Donna Richardson Joyner on Faith and Fitness:  
Helping the Body of Christ Connect the Dots

A Keeping Family First Exclusive Interview
by Anita S. Lane  

This month I’m honored to share a very inspiring, in-depth interview with fitness expert Donna Richardson Joyner.  

Truly a phenomenal woman, Donna began her career as a certified aerobics instructor at Bally's Health Club.  She later worked as the fitness director at another club that eventually went out of business.  At that point,  Donna found herself at a crossroads.  Donna states, “I figured I had two choices; go to work for another club or start my own business… I opened shop and called my business, "DONNAEROBICS.”  Donna saved her money, opened a fitness studio and produced her first exercise video.

In 1992 Donna was hired by ESPN to co-host the ESPN Fitness Pros Show, and she co-starred in her first commercial fitness tape "Platinum Buns of Steel."   Donna has had her own fitness videos, aerobic shoes, as well as a book.

Currently Donna’s TV show airs on TV One and The Word Network.   “Sweating in the Spirit” is now the #1 selling fitness DVD on the market, and she’s toured with “Sisters in the Spirit” and the “Pantene Total You” tour.    Even more, she's now the national spokesperson for the McDonalds Fruit & Walnut Salad Campaign.

Donna is one busy woman on a mission.  But she took time out of her busy schedule to share some inspiring thoughts with the Keeping Family First family.

Donna, you refer your work as your ministry.  Have you always viewed what you do as a ministry?
No, in the past I provided fitness programs and the programming was general.  Sweating in the Spirit is totally different.  That was not my priority back then. When I helped my mother start a fitness ministry at her church back in 2000, and others started asking about it, I still was like, “I ain’t  got time for that,” but I’d show them.  Then my mother would come back and say, “Donna, we like your videos and we’re doing them in the church basement, but we need a video workout with gospel music."  But I was like, “I don’t have time for that.”  But I remembered in the back of my mind this vision that I had years ago about producing an aerobic video with gospel music.

Then I started getting calls to come and speak at Christian and gospel conferences.  But again, I was like, “Don’t they know I do the mainstream stuff? Don’t they know I do the workout with Sugar Hill Gang?”  All that started happening and I was simply ignoring the calling. I was taking the lead in my life the church—which is what I didn’t want to do.  But I did, and the pastor looked as though, “I know you’re not going to get people moving from up here in this pulpit.”  But that’s exactly what I did.  I asked the choir to start singing, and I had everybody moving, from age four to age 88, and I was teaching…  It was unbelievable.

When I got back to my hotel I just broke down in tears.  I said, “God, I’m so sorry.  I’ve been ignoring you.  I’ve been wanting to do my thing when you had this assignment here—which is far greater than anything I’ve ever done before …” I was a mess.  I called my momma, crying and all that.

How has this changed you personally?
I had a spiritual foundation, but my spiritual foundation has grown a lot.  You’ve got to be filled with the Word to give the Word.  So, God has challenged me to become spiritually stronger.  I’ve evolved personally and professionally from it.

When did you know this was your passion?
I’ve been in the business for 18 years.  And right now, I know my purpose.  This is my passion, and I have a very fulfilling life.  My husband is using his platform in radio, I’m using mine in health and fitness and hopefully we’re making a difference.

What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome in pursuit of your passion? 
Back in the day there weren’t any well known African American fitness experts.  When I was on the Buns of Steel tape, that was the first time an African American co-starred in the top-selling video tape.

Health and fitness has not been marketed to people of color.  People of color weren’t shown as role models and definitely not selected as spokespersons.  So when I came along it was like one obstacle after another.  I remember being turned down.  They would say, “Oh, we already have a minority for this video.”  When I made one of my earlier videos they looked at it and said, “Donna, you may have too many black people in this video.”  But they didn’t say the same about the videos produced by Caucasians—that they had too many white people in their videos...

So there are always going to be barriers and obstacles but you just have to be persistent.  With God on your side, victory can be claimed.

How do you overcome your obstacles?
Everyday I begin with meditation and prayer because I want to be in a good space.  So then when I’m dealing with the obstacles that come on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, I know that God’s going to give me the strength to overcome them.

I can’t control what comes my way.  It’s how I deal with what comes that  makes the big difference.

What do you enjoy most about what you’re doing?
It’s been so rewarding to go to the conferences, conventions and churches and they welcome me with open arms.  When we take Sweating in the Spirit on the road we have Shirley Murdock singing, and we’re working it out.  We also have Q & A afterward and we bring in a physician and a nutritionist. We’re not only informing people but we’re inspiring and empowering them and giving them the tools they are going to need. 

Les Brown said to me that “Through this ministry, I will help save lives.”  When you look at the statistics—diabetes, heart disease, obesity—African Americans are at the top of the charts and a lot of these illnesses are directly related to unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity.

So I’m going to help us connect the dots.  God has given me this assignment so that I can serve and help the people see that they have to connect the dots.

