choices. Bu…
- 112: Real Talk: The Inner Battles: 75 HARD, Rest, Routines & Growth
Welcome to Episode 112 of Marriage Fit ! What started as a discussion on competition vs. being competitive evolved into an insightful conversation about personal growth, mindset, and overcoming challenges. In This Episode, We Cover: The Po…
- 111: Nutrition, Productivity, and Longevity with Robb Wolf
🧠 Main Discussion: Nutrition and Productivity 🍔 Top Nutrition Mistakes Professionals Make How fast food and sedentary habits drain energy and impact overall health. The role of nutrient-dense foods in boosting focus and productivity. ⚡ E…
- 110: How to Make a Comeback?
📌 Episode Overview: Life happens—illness, job loss, family struggles, or unexpected change can knock us off track. Most people react by asking, "Why me?" and focusing on the worst-case scenario. But what if you flipped that mindset? In th…
- 109: How to Find the Right Personal Trainer for Your Goals
In this episode, we'll guide you through the essential steps to finding the perfect personal trainer who aligns with your fitness goals, personality, and preferences. 🎙 Opening (3–5 minutes) Get ready to dive into how to find the perfect…
- 108 : Reflecting on 2024 and Building a Vision for 2025
In this reflective and forward-looking episode of the Marriage Fit Podcast , we dive into the lessons, highlights, and aspirations that defined 2024 and shape the vision for 2025. From personal triumphs to actionable strategies for growth,…
- 107 : How to Stay Fit (vs. Get Fit) as the New Year Approaches
Episode Summary: As the New Year approaches, many of us feel the urge to set bold fitness resolutions—but why do so many fail? In this episode of the Marriage Fit Podcast , we unpack the common pitfalls of New Year's fitness goals and shar…
- 106. How to Get Unstuck: 5 Pillars for Breaking Free and Growing
It's not if you will get stuck in life, it's when. And it's what you do when you're stuck or in a rut that determines how soon you come out of it and how you will work through issues in your future. Family First: Building a Support System…
- 105. Overcoming Gymtimidation – Conquer Your Fear of the Gym
Introduction Opening Hook: Discuss how common it is to feel intimidated when walking into a gym, especially for newcomers or those returning after a long break. Goal of Episode: Help listeners understand and overcome "gymtimidation" by bre…
- 104: What is the Best mode of Cardio? (Rowing Challenge Announcement and Details)
Concept2 Rowing Challenge & Heart Rate Training Episode Highlights: Dive into the Concept2 Rowing Challenge and why rowing is the ultimate cardio workout. Learn how to optimize your training with heart rate zones to crush your fitness goal…
- 103. Does Sweating Burn Fat?? (Best ways to Burn Body Fat)
Welcome to another myth-busting episode of Marriage Fit ! Today, we're tackling a common misconception: the idea that sweating equals fat loss. So many people believe that the more they sweat, the more fat they burn. But we're here to set…
- 102. (PART 2) GLP-1s: The Good, The Bad, The Myth's... with Jenny Haiar
In the 2nd half of this interview, we dive deep into the GP-1s myths and truths. Connect With Us: Follow us on our NEW Instagram account @ MarriageFitPodcast Join our Facebook communities SISU Fit for more tips and support Subscribe to the…
- 102. (PART 1) GLP-1s: The Good, The Bad, The Myth's... with Jenny Haiar
This episode dives into the merger of CPM and CSU fitness centers, along with a new partnership between CPM and Jenny Haiar's business, Ivy and Company, a health and wellness provider. This collaboration aims to address health comprehensiv…
- 101. From CrossFit Pioneer to Whole Life Innovator: A Conversation with Andy Petranek
In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of Andy Petranek, a fitness industry pioneer and the co-creator of the Whole Life Challenge. From his early days of founding one of the first-ever CrossFit gyms to creating a transformative li…
- 100: BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: New Beginnings with SISU | Closing a Chapter with CPM
In this milestone episode, we are turning a BIG page in the chapter on business and life. We discussed the opening (and history) of SISU and how we are closing CPMFITness in the middle of October. Other Key Insights - 💡 Prioritizing Relat…
- 99. You Know You are Fit When...
In this fun and insightful episode of the Marriage Fit podcast, we explore how your perspective on life shifts as you get fitter and healthier. We break down 9 telltale signs that show you're truly fit—when these things start becoming part…
- 98. You Want to Really Change? Okay, Can you Handle the Truth?
In this episode of the "Marriage Fit" podcast, we explore the challenges many people face when starting a new fitness journey or making significant lifestyle changes. We all begin with a burst of motivation and excitement, but why do some…
- 97. This is 40... (Do's & Don't of Staying Fit Over 40)
In this episode, we're diving into some critical strategies for maintaining your health and fitness as you age, especially for those hitting the big 4-0 and beyond. We'll discuss the importance of prioritizing recovery, nutrition, sleep, a…
- 96. Importance of Keeping a Beginners Mindset | Rucking Challenge Recap
After we completed a very successful Rucking Challenge Annie and I can't help but wonder why do so many people succeed within fitness challenges to yet fall back into their old habits after the challenge is completed. We unpack the importa…
- 95. Top 5 Ways to Boost your Metabolism
Please Subscribe and Review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify In this episode we tackle one of the BIGGEST buzz words in the health and fitness space... Metabolism! Join us as we unpack this very important topic and not only how to get started wit…
- 94. How to Be (and Stay) Accountable!
Lets talk about something that really starting to lack more and more these days. Accountability! Join us as we make this complex topic become as simple as possible. ********************************* Peace ✌🏼 | Love 🤟🏼 | FITNESS 💪🏼 "Li…
- 93. Rucking as a Workout (and our Summer Challenge Announcement)
Simply put, rucking is backpacking: carrying weight while walking. Humans aren't the fastest or strongest animals, but we have high levels of endurance and the ability to carry with our hands while walking. Rucking is a modern adaptation o…
- 92. Get Summer Body Ready! Top things to do to get ready for Summer!
June is here and summer is happening this month. Join us in this conversation on not only how to get ready for your summer body but THRIVE through this summer season. ********************************* Peace ✌🏼 | Love 🤟🏼 | FITNESS 💪🏼 "…
- 91. Distractions = Destruction
Religious leader David O. McKay said, "The world steps aside for the man or woman who knows where he or she is going" If being crystal clear on your goals and dreams is a superpower then the opposite to destroy your goals and dreams is DIS…
- 90. Tell Me the Truth!... Are You REALLY Committed?
The number thing with anything in your life; fitness, finances, relationships, career, or any aspiration you may have is... HONESTY! In world of bright lights, fast techonolgy, information and motivation at our fingertips it can be so easy…
- 89. Leading a Life of Leadership (w/ Guest John Meyer)
The best way to lead others, i.e. your family, company, friends, community is by leading yourself first. We tackle this topic with a Sioux Falls expert (and our friend) John Meyer. John Meyer has a decorated history in leadership roles as…