Austin Espeseth

24. Jesus Follower. Helping Lead People to Jesus Through My Struggles With CMT. Strongman. Below Amateur Endurance Athlete. @elvtlife Manager.

[Austin Espeseth @AustinEspeseth]

I’ve 10x’d my confidence/self-development in the last 6 months

But it wasn’t always this way for me

It’s been a long road to get here

Here is a story about me for you, you’ll want to read to the end of this one👇🏻

[Will🦶🏼 @Barefoot_Will_]

I've never posted this video until now.

This was November 2021.

Just a few hours earlier, I found out I was losing my physical therapy job.. over a company-wide call.. for choosing not to take the Covid vaccine.

I was scared, frustrated, and lost.

My only source of income was being ripped away.

I'd worked my ass off. Finished my degree at 21. Bought my wife and I a home at 22.

I worked two jobs and sold my dream car to put my wife through therapy school, only for her to face the same consequence a week after she passed boards.

From March 2020, I was working as a home health therapist through the worst of the pandemic. In and out of people's homes. In nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities where half the residents were sick.

I was one of the few people most of these patients saw for months on end. Many of them were banned from seeing their own families.

I vividly remember one elderly lady. Sitting in her wheelchair, in front of a glass window, her family on the other side. Unable to stand or hear what they were saying. Tears rolling down her face as she reaches out and touches the glass. She can't understand why she's living like a prisoner. This woman, in the final days of her life, was forbidden from embracing her own daughter.. just inches away.

A weight comes over me. I've never felt so helpless.
That was just one of many heartbreaking scenes I witnessed over two years.

And my reward? Termination, without pay. Over a company-wide call.

And I wasn't the only one. Nurses sleeping on cots in those facilities, away from their families so they could keep serving patients.. Who were handed the same ultimatum: get the shot, or lose your job.

A few days after the call, we were told we could apply for a religious exemption, with no guarantee it would be accepted.

While scrambling to get ours approved, my wife and I had decisions to make. Even if we got approved, who's to say the system wouldn't pull another stunt a few months later and leave us jobless?

That's when I decided: I would do everything in my power to take control of my income.

Fast forward to December 26, 2021. My wife and I signed the closing documents on our home, jumped into a U-Haul, and moved to Florida… into my parents' house.

We made a good chunk of change on the sale, which gave me space in my life.

Over the next two and a half months, I spent my days journaling, praying, meditating, taking long walks, sitting still, digging deep to find out who I was, and asking God to pave the way.

At the end of those two and a half months, God revealed a direction.

It was time to start a business.

So I took some of the cash from the house and hired a business coach

I also took a job at a local PT clinic. Florida's regulations were far less strict.

One week into the new job, I took a week off and spent it in Tampa, building out the foundation of my coaching business.

This was the birth of Barefoot Will.

Fast forward to now.

In the first day of June, I made more money than I used to make in an entire month as a home health therapist.

My wife is a stay-at-home mom.

And I have complete control over my income.

No boss to answer to.
No government agency threatening my livelihood.

Was it easy? No. Quite the opposite.

At one point I was working three jobs, living in a camper with my wife and baby, barely making ends meet.

I'll share more of the journey another time. The three jobs, the camper, the nights I wasn't sure we'd make it.

But here's what I know now.

Losing that job felt like the end of everything. It was actually the beginning.

If they'd never forced my hand, I'd probably still be trading my time for a paycheck. One company-wide call away from losing it all over again.

So if you're standing where I stood… scared, frustrated, lost.. hear me out:

The thing that breaks you can be the same thing that sets you free. You are not as trapped as the system wants you to believe. Trust God no matter the situation, because he has a plan!

[Jay Azeltine @Jungle__Jay]

Training hard prepares you for life

Teaches you how to endure

Back when I trained w/ @zachhomol_ we would compete regularly. One comp was to see who could carry the 150lb sandbag the longest

I won this day.

