Losing weight, leaning on God: Richfield dad creates dream job
By Christina Capecchi For The Catholic Spirit
Greg Aitchison, 43, has been working as a health coach for two years now, offering a faith-based approach to sharpening the body, mind and soul. He has successfully grown his business, developing a brand with the tagline “Happy, Healthy and Holy” (happyhealthyandholy.org) and managing a dozen regular clients. He and his wife, Kate, belong to Our Lady of Grace in Edina and have four children ages 6 to 15.
Q As a teen your older brother mailed you a letter challenging you to get off the couch.
A Its main message was: “I believe you have a ton of untapped potential. If you truly apply yourself, you could be a great athlete and student. Here are a few tips and lessons I’ve learned along the way …” It echoed Pope Benedict XVI’s “You weren’t made for comfort, but for greatness” message, which I found galvanizing.
Q It takes the right mix of challenging and encouraging, doesn’t it?
A Yes. There’s something to be said for somebody who knows you well and can call you out, but to know how to call you out well. I had a physical transformation between sophomore and junior year. I lost 40 pounds and suddenly was a better athlete. Girls noticed me, and my discipline transformed my schoolwork.
It wasn’t until college that I had professors in the Catholic Studies department at the University of St. Thomas (in St. Paul) say: “We are all called to be saints, and you can do it with God’s grace.” To hear that message — boom! That was a huge reversion for me. I carried that with me into my teaching. I had a sticker on my doorframe that said, “Be a saint.” I’d coach my students: “As you leave my class, you carry your faith with you all day. So, slap that door on the way out and remember you’re called to be a saint.”
Q You and your wife have a dramatic, Nicholas Sparkstype of love story. You fell in love but then felt God challenging you to consider priesthood.
A Deep down I knew God desired our happiness and that his will would be the ultimate source of that, but letting go of Kate and all that we had was the toughest thing I’d ever done.
Q Were you afraid Kate would move on and marry someone else?
A Oh, for sure — she was a catch! I really enjoyed seminary — the classes, brotherhood and spiritual formation — but it became clear pretty quickly that God wasn’t calling me to be a priest.
Q Your new career path began when you hired a health coach, something you never thought you’d do. It can feel frivolous and hard to justify.
A It was a 15-year hurdle. I’m very frugal, and I’m also prideful in the sense that I know what needs to be done, I think I can do it myself.
Q It went against all your wiring.
A Totally. This was my last resort. I was approaching 40 and I was still chasing this dream: What can I physically do? I’d signed up for these races. What if I went all in finally and tried one more thing?
Q I bet that unlocks new career paths for many people: Seeing someone else doing the job. But you also saw how you could do it differently, or better, by incorporating faith. That creates an opening.
A For sure. The Lord planted a seed.
Q You’re doing a job you didn’t even know existed.
A It was not on my radar during 14 years of teaching nor during a couple years of being a stay-at-home dad. My brain was like: I guess I will just teach until I retire. But life is short. You don’t have to just stick with the job that you’ve got just because that’s your job.
Q God was steadily paving the way.
A It’s fun to see. I lean into my teaching experience a lot, and as a teacher, I leaned into my year of seminary. I used to show my students my stack of prayer journals. I can see where the Lord was. I can connect the dots better because I have the evidence: “Here are all the ways the Lord was using this moment and how it all bridged.” You can stand back in amazement.
Q Describe your work.
A I help fellow Catholics become happier, healthier and holier through dedicated one-on-one coaching. While the
primary focus is centered on improving one’s physical health, most of my clients also set and achieve goals in other areas of their life as well — starting a new prayer routine, creating better habits with technology, prioritizing self-care.
It’s a game-changer when we invite God into every area of our lives, including our health and fitness. Many Catholics already know the spiritual power of fasting from meat or treats during Lent, but in my experience, few transform their walks into kinetic prayers or their workouts into acts of redemptive suffering. When we unite our physical efforts with prayer and intention, even exercise can become a way to serve others and draw closer to Christ.
I just got a new client from Singapore who is training for the Camino (de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain). I had a previous client do the Camino and another one is doing it in a year.
Q They’ve come to the right person! And you recently coached a priest?
