Billy and the GOAT

Over the last 55 years, I have had some ups and downs. Fortunately, although, at times, the valleys seemed insurmountable, I made it out. I’ve had more ups than downs, thank God!  My mom, my go to, always there to encourage me, and help me right the ship when I went off course. “Look back! Look back from whence you came. You have always made it through. You have always persevered”, she’d remind me. Praise God for my momma and encouragement. We all need encouragement along the way. All of us! Help our brothers and sisters. We are all God’s children. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”-1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV I am Billy Yancey. God is THE GOAT!   Follow Billy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ftpfitnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabo_ceoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitness9cowboyWebsite: www.ANABOFIT.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

My guest is Jason Janow! He is from Spring City, TN. He’s had a lot of stuff happen in his life. At the age of 10 he started as a laborer working for his uncle who shed a lot of positivity into his life, but unfortunately Jason was not open to any of that at the time. Consequently, at the age of 15 he ended up getting kicked out of high school for fighting.  He was a little fella, and did not take kindly to being picked on….so he fought A LOT!  He loves fishing and hunting, but he ended up spending more time with his other hobbies….drugs, sex, and alcohol. His wild and crazy lifestyle first put him jail until he escaped, and finally ended up in and out prison for 18.5 years of his 47 year old life. “It’s been hard”, says Jason, but “I determined”. At age 45 Jason finally gave his life to the Lord and has not looked back. Praise God! I am Billy Yancey. God is THE GOAT! Follow Billy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ftpfitnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabo_ceoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitness9cowboyWebsite: www.ANABOFIT.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

My guest and I have known each other for many years, actually his whole life. Almost 17 years now. His name is William M Yancey Jr. Yes, my son William. Mini-me! William was born on September 11, 2006. He was 1LB-14oz. Yes, he was a preemie! William fit in the palm of my hand. My wedding band fit like a hula hoop around his leg. We were encouraged by the medical staff to let him go. The doctor said, “65% of these cases fail.” That’s when my dad, Reverend Clyde jumped up and said, “we believe in a Higher Being! We will go with the 35%!” And I said, “if William is in there fighting, then we’re out here fighting with him!” Our community and beyond prayed for William. Pollard’s Chicken, the restaurant next to my business, put it up on their sign that stands 25 feet in the air. It read, “PRAY FOR BABY WILLIAM!” People all over the world were praying for Baby William. William was in the NICU for 92 days. Some days seemed longer that others. But, praise God, he came home with mommy and daddy. Yes, William is a miracle. But, we’re not here to talk about his birthday and all of his battles along the way. Today, we thank God and we rejoice about one of William’s favorite days on earth….the day he got to meet his hero, Stephen Curry! I am Billy Yancey. God is THE GOAT! Follow Billy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ftpfitnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabo_ceoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitness9cowboyWebsite: www.ANABOFIT.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Our guest today is a good friend of mine. We attended the Naval Academy together. His name is Neil Stratton. We played football together, BRIEFLY! In his words, “He was a walk-on outside linebacker. During this time, Stratton earned the distinction of being perhaps the worst player on the worst team in America during the late 80s.”  After service, Neil helped start a small draft-oriented publication called Lone Star Football (LSF) with his business partner in 1997, but dissolved in 2000. There were brighter days ahead. In 2002  he launched his current company, Inside the League (ITL). Through hard work and perseverance, Inside the League grew. So much so, that in 2008 Stratton was hired to run the 2008 Hula Bowl, which turned out to be the final performance of a venerated game that once featured names like Dan Marino, Joe Montana and Tony Dorsett. In order to fully put his focus on his duties as Executive Director of the game, Stratton shuttered the ITL site in Fall 2007. BUT, his love and passion for what he created was still eating away at him. Eager to continue his work, he retooled ITL in Fall 2008. This time, the service would publish several times weekly with a 12-month news cycle. ITL clients responded, and slowly, the service grew. Since then, ITL has added several other popular features and services, which include; seasonal newsletters, a free weekly email called ‘Friday Wrap’, a thriving ITL Twitter account, his daily blog, Succeed in Football (http://succeedinfootball.com/), the ITL YouTube channel, (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZmefTpF4mOSKdWT0y-KnAw) along with his book, Moving the Chains, a guide to the NFL draft for parents with sons considering a career in pro football. Wherever you are in the football world, and whatever your budget, ITL has the tools that can help you succeed. They will work with you and help you make your dreams come true. Neil’s faith to God, along with his grind and commitment to serving people changed his trajectory. He encourages us to all to put God first, take a different path(don’t get lost in the crowd), surround yourself with people invested in you, and to be genuine! He quotes scripture, Numbers 14:7-9 NIV, “and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” This is great wisdom to live by.  I am Billy Yancey. God is THE GOAT! Follow Billy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ftpfitnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabo_ceoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitness9cowboyWebsite: www.ANABOFIT.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Never let past troubles dictate and determine your present or future. Yes, we can learn from the mistakes that we made in our past, but allowing them to keep us stuck in the past is inexcusable! Whatever you’ve done or failed at, “let your testimony overcome your transgressions”! Your mind and spirit are to be of one accord.   32 years ago my defensive backs’ coach and I did not see eye to eye. We had some hellacious screaming matches, and in the end, I lost. I was eventually benched! For years, my mind and spirit were polar opposites. The Adversary convinced me that I hated this man, when actually I did not. After all those years, we finally reconciled. Our conversation went nothing like I imagined.  Here are the facts! We cannot build a God-approved life from a pile of rubble. The hurt, pain, sin, and transgressions must be relinquished to the Holy Spirit. What is holding onto you so tightly that your mind cannot let go of? Whatever it is, however long it has been tugging at your heart, mind, and soul, LET IT GO! I am Billy Yancey. God is THE GOAT! Follow Billy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ftpfitnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabo_ceoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitness9cowboyWebsite: www.ANABOFIT.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

