Ep. 183 | Ride Along: Why I Choose Hard Things | Lora Thorson, Defenders USA

What if the thing that makes you “different” is actually the thing God wants to use most?

In this solo Ride Along episode, Lora Thorson opens up about why she chooses hard things — from Tactical Games training and fitness to launching a podcast with no roadmap and stepping into uncomfortable growth. She shares how her personal self-defense journey began in 2017 with her very first firearms class, feeling overwhelmed, underprepared, and unsure of herself… and how that path eventually led her to become a firearms instructor and podcast host.

But this conversation goes far beyond guns or self-defense.

Lora shares how her pursuit of personal protection uncovered deeper battles involving fear, identity, self-worth, discipline, and people-pleasing. What began as a desire to feel safer and more capable eventually became a journey of physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual transformation. Through fitness, faith, and learning to align her thoughts with Scripture, she began building true confidence from the inside out.

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This is an honest conversation about courage, obedience, mindset, and refusing to live “normal” when God has called you to more.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re capable, struggled with fear or insecurity, or felt called to something bigger than yourself, this episode will challenge and encourage you to step forward anyway.

Correction: Philippians 4:6 reference is actually Philippians 4:8. :)

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