A He’s 24. He came to me after his first year of priesthood with a clear goal in mind: “I want to be healthy for a lifetime of service and be a good example for others. I want to go from 240 pounds to 200 and start a strength-training program. I want to build sustainable habits, pray a Holy Hour every morning, exercise daily and get back to regular spiritual direction.” While coaching, he got back into exercise — first walking a lot, then jogging and walking, and then he signed up for a 5K and ran it.
Q I’m sure it’s hard — he’s so busy and is often invited to eat out.
A Right, and all the wonderful church ladies drop off plates full of treats and cookies. One change he made that helped him a lot was with nutrition, which is 80 percent of the game. He used a program called All In Meals, a service that sends him a full meal that’s healthy, with lots of protein and not a lot of calories. He didn’t have the time to be cooking. He wants to use every minute he can serving others.
Q How does it feel to help a client who has given up on the hope of losing weight?
A Absolutely amazing. Just in the past few months, one client’s doctor told him, “Your cholesterol is in the healthy range for the first time since 2015.”
Q What’s the key to making changes that are sustainable?
A It starts with two things: beginning small and having a strong “why.” In our first call, I work with clients to create their North Star Goals — where they want to be in six-plus months and the meaningful reasons behind those goals. From there, we set one or two Stepping Stone Goals. As each habit becomes routine, we build on them, stacking one on top of another until the North Star Goals are within reach.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned during my healthcoaching journey is just how much mindset matters. When clients struggle, it’s rarely about lacking desire or willpower, but about the story they tell themselves and how they interpret setbacks. Learning to ditch perfection, see failure as useful feedback and realize you can be both happy with where you’re at and hungry for change are just a few mindset shifts that can make all the difference.
Q What strengthens your prayer life?
A I really appreciate my weekly Holy Hour: Mondays at 2 p.m.
at OLG (Our Lady of Grace). It’s perfect because I go and then pick up the kids (from school) right after. I’ve found that I pray best through journaling, so I often spend that time pouring my heart out to the Lord in this way.
Q How are you setting up your summer to allow for rest and renewal?
A While we have a few trips planned and let our kids sign up for a few activities this summer, we were intentional about not filling every week. There’s plenty of built-in time for the kids to get bored, which usually means they get creative. We do family dinners and have time to play and relax together. In general we’ve tried to be intentional about how many and what kinds of activities our kids are involved in. For the most part, we’ve found a good balance that lets them experience new things while still protecting our family time and giving them space to just be kids. It does feel a bit countercultural at times — so many families stretch themselves thin trying to do it all. We’ve learned that leaving some margin keeps everyone happier and less stressed.
Q What do you know for sure?
A God loves me, is always with me and just wants me to do my best and let him take care of the rest!
DAVE
HRBACEK
CATHOLIC SPIRIT
The priest as humble servant
Editor’s note: This is the 13th column in a series on the priesthood.
A priest is a humble servant, not a high and mighty ruler. Jesus explained this when his Apostles were striving for positions of power: “You know that those recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant” (Mk 10:42, 43). Jesus operated out of this mindset as he went on to say, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve” (Mk 10:45; see also Mt 20:25-28). Priests use their office as a platform to guide and teach, not control or dominate. Their service is given freely for the benefit of others, not for personal advantage (see Lk 14:12, 14).
Jesus modeled humble service when he washed the feet of his disciples (Jn 13:1-15). Jesus left his seat at the middle of the table, the seat reserved for the person of highest rank at the meal. Then he took off his outer garments, another sign of his status. Next, he knelt to wash their feet (Jn 13:4-5). Service was not beneath Jesus. A priest may sit in the presider’s chair at Mass, and he may be dressed in fine vestments, but his seat and clothing do not excuse him from service; rather, they are a summons to serve at Mass and everywhere else.
The foot washing prefigured Jesus’ ultimate act of service: his death on the cross. Jesus
KNOW the SAINTS
told his disciples on Holy Thursday night, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15:13).
On Good Friday he proved his love when he took up his cross (Jn 19:17) and willingly
A priest is to pour himself into his ministry, and at the end of the day and the end of his life, if he has served as Jesus did, he will have given everything that he has to give and be totally spent, and thus emptied, Jesus will be his all.
laid down his life (Jn 10:18; Jn 19:30). Priests regard their people as their friends, and they willingly lay down their lives for them. Priests are asked to shoulder their cross, to endure the hardships that come with ministry for the spiritual well-being of their people. As Jesus gave his very life, priesthood is a lifetime commitment, and from their ordination day until they take their last breath, priests are called to serve from start to finish.
