This is the Truth Network. Nakita, destroy, crush, demolish all competitions. Does he want it? Here it is. Yeah, Mr.
Kolof once again made his feelings very, very apparent. It's been a long time, but the win is over. That's a bad man. No, that's a bad man. No, that's a bad man.
It's time to man up with Satan's nightmare, Nakia Koloff.
Well, welcome to the show today, Gina Fox. Gina, welcome to It's Time to Man Up. Thank you so much for having me today. I'm excited to be here.
Well, excited to have you. And Gina, is this your first time on a Man Up Show? Out of curiosity? That's good.
So it's always fun for me to have the ladies on, to have women on the Man Up Show, because, well, a couple of reasons. I mean, we get women who listen to the show.
So it's not just men who listen to the show. And it's always fun just to have a woman's perspective on, you know, on different things that we discuss as well.
So it's great to have you. Yeah, thanks again.
Well, and I I know we uh we met, uh you you had reminded me uh that we had met at the at the NRB convention. in twenty twenty two and uh uh four years ago already and and I wasn't at this last one. That was in Nashville, Tennessee, and this last one actually was in Nashville, Tennessee as well. I I'm guessing uh uh did you attend this last NRB? No, I did not because I had surgery on my foot.
But I will be there next year. I got you.
Now where so you are like, where do you call home, Gina? I live in Ohio. I live in Canton, so I'm about 40 minutes from. Uh Cleveland and Any guy who is a sports fan knows about the Pro Football Hall of Fame? I was just getting ready to say, I think I am familiar with Kenton, Ohio.
I'm not, I don't know that I've ever been. Of course, I've never been to the Hall of Fame. I knew it was there. And I probably should put it on my list sometime. Being a football guy, I should probably put it on my list sometime.
So now, and born and raised in Canton or where? Yeah, I've lived somewhere in Canton my whole life.
Okay. Wow. Whether it was Canton City, Um, Canton South where I graduated from high school or North Canton. I Okay. And, um Now, what I know you've got the Anchored by the Sword, we're going to dive into that a little bit here: Anchored by the Sword podcast.
In fact, you had recently had me on your show and really enjoyed it. Appreciate the invitation. Really enjoyed that. How long have you had the podcast? How long have you been doing that?
Well, as of march third, it will be five years that this podcast has been going on. Five years what and what prompted you to want to do a podcast?
Well, honestly, it's not really what I wanted to do at first. Um I started Be anchored by the sword ministry after a 13-week freedom journey that I walked through. And I was kind of floundering a little bit, trying to figure out what the whole ministry was going to be and everything. and my best friend of now about thirty years. said, you should start a podcast.
And I was like, well, who wants to hear me talk? I'm somebody in North Canton, and I don't, you know, I was like, I don't have some big platform or anything. Who's going to want to hear me? But then I kind of tucked it back in my head. I ended up winning the podcast equipment that I still use And while I was working one day, a Facebook Live notification came up saying, are you ready to start your podcast?
I was like, okay, I guess God wants me to start this. But God, like, yellow, like flashing signs, right?
Okay. Exactly. It was like, okay, those were three quick remote three reminders within a few months. I was like, okay, we're doing this then.
So the whole idea with the podcast Um Any movie buffs know the movie Wonder Woman? Yeah. and the scene where she's in the no man's land. And she's fighting for the people who couldn't fight for themselves. That's where this whole thing of I want people to know that they're not alone.
And so we will hit the topics that people have a hard time talking about.
so they don't feel alone. Just making a note here. That's good.
And You know, you remind me, your story reminds me. I'll tell you a quick little story. Side story.
So, Stu Epperson, the founder of Truth Radio Network that airs our radio show, and of course, these podcasts that we do as well, reached out to me a little over, I think now, a little over five years ago, or almost maybe almost six years ago now.
So, I guess probably around the same time as you. And just randomly reached out to me, and he's like, Hey, we need to talk. And I'm like, well, okay. And he drives down to my house. He's spent about three hours at my house.
And he says, You need a radio show and you need a podcast. And I'm like, kind of like you, I'm like, what do I got time to do that? I don't know about all that. And, well, he leaves. And I think as quick as that evening, the Lord just reminded me.
of a prayer That I had been praying, you know, and asking the Lord to, you know, just to increase my sphere of influence, you know, increase my voice and, you know, farther reach and all that. And it's almost like, Gina, it's almost like he tapped me on the shoulder. He's like, you know, the airwaves are a pretty good way to expand your reach, to reach more people. And I'm like, okay, I guess you're right.