When life gets heavy - I find strength in the training ive done

[Austin Espeseth @AustinEspeseth]

@Jungle__Jay @zachhomol_ Amen had the same back in 2024 with a strongman competition with a 175lb bag carry, furthest distance in two minutes

Most guys fell off in the first minute, no one touched me that event and took gold in it

Training hard and beyond what is necessary for life and competition

[Blaine B 🪓 @BlaineBursey]

2027 needs to be a year of epic adventures

More n=1 events

I’m talking about

- frozen tundra ultras
- back-to-back Ironmans
- self planned 100 milers

Give yourself 12 months to find your thing

And inspire the world when you go out and do it

[Austin Espeseth @AustinEspeseth]

@BlaineBursey One of the best calls man, had me so fired up for this race!

Always grateful for your wisdom and experience to share with me for this journey 🔥

[Blaine B 🪓 @BlaineBursey]

Had one of my most favorite calls with @AustinEspeseth yesterday

He’s 4 days out from his first 50k. Doing it out in Moab too! Going to be a legendary race and he’s going to do very well

But we didn’t really talk much about the race. We spent so much time chatting on

- training with wisdom and humility
- how to keep doing this long term
- navigating the first 300 days of endurance and the challenges it has on our social circles

The race is actually the easiest part. Getting to the start line actually is hardest

See, he’s been prepping for this race for a while. Over 12 months (mentally). And in that time he’s stayed consistent and committed. In that time, many around him have:

- shown interest but not sign up
- overtrain and get injured in training
- doubt his ability to get it done with less

And we got to talk thru that and pivot how we want to approach a race like this, even though it’s the biggest things he’s ever done in his life

It’s fun to see lessons that I’ve learned in my own journey being applied to a friend and athlete where I get to pour that back into him

So instead of being frustrated or discouraged, he’s showing up to the start line

- prepped and ready to race
- a full heart to serve his friends post race (they are doing a 50 miler)
- leaning into adventure and making memories with his loved ones

And that’s why we do this stuff. It’s not all about PRs and whatever’s next

It’s about becoming the person we dreamed of being, and assisting others to be that version of themselves too

It’s about sharing the love of God to others in dark times (many sign up because they are going thru it…) and how our journeys can give others hope

That’s the overall mission man. And it’s so fulfilling

Proud to be in his corner. Very excited to see how this weekend goes!!

[Tyler Todt @tyromper]

Wanna honor Charlie Kirk this weekend?

Go to church!

Don't be nervous if you haven't been in a long time or ever, just show up!

-Go shake some hands.
-Go hug some kind people.
-Go worship the living God.
-Go hear His Word preached.

College students,
Wanna be rebels & anti THE SYSTEM?

Skip binge drinking this weekend & GO TO CHURCH!!!

Let's fill churches all over the country & praise Jesus together this weekend!!!

Are you in?!

[Jon Root @JonnyRoot_]

George Floyd dies: Millions in property damage, thoughts riots and looting

Charlie Kirk assassinated: Millions peacefully pray

https://t.co/v3MkaplIko

[Austin Espeseth @AustinEspeseth]

Build local community

The Lord asks that we don’t stay in isolation

Isolation is the devil’s playground

[Austin Espeseth @AustinEspeseth]

This book has been changing a lot of my outlook on life and how much I really hurry

Would recommend to anyone out there feeling too busy or hustling in a bad way all the time

[Austin Espeseth @AustinEspeseth]

@megannoellle Doing the Lord’s work 🤝🤣

[Matt Moore @MattSMoore_]

Simon Peter, a disciple of Jesus, was a failed fisherman.

After a long night of empty nets, he returned to shore—only to be asked by a stranger if his boat could be used as a platform to teach a crowd.

Imagine working all night to provide for your family, coming back with nothing, and a stranger asks to use your failure as a stage for something greater.

Here’s what we can learn from Peter’s calling...

The calling of Simon Peter: (Luke 5:1-11)

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God.

He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

“Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m such a sinful man.” For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

Note: You can feel the frustration from Simon "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing..."

