Category: 3rd f

Introducing 3F AO – Practicing The Way

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Have you ever wondered if it’s actually possible to live the life that God has called us to in the Bible?  Pray without ceasing.  Show mercy as Jesus showed mercy.  Don’t be anxious about anything.  Love God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.

These are very lofty goals that can seem out of reach or even unrealistic in our day-to-day life in this modern world.  Most of us settle for church attendance, scripture reading, an occasional bible study or small group and trying our best to be a moral person.  These things are good, but often we find ourselves still struggling to find the level of character change we are hoping for.  What if it was actually possible to pray without ceasing and still function in our day-to-day life?  What if it were totally within our grasp to be merciful instead of angry to those who have wronged us or better yet, to those we love most.

AO Practicing The Way is an 8-week temporary 3rdF AO intended to be a primer in spiritual formation in the ways of Jesus.  We will follow the teachings and do the exercises laid out in Practicing The Way – The Course (check out this LINK).

 

Who are you following?  Who, or what, are you being formed by?

The question is not are you following someone or something.  The question is not rather or not you are being formed by someone or something.  The question is who.  The question is what is forming you.

Each of us are being formed every day, every moment.  Our decisions, our environments, our habits, our relationships – they are all continuously forming us into the persons we are and the persons we are becoming.  This is an invitation into a lifelong journey of spiritual formation by following the way of Jesus Christ.  To be with Jesus. To be like Jesus.  To do what Jesus did.

The Course from Practicing The Way will consist of video teachings, discussion prompts and practices for each individual to try and report back to the group for everyone to learn and be sharpened.

Come join us and together let’s learn to be apprentices of Jesus and to go against the grain of our world in order to be who God has always meant for us to be.

Additional Details:

  • Divac and Gekko will be your co-q’s
  • Sessions will be each Tuesday at Gekko’s house from 0515-0615 starting Jan 14
  • Registration is required in order to have an accurate headcount for our host and to join the group on practicingtheway.org  where resources can be accessed for free.
  • DM or text Divac to register (847-544-8997)
  • The book is highly encouraged, as it tracks along with each session, but not required. Find it on Amazon here.

Disclaimer:  Your Q’s have no special training, nor have we figured out how to live perfectly this life we are seeking.  We are humble and hungry seekers of living life in the ways of Jesus and we know that we can’t do it alone.

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🚨 Leaders on the Links Golf Tournament 10/28/2024 At 1:30PM 🚨

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Ready to hit the greens and support an incredible cause? The Leaders on the Links Golf Tournament is happening at Fort Mill Golf Club on October 28th, and we want YOU to be part of it! All proceeds will benefit the Children’s Attention Home and the F3 Fort Mill Community Scholarship—two amazing organizations making a real difference in our community.

⏰ Don’t wait—team registration is $500, but after 10/21, fees go up to $600. Get your team locked in now!

🏌️‍♂️ Sponsorships Available (deadline 10/14):

  • Hole Sponsor: $150 – Custom sign at one of the holes.
  • Silver Sponsor: $300 – Custom sign at one of the holes + banner recognition at the event.
  • Gold Sponsor: $600 – 1 golf team (4 players) + custom sign at one of the holes + banner recognition.
  • Platinum Sponsor: $1,000 – 2 golf teams (8 players) + custom sign at one of the holes + banner recognition + special recognition at the check presentation + social media shoutouts.

🎁 We need your help! We’re also looking for raffle prize donations—every contribution counts toward making this event a big success!

📅 Mark the date:
🗓 October 28th
📍 Fort Mill Golf Club

🔗 Register or sponsor today at https://givebutter.com/leadersonthelinks before spots fill up and prices increase!

🔗Looking to volunteer?  Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0449A4A72CA1FF2-51495425-f3golf#/

Don’t miss out—get involved, have some fun, and make a difference for Children’s Attention Home and the F3 Fort Mill Community Scholarship! 💥

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7 Day Function check

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PAX, a group of HIM did this two years ago and it’s a great way to reset your body, mind and spirit.

FUNCTIONS CHECK: 7 DAY CHALLENGE

In the military, a functions check is what you perform on your weapon to ensure it’s going to work when you need it. Doing this simple process increases safety, ensures operability, and gives you the knowledge that your weapon is functioning properly — and this knowledge also builds your confidence to focus on the larger mission. In this case, your life as a whole.

7-Day Function Check: If you’re looking for a reboot, to prove that you’re still functioning just fine, you GET TO try this

Pick any 7 days between now and the end of April to complete this challenge:
DETAILS – 7 DAY TOTALS
PHYSICAL – Ruck/run 25 miles total. NO junk food . NO alcohol
MENTAL – No TV, No Video Games, No Social Media. Read a book of your choosing instead. Slack is OK
SOCIAL – 4 Workouts (minimum 30 minutes each) with a partner, in the real world. Rucking/running with a partner counts as miles and as a workout.

