The Matt King Show – Episode 030: Justin Roethlingshoefer

Release Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Matt King (GoBundance)
Guest: Justin Roethlingshoefer

Overview

In this deep and revealing episode, Matt King sits down with Justin Roethlingshoefer—multi-dimensional health coach, entrepreneur, and faith-driven thought leader—to explore the intersection between health, fulfillment, faith, and performance. The conversation goes beyond typical wellness advice, tracing Justin's personal journey from the external markers of success to internal transformation and spiritual surrender. Together, they discuss the pitfalls of high-achievement culture, the limitations of transactional relationships, the root causes of burnout, and how true health is ultimately a holistic, purpose-driven pursuit.

Main Themes & Discussion Points

1. Success Without Fulfillment — The Perils of Performance Living

• [00:00] Justin opens with stark honesty about achieving outward "success"—the body, the job, the position—while feeling hollow and miserable inside.

  • “You looked at me and you're like, man, this guy's got the physique... But I was miserable. That's my greatest failure, is finding this level of success without fulfillment.” (Justin, [00:01])

• He recounts severe health crises brought on by relentless striving, resulting in precancerous conditions at age 31.

  • “They said, man, we don't know if you're gonna see 35.” (Justin, [00:18])

Key Insight:

Relentless accomplishment without purpose or connection erodes both physical and emotional health.

2. Technology, Disconnection, and Modern “Sins”

• [02:54] Justin draws a clever parallel between the biblical story of Adam and Eve and our tech-driven disconnection, even noting Apple’s logo and the price of its first computer.

  • “Adam and Eve...got disconnected through the first sin, which was taking a bite of a piece of fruit... and the company that's leading it has a logo that is a piece of fruit with a bite taken out of it.” (Justin, [02:54])

• The conversation critiques our dependency on devices and how these patterns mimic ancient stories of separation and temptation.

Notable Exchange:

• Matt: “Do you think it's because they're blind or do you think it's because they don't want to see?” (Matt, [04:21])
• Justin: “I think they're scared of what's there...it's easier to mask it. It's more comfortable. And we've become such a culture of tolerance.” (Justin, [06:51])

3. Masking Pain & The Health and Wellness Industry’s Shortcomings

• Justin scrutinizes the facade of modern sobriety and wellness trends.
  • “Everyone's celebrating [less alcohol], but a 72% increase in other mind-altering substances... We're still trying to change how we feel...You're not actually connecting because...you're still not healing the identity and the wounds and the brokenness that we're all sitting with.” (Justin, [05:11])

Key Takeaway:

Modern wellness trends often substitute one coping mechanism for another rather than addressing root wounds.

4. Transactional vs. Transformative Relationships

• [07:55] Both agree that society encourages transactional relationships—which breed more disconnection.

  • “When we live in transactional relationships, we actually don't realize transformation. And transformation is only existing within the truth, but we don't even know what the truth is anymore.” (Justin, [07:55])

• Justin advocates for relationships rooted in genuine curiosity and expectation-less kindness.

5. Spiritual Awakening & Returning to Faith

• [08:07] to [14:46] Justin discusses his estrangement from—and later return to—Christianity, not as religion, but relationship.

  • "It's not about a religion, it's about a relationship...When you have a relationship...that's when you become dangerous. Because now you're stepping into your calling, now you're stepping into purpose, now you're stepping into freedom." (Justin, [10:10])

• He outlines the difference between religious legalism and loving divine guidance, using his marriage as an example of building heart-centered relationships.

6. The Danger of Identity in Achievement

• [14:46] Justin shares his lifelong struggle to be “impressive,” a trauma-pendulum swinging him from overweight kid to anorexia, then to relentless achiever.

  • “I had this performance, heart generated within me...As this anorexic kid realized that, hey, I need to heal...I got to the places of the National Hockey League as a strength coach… but I internally was breaking down.” (Justin, [15:20])

• The turning point came only after his body failed, and he surrendered performance for spiritual connection.

Quote:

“If I wasn't impressive, I would have no purpose. If I had no purpose, I would be nothing. If I was nothing, my soul would die. That was my belief.” (Justin, [04:42])

7. Obedience vs. Striving

• [28:31] Justin redefines modern ambition:

  • “Before I would have said that that success was my success. So look how good we are...We didn't do anything. God did that...it's the fruit that you feel when you walk in obedience with what it is that you're called to. And that's the major difference.” (Justin, [28:31])

• He introduces the mantra: Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast—"Stillness, Silence, Surrender" as the way to deep listening and wise obedience.

8. Daily Practices for Wholeness & Realignment

• [32:32] Justin details replacing chaotic “self-improvement routines” (morning workouts, sauna, cold plunge) with spiritual stillness and Bible reading.
  • “When I got my order right...I start my day in peace, with clarity...now I attack what He’s asked me to attack, not what the world has told me is urgent.” (Justin, [33:32])

Justin’s Routine:

• Wake, read scripture for 20 minutes, sit in silence, ask for divine guidance, write, then act.