Imagine if you had stayed up all night to provide for your family and didn't catch a single fish - how would you feel? Defeated? Angry?

My question after reading this story is:

"If Simon Peter had returned with a boat full of fish would he have let Jesus use his boat as a platform to share the word of God?"

Pridefully, I believe he would've blown Jesus off.

How do I know this? Because I see it in MY OWN LIFE.

I long for things in my own life; money, status, success.

Frustrated, angry, and left with an empty boat just like Simon... I wrestle with God asking Him only one question "Why?"

As I read through this story I am filled with hope by my empty boats

I believe those boats are not a sinking ship, displaying my failures but are the exact life raft that Jesus wants to use to save others.

So much to unpack within this story but I am going to stop here and pose a question to you

"What empty boat in your life is Jesus asking to use?"

Maybe you've experienced trauma that when shared will give someone else the courage to share vulnerably as well.

Maybe you've been failing in a weight loss journey and Jesus is saying "Hey can I use that to change not only you but countless others?"

Maybe you aren't getting that promotion at work and Jesus is saying "Hey can I use this to turn you in a different direction... a direction that leads back to me?"

I don't know what it is but you do...

Whatever is on your mind write now... take out the journal and a pen and let it flow.

Turn to prayer and just tell Jesus like Simon Peter you are ready to not just be a fisherman but to be a fisher of men

That He can have your boat empty or full because you know His will for your life is far greater than your own.

Surrender it all to Him and listen to what He is calling you to next.

God is working.

[Austin Espeseth @AustinEspeseth]

@Barefoot_Will_ Based

[Austin Espeseth @AustinEspeseth]

@Gabepluguez @MattSMoore_ @padenhodges_ @BlaineBursey Amen! One of the best blessings I’ve had is him coaching me alongside @theryandreyer getting me into endurance

[Austin Espeseth @AustinEspeseth]

Been loving this season of life/training

Racking out miles on the trails
Saddling up on the bike
Learning to not drown in the pool
Getting stronger/maintaining size

Having guys like @MattSMoore_ @padenhodges_ @BlaineBursey as training partners has set me to a higher standard!!

[Austin Espeseth @AustinEspeseth]

@MattSMoore_ The best time! Crushing miles and stacking bricks!

[Matt Moore @MattSMoore_]

Morning trail run w/ @AustinEspeseth

In prep for a 50 mile trail race 🧱

[Austin Espeseth @AustinEspeseth]

@BlaineBursey Proud of you coach!! You’re leading the way for myself and so many others amongst big life change

Gonna crush this next IM and growth will exponentially higher than ever in all areas because of it! Head up!

[Blaine B 🪓 @BlaineBursey]

I am well on my way training for my 2nd Ironman

And you would think after doing one and a few 70.3s that you'd wake up feeling this sense of confidence you've never seen before

Well I woke up this morning and felt like a fraud. Just unsatisfied with myself

Past me thoughts were racing in my head:
- "You feel better when your bigger and stronger"
- "You used to eat so much, now you barely get 2 meals in"
- "Do you really like this training? Do you really like this version of you?"

I have been doing all my workouts. This race is looking to be a big boost in my last performance. I am even seeing some big habit upgrades since I've started these longer weeks

So why do I feel unsatisfied?

Well it ain't IM training -- Its LIFE!

I have just been off on the life things and the devil has been getting in my head

Things like:
- staying on the couch too much on a rest day
- home not tidy as often as I used to keep it
- cooking less food due to convenience
- wearing the same old clothes for 5+ years and not upgrading
- choosing to stay in and chill vs going out and exploring a new area

These might seem small to others but to me these all pile up, leaving me with a sense of fraud and "not having my act together"

Can do all the IM training I want (or any other rewarding effort) but without doing the work of every day life, its not going to be rewarding at all

This has been a neat realization I have had recently: Putting some effort into the things that offer no tangible reward just so that you are satisfied with an organized way of living

And no better time to start than now!

[Matt Moore @MattSMoore_]

The House of Steel 2025

We are @ElvtLife 🔥