F3 Knoxville

100 Years of Virtue

AO: asylum-pm
Q: Lilydipper
PAX: Lizzy, Title IX (Christian Prescott), Pusher, Glamper, SlideRule (Stephen Sloan), Sparkler, Curveball, MD Hammer, Pele (Jon Lindberg), Rooney(Carl Whipple), Tenderfoot, Crash Dummy, CRISPR, Unibráu (Nick Robinson), Duggar, Brick
FNGs: None
COUNT: 17
WARMUP: 1 All-Important Burpee, 10 Imperial Walkers, 10 Iron Mikes, 20 Plank Jacks, On back leg and arm stretches, 10 Tennessee Rocking Chairs, 10 Tempo Squats, 10 Little Baby Arm Circles Forward and 10 Backward

THE THANG: Mosey to end on parking lot with nice restrooms. We will do 20 American Hammers.
Mosey to the Amphitheatre. We will bear crawl on grass, step up to next level and continue to the top. Run back down through parking lot below and rinse and repeat.
Mosey to Haslam Sign at Ball Fields. We will do 20 Hello Dollies.
Mosey to nice pavilion past ball fields. We will do Doras. While one partner runs around the pavilion, the other does exercises. Then partners switch. Here are the exercises:
100 Picnic Table Pull-ups.

100 Incline Merkins

100 Bench Dips

100 Decline Merkins

Mosey to ball field with artificial turf. Then run past the ball field and up the hill to the street.
Mosey east on road to the encircled garden by roadway circle. We will do 20 Rocky Balboas on curb surrounding garden.
Mosey to the Coliseum. Next, we will run counterclockwise ¾ of the way around the loop, stopping at each ¼ to do 15 Carolina Dry Docks. Those finishing the third ¼ first sweep everyone back.
Mosey to Haslam’s Rock. Here we will have a 20 Second Sky Gazer.
Mosey to AO.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Smokies Convergence this Saturday in Seymour. Hot Toddy Triple Q at Asylum on January 11.

COT:
Message
On December 29, Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia. He was 100 years old, the longest living president in the United States. He served one term as president, losing the race for president to Ronald Reagan the next election. Losing the race for presidency hurt. But, Carter continued to serve our nation and the world in many different and powerful ways after he lost the election. He established the Carter Center to expand human rights and promote health around the world. Through the Carter Center he helped to practically Guinea Worm Disease, a disease that haunted Africa for centuries and affected 3.5 million people. He monitored more than100 elections around the world. Through Habitat for Humanity, he helped build over 1000 homes in over a dozen countries. He had many other accomplishments as well and because of the accomplishments, became the only president of the United States to earn the Nobel Peace Prize.

While achieving all this, he continued to preach Sunday School at his Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. He taught his church members but also had many visitors for his class. Some would come because he was president or because of his post-presidency accomplishments. But, as President Barack Obama noted, “I’m willing to bet that many . . . were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.”

The following words are directly from President Obama about Jimmy Carter:

Elected in the shadow of Watergate, Jimmy Carter promised voters that he would always tell the truth. And he did – advocating for the public good, consequences be damned. He believed some things were more important than reelection – things like integrity, respect, and compassion. Because Jimmy Carter believed, as deeply as he believed anything, that we are all created in God’s image.
Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values. He embodied them. And in doing so, he taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. In his Nobel acceptance speech, President Carter said, “God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace.” He made that choice again and again over the course of his 100 years, and the world is better for it.

So brothers, we have lost a good man. Let his legend live on and inspire us. May we each yearn for and learn to live the life God created us to live: one of grace, dignity, justice and service.

Prayers
Prayers for our brother, Sparkler, as he makes decisions regarding his upcoming treatment for Prostate Cancer. Prayers for Brick’s children after the divorce this past year. Prayers for all suffering mental or physical pain, including those who suffered injuries or the loss of loved ones in the recent incident in New Orleans. Prayers for those who work for the City of New Orleans.