So I just called Steve back. I said, oh, okay, I'm in. I'm in. Let's do it. And of course, one thing led to another.
And so we launched that, I want to say September of 2020, I believe, is when we launched it. And of course, sitting across from me right now is the main man, Robbie Dilmore, who was instrumental in producing those shows initially and getting them off the ground. And it's been a pretty amazing journey now, all these years later, you know, fun times. And so what are, Gina, what, do you have like one or two favorite stories? from some of your interviews.
Other than the one you did with me? I know, I know. That's like right up there, right? I'm just kidding. I was excited to reconnect because it had been so long since we had seen each other.
So it was exciting to finally get a chance to hear more about your testimony.
So that was awesome. I really appreciate that. Um I had there was one person on my podcast. Her name is Kim Harr.
Now I don't want to give away all of the episode. You have to go find the podcast episode to listen. But Um Sometimes I prepare really well for a podcast interview.
Sometimes I kind of like to Good. have real reaction when somebody tells me their story. And Um this one I was so busy with work and everything 'cause I'm a nurse during the day. And so I had a lot of other things going on, so I did not have time to really adequately prepare like I wanted to for her episode. But when she was telling her story, You could literally hear the sound of my jaw dropping going, whoa, because I was not expecting any of it.
And it is quite an amazing story. And that has to rank up there with one of my favorites. Just because, like I said, between my genuine reaction and her story. I mean, there's people that have been in similar situations that don't speak out about this. And she did.
And it was pretty amazing. Um I also in the very beginning, I was interviewing my friends. And throughout the term of the podcast, I've interviewed my friends. like personal friends that I do daily life with. And I think those were great because I even learned more about my friends than what I actually knew.
And so that was really fun as well. And then I got to The first person that Like an actor or anyone that I ever interviewed was Cameron Arnett.
So that was fun.
So And my top rated episode right now is with a lot of people in football may know. um her because her and her a friend, they do a podcast all about college football. uh Sophie Hudson and her nic her um Instagram name and everything is Blue Mama. And that was a super fun episode. We got to talk about sports and everything.
Well, it's it's interesting, you know, your your comment about interviewing your friends. and learning more about them. I'm reminded of uh these camps that we We do every spring and fall down in a little town called Royston, Georgia, man camp. And we had last fall. Three men who got in a car and drove over twenty hours from the state of Maine down to Georgia to attend the camp.
And What they shared was, you just reminded me of this, they said, you know, we went to church every Sunday together, saw each other in church, and you know, thought we knew each other. and then come to realize that on that twenty hour drive, They really didn't. know each other. But through that twenty hours together, they really got to know each other. And then they said, you know, the five days at camp experiencing that.
Made the 20-hour drive home even more amazing. than the drive down. And so that you bring up an interesting point, Gina, and how many you know, there's probably somebody out there even relating right now. You know, maybe they're a regular church attender, or maybe they're not. Um you know, but maybe they just somebody somebody they work alongside and and yet yet I guess the point I'm I'm gonna make is how often do we think we know somebody and call them a friend but not really know them, right?
Right. And that's what sounds like. Uh you discovered by interviewing some of your friends. I did, and the person that I told you about that said you should start a podcast. I guess that her and I have been friends for like thirty years.
And I didn't even know her. her um come to Jesus story, her salvation story. until I did the interview and I was like Why did I never ask you this? I was like, I didn't I never realized it and it it was that she came to Christ at five years old. And I never Knew that.
Nikita Koloff here, and I am excited. Did you hear the huge announcement, the big announcement?
Well, maybe it's a minor announcement. Anyway, Facebook, go look up my new fan page, Nikita Koloff Fans, and like it. And follow today. If you would like to support Koloff for Christ Ministries, for a gift of $25, Nikita will send you his two CDs, Adoration and Declaration. For a gift of $50, Nikita will include his book, Wrestling with Success.
And for a gift of $100 or more, Nikita will include a signed copy of his newly updated life story, A Tale of the Ring and Redemption. Go to www.coloff.net and donate today.
Well, again, to to that point, right? We There are things about our friendships that we Never really ask those probing questions, right? Again, to really get to know somebody, right? And man, that maybe is sparking some within someone out there in listening land, sparking them or challenging them to really evaluate their own relationships, whether it be it within the family dynamic or the workplace, the marketplace, or in church, right? And for those who are church attenders, you You you like don't don't just I guess I'm saying don't just be like two ships in the night, you know?