As Jesus died, blood and water flowed from his side (Jn 19:34b). Jesus poured out everything that he had to give. When Jesus died, he was totally spent. There was nothing left. Jesus gave his all. Likewise, a priest is to pour himself into his ministry, and at the
Unfortunately, this has also been true with the law that has been given to us by God through his Church.
As a priest, sometimes people ask me why the Church teaches and requires the things that she does. My typical response to those questions is: “Can you tell me how you understand that law and why do you think the Church teaches it?” Sound familiar?
Knowing something doesn’t necessarily mean understanding it, and the encounter the scholar had with Jesus was an opportunity for Jesus to help the scholar understand that which he was learning or already knew, namely the law. In our own faith journey, let’s remember to take a cue from Jesus and not miss opportunities to seek to understand the things that might seem to cause us concern and to help others do the same.
Father Ly is pastor of Presentation of Mary in Maplewood.
end of the day and the end of his life, if he has served as Jesus did, he will have given everything that he has to give and be totally spent, and thus emptied, Jesus will be his all. Jesus is aware of the selfish inclination to relax and be waited on. Jesus asked his disciples, “Who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves?” and then declared, “I am among you as one who serves” (Lk 22:27). The priest must be selfless and have the mentality “I am your servant and have done what I was asked to do” (paraphrase, Lk 17:10).
If pride creeps in, a priest might be tempted to promote himself and his own ideas or even encourage allegiance to himself and foster a cult-like following. This may have been happening in Corinth when early Christian converts claimed to belong to Paul, Apollos or Kephas (1 Cor 1:12). St. Paul would have none of this and announced, “We proclaim Christ crucified” (1 Cor 1:23). The focus is on Jesus and his Gospel teaching, never on the priest and his opinions. When a priest serves, he puts Jesus on center stage, introduces Jesus to others, invites others to listen attentively to Jesus and to follow him, and then quietly exits off to the side. Jesus is the main attraction. The priest is merely a supporting actor.
When a priest serves with humility, he keeps the focus on Jesus, not himself, and has the same attitude as St. John the Baptist who wisely and humbly said, “He (Jesus) must increase; I must decrease” (Jn 3:30).
Father Van Sloun is the director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
Sunday, July 13
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Dt 30:10-14
Col 1:15-20 Lk 10:25-37
Monday, July 14
St. Kateri Tekakwitha, virgin Ex 1:8-14, 22
Mt 10:34—11:1
Tuesday, July 15
St. Bonaventure, bishop and doctor of the Church Ex 2:1-15a
Mt 11:20-24
Wednesday, July 16
Ex 3:1-6, 9-12
Mt 11:25-27
Thursday, July 17
Ex 3:13-20
Mt 11:28-30
Friday, July 18
Ex 11:10—12:14
Mt 12:1-8
Saturday, July 19
Ex 12:37-42
Mt 12:14-21
Sunday, July 20
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Gn 18:1-10a
Col 1:24-28 Lk 10:38-42
Monday, July 21
Ex 14:5-18
Mt 12:38-42
Tuesday, July 22
St. Mary Magdalene Sgs 3:1-4b or 2 Cor 5:14-17 Jn 20:1-2, 11-18
Wednesday, July 23 Ex 16:1-5, 9-15 Mt 13:1-9
Thursday, July 24 Ex 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20b Mt 13:10-17
Friday, July 25 St. James, Apostle 2 Cor 4:7-15
Mt 20:20-28
Saturday, July 26
Sts. Joachim and Anne, parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ex 24:3-8
Mt 13:24-30
Sunday, July 27
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Gn 18:20-32
Col 2:12-14
Lk 11:1-13
ST. HENRY (972-1024) Henry succeeded his father as duke of Bavaria in 975, was elected king of Germany in 1002, and was crowned holy Roman emperor by the pope in 1014. His chief concerns were consolidating the power of the German monarchy and reforming and reorganizing the Church. He founded the see of Bamberg, which became an educational and cultural center. Both he and his wife, St. Cunegund, were zealous supporters of Benedictine monasticism. He was revered for his piety and asceticism, and during the Middle Ages was regarded as the ideal Christian leader. July 13 is his feast day.