2025 day 1

AO: asylum-am
Q: Farley
PAX: Unibráu (Nick Robinson), Cat Gut (Mike Davis), Tropicana, Hands, Farley
FNGs: None
COUNT: 5
WARMUP: arm circles, cherry pickers, side straddle hops… light jog while stopping at every other light pole with 5 big boys / 5 merkins

THE THANG: each uses CMU with 4 sets of 25 pressups, arm curls, rows, and flutter kicks then run to end of parking lot to perform 1 burpee then jog up little Mt Everest and walk back down and repeat.

Ended with planks and wall sit-ups (2 sets)

MARY:

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

COT: Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors
they are established.”

The Twelve Beat Downs of Christmas

AO: asylum-daybreak
Q: Kodak (Charlotte Metro (S) Weasel Shaker)
PAX: F3 Pluto ( Hugh Nystrom), Unibráu (Nick Robinson), Pele (Jon Lindberg), High Heels, CRISPR, Steam, Choir Boy, Hands, SlideRule (Stephen Sloan), Brick, Pusher, Honeydew, Cart Girl (John Sadler) (Chatt, TN), Lilydipper, Suds, Backdraw, Protractor (Drew Sloan)
FNGs: 1 Protractor (Drew Sloan)
COUNT: 18
WARMUP: Run around the AO Parking Lot, Side Straddle Hops

THE THANG: Very quick warmup (side straddle hops, some quick stretching).

1. In COT parking lot – Day 1 – 1 Manmaker
Day 2 – 2 Burpees, 1 suicide (half way and back, all the way and back) w/ 5 squats

2. At Amplitheater
Day 3 – 3 Heels to Heaven, 2 Burpees, 1 short lap
Day 4 – 4 Jump Squats, 3 Heels to Heaven, 2 Burpees, 1 long lap

3. At nearby Playground
Day 5 – 5 ‘Mericans, 4 Jump Squats, 3 Heels to Heaven, 2 Burpees, 1 Manmaker
Day 6 – 6 Side Straddle Hops, 5 ‘Mericans, 4 Jump Squats, 3 Heels to Heaven, 2 Burpees, 1 minute hang on bar (or plank if prefer)

4. At soccer field
Day 7 – 7 LBCs, 6 Side Straddle Hops, 5 ‘Mericans, 4 Jump Squats, 3 Heels to Heaven, 2 Burpees, 1 Manmaker
Day 8 – 8 Imperial Walkers, 7 LBCs, 6 Side Straddle Hops, 5 ‘Mericans, 4 Jump Squats, 3 Heels to Heaven, 2 Burpees, 1 Suicide (just running)

5. At Pickett’s
Day 9 – 9 Down Dog Push Ups, 8 Imperial Walkers, 7 LBCs, 6 Side Straddle Hops, 5 ‘Mericans, 4 Jump Squats, 3 Heels to Heaven, 2 Burpees, 1 Manmaker
Day 10 – 10 Russian Twists, 9 Down Dog Push Ups, 8 Imperial Walkers, 7 LBCs, 6 Side Straddle Hops, 5 ‘Mericans, 4 Jump Squats, 3 Heels to Heaven, 2 Burpees, 1 Run and Bear Crawl up to the Overlook

6. Back at COT
Day 11 – 11 Squats, 10 Russian Twists, 9 Down Dog Push Ups, 8 Imperial Walkers, 7 LBCs, 6 Side Straddle Hops, 5 ‘Mericans, 4 Jump Squats, 3 Heels to Heaven, 2 Burpees, 1 Manmaker
Day 12 – 12 Big Boy Sit-ups, 11 Squats, 10 Russian Twists, 9 Down Dog Push Ups, 8 Imperial Walkers, 7 LBCs, 6 Side Straddle Hops, 5 ‘Mericans, 4 Jump Squats, 3 Heels to Heaven, 2 Burpees, 1 sprint up that damn hill.

MARY: We were done, baby!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Polar Bear Plunge on January 1, Smokies Convergence on January 4, Hot Toddy Triple Q on January 11

COT: We get caught up in “the things” of Christmas and focus on those things we want in our lives. Remember that “the thing” we really need to focus on is our relationship with God.

