Ronnie Faisst's motocross mission steered by television

I talked to my pastor Lary Dean, who works as a chaplain for extreme athletes. “Dude, just have faith and believe God will get you in there,” he said, so I did.

I knew I had two months to get ready. I’d have a better chance of winning a medal if I changed my program from freestyle motocross to speed and style.

To do that, I needed better cardio and endurance.

I was flipping through the channels and saw the infomercial for Insanity Workout. It promises a new body in 60 days. I had just enough time.

Even though I usually go to the gym, Insanity was so hard I could barely get through the warm-ups. But I kept going and kept believing I would get into the X Games.

At the last minute I got invited as the fourth alternate. Four people got hurt, which never happens, and I got in, and won the bronze medal.

The funny thing is, I really don’t watch TV, but if it wasn’t for flipping through the channels five years ago, who knows what I would be doing now.

One Sunday morning when I was living with my [now ex-]girlfriend, she was watching TV and stopped when she saw a televangelist preaching.

“My mom loves this guy,” she said, and we ended up watching him -- Joel Osteen. He talked about finding a church and reading a Bible for yourself and making friends who believe. So I kept going and kept believing.

When my best friend Jeremy Lusk died of head injuries from a freestyle accident in 2009 when he was 24, I drew closer to God. I definitely don’t get on the bike without praying.

Whether a race goes good or even if something goes seriously wrong, I believe that God has a plan and purpose with everything in life, even with the Insanity Workout commercial.

-- Reported by Michelle Hiskey