Gospel music. When we hear of this musical genre, we think of church choirs or of songs we hear on Christian radio. However, the genre has a bigger influence and impact than what may first come to mind. Big name artists, such as Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley both were impacted by the genre. Aretha got her start singing in the gospel choir at church, and Elvis was inspired to sing by the gospel he heard in church. And that is just to name two. Countless others in the music industry have been influenced by gospel music.
Gospel music has a far reach; in both the US and the world. Many artists on our top ten list are Grammy nominees and winners, and have sold millions of records both nationally and worldwide. As a result, these people are viewed as influences and role models, so it is their responsibility to be a good role model in health and fitness to influence their audience.
We have compiled a list of the top ten gospel singers who we find to currently live the healthiest, by eating well and working out regularly. We chose these singers by researching all available data online: from magazine interviews, to video interviews and even to personal websites. Some singers did not necessarily start off as healthy. Quite a few had some health problems along the way; however, those represented on the list have demonstrated that they now live actively healthy lifestyles.
“Spiritual awareness is one of the key components of a healthy lifestyle that impacts the whole body and rejuvenates the spirit. Physical fitness and healthy nutrition allows that spirit to flourish to new dimensions and many people experience a closer relationship to God.” -Samir Becic
Here is Samir Becic and Health Fitness Revolution‘s list of the Top 10 Fittest Gospel Singers 2024:
YOLANDA ADAMS
Fitness:
- Yolanda Adams has always been into fitness since she was young. Her father was a coach and she had to either run or weight-lift
- She has a personal trainer who is also a former NFL linebacker, Terrence Cooks
- Adams runs nine to ten miles a week and does three miles on a treadmill. She also plays golf once or twice a week
- She maintains her hamstrings and glutes by doing planks, bicycles, and russian twists.
Nutrition:
- She eats salads, fruits, fish, and gluten-free toasts
- Yolanda disclosed in an interview that she eats fruits and vegetables that are alkaline to flush out the system and keep her body’s pH balanced
- She also clarified that she doesn’t eat high sugar foods or drink alcohol
Mental Health Practices:
- Yolanda reveals she embraces self-love and enjoys practicing meditation.
- She also explained how her faith is her motivation and foundation because it helps her stay focused on what’s important.
- She takes time off each day to relax either by taking a walk, listening to music or meditating
- Yolanda believes being kind to one’s self and practicing self-care is essential for a healthy lifestyle. She also believes in making rational decisions so that they align with our core values.
- Lastly, she encourages surrounding one’s self with positive people who support your goals and cheers on through sucesses and failures
JUANITA BYNUM
Fitness:
- Juanita Bynum lost 30 pounds going from size sixteen to a size eight by working out three to four times a week
- She participates in activities like weight lifting and strength training, spin class, walking and yoga.
- She walks on the treadmill for 60 minutes and would not stop until she reaches her goal
Nutrition:
- Bynum is a rigid vegetarian which means she does not eat meat and dairy products.
- She is not vegan and suggests sticking to your healthy living plan by any means necessary
- She includes portion control into her diet plan and watches the food that she consumes
Mental Health Practices:
- Juanita detoxes her body to remove any internal and external toxins
- While she was going through her divorce, she refused to speak to anyone, went cold turkey, read magazines, left everything alone, and watched the news until she was able to find herself
- Bynum was going through a public divorce and was in a dark place in her life. She disclosed how she had to forgive herself first for displacing everyone else in her life. After that, she was able to discover her true self.
- She has a mentor who guides her and explains to her to never allow people tell her what they think about her, rather she tells them what they should think about her.
ERICA CAMPBELL
Fitness:
- Erica campbell workout routines includes running, walking, lunges, and squats
- She does cardiovascular and strength training during her exercise routines. Cardiovascular and strength training exercises are known to improve endurance and build muscles.
- In 2022, she went from 184 lbs to 169 lbs losing 15 lbs in total with her goal being 150 lbs
- Campbell also admitted to going through a liposuction surgery after having her child but due to its complications she decided to start her health journey naturally
Nutrition:
- Campbell eats less and avoids late night meal which means she doesn’t eat past 8PM
- She adds water fasting to her daily routine every three days in a week to detox her body
- One of her weight loss meals includes fruits and vegetables such as adding spinach when she makes tacos
Mental Health Practices:
- Erica campbell explains that her best way to deal with mental health struggles is through faith and trusting God.
