Sam Ellison

What does real encouragement look like when you're running on empty?In this episode of Pulse Check In, we’re joined by Jonathan Evans — Salvation Army bandmaster, assistant headteacher, and leader of a team that brings energy, noise, and hope to runners on the Manchester Marathon route.From playing brass for hours at mile 11 to helping young people thrive in the classroom, Jonathan shares how faith, family, and purpose fuel everything he does.We explore: Why encouragement matters more than we think  How small moments can shift someone’s journey  Living and leading from faith (not just your own strength)  The power of showing up — even when you’re tired Whether you're running a race, facing a tough season, or just trying to keep going — this episode will remind you: you don’t have to do it alone.Support Gracie Here: https://socialsync.app/fundraiser/cr-l6nw5m9wvq66y

In this episode of Pulse Check, Sam and Gracie ask a surprisingly big question: what does it really mean to age well?Inspired by the podcast “What’s My Age Again?”, they explore the difference between chronological age and biological age — and how lifestyle, stress, faith, and community can all impact the way our bodies age.Along the way they share funny stories about getting ID’d, questionable Woolworths shopping experiences, and the mystery of Colin the Caterpillar birthday cakes. But beneath the humour lies a deeper conversation about loneliness, belonging, hope, and why faith and community might be more powerful for our health than we realise.From worship music and prayer to forgiveness and gratitude, Sam and Gracie unpack how spiritual practices can reduce stress, build connection, and give us hope — even in life’s hardest moments.This episode is a reminder that ageing isn’t just about the number of candles on the cake… it’s about the health of your heart, your mind, and your community.Take a beat and join the conversation.Join our small group bible study, Thursday Mornings at 10:00 on Zoom. Visit https://plexus.church/ or Email Plexus@salvationarmy.org.uk for details. Abide Worship - https://www.youtube.com/@abide.worship

In this special Check In With… episode of Pulse Check, Sam and Gracie sit down with Carlos (aka Carl) — a man who is, quite simply, all heart.From dog walks at 6am to summer schools, faith, work, and finding your passion, this one is full of laughs and genuine insight. We moves from laugh-out-loud moments to deeply honest reflections on faith, work, purpose, and people.Carlos shares his passion for encouraging young people, his 30-year journey in the workplace (where he literally puts holes in things), the role summer schools have played in his life, and why doing everything “with a good heart” might be the best advice you’ll ever hear.A warm, funny, and encouraging conversation about staying open, staying humble, and staying human.

You don’t need the perfect shoes, you don’t need all the answers, you just need to keep moving — and not do it alone. Progress might feel slow, it might feel muddy but stopping is the only way to stay stuck. The tough times getting you further than you could have imagined or even noticed.What happens when you train for one thing… and turn up to something completely different?In this episode of Pulse Check In, Gracie shares the story of being unknowingly signed up for a Wolf Run — a brutal, muddy, obstacle-packed challenge that turns a simple 10K into a lesson about doubt, adaptability, and community.From slipping through mud with the wrong shoes on, to relying on strangers to get through impossible obstacles, this conversation explores what it means to keep moving when life gets messy, how faith shows up in unexpected places, and why we’re never meant to face the hardest moments alone.Expect laughter, honest reflections on mental health and burnout, and a reminder that sometimes progress isn’t fast — it’s just faithful.

Our first guest on the pod, Sam and Gracie swap the running track for the doctor’s office as they sit down with Dr. Joshua Jones to talk all things heart health, faith, and connection. ❤️From the signs of a struggling heart to the deeper link between the head and the heart, the trio explore what it means to stay both physically and spiritually healthy. There’s laughter, a few awkward waiting-room moments, and some surprisingly profound insights on how our emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing all beat in rhythm together.Along the way, they unpack lyrics from Gable Price and Friends’ “Think With Your Chest,” reflect on identity in God, and chat about how faith keeps us going when life feels heavy. Plus — don’t miss the debut of their new game segment, “Three Beats Ahead,” where listeners get clues to next week’s theme!🎧 Expect humour, honesty, and heart — literally.

From marathon sweat to spiritual reset, this episode blends fun, faith, and real talk about keeping body and soul in shape. Dive deeper into faith, wellbeing, and checking in with God. Join us to swap laughs about summer heat, fridge raids, and marathon training before diving deeper into the “weight” we all carry—physical, emotional, and spiritual. Together, let's explore how faith fuels resilience, why it’s worth pausing to notice the small stuff, and how checking in with God (and each other) can refresh our energy. Expect fun, honesty, and encouragement as we sweat it out and talk it through. 

Dive into the “training of you life” — this is your Pulse Check In — not just for fitness, but for faith and mental wellbeing. From marathon gear mishaps and guilty workout tracks, to deep conversations about motivation, purpose, and spiritual foundations, this episode blends humour with heartfelt honesty. Whether you’re lacing up for a run, seeking encouragement in your faith journey, or just needing a check-in with friends, join the conversation and discover how taking stock of your physical and spiritual health keeps you moving forward. If you want to contact us with your thoughts from this episode, send an email to Plexus@salvationarmy.org.uk and put 'Pulse Check In, All The Gear' in the description. 

Together we are up for the training of our lives and we want you to join us. What we are training for is not a sport, it’s a way of life attempting to build up our spiritual and mental health. It’s in the ups and downs where real growth happens, and so much more encouraging when experienced together. Join us for regular check-ins on faith and a fitness for life.