“What is the meaning of suffering?” In a crisis of faith, that was the question Justin Koelbl was forced to answer. Justin found the answers he was looking for in the teachings of the Catholic Church. Suffering is not about the pain and hurt, it is about God’s love that transforms every trial and hardship into success. Justin Koelbl has bet his life on redemptive suffering by recognizing that suffering doesn’t break dreams and aspirations, but God transforms suffering for even greater victories. Now, Justin wants to share this life changing reality with the world.
Justin Koelbl is a former five-time United States national champion junior cyclist. With aspirations of racing the Tour de France, he suffered a mysterious illness that threatened his health, career and even salvation. In a short time, Justin went from being a national champion cyclist to requiring a cane and ankle braces to walk. Even after 15 surgeries that left behind over six feet of surgical scars the illness continued to progress. Enduring pain to win a bicycle race was never a problem. This was different. Experiencing what felt like meaningless suffering, with no finish line in sight, Justin lost trust in God and fell away from the Catholic Church.
Away from cycling and away from God, Justin directed his energies to medical research. In this time of adversity, it felt like science was his only hope. He combined the latest medical discoveries with computer science to identify novel medical solutions. Although successful in his research, Justin’s misplaced hope led to misery. Justin said, “It felt like every day was the worst day of my life.” Eventually, it was the love of his dad that brought him back to the Church. With new understanding on life and the importance of faith, his next challenge was finding the meaning of suffering.
With the same determination of winning grueling bicycle races, and finding medical solutions, Justin was determined to find why God allows for suffering and evil in the world. What he found in the Catholic Faith is more valuable than any races he won or treatments he found. Justin has shared this discovery through TV, radio, podcasts, and more. Book Justin Koelbl for an engaging and transformative experience.
Featured Talks
God’s Love in Suffering
How can a person say with St. Paul, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings”? Let audiences be taken on Justin’s spiritual journey and rediscover the sublimity of God’s love no matter the struggle. Justin shares his own reversion, centered on the special love God has for all those who suffer and how redemptive suffering transformed his life. On this journey, you will find how rejoicing in suffering is truly obtainable.
Faith and Science
In a world where science and religion are often at odds, Justin shares how truth in science helped him find the truth of Catholicism. Truth cannot contradict truth. With this basis and a firm desire to answer life’s big questions, Justin used his scientific prowess to navigate world religions. He shares how science is not in opposition to religion but how true religion makes for better science.
