Strength, Size, and Charity

02/17/19 • 57 min

Will Tukuafu is an American football fullback. Will grew up in Salt Lake City with his parents and 15 siblings. After high school, he served a mission in Jamaica for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. When he came back from his mission, he moved to Scottsdale Arizona where he played football for a Junior College. After playing one year at junior college, he moved to Oregon where he played football at the University of Oregon. Will played for the Seattle Seahawks in 2010 and also played for the San Francisco 49ers. Will and his wife Krystal are the parents of three children. You can follow him on Instagram @willtukuafu

Show notes

Will’s gift is to be charitable, his parents were an example him to be giving [2:30]
Will and his Dad would cut lawns without people asking. When they didn’t get paid, his dad would say, “This is our Labor of Love” [3:40]
“When I do show charity, it always comes back ten-fold” [4:20]
Will has learned from his parents that although they may not have much, whatever they have they give. Give love and it will always come back. [4:40]
Will always had an attitude of gratitude to be a playing football and being apart of the team [5:35]
Will had a particular play where he knocked someone out. This guy was a heavy hitter and known for knocking people out. [7:25]
Mark discusses how being willing to block something that hurts is an act of charity. [10:30]
Will talks about his family. Will has 15 siblings, not including his first cousins who were taken in by his parents. [11:30]
Will house growing up was small and cold in the winter as it lacked insulation, but was always full. Although the house was small and simple, it provided warmth to a lot of people in many aspects. [12:20]
Will talks about his parents being examples of working hard and passing on work ethic to him as he learned to work from a young age. [13:00]
Outsiders looking in at Will would say that Will’s gift is the willingness to do whatever it takes. [14:05]
Will entered the NFL a little later than the average NFL player, so he understood from where he started he would have to earn his way and do whatever it takes [14:50]
Will doesn’t really think about what “haters” have to say about him and tries to focus on the positive. “I am who I am. People have their opinion.” [15:30]
Mark quotes a reporter that said, “Polynesians players are built for combat, built for football. The warrior spirit is within us, we love contact, we love people... we love the comradery... we are able to do whatever it takes to help our teams win.” [17:10]
Will attests to the comradery and spirit of Polynesians on and off the field, doing whatever it takes for family and being faith oriented. [18:00]
As a fullback, his job is to protect the running back regardless of who it is. Will tries to give it everything that he can. [18:40]
His experience mowing lawns of his friend’s houses when he was younger in order to put food on the table for his family taught him that he needed to do hard things. It grew with him. [19:50]
“One thing that embodies the culture is love and willingness to do whatever it takes for those you care about.” [20:15]
When you act upon gifts that you are given by God, you are given opportunities to see more of your gifts and traits come out. [21:00]
He has seen this in his life as it was unlikely that at 25 he would make an NFL team. [21:15]
Losing his scholarship at BYU and starting over was a huge part of his journey and taught him to persist even when things seemed dark and hopeless. [21:40]
When he graduated high school, he signed with BYU but deferred to go on a mission. He served in Jamaica [21:50]
Will got his associates degree at a junior college in Arizona and got scholarships at division 1 colleges after 1 year. He chose to go to Oregon. [23:00]
There were many trials he had to overcome, but there was a lot of blessings along the way. [23:21]
During his mission during a study session, he was reading The Ensign magazine and saw a picture of a girl that he told his companion he would date when he got home from his mission. [24:00]
When he came home from the mission and was in Arizona he met and started dating Krystal. He eventually realizes she was the girl from The Ensign. [25:00]
Will has learned that everything has a rhyme and a reason. [26:10]
When God gives us different obstacles and we do what is right, we are blessed, although it may not be immediate. [26:20]
Mark asks Will “What is it like to play at a school you are too good to play at?” [27:20]
Will says that it was a humbling experience. He had to buy cleats at Ross. [27:50]
Will never had a mindset that he was better than his team, he just focuse...

