F3 Knoxville

Why are you here? Hammie or HIM day?

THE SCENE: Upper 40’s and clear
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER: Yep
WARM-O-RAMA:

Cherry Pickers, Hairy Rockettes, Tempo Merkins, Tempo Squats

THA-THANG:
Mosey to the big parking lot and line up at the first light pole:

Perform 20 squats, 20 merkins, and 20 BBS then lunge to the next parking line. Once at the line, sprint to the far light pole and Bernie back. Repeat till you make it to the light pole.

Mosey to the CMU pile and grab a coupon.

At the base of stadium hill, line up along the curb facing the hill. Perform the following sequence:

  • 10 CMU OHP
  • 10 CMU Squats
  • 10 CMU Thrusters
  • 10 CMU Swings
  • Bear crawl to the top of Stadium Hill and mosey back.

We completed 3-4 rounds of the above sequence.

Mosey back to the big parking lot. Line up along the long curb.

Performed 11’s with Bobby Hurley’s on one end and Diamond Merkins on the other.

Called time before we finished.

MARY:
None

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
11 Men that I pray are striving to be HIMs! Glad to see Footsie back out again.
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

Why are you here?

I started asking myself that question about 3 months after joining F3. My initial reason for coming out to F3 to prove to myself that I was fit enough to keep up. (Spoiler Alert: I wasn’t!) My hurt ego kept me coming those first 3 months as I pushed to get faster and stronger. I was no doubt here for the wrong reason.

Today, my reason for coming to F3 is different, I’m here because it makes me a better man, a better father, a better husband, and even a better Christian. The workout is an added bonus to the BOM & COT that offer the true reward for rolling out of bed at an unreasonable time. F3’s purpose is to “invigorate male community leadership.” F3 is also a “Faith” based group. If you read up on that aspect per F3 nation it does not define “Faith” as Christianity or even religion, but as a belief in something bigger than oneself. However, I’m blessed that here at JUCO each member of the PAX has shared their own belief that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. This has allowed for an even greater impact from the PAX on my life as they each share Biblical messages that push us to be better Christians and strive to be HIMs.

A note on High Impact Men (HIMs). We use this term frequently when referring to our PAX in F3, but let’s take a moment to reflect on what this term means. A High Impact Man can be defined by immeasurable qualities, integrity, honesty, loyalty, servitude, leadership, humbleness, meekness, etc.  In my mind, the true HIM need only be defined by one single word, Godly. Any man that can be defined as such will inherently be a High Impact Man. I’m urging each member of the JUCO PAX to strive for Godliness in all that you do.

1 Timothy 4:8

“For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”

 

MOLESKIN:
Judge Judy took over as the F3 Knoxville N’antan on Saturday. I shared some of his message and challenge with the JUCO PAX and encouraged them to pray for Judge as he takes on this burden.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Workout at the Boys and Girls Club this Wednesday.

JUCOManjara Peletron workout with Kick@$$

THE SCENE: A nice 50 degrees
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:

Side straddle hop in cadence  20

Cherry Pickers

10 merkins In cadence

Arm rotations thumbs up in cadence

Reverse thumbs down in cadence

Moroccan nightclub 20

10 Windmills in cadence

5 burpees on your own

Side straddle hop in cadence  20

THA-THANG:

Mosey to JUCOManjara

Progression

5 Burpees, 10 squats, 15 pushups, 20 lunges, 25 side straddle hops

Run to the cone/pumpkin

5 burpees

Run back down the hill

Run to the cone /pumpkin

5 burpees, 10 squats

Run back down the hill

Run to the cone /pumpkin

5 burpees, 10 squats, 15 pushups

Run back down the hill

Run to the cone /pumpkin

5 burpees, 10 squats, 15 pushups, 20 lunges

Run back down the hill

Run to the cone /pumpkin

5 burpees, 10 squats, 15 pushups, 20 lunges, 25 SSH

Run back down the hill

Mosey to the top and pick up the 6

Freddy Mercury in cadence *

Plank jacks

Flutter kicks in cadence *

American hammers

8 count push ups x 10

Mosey down to the pull off.

Football feet and drop when I call it.

Mosey back to the flag.

MARY:
Parking Lot Sprints w/ burpees, squats, pushups, lunges, & SSH

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
Use the TAGS on right-side to record PAX (BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOURSELF) in attendance. Be sure to select the AO in CATEGORY above TAGS and then delete these notes!
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

Focus on the good, be the change you want to see, help others achieve their goals, learn to count your blessings not your short comings,  remember we’re not promised anything so each day is truly is a gift, and thank God he gave us that opportunity. Let’s make the most of it!

Thank you for putting in the work and continuing to challenge me and each other!

MOLESKIN:

Psalm 20:4 May he grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans!
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Convergence for 5 year anniversary. Nov. 7 – Asylum.

Breaking the Fall Break Rut

THE SCENE: Perfect for a post Fall Break beatdown
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:

10xWindmills, 15xlbac fwd/bck, 10xTempo Merkins, 10xTempo Squats

THA-THANG:
Reverse Indian Run with front guy dropping off for 3 burpees before joining the back of the line.