CALENDAR
PARISH EVENTS
Raise the Roof Fundraiser July 10-13: 5 p.m. at The Stanchion Bar, 20037 County Highway 10, Corcoran. The concession fundraiser will be held outdoors during the Hamel Rodeo. All proceeds go to the St. Thomas Capital Campaign to support “Raising the Roof” on the new church. churchofstthomas.org/events-1/rtr25
Solanus Hike and Bike
July 26: 6:30 a.m. at St. Michael, 611 Third St. S., Stillwater. St. Michael and St. Mary have teamed up with the Franciscan Brothers of Peace to offer Solanus Hike and Bike: a multi-option pilgrimage ending at St. Michael for 4:30 p.m. Mass and a pizza party.
stmichaelandstmarystillwater.org/solanus-hike-bike Music and Arts Camp
July 28-Aug. 1: 9 a.m.4 p.m. at the Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17th St. A choral and arts music enrichment camp for singers entering grades 4-8. Performances: Aug. 1. Tuition: $100. Scholarships are available ($75). mary.org/ musiccamp
WORSHIP+RETREATS
Ignatian Silent Retreat for Couples
July 11-13: 4 p.m. July 11-1 p.m. July 13 at Christ the King Retreat Center, 621 First Ave. S., Buffalo. This weekend retreat offers couples the ability to explore together how God is inviting them to grow, individually and as a couple. Susan Stabile, a spiritual director trained in Ignatian Spirituality, will lead the retreat. tinyurl.com/58e6n5vk
Silent Retreat for Men and Women: “Don’t Run from Problems, Run to Emmaus” July 18-20: 8 p.m. July 18-1 p.m. July 20 at Christ the King Retreat Center, 621 First Ave. S., Buffalo. Whatever we fear in the future no longer will be an overwhelming fear, but rather another opportunity to share hearts and grow again. Conferences, Mass, confession, rest; spiritual direction available. Presentation by Father Matt Linn, S.J. Private
accommodations and meals included. kingshouse.com “Newman’s Priestly Ministry”: 2025 St. John Henry Newman Annual Conference
July 24-26: 2 p.m. July 24-1 p.m. July 26, at Christ the King Retreat Center, 621 First Ave. S., Buffalo. Spend 48 hours in a beautiful retreat setting growing in faith and understanding of St. John Henry Newman. Includes academic and devotional papers, worship and social time, lodging and meals. Commuter (no lodging) rates available. stjhnaa.org
SPEAKERS+SEMINARS
Grandparents Feast Day Celebration with Father Erickson July 28: 8:45-11 a.m. at 1938
Stanford Ave., St. Paul. Grandparents Apostolate of Sts. Joachim and Anne invites all grandparents and spiritual grandparents to celebrate its patronal feast and anniversary. “What Can the Young Saints Teach the Aged?” tinyurl.com/yn9k958z
OTHER EVENTS
ARISE! Musical-in-a-Week Summer Camp
July 14-20: 9 a.m. July 14-5:30 a.m. July 20 at Maternity of Mary, 1414 Dale St. N., St. Paul. Join ARISE! Maternity of Mary’s Youth Choir and Musical Theater Summer Camp. Children (ages 7-18) will prepare and perform Emmaus the Musical, discovering and developing their God-given talents, culminating in a performance. maternityofmarychurch.org/arise
Garden Party July 20: 1-3 p.m. at Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center, 16385 Saint Francis Lane, Prior Lake. The public is invited for a Sunday stroll through lovely gardens. Meet the center’s volunteer gardeners, staff and friars and enjoy light refreshments and socializing. No cost. Questions may be directed to 952-447-2182. franciscanretreats.net
ONGOING GROUPS
Torchlight Readers: Book Study with Lay Dominicans Every other Thursday starting July 17:
7:30 p.m.-midnight. Virtual meeting. Explore the Christian life through the charism of St. Dominic in a book study, starting with “St. Dominic’s Way of Life: A Path to Knowing and Loving God.” For questions and the Google Meet link, contact jordanhazel3@gmail.com Catholic in Recovery Sundays: 7-8 p.m. at St. Mark, 2001 Dayton Ave., St. Paul. Catholic sacramental recovery and fellowship for those seeking freedom from addictions, compulsions and unhealthy attachments. We overlap Scripture reading, liturgical themes and 12-step recovery topics. Questions? Call Eileen M. at 612-483-2973. catholicinrecovery.com
Calix Society First and third Sundays: 9-10:30 a.m., hosted by the Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Ave., St. Paul. In Assembly Hall, Lower Level. Potluck breakfast. Calix is a group of men, women, family and friends supporting the spiritual needs of recovering Catholics with alcohol or other addictions. Questions? Call Jim at 612-383-8232 or Steve at 612-327-4370.