Show notes

Will’s gift is to be charitable, his parents were an example him to be giving [2:30]
Will and his Dad would cut lawns without people asking. When they didn’t get paid, his dad would say, “This is our Labor of Love” [3:40]
“When I do show charity, it always comes back ten-fold” [4:20]
Will has learned from his parents that although they may not have much, whatever they have they give. Give love and it will always come back. [4:40]
Will always had an attitude of gratitude to be a playing football and being apart of the team [5:35]
Will had a particular play where he knocked someone out. This guy was a heavy hitter and known for knocking people out. [7:25]
Mark discusses how being willing to block something that hurts is an act of charity. [10:30]
Will talks about his family. Will has 15 siblings, not including his first cousins who were taken in by his parents. [11:30]
Will house growing up was small and cold in the winter as it lacked insulation, but was always full. Although the house was small and simple, it provided warmth to a lot of people in many aspects. [12:20]
Will talks about his parents being examples of working hard and passing on work ethic to him as he learned to work from a young age. [13:00]
Outsiders looking in at Will would say that Will’s gift is the willingness to do whatever it takes. [14:05]
Will entered the NFL a little later than the average NFL player, so he understood from where he started he would have to earn his way and do whatever it takes [14:50]
Will doesn’t really think about what “haters” have to say about him and tries to focus on the positive. “I am who I am. People have their opinion.” [15:30]
Mark quotes a reporter that said, “Polynesians players are built for combat, built for football. The warrior spirit is within us, we love contact, we love people... we love the comradery... we are able to do whatever it takes to help our teams win.” [17:10]
Will attests to the comradery and spirit of Polynesians on and off the field, doing whatever it takes for family and being faith oriented. [18:00]
As a fullback, his job is to protect the running back regardless of who it is. Will tries to give it everything that he can. [18:40]
His experience mowing lawns of his friend’s houses when he was younger in order to put food on the table for his family taught him that he needed to do hard things. It grew with him. [19:50]
“One thing that embodies the culture is love and willingness to do whatever it takes for those you care about.” [20:15]
When you act upon gifts that you are given by God, you are given opportunities to see more of your gifts and traits come out. [21:00]
He has seen this in his life as it was unlikely that at 25 he would make an NFL team. [21:15]
Losing his scholarship at BYU and starting over was a huge part of his journey and taught him to persist even when things seemed dark and hopeless. [21:40]
When he graduated high school, he signed with BYU but deferred to go on a mission. He served in Jamaica [21:50]
Will got his associates degree at a junior college in Arizona and got scholarships at division 1 colleges after 1 year. He chose to go to Oregon. [23:00]
There were many trials he had to overcome, but there was a lot of blessings along the way. [23:21]
During his mission during a study session, he was reading The Ensign magazine and saw a picture of a girl that he told his companion he would date when he got home from his mission. [24:00]
When he came home from the mission and was in Arizona he met and started dating Krystal. He eventually realizes she was the girl from The Ensign. [25:00]
Will has learned that everything has a rhyme and a reason. [26:10]
When God gives us different obstacles and we do what is right, we are blessed, although it may not be immediate. [26:20]
Mark asks Will “What is it like to play at a school you are too good to play at?” [27:20]
Will says that it was a humbling experience. He had to buy cleats at Ross. [27:50]
Will never had a mindset that he was better than his team, he just focuse...

Previous Episode

Kenzie Morley @yogoskenz

For Kenzie, her faith is not separate from her yoga practice. In fact, her practice of yoga has strengthened her practice of Christianity. Kenzie talks about how yoga has changed her life and her mentality, and how she finds her place within the yoga community. She talks about dealing with social media in her life and using her platform to empower women. Kenzie is a force for good as she speaks out against pornography and stands firm in her beliefs. Kenzie breaks down stereotypes of what it means to be a yogi, social media influencer, and Christian, as she reconciles between the three.

Kenzie Morley is a self-taught yogi Instagram influencer with over 380,000 Instagram followers. She is strong, flexible, and beautiful. She is a bit of an iconoclast in the world of yoga- she is a Christian, American patriot, wife and mother of three. She uses her large social media platform to take a stance as an anti-pornography advocate and loses followers as she speaks out about these issues. She is humbly impervious to criticism she faces, and her following continues to grow rapidly. You can find her on Instagram @yogoskenz. Also, check out her training program, The Fit Yogi Trainer https://www.yogoskenz.com/product-page/the-fit-yogi-trainer

