Exercise and Sleep: From Performance to Worship

Have you ever felt condemned when someone mentions exercise? Or tried every sleep hack but still can't switch off at night? Former PE teacher Mike Harris shares a perspective that changes everything.

In this refreshingly honest conversation, Mike (now a full-time gardener) unpacks what the Bible actually says about exercise and sleep. Spoiler: it's not about trying harder or achieving perfection. Instead, Mike reveals how understanding your true value in God's eyes transforms these daily struggles into opportunities for worship.

From his wife's battle with insomnia to his own journey from professional footballer to finding God's pleasure in movement, Mike offers practical wisdom wrapped in grace. Plus, hear how one simple prayer can turn your morning walk into an act of worship.

[03:00] When "Try Harder" Stops Working

Mike addresses the elephant in the room - why exercise often feels like judgment and failure.

"The world says you should exercise in order to become more desirable, and as you become more desirable, you will become more valuable. What the Bible says is completely the other way round."

What we discover:

• Why the fitness industry's approach is backwards
• The difference between earning value and honouring a gift
• How 1 Corinthians 6 revolutionises our view of the body
• Permission to enjoy movement without perfection

Key takeaway: You were bought with an infinite price - past tense. Your value is already established.

[12:00] Exercise as Worship

Mike shares his sixth tip that transforms everything - prayer.

"Heavenly Father, I thank you that you have given me this gift. I honour you today by doing my best to steward this gift. I exercise in faith that you gave me this gift, and I do it to honour you."

Practical insights:

• 6 tips for exercising well (including why skipping is brilliant)
• How Eric Liddell felt God's pleasure when he ran
• Making movement sustainable for real life
• Why fun matters more than perfection

Key takeaway: When you exercise in faith, recognising your body as God's gift, it becomes worship.

[15:00] The Sleep Struggle: Deb's Story

Mike's wife Deb shares her battle with insomnia and the turning point that changed everything.

"God showed her this picture of the stars... 'I created your complex creative brain and it is a beautiful, wonderful thing. And yes, at this moment it is causing you some discomfort, but I will look after you tomorrow.'"

What helps:

• Why positive self-talk matters at 3am
• The link between gratitude and rest
• Practical strategies when your brain won't switch off
• How vulnerability and trust connect

Key takeaway: God isn't waiting for you to calm down first - he meets you in the restlessness.

[35:00] Conversation Street: When Sleep Won't Come

Dave Connolly shares his journey with "horrendous insomnia" and how he transformed frustration into prayer time.

"I get up and I pray... I turn that from a real annoyance into something really positive. Now, I don't find the next day that I am tired. I can't explain that."

Community wisdom:

• Matt's wallpaper technique for financial anxiety
• Why thanksgiving changes our outlook
• How God sees our middle-of-the-night tears
• The difference between sleep and rest

Key takeaway: You can rest in God's presence even when sleep eludes you.

About Mike Harris: Former PE teacher and head of department at a Catholic comprehensive school, Mike spent 15 years teaching about exercise and health. He's also a former professional footballer who discovered that faith transforms how we view our bodies. Now a full-time gardener, Mike brings both practical expertise and spiritual insight to this vital topic.