Career Transition Group Third Thursdays: 7:30-8:30 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus, 155 County Road 24, Medina. The Career Transition Group hosts speakers on various topics to help people looking for a job or a change in career and to enhance job skills. The meetings also allow time for networking with others and opportunities for resume review. hnoj.org/career-transition-group
Secular Franciscan Order: St. Alphonsa Fraternity July 27, Aug. 24, Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 14: Church of the Epiphany, 1900 111th Ave. NW, Coon Rapids. Membership meeting of Secular Franciscans. We welcome all who are interested in living the Gospel life to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare. Meetings are in the Hearth Room. Contact Jean at 763-496-9369. queenofpeaceregion. org/coon-rapids-st-alphonsa
Gifted and Belonging Second Fridays: July 11 and Aug. 8: 6:30-8 p.m., at Harmon Park, 230 Bernard St., West St. Paul. Meet at the corner of Bidwell and Bernard. GAB in the park! Gather on the second Friday
of each month this summer for Catholic fellowship with young adults with disabilities seen and unseen. giftedandbelonging@gmail.com
Natural Family Planning (NFP) Classes teach couples Church approved methods on how to achieve or postpone pregnancy while embracing the beauty of God’s gift of sexuality. For a complete list of classes offered throughout the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, visit archspm.org/family or call 651-291-4489.
Quilters for a Cause First Fridays: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at St. Jerome, 380 Roselawn Ave. E., Maplewood. Join other women to make quilts to donate to local charities. Quilting experience is not necessary but basic machine skills are helpful. For more information, call the parish office: 651-771-1209. tinyurl.com/3fx64unf
Restorative Support for Victims-Survivors Monthly: 6:30-8 p.m. via Zoom. Open to all victimssurvivors. Victim-survivor support group for those abused by clergy as adults first Mondays. Support group for relatives or friends of victims of clergy sexual abuse second Mondays. Victim-survivor support group third Mondays. Survivor Peace Circle third Tuesdays. Support group for men who have been sexually abused by clergy/religious fourth Wednesdays. Support group for present and former employees of faith-based institutions who have experienced abuse in any of its many forms second Thursdays. Visit archspm.org/healing or contact Paula Kaempffer, outreach coordinator for restorative justice and abuse prevention, at kaempfferp@archspm.org or 651-291-4429.
Secular Franciscan Meeting of St. Leonard of Port Maurice Fraternity Third Sundays: 2:15-3:45 p.m. at St. Olaf, 215 S. Eighth St., Minneapolis. General membership meeting of Secular Franciscans who belong to the Fraternity of St. Leonard of Port Maurice. Any who are interested in living the Gospel life in the manner of St. Francis and St. Clare are welcome.
These Sisters’ and Consociates’ anniversaries add up to over 1,600 years of Moving always toward the profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction.
OUR 2025 JUBILARIAN ANNIVERSARIES
SISTERS
75th
Mary Calder
Mary Fowler
Rose Mary Rooney 70th
Mary Ellen Foster
Jane McDonald
Marie Shaun Walter 65th
Sharon Gondek
Therese Sherlock 55th
Barbara Whitlow 50th
Martha Merriman
Tam Thi Tran 25th
Suzanne Herder
Charlotte Berres
40th
Mary Jane Casey 30th
Irene Poepping Eiden 20th
Kristine Brelje
Rev. Patrick Casey
Stacy Husebo
Milagros Jimenez-Ruiz
Barbara Kellett
Mary Louise Menikheim
Rita Quigley 10th
Maren Bjork
Louise Jankowski
Diana Lieta