Seeing people at church and go, you know, have a two-minute casual conversation. How are you doing? I'm doing fine. How are you doing? I'm doing fine.
It's like they play verbal volleyball, right? Like, I'm fine. I'm fine. They're, you know, bouncing the fines back and forth when realistically they're really not. Like, some of them probably are not fine, but they've got the mask on or they've, you know, they're posing, you know, through the conversation when really inside they're broken or hurting.
And. And so the challenge to all of us out there with with certainly certainly within our family, but even friendships is really taking the time to get to know somebody. Let let me ask you this, anchored by the sword, so how did you come up with that name for the podcast?
Well, as I said, the whole ministry came because I walked through a 13-week freedom journey from. uh things that had happened to me in the past and things that I had experienced, things I had done. And when we were starting the course, Uh we had a piece of um piece of wood, like a little block. And we were supposed to write down verses. That would help us as we walk through this journey because she told us this will be the longest and the hardest 13 weeks of your life.
because of what we're going to walk through. And Hebrews 6, 19 was the verse that I wrote down talking about how um you know having hope and as the anchor of our soul Um So I walk through this journey. I went through the soul tiebreaking part of it. which was pretty intense. And then, as I was doing my stud doing my Bible study a couple days later, I felt like the term anchored by the sword came into my mind.
And I was like, okay, I don't know what that means. But you know, God, if this is you, what am I supposed to do with this? And I felt like I was supposed to start a Facebook page. And I did and I had twenty people join in five minutes. And I was like, okay.
So I started the website and it's kind of just progressed from there. Um, I started the podcast. I had my first book come out in October of twenty fourth. And now I'm on to speaking and being on other people's podcasts and other things. You know, these kind of opportunities are opening up now, and it's pretty amazing.
It is it is very amazing. And and so and congratulations on the book. And uh what what's the title of the book, Gina? The book is called Anchored in Freedom.
Okay. testimon or turning trials into testimonies. Um And So it talks about people who were on the podcast before. that have walked through things like mental health. Grief and loss, survival and healing.
And it talks about their stories when they were on the podcast previously.
So I have a QR code that links to people so they can hear the rest of the story. And then they also gave me Bible verses that were their anchor verses, like I asked you. And I wrote all the devotional content, plus four of my own stories aren't in there. As well. And I'm guessing Amazon, they can find it on Amazon.
Really? It's on Amazon. It's on um Books a Millions. Um Barnes and Noble Walmart website. And soon to be my own website.
I'm still working on that.
Well, that was going to be one of my next questions was: what is your website?
So that's a work in progress. But they can find the podcast on all the podcast platforms, Anchored by the Sword. Yes, and the the website is www.anchored by the store.org.
Okay. You can find information about me if you're interested in wanting me to come speak. There's a request form there. Also, Where I'll Be At is there, and it has direct access to the podcast on that site as well.
So it's a direct link right there. And then Anchored in Freedom, the book Anchored in Freedom. What a great title. And let me ask you about the, you know, you mentioned the 13-week journey. That you went on.
And now, is that something that you're involved with currently? Or maybe there's somebody out there that sounds Pretty intense but pretty amazing. That that may be something I needed to. What's your involvement with with it? Um I had mine through local pregnancy choices.
Uh center.
So Um, if you look at the uh pregnancy type choices or plan, or not planned here, but oh gosh. Um like Other um Christian based. pregnancy organizations. that help people who are pregnant in or who have struggled with different like sexual things or post-abortive. Greave.
If you look into some of those in the areas in which you live, Um that's where I took the class. And in Ohio, it's called the Hope and Healing Center. Um, that's who I went through.
So they're in Stark County. Hope and healing centers. Is that what you said? Yeah. That's awesome.
So they can find that or a similar type of of um uh of ministry or organization uh uh through some of the different pregnancy centers uh that offered things like that then.
Okay. Awesome. Excellent. And so, what's interesting, and if somebody does go to your show, Anchored by the Sword, I know they're going to hear a variety of stories. They're going to hear personal testimonies.
I'm looking at some of your notes at a moment when God broke change. Chains, right? And that's interesting for me because, you know, in my wrestling days, a chain was very involved as part of my persona. And in fact, Gina, I used to have what was called Russian chain matches, where my wrist. was chained to another guy's wrist and and the chain actually became became a weapon.
But from that, speaking of books, my very first book, which I am determined to get back in print, it has been out of print for quite some time, was called Breaking the chains. Breaking the chains, you know, and it was a simple book that I deemed a handbook to Christian living and how to live the Christian life.