Prayers for all during this Holiday Season.

Lighting of the Advent Candles

AO: asylum-am
Q: Charmin (John Willis)
PAX: Bunny, P3, Matlock (Bill Maddox), Cat Gut (Mike Davis), Love’s, Patty Melt (Parker Greene), Hands, Double Wide, Pac-man, Waffle House (Brady Greene), Charmin (John Willis), Russell Crook/Crablegs, Backflow (Wesley Hunt), Kentucky, Unibráu (Nick Robinson), Hot Tub (John Muller)
FNGs: None
COUNT: 16
WARMUP: Very short. Deep squat; this and that, one cherry picker. Mosey to the open air chapel

THE THANG:

We have five candles. We light one, say a prayer, do some exercise. Here they are.

HOPE

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 40:31: But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will sun and not grow weary; they will walk and not grow faint.”

We now light the first candle, the candle of hope. Hope is like a flame that warms and comforts us. As we light this candle, we celebrate the hope of the prophets and the hope we have in Jesus Christ. We continue to hope in God’s promise that Christ will continue to fill our lives and the life of the world with love and joy and peace.

Prayer: Thank you, God for the flame of hope. As we prepare for Christ’s coming, help us to share our hope with others.

Exercise: We will run and not grow weary. Indian run up the Dragon and back down Baby Everest to the chapel.

PEACE

SCRIPTURE: John 16.33: I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.

We light this second candle to remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He shows us how to share God’s peace with others.

Prayer: The prayer of St. Francis asks God to help us be peacemakers.

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith; W
here there is despair, hope;
Where there is sadness, joy;
And where there is darkness, light.
Grant that we may seek not so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, in pardoning that we are pardoned, and in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

EXERCISE: Mosey to rock pile for

25 curls (4 ct)
25 rows (4 ct)
25 overhead presses (4 ct)

JOY

SCRIPTURE: Luke 2:10: And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of GREAT JOY, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

Paul tells us to rejoice in God always. We light the third candle to remind us of our joy in Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: God of Joy, thank you for the excitement and delight we experience at this joyful time of year. Help us to share your joy with others, so that they too will be filled with your spirit. Amen.

Exercise: Jump for Joy:

25 Froggy Squats (4 ct)
25 SSH (4 ct)

LOVE

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 4:8: Anyone who does not know love does not know God, because God is Love.

John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

John Lennon: “All you need is love.” So true. Since God is Love, that is all you need.

We light the fourth candle as a reminder to share our love with others through words and actions.

PRAYER: Loving God, thank you for expressing your love through the life of Jesus, through our lives, and the lives of those around us. Help us to remember that your love will never end. Amen.

Exercise: Mosey to the Ellipse (or whatever). Partner up. Run in opposite directions. When you meet, tell your partner you love them. Then do 20 partner merkins or 20 partner BBS. Rinse and repeat.

CHRIST CANDLE

SCRIPTURE:

Luke Chapter 2: Pretty much the whole chapter.

Now we light the Christ candle, the candle which represents Jesus. It is the center of our table, just as Jesus is the center of our lives. Happy Birthday, Jesus.

PRAYER: God, our hearts sing with joy and praise because of Jesus. At this happy season we rejoice that Jesus came among us. By his birth and life, he has shown us that we are your people and that we are greatly loved. Help us to remember Christmas all year long by giving to others the gifts of life: hope, peace, joy and love, expressed in the works of our hands and hearts. Amen.

MARY: Mosey back to the AO

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Solstice Sunrise Hike on Saturday. Meet at Asylum AO parking lot if you want to clown car. Otherwise, meet at House Mountain parking lot at 6:30. Breakfast afterwards.

Also, the fake gloomers are working out at 8:00 am. All are welcome. We’ll still have a 5:30 workout.

COT: Already weaved through the workout with lighting of the candles.