There are three pillars to your HEALTH: Mental, Physical, and Social — your head, your heart, and your soul. Strong in all three means you’re living in accordance with your best self. They are very much interwoven into your life, so neglecting one aspect too much leads to imbalance. This Functions Check is structured to help reset all three pillars of health, together.

Why just 7 days? This will give you just enough time to suck and to break the routine, but not so long that it’s all encompassing. If you enjoy the challenge, you can do it for as long as you’d like.

Tinsel Out…

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F3 AMRAP 4 AUTISM – ROUND THREE!

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F3 AMRAP 4 AUTISM – 3rd EDITION

B.L.U.F.

Saturday April 20th there will be a #BEATDOWN of epic proportions (AMRAP style) at Alcatraz.  This #SNOTWOGGLER is being delivered to support families with autism (like mine) get the resources they need.  The average cost for ABA therapy is $60,000 per year and can be much higher depending on the severity and need.  Autism Strong Foundation is a local non-profit that is “Founded on faith and led by inclusion, our mission is to provide the strongest support, community, and hope for those touched by autism. All funds raised by Autism Strong are mindfully donated to our community in the way that will make the greatest impact; connecting families and children to the resources they desperately need.” Give HERE if you feel so lead.  Also shirts are live on Mudgear HERE (First order ends March 27 for delivery by event day – second order will launch soon after this one closes)

THE WHY:

This fundraiser supports the Autism Strong Foundation, aiding families grappling with the financial strain of raising autistic children.  You may have heard me advocate for this fundraiser in years past, as this is the 3rd year my M and I have done this fundraiser.  However, this year feels different.  It feels different for two reasons.  First, the diagnosis rate has increased to 1 in 36 children diagnosed in the U.S. with ASD.  This is up from 1 in 54 just 10 years ago!  Secondly, this year feels more personal.  You see, last year we lost our insurance coverage for Noah’s ABA therapy.  After fighting with insurance for months to no avail we were left feeling discouraged and unsure of how we would continue to provide Noah with the therapy that he needed and that has been SO SIGNIFICANT.  Then, the Autism Strong Foundation stepped in, and I am very happy to say that Noah is a recipient of the Landon’s Hope Scholarship for 2023 which will cover the FULL YEAR of ABA therapy cost in 2024 for our family!  So, yea…this year feels a bit different.

Did you know that ABA therapy, a crucial intervention for autism, costs families on average $60,000 per year per the CDC?  The long-term commitment and limited availability exacerbate this burden. Families face additional expenses for education, medical care, and support services, leaving some faced with the unthinkable decision of paying the light bill or paying for their child’s therapy.  No parent should have to make this decision.

Through AMRAP 4 Autism, we aim to alleviate some of these challenges. Your support, whether through donations or spreading awareness, can make a real difference in the lives of these families.

I know that you have ample opportunity to “give to charity” throughout the year.  I’m asking you to seriously consider this opportunity this year.  My personal goal is to raise $25,000 during the month of April (Autism Awareness Month).

 THE WHAT

  • F3 AMRAP 4 AUTISM is taking over Alcatraz on Saturday April 20.
  • 0630 launch with brief warmup and explanation of the day’s event
  • 0640 Event Start. AMRAP below workout for 45 minutes with coupon.  Partners recommended!
    • 54 Burpee Coupon Jump Overs
    • 54 Yard Murder Bunnies (down and back)
    • 54 Curls For The Girls
    • 54 Squat Thrusters
    • Run 1 lap around field – each partner
  • 0725 Clock Stops
  • 0730 COT & Winners Announced
  • 0745 Coffeteria

 Other Details

  • Workout is open to ALL MEN – regardless of if you donate. #CorePrinciple and all…
  • We will be gathering as many coupons as we can. If you have a sandbag, kettlebell or cinderblock please bring it. Recommend no more than 50 lbs.
  • AMRAP 4 AUTISM is an annual event started by Autism Strong Foundation in 2013. This year’s event will be in August and held in Charlotte.  YHC will share registration details as they come available.

 How you can help

  • You can donate with your credit card by visiting the website linked below:
  • WEBSITE(https://secure.givelively.org/donate/autism-strong-foundation/f3-x-amrap-4-autism-2024)
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Convergence Before the Invergence

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It was rainy, cloudy, dark, in other words perfect weather for a convergence. We had roughly 55-60 PAX out for the variety of workouts that were about to be executed.  Disclaimer disclaimed, FNG identified (Randy from heaven on earth (aka Pittsburgh) , and we launched.

Bootcamp Q : Slapshot

Bootcampers followed me up the hill and towards the springs parking lot. After a quick plank for the 6 we moved onto to the parking lot across 160 behind the former bank and now drug store for the warm-up.