9. Barriers to Heart-Level Change

• [34:41] Matt asks why so few transform at the heart. Justin cites:
  • Misunderstanding "renewing your mind" (Romans 12)—“the mind was just another word for the heart,” so it’s about renewing your heart, not just habits.
  • Lingering "false identities" from childhood keep us striving for worldly validation rather than rooting in spiritual identity.

Quote:

"The moment that we get back to the identity that God gave us...that's when we have the renewing of our mind. And the renewing of our mind creates the purity of the heart." (Justin, [36:41])

10. Wrestling with Church and Spirituality

• Matt shares his own struggle with organized religion, feeling put off by the “business side” of church.

  • "I've gone to the church and all I see is the business of the church...And so I really have struggled with that.” (Matt, [43:47])

• Justin validates these doubts, separating relationship with God from experiences with church institutions.

  • “Oftentimes the worst examples of what a relationship looks like with God is found in the church. And don't step in and allow that to be the thing that separates you.” (Justin, [44:54])

11. Patterns, Programming, and True Ownership of Health

• [47:54] Discussion of societal patterns that perpetuate dysfunction (fast food, busy schedules, convenience).

  • “We've been conditioned to think that dysfunction is normal...That dysfunction that we operate with...wonder why we wake up tired, exhausted, overweight, low testosterone...” (Justin, [48:06])

• Justin introduces a framework of seven “Ds” the enemy uses to destroy potential: Distract, Disconnect, Divide, Discourage, Deplete, Disqualify, Destroy.

• He emphasizes our ability to regenerate cellular health every 5–7 years by re-aligning habits with purpose.

12. Practical Health Metrics (HRV and Personalized Optimization)

• [55:59] – [64:00] Justin demystifies Heart Rate Variability (HRV) as a key indicator of resilience and biological age.
  • “Heart rate variability is the greatest measure...of biological age. How old are you cellularly versus how old actually are you?” (Justin, [58:05])

Memorable Demo:

Matt reveals his low HRV live (“26” at age 35, with 55-80 being optimal).

• “There should be a high degree of awareness...Your body's communicating something to you.” (Justin, [61:18])

Key Principles:

• True optimization goes beyond diet and exercise—it integrates mindset, spirit, habits, and data-driven personalization (using DNA, micronutrient testing, wearables).

13. About Own It Coaching

• Justin explains his company’s approach: each client receives a dedicated team (mental coach, dietitian, strength coach, functional med doc) and a plan tailored from in-depth lab testing and daily data.

  • “You are literally just operating and acting in obedience…so that’s its not just, oh, well, now I've got a trainer over here...No, everybody's on the same team..." (Justin, [62:50])

• The goal is to empower health so people can fulfill their unique calling and leave an impactful legacy.

14. Resources, Books, and Further Learning

• [68:46] Justin recommends:
  • The Power of Redeeming Your Health
  • Podcast: “The Own It Show”
  • Forthcoming book: Holy: The Waking Truth for a Sleeping World (2026)

Notable Quotes & Highlights

• “You can win the world, and you can still lose yourself. What if your body's thriving, but your soul, it's starving?”
  (Matt, [00:11])

• “I call it, slow is smooth, but smooth is fast. Stillness, silence, surrender lets you listen so you can be obedient and gain wisdom for what’s next.”
  (Justin, [29:37])

• “Transaction is not transformation. Transaction is just getting us to another place that will create another obstacle because we haven’t truly changed at the heart level.”
  (Justin, [34:05])

• “The moment that we get back to the identity that God gave us...that’s when we have the renewing of our mind. And the renewing of our mind creates the purity of the heart.”
  (Justin, [36:41])

• “Keep wrestling...God is not lost. He knows exactly where you are, and you just have to find him in your way.”
  (Justin, [70:27])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• The dark side of achievement: [00:00] – [02:00]
• Modern technology & spiritual disconnection: [02:54] – [04:00]
• Health industry pitfalls & masking pain: [05:11] – [06:50]
• Transactional vs. transformational relationships: [07:16] – [08:07]
• Spiritual journey and return to faith: [08:07] – [14:46]
• Identity, striving, and surrender: [14:46] – [20:12]
• Balancing ambition and obedience: [28:09] – [29:37]
• Morning routine: from performance to presence: [32:32] – [34:35]
• Why can’t people change at the heart? [34:41] – [37:39]
• Struggling with church & spirituality: [43:46] – [46:32]
• Breaking societal health habits: [47:54] – [52:56]
• Heart Rate Variability breakdown/demo: [55:59] – [62:50]
• Personalized health coaching explained: [62:50] – [68:45]

Episode Takeaways

• Healing and health must begin with the heart and spirit, not just habits or performance metrics.
• Success without spiritual and relational fulfillment leads to emptiness and—potentially—disease.
• True transformation is deeply personal, requiring surrender, community, and alignment with one's unique calling.
• Data-driven, personalized health can empower people to realize their greatest impact, legacy, and wellbeing.

For more from Justin:

• OwnItCoaching.com
• Instagram: @justinroeth
• Book: The Power of Redeeming Your Health
• Podcast: The Own It Show

“Continue to keep wrestling, continue to keep searching. God is not lost. He knows exactly where you are, and you just have to find him in your way.”
— Justin Roethlingshoefer, [70:27]