At Freshman Hill, partner up with a battle buddy to knock out some DORA 123:

  • 100xMerkins
  • 200xMonkey Humpers
  • 300xLBCs

Once finished, mosey to the coupon pile. Each HIM grabs one coupon. At the bottom of the stairs complete 20xcurls, 20xTricep Presses, 20xCMU Swings then run to the top of the stairs to complete 5 pull-ups. Reapeato till time was called.

 

Mosey back to the shovel flag.

MARY:
Started with 20xFreddie Mercuries then went to Dealer’s Choice from the PAX including Hello Dollies, Scissor Kicks, Imperial Walkers, Plank.

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA
16 HIMs knocked off the rust from Fall Break with a good old fashioned beatdown.
CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:
This world is becoming more confusing every day, especially for our children. We as men need to ensure that we are being definitive examples of Godly men to our children. To ensure that they see how a Godly man acts, thinks, and most importantly rejects worldly living to seek after Christ. If we don’t teach our children, then the world will. It’s quite evident that too many children today have been shaped by a corrupt world and not by Godly parents.

MOLESKIN:
Insert any personal comments, notes, devotion content, etc.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Convergence on November 7th

Use Your Words

THE SCENE:  48 and clear.  Perfect for a beatdown.
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER:  Administered. 
WARM-O-RAMA:
 

Overhead clap IC x 8
Seal jacks IC x 8
Hillbilly walkers
Knee tap merkins
Mountain climbers
Monkey humpers

Grab a block…

Tempo curls
Tempo shoulder press
Tempo squat
Let it hang

THA THANG:

Heavy suicide.  Rifle carry CMU to line 1.  25 heavy freddies (4 ct).  Mosey carry back.  30 CMU curls.  Repeat with lines 2 and 3.

Bearicide – Bear crawl 1 line, do 1 donkey kick, crawl bear back, do 1 CMU thruster.  Repeat w/ lines 2-7, donkey kick and thruster reps equal the number line (e.g. line 7 = 7 donkey kicks and 7 thrusters…)

Doracide.  Partner up.  P1 runs to first island and does 2 burpees then back, run to second island and does 2 burpees then back.  P2 does exercises.  Switchero.
Team does 100 CMU squat curls, 150 uneven merkins, 200 heavy LBCs

Block work with serpentine run.  20 Triceps. 15 curls, 10 shoulder press.  Run serpentine around the islands (about ¼ mile total).  Sprint the straights, jog the curves.

MARY:

Sprint to a line.  First one there calls out an ab exercise and leads IC.  Got through flutter kicks, pickle pounders, pickle pointers.

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

9 plus 3 Rushers

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

Inspiration for this morning’s Word came from the Hardship Hill race, which several of us competed in two weeks ago.  The event was raising funds and awareness for Operation Enduring Warrior, an organization that provides rehabilitation opportunities for wounded military and law enforcement veterans.  As the race was being introduced, a combat veteran came to the microphone and said this… “Two years ago, I went onto the back deck of my house, put a gun into my mouth, and pulled the trigger.”  Mercifully, the gun misfired.  He went on to start working with the awesome men and women of OEW.  That organization helped him rehabilitate, and now he is helping others work through trials.

Closer to home… The division I work in has 19 people – about half are my staff, about half are my peers.  Last summer, we had an intern – an engineering student from UT.  For 8 weeks, he worked with us 8 hours a day, sat near us, ate with us, and laughed with us.  At the end of the summer, he went back to school to finish his senior year – and we talked about having him back during Christmas break.  But by this time last year, he was dead.  That young man who had just spent so much time around me and my colleagues had killed himself.  You know what?  None of us had any idea that he was suffering from depression.  We spent months living most of our days right next to him, and we had no idea.  I’ve replayed conversations with him – and cannot think of one word he said that indicated he was suffering.

 

Quick story to make a point…

Friends, I shall ask you to be as quiet as possible…”  That was the first line in a speech given by Teddy Roosevelt 108 years ago today – October 14, 1912.  The second line was a bombshell – and it revealed why he needed utter silence from the crowd that evening… “I don’t know whether you fully understand…that I have just been shot”. 

The 53-year-old former president was in Milwaukee, campaigning for a third term.  He stepped out of his hotel and into an open car waiting to take him to an auditorium where he would deliver a speech.  As he stood up in the open-air automobile and waved his hat, a would-be assassin fired his Colt .38 revolver straight into Roosevelt’s chest.  Roosevelt reached inside his heavy overcoat and felt a dime-sized bullet hole on the right side of his chest. Having handled guns as a hunter, a cowboy, and an officer during the Spanish-American War, Roosevelt knew enough to put a finger to his lips to see if he was bleeding from the mouth. When he saw that he was not, he concluded that the bullet had not entered his lung.  An accompanying doctor naturally told the driver to head directly to the hospital, but Roosevelt gave a different order; “You get me to that speech.”