Rucksgiving ‘24

AO: asylum-daybreak
Q: Steam , Mermaid
PAX: Jumbo(Carter Dickens), Unibráu (Nick Robinson), Snitch (Cory Beilharz ), Lulu (Greg Huddy), Pusher, FixerUpper, Otis, Honeydew, Veggie (Rylen Huddy), The Situation, Spellcheck, Pele (Jon Lindberg), High Heels, F3 Pluto ( Hugh Nystrom), Crawdad (Robbi Dickens), Choir Boy, 1 downrange PAX from GA
FNGs: None
COUNT: 20
WARMUP
– SSH: 20×4
– Airplane Merkin: 10×4
– Rockette: 10×4
– Baby Arm Circles: 10×4 F
– Baby Arm Circles: 10×4 B
– Willie Mays Hayes: 6

THE THANG
Head to the BP

—BP (Big Pavilion) PT—
– 10×4 stair case incline merkins
– 1/2 — hands down to the lower level
– 3 — incline merkin down position
– 4 — incline merkin up position
– Next rep starts – going up instead
– 20×4 squat bench touches
– 20 step-ups

Head to the base of Cardiac Hill

—Man-Maker Pyramid—
– All together in cadence
– 2 man-makers at the base
– 4 man-makers at the 1st turn
– 6 man-makers at the 2nd turn
– 8 man-makers at the top

Mosey/walk back down to the base of Cardiac + come back up
– 10 merkins and LBCs

Turn it over to Mermaid at 7:30 at the top of Cardiac

Up/downs on Baby Cardiac
– Plank + Bear Crawl American Indian run style
– Al Gore + Lunge

Dora’s
– 100 squats
– 50 merkins
– 25 burpees
– Battle Buddy runs down Baby Cardiac and back

Ruck/Rock Xs in the Big Pavilion
– 12 curls + 1 burpee
– 12 chest presses + burpee
– 12 bent over rows + 1 burpee
– 12 chin-ups + 1 burpee

MARY
– Stretching w/Mermaid
– Race up Baby Cardiac
– Down + backs in the parking lot

ANNOUNCEMENTS
– Check the announcements channel for the weekly Send Me newsletter and all upcoming events

COT
Give It Away

One of the first things you see on the f3nation.com website right at the very top are the words “GIVE IT AWAY.”
– Clicking or tapping on it takes you to F3 Nation’s 2024 Year End Giving campaign, where you can see the F3 Cardinal video – which is incredibly moving.
– You’ll also see sections underneath it titled “The Why” and “The How”

“The Why”
– 66 million obese men in the USA
– 39,000 male suicides annually
– Infinite Sad Clowns

“The How”
– Numbers and info on current and new investments into F3 around the globe

And then it says this:

“F3 NATION’S MISSION AND IMPACT THROUGH GENEROSITY. WHEN YOU GIVE you are giving it away IN HONOR OF THE BROTHER who gave it to you and IN HONOR OF THE BROTHER who’ll you’ll likely never meet. DO IT FOR YOUR BROTHERS!!”
And that brings me to Rucksgiving
– This GORUCK challenge that, in my mind, incorporates all 3 Fs – Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith.
– We just worked hard – thanks for pushing yourself and the men around you
– We spent time in fellowship together, with people we care about and are part of our sphere of influence
– To whatever level of faith you may or may not have – when you were reading through the Rucksgiving event info I shared, something inside you clicked off and said subconsciously said “it’s not about me.” Faith and belief that you’re not just living for yourself and you felt led and guided to give it away.

Why? That’s what High Impact Men do.

Just like on the F3 Nation website where it says “in honor of the brother who you’ll likely never meet,” — we will likely never meet the children who our generosity is going towards from this event.

But they will feel our generosity and willingness to live out of the “it’s not about me” mindset because we had the courage to act out in faith and believe that a fun and challenging ruck event on a ridiculously cold morning could potentially make a difference in their life.

God is a generous and good God, and any and all outpouring of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control from us is because of the work He is continually doing within us.

“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭16‬:‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬
bible.com/bible/59/deu.16.17.ESV

Thank you for participating in this year’s Rucksgiving! Because of this, we will get to bless multiple kids on Christmas through Angel Tree this year.