Warm-up:

50 SSH (IC)

20 Merkings (IC)

10 Michael Phelps (IC)

5 Windmills (IC)

20 Mtn Climbers (IC)

Stretch

20 Plank JAcks (IC)

Mosey to the other side of the parking lot.

DORA: Partner up with someone you haven’t worked out with. Run was around the drugstore and through the parking lots.

200 Plank JAcks

200 Toe Touches

200 SSH

150 Diamond Merkins

100 4-Ct Flutters

Recover Run Back towards COT.

Tabata Series

30 Seconds on 10 seconds off

4 Rounds 4 sets

  1. SSH
  2. Seal JAcks
  3. HR Merkins
  4. Am. Hammers

Last 7 minutes: 10 Burpess EMOM (which was reduced to a an 11 of sorts after minute 5 where we started going 10 burpees plus 1 BBS, then 9 burpees plus 2 BBS….etc… until we had about 20 seconds left.

I had everyone recover on their feet and then add 1 last Burpee.

NNM: I spoke today about one of the many examples of what F3 has meant to me. Specifically, the other day I was out for a pre-run where I started out at a “comfortable pace” already deciding in my head what I was “good” with that morning.  Then about 2 miles in I came across a fellow Pax who got to the AO early and decided to go find me. We started to run together and my “comfortable pace” got very uncomfortable very quickly. All told, when we got back to COT I had increased the pace I was running at by over 35 seconds. He literally found me where I was, didn’t leave me behind, and pushed me to accelerate. It is what I needed then, and it’s what I needed 5 years ago when I started F3. I never knew how fast I could run, until I started running with faster guys. That Friday morning was a great reminder that I can always push more, that I have plenty of gas left in the tank, and that somewhere out in the gloom a brother is willing to go find you and get you better. (Thanks Olaf)

Whether you are accelerating 1F or the 2nd and 3rd, run with faster guys and don’t just be comfortable. You never really know what you are capable of until you push just a little bit more.

AYE!

Running Q Bandcamp

Speaking of Running with faster guys…Bandcamp executed a 10K route where he was able to hit a PR. The route went all over the downtown Fort Mill area. Again, men surround yourself with HIMS you never know what you’re going to be able to do.

Ruck Q : JWOW

Ruck to Church of NAzarene

10 rounds –

5 merkins at the bottom then 10 squats at the top of the stairs.

Rucked to Print Shop

20 step ups and 20 dips

Rucked up Main STreet and back to Wep for the chair swing loop at each chair swing 5 squats and 5 CDD’s One more half loop to COT.

Kettlebell Q: 38 Special

Leg stretches for a couple minutes while us 40somethigns PAX complained about our joints

The Thang:

10 each of Arm Curl and Press, tricep ex. and overhead press. Grabbed bells and went for a stroll around the park. Bells always farmered carried. We used the park equipment to tell us what to do. Each Swing 20 swings, Statues 30 Standing Tesh with squat each arm Bathrooms = 20 squats same set as the start upon our return.

Paired up for a dora

100 Goblet Squats

200 Calf Raises

300 Flutter with chest press

6 minutes to go carry back to bathroom and back 1 minute of squats and 1 minute of swings.

IR Q: Kermit

Took a nice mosey around downtown Fort Mill and even down to the Peach stand and back. Big thank you for leading this piece and not leaving any men behind!

 

Post Workout  JWOW led us in prayer and we named a  FNG The name Cannonball.

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Springtime Invergence

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It’s that time again for an Invergence where we all can take the opportunity to accelerate all 3Fs.  All 4 workout options will be available so if you want to run, ruck, gear or bootcamp we will have a 1F option for you. Following the bootcamp you are all welcome to stick around and enjoy some 2nd and 3rd F as we discuss relevant topics that affect us in the gloom. More details to come in the next few weeks. Hope to see you all there!

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2024 Shield Lock Service Month

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All of January 2024 The Fort is be holding a Shield Lock Service Challenge Competition!

It’s time to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask yourself, is my Shield Lock strong enough to prevail as champions of the 2024 prestigious F3 shield!!!

We will be holding the following 3rd F Service Events:

  1. Bethel Men’s Shelter 1/4
  2. Trash Pickup TBD
  3. Blood Drive 1/18
  4. Fort Mill Care Center – TBD

The point based competition will be as follows:

  • 10 points rewarded for the above service events per shield lock.
  • 5 point for any other volunteer opportunity. This is where you can get creative. Could be anything from helping an old lady across the street to getting your neighbor’s cat out of a tree
  • 3 points for every $10 donated to the Dam to Dam fund raising.
  • 2 points for attending a Bible Study (The Testament, McGospel) / Hanging With Stang

In order to get credit for the event, you have to take a picture together with your shield lock at the event or the receipt of the transaction and post it to the #2024-shield-lock-service-challenge slack channel.