Show notes

Kenzie’s perception of yoga culture then and now. [3:54]
Kenzie explains a “yoga challenge.” [4:33]
What attracted Kenzie to yoga culture and similarities between yoga and her faith. [5:24]
For Kenzie, yoga is a “solid relationship between the mind-body and the spirit.” Kenz talks about limbs of yoga. [6:24]
Kenzie discusses how yoga changed her life and mentality, and discusses yoga’s empowering community. [8:44]
Kenzie discusses being a mom in the yoga community. [10:53 ]
Kenzie discusses her gift of teaching. [12:10]
What others say Kenzie’s gift is, and what her critics say. [15:40]
Kenzie talks about her patriotism and where it stems from. [17:58]
Kenzie loses followers for posting religious, antipornography, and patriotism content. [19:10]
How yoga has helped her faith and helped her to self-assess. The Holy Ghost speaks truth to your intuition. [20:00]
If it is good, it comes from God. If you are confused, it is not from God. [22:20]
Mark talks about feeling the spirit and makes faith-based decisions. [23:00]
Kenzie talks about how she feels and makes faith-based decisions. [24:30]
As a person with a big following, where much is given, much is required. [25:30]
Be a voice for good, a voice of God and God’s will for you will be done. [27:00]
Receiving inspiration for and supporting victims of pornography through her social media platform. [27:30]
Creating a support page for women whose relationships have fallen victim to pornography.30:14
The self-evaluation aspect of yoga has made Kenzie a better Christian. A focus on looking inward instead of at your neighbor. [32:33]
Asanas in yoga act as openers. The backbend is a heart-opener and makes you reflect on who you are giving love to. [34:24]
Through yoga, Kenzie has been able to meet people that changed her life. [36:30]
Only post things you feel good about posting, and what uplifts other girls and women, “I want you to feel good about your body because of what it can do, not because of what it looks like.” [39:40]
“What I am wearing on my page is reflecting my message: That body image isn't everything.” [41:03]
Modesty has to do with context, clothing, and the message you want to be perceived. It is where you find peace. [46:30]
Is what I am wearing, and is what I am doing promoting a modest message? Is the emphasis on being provocative? What are you selling/putting the focus? This is about humility. Stop looking yourself as just a body. [50:10]
The story of the crossroads: making a deal with the devil to get something that you want. [53:00]
Kenzie discusses crossroads moments she’s come across with social media. [54:00]
It’s the little things that matter. When we get busy the little things go, but they make up what matter, like reading scriptures every day. [56:50]
Mark discusses Christian guilt vs forgiveness and letting things be when we aren’t perfect. [58:50]
One of the most rewarding things about her Instagram page is her ability to inspire others. [60:10]
As Kenzie anticipates hard decisions in the future, she decides now what her priorities in life are and how she will respond. [62:50]

Next Episode

Jumping over Adversity with Ryan Moody

Ryan Moody is a world renowned fitness coach. He speaks about overcoming his obstacles and becoming the 9-time world record holder in box jumps. He speaks about his gift of faith and how he motivates other people to overcome their demons. He believes that in every limitation there is opportunity, and to never stop dreaming. You can find him on Instagram @theexplosivecoach.

Show notes

Ryan talks about his 9 world records. [2:15]
Ryan talks about 50 inch box jumps at the Arnold Classic. [2:50]
Ryan’s first injuries. [3:58]
Neck and back injuries for Ryan. [6:17]
Ryan addresses his purpose in this life, to connect to people and create belief in themselves. [8:00]
Ryan discusses his physical adversities and overcoming them. [8:50]
Ryan speaks about being raised as an LDS, his gift of faith, his belief in God, the reason for things happening in your life, and how he helps others. [10:00]
Feeling the Spirit. [11:50]
Mark talks about losing his faith and getting it back again. [13:45]
Ryan speaks about fitness, nutrition and the relationship between God and yourself. [16:20]
Ryan doesn’t recognise himself, starts to become more self-aware, and then finds himself again. [17:32]
Ryan’s gift on connecting with people [18:54]
Ryan meets Larry Gelwix, high school rugby coach and learns of his purpose and making a difference in people’s lives. [20:19]
Ryan makes a difference in a young man's life. [22:08]
Ryan’s further injuries and being hospitalised, almost losing his arm. [23:35]
Mental coaching from Ryan and developing a mental mindset. [27:07]
Having a mental mindset is most important. [28:39]
LDS mission in Portugal, another injury, paresis, depression and hating life. [29:46]
Being positive and trying to believe again, while on lots of medicine and then making a choice. [31:50]
Woe is me and finally accepting certain things. [33:30]
Schooling in Utah and Crossfit. [35:39]
Taoism, Buddhism, spirituality, Tai Chi, breathing and releasing, and following your breath [36:50]
Experiment on Tibetan monks. [37:20]
The Whiteboard mindset, broken down into three pieces. [40:54]
The more you think about something, the more you talk yourself out of something. [44:15]
Mark speaks about bungee jumping. [44:31]
Nike mantra - Just Do It. [44:59]
Ryan talks about training - warming up, box jumps, etc. and how he still gets nervous. [45:19]
People breaking through mental barriers. [48:00]
Mark speaks about the whiteboard moment, commitment, Christ and Gethsemane. [48:45]
Wounded. Ryan talks about the missionaries in 2016 and the terrorist attack on them at the airport. [49:45]
Choosing to be a victim or to stand up and fight. [51:43]