They took Roosevelt to the arena.  He went to the podium and stunned his audience by opening his shirt to show the bleeding wound.  Then he took out his manuscript, showed that the bullet had passed through it, and said, “…(this) probably saved me from (the bullet) going into my heart.”  His nervous aides positioned themselves around the podium to catch him if he collapsed, and they begged him to stop speaking.  He answered their petitions with a glare – and went on to give an 87-minute long speech…with that bullet still lodged in his chest (what a dude!).

After the campaign event, Roosevelt went to a hospital.  X-rays showed the bullet lodged against his fourth right rib – and confirmed Roosevelt’s self-diagnosis.  The bullet had halted on an upward path to his heart.  It had been slowed by the manuscript – a 53-page speech, folded double, and held in his breast pocket.

The message is this; the way you use your words can save your life. 

 

The point:  If you are depressed, don’t suffer alone and in silenceThe way you use your words can save your life  If you can tell someone, “I need help… I need prayer… I’m depressed… I have thoughts of killing myself...” – those words might just save your life…

If you are suffering with depression or thoughts of suicide – brother, TALK TO SOMEONE.

Talk to me or anyone else in F3.  Talk to another trusted friend, or a minister, or a counselor, call a hotline and talk to a total stranger…just talk to someone.  Ecclesiastes 4:12 (The Message translation).  “By yourself you’re unprotected.  With a friend, you can face the worst.  Can you round up a third?  A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.”  Maybe you think that your confidant will react with alarm or judgement – but don’t believe that lie for a second.  What you’ll hear is some version of, “It took real balls to share that with me – thank you.  Now, let’s do the work to get you through this and back on your feet.”

One CDC study has estimated that a little over 40% of your peers have experienced symptoms of depression during COVID, and 11% (ELEVEN PERCENT!!!!) have seriously considered suicide.  White men are a high-risk population – dying at 3.5 times the rate of other demographics.

Men, we must talk to each other about hard things.  We must listen closely to each other and remain alert for signs of a brother in despair.  We must look out for each other and speak life to one another. 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue”.  Proverbs 18:21 (CSB)

MOLESKIN:

Around the time COVID started, I remember somebody posting on the F3 main chat an alarming statistic about an uptick in suicides – particularly in men.  The response to that post was one of the coolest things that I’ve ever seen a group of men do – several posts rapid-fire, all with the same basic message, “if you need to talk, call me!” and a phone number.  I’ve never been prouder to be a part of this remarkable group of men. 

T-Claps to Steam and Tank for talking about depression and suicide awareness during Episode 2 of the F3 Knoxville Podcast. 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Convergence at the Bomb Shelter this Saturday.

Tabata Time In Tennessee

THE SCENE: 52 and beautiful…almost too nice for the gloom!
F3 WELCOME & DISCLAIMER
WARM-O-RAMA:

  • Side Straddle Hops (IC) X 15
  • Cherry Pickers (IC) 4 CT X 10
  • Baby Arm Circles Forward X 10 followed by Michael Phelps
  • Baby Arm Circles Backward X 10 followed by Michael Phelps
  • Tempo Squats (IC) 4 CT X 10
  • Hand Release Merkins (OYO) X 10
  • Burpees (OYO) X 5
  • Mosey to the Junkyard

THA-THANG:

Junkyard – Behind Maintenance Building – Coupon Pile

Mosey to next parking lot – Tabata 30 seconds of work / 10 seconds of rest

  • Rifle Carry CMU to next parking lot
  • AMRAP CMU Thrusters (for 2 minutes)
  • AMRAP CMU Bent Over Rows
  • AMRAP CMU Lunges
  • AMRAP CMU Overhead Press
  • Run .15/mile around the parking lot
  • AMRAP CMU Curls
  • AMRAP CMU Squats
  • AMRAP CMU Triceps
  • AMRAP Burpees
  • AMRAP Flutterkicks
  • Run .15/mile around the parking lot
  • AMRAP CMU Tricip Extension
  • AMRAP Big Boy Situps
  • AMRAP Calf Raises on the curb
  • Mosey to AO

MARY:

Part of workout

COUNT-OFF & NAME-O-RAMA

5K, Butter Knife, Dart Gun, Guardrail, Hound Dog, Judge Judy, Ralph, Wanderer & Booster

CIRCLE OF TRUST/BOM:

Continuing the theme about friendship, I discussed the JUCO October Challenge to reach out to friends who could benefit from F3 or who just may need a friend.  This Challenge has already prompted me to text 15 or so guys (local and around the country) who I haven’t talked to in a while.  The result is I’ve had some good conversations with old friends and/or acquaintances that may need a friend.

While I am reaching out to people who may need a friend, this has been good for me because it has forced me to get off my rear (could have used a stronger word) and do something that not only makes me feel good but is bringing a smile to the faces of others.

So why is it important to have friends AND BE A FRIEND?

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Colossians 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 – If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

1 Peter 4:10 – Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
3rd F at Bombshelter Saturday, October 17th