How do you balance the two sectors that you’re in—the secular and Christian sectors?
It isn’t even about managing.  Number one is Sweating in the Spirit.  I still do the other stuff because I have a following and I still need to serve them, but it’s just not a priority.  It’s secondary—and I’ve let them know that, which I think is fair … but after you get a call like this, there’s just no choice.  This has to be first, and I’m stepping up and trying to make it happen—and make a difference.

What advice would you give to other women contemplating pursuing a similar career? … Or a career in any field?
Don’t be afraid to step out in faith.  A lot of us won’t accomplish our goals.  A lot of us won’t fulfill the dreams we have because we are fearful. God has a purpose and destiny for each of us and if you are going to be a “God’s leading lady” or “God’s leading man,” you have to believe that through Christ all things are possible.  

 God’s got your back.  It doesn’t matter 
that no one else believes in what you’re doing.

It also takes work and dedication on a daily basis.  You can’t just be praying on it and then you don’t take action.  There’s nothing wrong when you pray for good health.  But there is something wrong when you pray for God health and then in the next breath you are chowing down on fried pork chops, fried okra, fried corn and everything else.  Something’s wrong with that. 

You can accomplish your goals.  You can fulfill your dreams, but you have to take action…And by that I mean discipline and consistency.

Donna, you have the number one-selling fitness video on the market right now… 
Yes, and that’s wonderful, don’t get me wrong—but what is so empowering is to see the people when we come together and we’re sweating in the spirit.  I call it the four “F’s.”  You have Fitness, because we’re working our bodies; You have Fellowship—people coming together in unity to move our mind, body and spirit.  Then we’re using our Faith—which is the basis of everything that’s happening; and when you walk away, you’ve just had Fun.

In the video I try to provide that atmosphere.  I make it where it is about us fellowshipping because we’re not in this alone.  We’re in this together.  We have individual goals, but all of us should want to please God and take better care of ourselves.

Did you have the sense that “Sweating in the Spirit” would have the type of impact it is having?
You know, I shared this vision of the video with Yolanda Adams eight years ago.  I didn’t know how I was going to make it happen.  We were driving in a car from some event in Washington D.C. and I said to her, “One day…” and shared the whole vision with her.  Then five years ago I helped my mother start a fitness ministry at her church.  So for the last five years she’s had this successful fitness ministry.  Other churches and communities heard about it and we helped them.  I can now provide the churches with the programming that they need.  I mean, If we’re going to sweat, it may as well be in God’s spirit.  

There is nothing comparable to this type of workout.  When you are sweating in the spirit, you are ushered into a time of praise and dance with God.  You’re in the moment.  You’re in the spirit. You’re giving thanks for the blessings.  You’re feeling good that your body, which is your temple, is moving.

Why do you think Sweating in the Spirit is as successful as it is?
One of the things we all love is music.  And if we have great music, we’ll get up and move.  You have the music, you have the movement and you have the message.  In the video I try and inspire you and tell why you why it’s so important that you take better care of your temple.  And at the same time, at the end of the video it’s good to take some prayer time.  And that hadn’t happened on workout videos before.

 I want people to use their faith, because...through
Christ anything is possible. 

And so here we are—we have that faith and we’re disciplined in our spirituality, we’re obedient and disciplined about our mental health—but then you get down to the physical being and you look around and we got some broken down temples and temples that need a tune-up … So we have to now take that faith and apply it to our bodies.  Just as we have committed ourselves to Christ, we have to commit ourselves to taking care of our temple.

We should be glorifying God in our health.  It’s not pleasing to God for us to be disobedient regarding our temple.  He created our temples, commanded us to keep them holy … and now all of a sudden, with the temple, we’re going to lead, instead of following His lead.

We need to let God take the lead in the area of our health too?
Yes.  Fifty percent of African American and Hispanic women are obese and it’s an even higher statistic for those who are inactive. And African American kids have the highest rate of diabetes and obesity. 

We have to lead by example.
Unhealthy adults produce unhealthy kids.  

We have to lead by example.  We have to show our kids how to be active.  We have to show our kids how to eat healthier.  Unhealthy adults produce unhealthy kids.  If we instill the values of a healthy lifestyle while they are young, they carry that value into adulthood.  

It’s my understanding that you initially sought financial backers for the Sweating in the Spirit project and they didn’t get too excited about the idea—so you financed it yourself.  Is that accurate?  

I’ve sold millions of videos with Platinum Buns of Steel, ESPN videos, my own videos … and I could not get one video company to produce and distribute this video.  Their response was, “It’s a religious product … Are you going to mention God?”  They wouldn’t touch it.  I felt like Mel Gibson. 

I was depressed at first, but I was praying on it.  And then my husband was the one who said, “You know Donna, you better step out in faith, take your own money, invest in it, and do it, because it’s so needed."  So I did.

The original Sweating in the Spirit video had a choir from Dallas.  I did a casting call and I had regular people in the video tape.  I put it out on the market and it did very well.  I’d proven there was a need, that there is the interest, and that people will buy this type of workout, but I wanted to take it to the next level.  I wanted the top gospel music.  Toward the end of the project I eventually got a company to sign on to partner with us.    

Will there be a Sweating in the Spirit II?
We’re already planning it. 