- She believes therapy is a great way to release stress. During the pandemic she admitted to going to therapy regularly even when nothing seems to be wrong because she felt being in a pandemic could lead to major stress and given that her work is being in front of people
- She also reveals having two songs that addresses mental health and acts as a form of therapy to get your mind right in a positive way and as a source of positive affirmations
JEKALYN CARR
Fitness:
- Jekalyn Carr”s workout routine includes running, walking, cycling and HIIT to lose calories
- She regularly takes part in strength training, weightlifting, and resistance training to help build lean muscle
- Carr’s workout routine is highly intense which is part of the numerous reasons she is able to achieve her fitness goals
Nutrition:
- Jekalyn Carr’s diet plan is very balanced and nutritious which focuses on portion control and whole foods
- She eats lean proteins such as fish, chicken, turkey along with brown rice, and sweet potatoes.
- Carr also adds healthy fats such as avocados, nuts with fruits and vegetables to her diet
Mental Health Practices:
- Carr describes how she keeps a positive mindset and spreads positivity through testifying on testimony fridays
- Jekalyn says she finds connection with reality by writing and releasing music. This process particularly helped her navigate through the pandemic in 2020
- She also speaks on having a “no competition” mindset and how that has helped her through her journey. She finds joy in making music that uplifts people and embraces positivity
KIRK FRANKLIN
Fitness:
- Kirk Franklin loves to workout and takes it very seriously
- He is very committed to exercise and enjoys doing cardio and weight-lifting
- He goes to the gym three times a week, does cardio for an hour, and an inclined treadmill going four miles
Nutrition:
- Kirk Franklin stays away from sugar and eats a clean and healthy diet
- He is very intelligent and emotional when it comes to choosing his diet. When selecting his snacks, he eats raw almonds, apples, cantaloupes and oranges
- He also eats spinach, broccoli, salmon, and chicken breasts. Kirk Franklin admits to being in great shape by being committed to a diet while also being a marginal vegan.
Mental Health Practices:
- When Kirk is frustrated or facing adversity he sits at a park and stays quiet outside
- He talks about the help he receives during those moments where he feels down, which is the community surrounding him knowing what he goes through and the support they provide for him
- Kirk opens up about facing depression and anxiety due to the number of deaths in his life that has affected his mental health. He explains how going to his christian therapist helped him have a different outlook and approach on gratitude.
LECRAE
Fitness:
- Lecrae explains that his sports background is mostly recreational because he enjoys doing it.
- His fitness routine includes strength training and weightlifting, running, sit-ups, pushups, and also skateboarding
- Lecrae started a 45 day challenge where he works out for a minimum of 30 minutes each day
Nutrition:
- Lecrae shared that he tries to eat as healthy as he can and avoids extra carbs and sugar
- He doesn’t eat bread, processed foods and sugar, but eats whole foods
- He eats a high protein diet with two servings of fruits and vegetables per day
Mental Health Practices:
- Lecrae talks about dealing with depression and anxiety and what helps him through it. He explained how he sourced for help through the experience of others online and could not find anything to relate with.
- He is a big advocate of meditation, and he uses that time to clear his mind and reflect on how close God is to him
- Another thing that helps him through this stage is exercise, he shares that he takes at least 30 minutes a day to get some physical activity.
- The second activity he shared is watching the food he eats, seeking therapy, and taking medications
- Lecrae’s last practice is prayers, his faith is one of the big components that helps him get through his depression.
TASHA COBBS LEONARD
Fitness:
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard was dealing with depression and decided to undergo weight-loss surgery in 2010 to restore her faith and find her true self. Weight loss surgery is not a shortcut to losing weight because it still requires a huge dedication to lifestyle changes such as fitness routine and nutrition.
- She exercises regularly by doing cardio and strength training. Cardio and strength training is great in helping you maintain a healthy lifestyle and weight.