So God is the chain breaker, isn't he? If we find ourselves, you know, in bondage or, you know, in struggles, right? He can, he can. He can break it all off, right? Amen.
Pretty amazing, right? Yeah, absolutely.
So You talk to or some of the other stories. about about, um People have gone through seasons of deep spiritual transformation. Is there a story that comes to mind?
somebody's story that that you interviewed that They'd experienced that. Or maybe yourself, maybe yourself, maybe your own story.
Well, I can tell mine a little bit.
Okay. It's also on episode nine of the podcast. It's my story.
Okay. In the very beginning. Um So with me, I I came to Christ at sixteen. Yeah. Um Was on fire for God, doing all the things that went on a trip to Venezuela with Teamania Ministries.
Um It was awesome. And then I walked away. in um two thousand And the thing that actually brought me back to the church was some medical issues that I was having that I was undergoing at that time. Um, I ended up having to have a um Partial hysterectomy at the time. And so I was really dealing with all of that and also.
with having to, you know, just starting to get back into church and Reading about the women in the Bible who Prayed for children, and then they had children in their old age, like Sarah, and you know, and then Hannah. had a child and gave him over to the board. and the whole be fruitful multiply thing. And then I wasn't able to do that.
So it was a that was a really, really hard transition for me. and just something I really struggled with for quite a long time. Um but in at towards the end of twenty fourteen, my grandmother who was the Bible reading, devotional person every day before she did anything besides taking care of my grandpa. she would be reading every day and Um she ended up getting cancer. And It was literally a nine-week journey from diagnosis to death.
because by the time they found it, it was already stage four. And um So walking that journey out with her. um was the thing that really pushed me Back into church, and I've been back in church ever since. A couple of different churches. But I've been consistently back in church ever since.
So your story is is truly wa really one of of redemption, right? And just uh The opportunity just really, I'm reminded how just God never gives up, given gives up on us, right? That we may walk away from Him, but yet He never. He'll never leave us, right? His word says, right?
He'll never leave us nor forsake us. And so we're grateful and thankful for that.
Well, I'm encouraged by that part of of your story and and just what you've shared with us today and and I'm excited about what you what's your future, what's going to happen through the book. I'm going to encourage everyone out there to go and find your copy of Anchored in Freedom. We just got just a couple of minutes left. What can they anticipate if they pick up a copy of your book? I mean, we understand the title.
Give us 60 seconds of what they might anticipate or expect through your book, Gina. One of the best things about the book is that it's not something you have to of course I want you to read the whole thing, but you don't have to. There is something in there for everyone walking through any type of issues with any grief and loss. um surviving um healings and mental health issues, there is something in there for everyone. and the story of the people who are involved in the book, including my own.
Our whole purpose in putting those stories out there is so that you know you are not alone.
So if You when you get a copy of the book, there is something in there for you. with whatever it is that you're going through at this time, you are not alone. And that is a great reminder, right? Again, that he never leaves us nor forsakes us. We're not alone.
And Anchored by the Sword podcast. Go to your favorite podcast platform. And be sure to uh look for Gina. Fox and her anchored by the sword. Podcast as well.
You may just need you may just hear a story. You're in a position or in a place right now where you need to experience freedom or On a journey to that path of freedom. And we know who sets the captive free. And I want to thank you too, Gina, for I know you said you nursing is kind of your full-time thing, right? And that's a special calling in and of itself.
How long have you been in the nursing field? Um I let's see. I graduated in 2007 with my degree and I've been working as a nurse since I got my license in January of 08.
Okay. I've got one of my daughters has a nursing background as well. She currently stays at home and is raising five babies. But she's the nurse of the family, though. You could probably relate.
Somebody gets sick or something's going on. One of her siblings are calling her to go, hey, Elliot's not feeling well. He's got this, like, what should I give him or what should I do? Right. And so it's great to have a nurse in the family.
And so, and Gina, great to have you on the show today. I really appreciate you taking the time and sharing with us today. Yeah, absolutely.
Thank you again for having me on. I really appreciate it. And I hope that today's episode was encouraging to someone out there. It's going to encourage somebody. And thank you for having me on your podcast as well.
That was an honor. Oh, absolutely. It's my pleasure. Thank you again for coming on. All right.
And we'll make sure people get yours and mine.
Okay. So, all right. And for all you out there in listening, land, Gina Fox, Anchored by the Sword, thank you for diving in, tuning in. Until next time, go out and have a Godfield a little bit. Yeah.
