Faithful Workouts off TV – (for now)
Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve blogged. I’ve missed keeping in touch with all of you. The trip to the Dominican Republic was awesome. It was so cool to see God at work in the Dominican’s lives, in the ministries we were exposed to, as well as in the families we hosted. My MOPS (mother’s of pre-schoolers) convention was so fun. Loved leading workouts for these great women. OK, I have to admidt the day the convention ended I slept for 11.5 hours – I was exhausted!!
So much has been going on with Faithful Workouts the last few weeks. The good news is I finished the second book for the membership. I am so excited about the topics covered. My husband proof-read it for me and I’ve never seen him so psyched to take better care of his body. He was also moved by the faith topics.
The other wonderful thing going with Faithful Workouts is that I continue to receive emails almost daily from TV viewers who write to me about how the program is inspiring them. I love hearing the stories and I feel like I have gotten to know many of you from your emails.
(This part isn’t so exciting.) After I returned from the Dominican, I realized my music licenses for TV were up for renewal. Unfortunately, at this time, I simply cannot afford to renew the licenses. I had been praying that DVD and membership sales would cover this hefty bill in “Year 2,” but they haven’t. When this all hit me last week, it made me super sad. In fact, the day I came to the conclusion that the show will need to come off Directv, Dish Network and SkyAngel, I cried on and off during most of the day. I cried because I felt like the TV viewers would think I stopped caring and that I had deserted them.
The hard thing about TV is that you can’t reach all the viewers to tell them why we have to stop the shows. If you know of anyone watching the program that is not receiving my emails please let them know what is going on.
I am extremely hopeful that the program will be back on TV eventually. I am exploring making all new programs that use only royalty-free music (if you know of any artists who have original, upbeat Christian music who might be willing to let me use their music on TV, please let me know). The good thing about producing new programs with royalty-free music is that I will hopefully be able to reach more people with God’s message. I have had to turn down other networks because of the cost of the existing licenses. There is even a network in South Africa that wants to start airing Faithful Workouts once my licenses are international!
I will continue to blog about faith, fitness and fuel topics that I hope inspire you to grow closer to God and to take better care of your body. I’m so happy that some of you have a DVD or have subscribed to the membership so that we are still connected.
One critical note: All of our DVD’s are already produced with royalties to musical artists pre-paid. So meeting our commitments to those of you with 3 and 6 month memberships is not a problem at all. It’s just those expensive TV licenses!! 
If you are interested in donating to Faithful Workouts so that TV viewers who can’t afford the DVD’s or memberships can still benefit from our ministry, you can go to http://faithfulworkouts.com/donate
One other thing of note: I am applying to convert Faithful Workouts from an LLC organization to 501C3 non-profit. This will allow me to apply for grants to help fund the production on new TV programs. Funny how God uses “curve balls” like the one I’ve been thrown to get creative about reaching more people.
It’s when situations get tough that we really have to lean on God more than ever. I’ve been trying so hard to listen to Him. I know He has a plan for Faithful Workouts and He is revealing that plan to me one step at a time. I’m excited to see the next step He has planned!!
Michelle,
I so enjoyed meeting you at MOPS and will pray for your ministry. I know that all the “behind the scenes” challenges will work out for the best. I’ve enjoyed watching you on Sky Angel’s Angel Two channel and will miss the program very much. Stay in touch here and we’ll pray that you’ll find workable solutions and be back real soon. May God continue to bless you and yours,
Karole (with a K)
Michelle,
I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for what you are going through financially with the show. I discovered Faithful Workouts only a few months ago while surfing the Christian channels. Since I turned 40 and have been finding it difficult to keep those extra pounds off, I considered this discovery a gift from God. I said to him, “so this is what you want me to do!” Please continue to pursue this dream . You are inspiring to me. God bless you and I will be watching for your show to be back on satellite.
Rebecca C.
Michelle, I also just found your show a couple months ago. It has been a real blessing and also helped me get this post-baby body in better shape. My flexibility has improved so that I can touch my toes again. I am really missing your show. Looking forward to seeing you again. Thank you and God’s blessings,
Dawn S.
Dawn, so sorry the show went off the air. Please keep working out. Do you have any of them recorded? I do have some dvds for sale on the web site(if the cost is too much just let me know and I will send you one). Taking off baby weight can be tough and flexibility is so important so keep with your workout!! I do believe it will be back on again – I just don’t know when. Praying that God’s next step for me will be clear.
Dear Michelle,
I’ve been working out to your program on TV for a couple of months now. I had recorded 12 of the shows so that I could work out at my convenience since your show is on at 6am for me. lol
Today was the first time in a long time that I went to watch it to see if there was more variation that I might want to add to my recorded sessions and you weren’t on! This is the first time I’ve been to the website and I saw your blog from August 8th explaining why!
The reason I’m writing is in response to your request for artists with original music who would be willing to let you use their music.God has been very gracious to allow me to write and record music that He has given me! I have 2 CDs. One of them is available on iTunes. You can go to the website listed and hear full versions of some of the songs from the most recent CD, and samples from the earlier one or to iTunes for samples . . I would be honored to let you use both CDs, free of any charges or royalties. My heart is to share what God has done in my life and for the music to be a testimony of that, however He chooses!
Let me know if you’re interested. I would gladly send you a copy of both. : )
Your show has really blessed me and continues to keep me motivated to work out. In fact, I look forward to it! I will be praying for God to make provision for you to continue what He’s gifted you to do!
Blessings,
Linda McAbee
Love Poured Out Music Ministries
I so miss your program on Dish network!!! I’ll be praying that the avenues you’re exploring will work out, cause we need your great, upbeat Christian-music exercising programs! Thanks & love from Georgia.
Michelle,
I had a great time at the MOPS convention with you as well! After doing your workout friday morning, I could feel every muscle in my body for the next three days! It was awesome! I brought your DVD home to do with a friend. It really has been challenging us in a good way! I recently received my Sky Angel box from convention. When I saw Faithful Workouts listed on there, I was so excited! But when a different program came on at that time, I was super sad! They should not torture us loyal fans by keeping the program listed there when it is not offered! I will be praying that you get all of your funding so you can return to the air. My brother-in-law is a Christian musician. I will ask him about supplying some of his music for you. I’m really hoping you can get back on to reach more people with your ministry. God Bless!
Anne, so glad you enjoyed the workout at mops. It was such a special hour for me. God has put this passion in me. I love working out with a great group, cranking up the Christian music and sharing God’s love – doesn’t get much better than that!! It would be great if you could talk to your brother-in-law. I am trying to gather up some royalty free music, find a video production company who will film for a discounted rate and get some funding so I can get the program back on the air. I’m sorry you got excited about it being on Sky Angel and then had to learn it was off. If you think others in your mops group might benefit from Faithful Workouts let me know. I am putting together a discounted package for mops groups to include dvds, guidebook, cooking class video, weekly emails, discounts on other products… Thanks for your email and so glad the DVD is challenging you and your friend!
Thank you for the Faithful workouts on Dish Network. Know that I’ll be praying as you seek to find another option for continuing the programs. They are a blessing to me.