- Cobbs fitness routines includes walking, and working out with a personal trainer
Nutrition:
- Tasha Cobbs Leonard made significant changes to her diet in order to maintain her weight
- She stopped eating processed foods, drinking sugary drinks, eats more fruits and vegetables, and adds lean protein into her diet
- Tasha’s dietary transitions improves her overall energy and spirit
Mental Health Practices:
- Tasha has openly admitted to battling depression and feeling like she was in a dark place even while she was doing what she loves.
- She goes to therapy which allowed her to find the roots of her struggles and the support from her friends and family has kept her balanced.
- She also explains that besides therapy, another motivation that keeps her going is her faith in God.
- Being a pastor’s child, she felt so much pressure to continue to lead and be a great role model, but she ultimately found her true self through professional treatment and support from her family
TAMELA MANN & DAVID MANN
Fitness:
- Tamela mann is one of Weight Watchers ambassador and lost 40 pounds during the first month of being an ambassador
- They both have a personal trainer they work with to achieve their fitness goals
- Tamela had to undergo a knee surgery and overcame it once she took her health and wellness journey serious
- David Mann was diagnosed with diabetes in 2010 and decided to prioritize his fitness journey
- They both participate in extremely intense workouts such as burpees, sit-ups and weight-lifting
- Cycling and swimming is also a major part of their fitness activities
- Walking is the biggest part of their journey, it starts from one to three miles each day and then gradually progressed to thirty to forty-five minutes on the elliptical machine.
Nutrition:
- Tamela Mann meals are pre-planned. They eat eggs, bacon, and toast for breakfast
- Most of their diet includes fruits and vegetables and stopped eating food with high amount of sugar
- During lunch, she drinks greek yogurt which is an excellent source of protein
- Their meal plan is curated and designed by weight watchers
Mental Health Practices:
- David Mann revealed that the only way he feels good and finds peace is when he would go into his office and go to sleep
- He then decided to seek the help of a professional therapist to discuss his struggles because he was battling depression
- Mann also revealed he would pray but realized he needed more than prayers for his mental health
- The couple talks about the significance of open communication, openness, and checking in on each other’s well-being. They also talked about the stigma surrounding mental health and advises those who are facing similar challenges to speak up and seek the help they need
SANDI PATTY
Fitness:
- Sandi Patty had chronic high blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- She decided to undergo lap band surgery and lost 75 pounds during that process
- Although Patty do not have a fitness routine, she explains that a healthy cookbook helps her manage her weight
Nutrition:
- Sandi came up with a cookbook that displays all her family’s favorite food and recipes
- She explains that there are also ways to reduce the amount of fat and calorie intake from the recipes in the book
- Patty recipes in her cookbook has instructions to make the calories conscious
Mental Health Practices:
- Sandi Patty is very open with her struggles with depression and trauma. In her autobiography “Broken on the Back Row” she was very remorseful, admitted to her past actions and seeked forgiveness from those she might have affected.
- She established a routine to not travel the world and just to relax and rest her body
- Patty also says in an interview that medication is part of her treatment in dealing with depression
MICHELLE WILLIAMS
Fitness:
- Michelle Williams loves to exercise and and does a 30-minute workout
- She combines weight lifting, sideway squats walks, and battle rope exercises into her routine
- Williams is optimistic about her strength-building exercise and says it makes her feel good overall
Nutrition:
- Williams does not have a diet but more of a relaxed approach to fitness and nutrition
- She says she wants to be a little bigger and as such she eats more pasta and rice to gain weight
- Michelle also admits to being on a leaner diet previously which involves eating fish, turkey and chicken
Mental Health Practices:
- Michelle Williams explains how mental health is important and admits going through depression.
- She sought out professional help by seeking therapy and support from her friends & family. She was a member of R&B girl’s group called Destiny’s Child.
- Williams admitted to going into a mental health facility to seek treatment for depression
- Michelle wrote a book about depression called “Checking In: How Getting Real about Depression Saved My Life— and Can Save Yours” where she dives into the misunderstandings about mental health that she faced during the pinnacle of her group’s success
- In her book, she explains how “I need help” are the three biggest words a person can say