The Shield Lock with the most points at the close of 1/31/2024 will win the prize of the 2024 Shield Lock Service Champion Shield.Good Luck and God Speed!!

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Haunted Ruck for a good cause

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🎃 Haunted Ruck II 🎃 date has been setup for Wednesday October 25th at 6:30pm;  this year I teamed up with Skeletons for St Jude to help alleviate high costs of treatments for families that are carrying the burden of pediatric cancer and the expenses.
We’ll meet at Model A at 6:30pm and promptly launch, ruck to my house and back, roughly 4 miles total. Expect 1:15 minutes or so… M’s 💃, 2.0’s 🧛‍♂️ and 4.0’s 🐕‍🦺 are welcome. We’ll mingle back at Model A for refreshments… YES, there’s a patch 👻 (Bonus points for wearing a costume 🦹‍♂️)

Come ruck/walk for a great cause.

Hope to see you there

TINSEL 🎄

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SLT Notes – 1FQ

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Michael Pysher 41 SlapShot

 

Our leadership team has been thinking and talking a lot about our mission. That is, why we do what we do. For me, being a 1FQ is not about burpees, push-ups or how fast we all can run our miles. It is, simply put, how we can connect our physical fitness with our fitness as men, fathers, husbands, and members of our community. For our region it’s how we further the mission of F3 by aligning our first F with Fellowship and Faith.

 

When I think about why I came out 4 years ago on a cold March morning to run and do push-ups with a bunch of strangers it’s not the “why” of coming out that first post. The more important questions are; why did I come back, why did I stick around, and why did I ultimately accept the 1FQ role.

 

Part of that why is of course physical fitness. We all of us get a rush out of doing this don’t we? The feeling of accomplishment that we’ve run more miles in one morning (or two) before 6am then other men will run in an entire week. That feeling of camaraderie when we complete an Iron Pax workout and fist bump each other at the end of our shared suffering.

 

But that’s not the only reason I keep coming back and I’d argue it’s not the only reason why a lot of your keep coming back.

 

We do what we do here in the Fort and in 1F because it’s more than burpees, it’s more than pushups its about how we prepare and deal with all of our obstacles day in and day out. By taking on the physical we make ourselves mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stronger in the process. Because none of us do this alone. That sense of togetherness extends from fitness to the fellowship aspect. From there, we start to accelerate our impact in our greater community.

 

Whether it’s the races we run to raise money for charities, or the men of our group who have taken it upon themselves to lead community initiatives ranging from 5k’s to men’s shelters, to adopting a highway.

 

The bonds we’ve formed in the gloom build the foundation for us to have a larger and greater impact than any of us could’ve accomplished by ourselves.

 

In that spirit, your SLT team is dedicated to continue to accelerate as a region and increase our impact on our community one merkin, one burpee, and one Catalina Wine Mixer (it’s a real exercise trust me)  at a time.

 

So, what is the answer to the question Why? Well part of the reason is because it’s fun of course. Another is because of the sense of community we’ve built with each other. But for me, what keeps me coming out week after week, month after month, is a simple phrase that in this one shot we have in life we don’t really have to do any of this……. We GET TO DO IT.

 

Thank you to all who share the gloom with us, to all who push their mental and physical selves and most importantly to those who take that shared suffering and focus it on how to answer that question Why?

 

With that said Can’t wait to see you all out there in the gloom accelerating all 3F’s One burpee at a time 😉

 

Michael Pysher 41 Slapshot

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Letter to The Fort

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THE MISSION

“The Mission of F3 is to plant grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership.” This mission is two interconnected parts, one part accelerating the other: 1) our workouts and 2) our community.  It has been proven across numerous communities just like Fort Mill that F3 makes a man stronger and then that man makes his community stronger. As a member of the pax, you personally have two responsibilities: 1) Emotionally Headlocking (EH) other men in our community to join us so they may stand up straight like you, and 2) to become a Virtuous Leader in this community.

THE VISION

Several months ago, Double D convened a group of pax to strategize about The Fort’s future—to discuss our next Position of Advantage. Two key positions emerged: 1) Accelerating our Leadership Development Process (LDP) and 2) being more visible in Fort Mill through our marketing efforts (MKT). You will see these two positions added to The Fort’s leadership team (SLT) and a lot of momentum created around these fronts.

THE STATE OF THE REGION

The state of The Fort is strong, but not so strong that we can stop paying attention. We have a lot to be grateful for: a growing pax full of High Impact Men, an abundance of AO’s with a variety of options, our longstanding commitment to all three F’s, a strong SLT and much more. We also must continue to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men. We must continue invigorating male community leadership. The Fort’s SLT are all volunteers whose lives have been deeply enriched by F3 and are committed to serving the PAX and Fort Mill. Whenever you have ideas, questions, concerns, or just a funny joke to share, let us know.

SYITG,

Esso

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