My guest and I are brothers in Christ. No, we have never met in person, and that is ok. God brought us together to fellowship. Justin Bartley is his name. He was born and raised in Spring City, Tennessee. He grew up in a Christian family, and even remembers his dad being saved.  Like many of us, Justin went to school, played sports, and had fun. His sport was baseball. One might think that playing baseball was his release, and a way to blow off steam. But not Justin. His go to was the weight room.  He started lifting weights at 11 years old. YES, 11!  Before he knew it, Justin was powerlifting. It was still his stress releaser. At age 30, it all came to a screeching halt. Justin was in a terrible car accident. He fell asleep at the wheel. He was blessed to be alive, but lifting weights was no more.  NOW WHAT!? Justin went into a tail spin. Depending on illegal drugs and alcohol trapped him in a dark space for years.  He no longer wanted to live.  Things got so bad. This was it. The straw that broke the camel’s back. Add this to two failed marriages, totaling 3 cars, and being totally out of control, he finally recognized he did not have a drug or alcohol problem. Justin had a self problem.    Finally, Justin got saved. He gave his life to Jesus! His testimony is riveting. Despite having a widow maker-heart attack, God still spared his life! For years, Justin looked everywhere but to God for help. Today, Justin owns a construction company, and co-leads a recovery program to help others battling similar demons, giving God all the glory. He boasts, "When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”-Proverbs 16-7  I am Billy Yancey. God is THE GOAT! Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

On this day, I have the pleasure and honor to have a conversation with one of my good friends from way back. We attended the Naval Academy together.  We were youngins, full of ourselves, maxing out in the weight room, and terrorizing Annapolis and Washington DC. Yes, we had BIG FUN! He went from Midshipman, to Surface Warfare Officer, to Pastor. Yes! Pastor, James Arthur Lavender! Hallelujah! Congratulations, my man! Pastor James grew up in the church, but did not fully understand Christianity until he was in his 30’s. Well, that was a long time ago and much has changed. In 2014, James attended the Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.  He was ordained in Northern Virginia, and since 2015, Pastor’s Word of Grace Christian Church in Herndon, VA. Along his journey James was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but of course that did not stop him. Praise God, James is all good.  He and is wife, Catherine, married in 2015 and are of one accord. Their love and devotion to Christ, and to each other overflows into their congregation, the community, and the rest of the world. Please join me in a warm welcome for Pastor James Arthur Lavender.  Follow Billy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ftpfitness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabo_ceo TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitness9cowboy Website: www.ANABOFIT.com  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Although David Derby and I have never met in person, we are brothers in Christ, nonetheless. I can relate to his journey because he was a student-athlete and he is a fighter who went through IT! We often hear the phrase, “you never know what someone is going through or what they have been through”.  Hearing his story is jaw dropping! Talk about going through the fire. WHOA! He entered prison as an atheist, and walked out a Christian. To God be the glory! David’s tattered past is behind him. Today, he has been blessed with the opportunity to coach student-athletes, all the while introducing them to the gospel. It is no wonder he was voted Father of the Year at his church. God is good all the time! I am Billy Yancey. God is THE GOAT! Follow Billy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ftpfitnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabo_ceoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitness9cowboyWebsite: www.ANABOFIT.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Chris Hart and I were Midshipmen and teammates together at the US Naval Academy.  This interview gave us time to catch up, fellowship, and me the opportunity to apologize to my amazing friend publicly for putting him in a tough situation. Nevertheless, Chris went on to complete 41 CONSECUTIVE STARTS! In the words of one our favorite defensive backs coach, the late Coach Mike Drake, “He was IRREPLACEABLE! ”What’s more, Chris surged ahead thriving as an Engineer Officer in the United States Marine Corps. Upon retirement, Chris served as an area sales representative and regional sales manager over a 9-year career before deciding to join the financial services industry in 2014. Today, Chris proudly represents the Raymond James Financial Group in Murrieta, CA. He is a a financial advisor “who strives to provide a high level of customer service to clients. The opportunity to meet clients precisely where they are and help them to move along life’s journey towards abundant living through generosity is one of Chris’ greatest joy.” It goes without saying, that Chris gives God all the glory every second of the day. He does not just talk the talk. He walks the walk! So blessed to know him and call him my brother. I am Billy Yancey. God is THE GOAT!   Follow Billy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ftpfitnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabo_ceoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitness9cowboyWebsite: www.ANABOFIT.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Ed Barbato and I go wayyyy back. We worked out, hung out, and rode our Harley’s together.  Drugs and alcohol were a mainstay in our lives. We were somewhat of a menace in Virginia Beach. Drinking, drug’n, riding and barely surviving. Somehow we made it out alive. Ed moved to Tennessee finding himself alone for 8 years on a mountain, while I completed two divorces, a few bankruptcies, and bounced around to several residences. I was even homeless for a while. Nevertheless, God put both of us in TIMEOUT! I don’t think we will ever know HOW He did it, but He did. We are alive to speak on it, fellowship, giving God all the glory! I am Billy Yancey. GOD IS THE GOAT!   Follow Billy:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ftpfitnessInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/anabo_ceoTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fitness9cowboyWebsite: www.ANABOFIT.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.