How did July 29, 2000 change your life—the day you married your husband, Tom Joyner?
Shirley Murdock said to Tom one day, “You know, God set you up,” and Tom said, “You’re absolutely right.  My fat butt is married to a fitness expert.” And then Shirley said, “If you’re going to be set up, it should be by Him.”

If you look at Tom now, he has lost 40 pounds and kept it off .  He’s no longer at risk for high blood pressure or diabetes which runs in his family.  No more knee problems, no more back problems.  So God may have set him up, but he’s very blessed from it.  We both are.

Keeping Family First is a website particularly for Christian Moms.  You’ve traveled all around the country.  What do you think is the biggest health/fitness need for moms like me and those in my audience and what advice would you give to help us get started on the journey to better health?
Being healthy is from the inside out.  It doesn’t matter what shape you are.  It doesn’t matter what size you are.  It doesn’t matter what color you are or if you’ve had three kids or one kid.  It’s important to be healthy.  Is your blood pressure healthy? Are your heart and lungs strong?  Are your muscles strong?  Can you run after your kids and not be out of breath?   Can you walk up a flight of stairs and still have some energy to keep going?  Can you do the things you enjoy doing in your life and feel that you are happy, healthy … positive?  Some of us can’t say yes to that. 

It’s important, no matter what shape 
or size, to be healthy.  

You have to set goals for yourself. It’s important that you talk to God and yourself and look in the mirror and say, “I love me.”  If you love yourself you’re going to do what’s right.

It doesn’t matter if you weren’t taking good care of yourself yesterday or a year ago.  Today is where you’re going to raise the bar in the area of your health.

You must first accept yourself.

So you say to God, “I love me and I’m going to raise the bar.  But I’m going to need your help, God.”    You may even have to strip down when you take that look in the mirror.  You must first accepting yourself.   If you haven’t accepted it then you’re not going to change it.  It doesn’t matter that you have dropped, spread, changed, shifted—all of that.  There’s only one “you.”  You’ve got to say, “I’m going to step out in faith and I’m going to improve what I see and improve how I live in every aspect of my life. And my temple is one of those areas that I haven’t been obedient about.”

Start with loving you and say to yourself, “All that I love in me I’m now going to make better.  And what do I need to do?  I probably need to eat better. I probably need to get an active lifestyle.  I need to eat healthier and keep down the stress.”

You have to want to change
more than you want to stay the same

You have to want to change more than you want to stay the same.  You’ve got to want it that bad.  Some people look at change as negative, but change is good.  It’s positive.  It’s no different than you wanting that job promotion… don’t you make some changes to make that happen?  Why, because you really want it.  You want it with conviction.  It should be no different with your temple.  You want to look and feel good and with your faith and with conviction, you’re going to make it happen.

Think about your hair.  Think about the time, money, energy and TLC you put into your hair.  You wash it, condition it, go to the hair salon—and we know how much that costs—but on a daily basis, think about how much obedience you have when it comes to taking care of your hair.  Now, on a daily basis, do you apply that same amount of time, energy an investment to your temple?  Probably not.

We have gone weeks, months even
years without taking care of our temple.

Most of us wouldn’t leave out the door unless our hair was fixed.  I’m sure we wouldn’t go a week, without it being washed.  But we have gone weeks, months even years without taking care of our temple.

So if I can put it to you simply.  The same priority that you give to your hair, give to your temple.

Any parting words?
Faith, itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  We can’t talk about it anymore.  Let’s just do it.

Donna, thank you so much for sharing your passion.  It has been truly inspiring. We appreciate your ministry and wish you continued success!

The Keeping Family First --Donna Richardson
Health & Fitness Challenge:

Okay ladies, here it is.  Donna Richardson has given the Keeping Family First family our own personal health and fitness challenge.   Let's take it!

1. Take the stairs.  I know the elevator and the escalator are very tempting, but go and take the stairs.

2. Park & Walk!  I know we want that front parking space.  We will drive around ten, fifteen minutes—whether at church or at nail salons or the shopping mall.  Park and walk!

3. Walk it Out!  When you’re at the grocery store, walk a couple of laps around the store.  Walk around the perimeter a couple of times then get your goodies.  It’s just more steps you’re taking which is steps towards improving your health.

4. Be an active T.V. viewer.  When you’re watching your favorite show, get down and do some crunches, do some leg lifts, some squats …  Be active!  Otherwise, that’s dead time.

5. Take a “Fit Break” at Work.    We can fit in some activity while you’re at work.  If you’re at your desk, a fit break could be to do some stretches.  If you’re standing, start marching in place.  If you can go outside, go walk.  We’re all working.  We all have stress and not enough energy.  We complain about our weight, so put that fit break in there.

Add fitness into your daily schedule.  Once it becomes daily, then it becomes routine.  Once it becomes routine it becomes a part of your lifestyle.  Then you’re going to want more.  Then you will go from just becoming more active to becoming more fit.  You can go into a more structured program that entails cardio, strength training and flexibility.

Donna, you provide all of that in your Sweating in the Spirit DVD !
Yes, you get all that!

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