Episode 92: Fasting for Fulfillment with Aubrey Ghafari and Dana Thomann

March 3, 2025

Watch on Youtube Listen on Apple Podcasts

Welcome to another installment of the Mental Mettle Podcast, where host Coach Matt Thomann embarks on a new Monthly Mettle Challenge – this time, exploring the often misunderstood practice of fasting. This episode dives beyond the dietary aspects, revealing how fasting can unlock mental clarity, boost self-discipline, and even deepen spiritual connections.

Fasting: More Than Just Missing Meals

Coach Thomann acknowledges his initial hesitation about this challenge. As a self-proclaimed "big guy" who loves to cook and eat, abstaining from food felt daunting. However, he approaches it with an open mind, eager to discover the potential mental and spiritual benefits.

The Mental and Spiritual Dimensions of Fasting

This episode challenges the notion of fasting as mere deprivation, instead positioning it as an intentional practice for gaining clarity and self-control. Matt explains how he is hoping it will break some of his bad habits.

Coaching Guidance from Aubrey Ghafari

To navigate this challenge, Coach Thomann enlists the guidance of Aubrey Ghafari, an ICF-certified coach from Larong, who helps him clarify his intentions and develop a specific plan. Their coaching session explores:

Identifying the "Why": Understanding the underlying motivations for fasting beyond weight loss.
Shifting the Mindset: Reframing fasting as an opportunity for growth rather than a form of punishment.
Creating a Practical Plan: Developing a sustainable approach to fasting that aligns with individual needs and goals.

Dana Thomann weighs in

Dana and Matt talk about ways that fasting is incorporated into their religion, and how important it is.

Biblical and Spiritual Connections

The episode also delves into the rich history of fasting in religious traditions, particularly within Christianity. Coach Thomann explores how fasting is woven throughout scripture as a means of seeking God's guidance, strengthening one's faith, and fostering spiritual renewal.

Unlocking Potential Benefits

Whether you're a seasoned faster or simply curious to learn more, this episode invites you to view fasting through a new lens – as an opportunity for:

Enhanced Mental Sharpness: Breaking free from food-related distractions to sharpen focus and clarity.
Increased Self-Discipline: Strengthening willpower and self-control through intentional abstention.
Deeper Spiritual Connection: Creating space for reflection, prayer, and connection with something greater than oneself.
Intentionality: Learning how to be intentional about what you eat and when.

Is Fasting Right for You?

This episode encourages listeners to approach fasting with careful consideration and guidance, particularly for those with underlying health conditions. It emphasizes the importance of listening to your body and finding a sustainable approach that supports your overall well-being.

Ready to Explore the Power of Fasting?

Tune in to Episode 92 of the Mental Mettle Podcast to discover how fasting can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, spiritual growth, and mental toughness.

Contact Coach Thomann at coachthomann@gmail.com for a free coaching session!

Are you ready to forge your mettle?

More From Mental Mettle

Episode 169: Better Youth Coaching. Better Development. Better Athletes. — Dan Stratford

What do young athletes really need most from youth sports? In Episode 169 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with Dan Stratford, owner and partner at Kick It 3v3 Soccer, for a conversation about youth coaching, athlete development, and the purpose of sports for young people.

Episode 168: It's Supposed to Be Hard. How to Use Adversity in Athletics to Build Mental Toughness.

What if we stopped trying to protect athletes from adversity and started teaching them how to use it? Coach Matt Thomann takes on one of the most important—and often misunderstood—parts of athletics: adversity. The pressure, mistakes, difficult practices, losses, disappointment, and setbacks athletes face are not simply obstacles to get around. They can become the very experiences that build confidence, resilience, perseverance, and mental toughness.

Episode 167: Better Coaches. Better Athletes. with Midland AD Courtney Thomsen

In Episode 167 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with Midland University Athletic Director Courtney Thomsen to discuss what truly builds strong athletic programs.

Back-to-School Sports: How Schools Build a Championship Culture

Learn how coaches, parents, and school leaders can build a championship culture this back-to-school season through mental performance training, shared expectations, and intentional support for student-athletes.

Episode 166: The Principal's Playbook for Building Championship Culture with Metamora's Charlie Zimmerman

What separates a good athletic program from a great one? In Episode 166 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, I sit down with Charlie Zimmerman, principal of Metamora Township High School, to talk about what it really takes to build a championship culture.

Episode 165: "I know I'll be ok" with USA Handball Player Julia Taylor

In Episode 165 of The Mental Mettle Podcast, Coach Matt Thomann sits down with Team USA women’s handball athlete Julia Taylor for a powerful conversation about resilience, purpose, and servant leadership. Julia’s story is shaped by early loss, unexpected opportunity, and the long grind of building a life and career in a sport most Americans rarely see.

View all