18 assembled this morning for some bells (6) and #Beyond (12). YHC decided to change things up slightly. We did the Name-a-Rama first. Read on to see why.

NMM

You’ll also note that I’m posting the Naked Man Moleskin before the workout. Sometimes the message is more important than the workout. Today was one of those days. #Beyond is designed to take you out of your comfort zone and push buttons we would rather leave untouched. Today’s discussion was on depression.

Some facts:

• There are 123 suicides in America every day
• The highest suicide rate is adult males between the ages of 40 and 54
• White males accounted for 7 out of every 10 suicides in 2016

These sobering statistics spoke to me because our PAX fit right in the sweet spot of these ranges. The average age this morning was 44 – right in the thick of these numbers. Depression effects men in different ways. This group is sandwiched in between the traditional silent, strong fathers who went to work and provided for their families and the more progressive, open generations of their sons who share parenting duties and aren’t always the breadwinners of the household. Many men never mastered either of these roles and now feel lost. We’ve married capable women who take care of everything from the children to the social agenda, leaving men to feel a void of purpose. Around this age, men look around at their neighbors and ask, “why am I not as successful as my neighbor?” Outside of our homes, we are lonely. We’ve lost track of our college buddies and only connect with our co-workers on a water cooler level. We feel like we haven’t accomplished enough. For all intents and purposes, men in their mid-40s often feel neutered – unable to provide the ways their dads did and unwilling or unprepared to be Mr. Mom to their older children. To make matters worse, a job loss or divorce often leads these men into a downward spiral of addiction and despair. Chances are, you’ve felt this way or know someone who does. It becomes our responsibility to reach out to these men and invite them into a brotherhood of love. Medical professionals recommend a few steps to battle depression. I added number 5:

1. Seek social support
2. Support your health (get enough sleep, control stress, and go outside)
3. Exercise
4. Eat Healthy
5. Give your concerns to God

All of these are incorporated into what we do each morning at F3. Social support comes in the form of other men who are battling or have battled this demon themselves. To me, its finding blades and stones to sharpen each other. It’s the second F – Fellowship. Doctors recommend finding outlets to blow off steam, exercising and getting outside. How else better than exercising outside in the elements pushing past pain with your brothers in the Gloom? This is the first F – Fitness. Finally, acknowledging that there is a higher being that loves you and wants what is best for you. Rather than telling God how big your problems are, tell your problem how big your God is. This is the third F – Faith.

I realized that the reason F3 is growing is because it is the answer to the question we never knew we had. It is the antidote to society’s poison of depression. We all struggle, from project managers to pastors. We all battle life. Why not surround yourself with guys who can build the 3 Fs right beside you? Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says it best: “Two are better than one because they have good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, the other can help them up. But pity anyone who falls and has no other to help them up. Also if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”

Interpret those three strands however you wish. I like to think of them as me, God, and my brothers. That dream team can win any fight. Grab your shield and suit up, we’ve got a battle to wage.

The Thang

• Mosey to the front of the church
• Hold the Plank for the duration of Disturbed “Sound of Silence”
  • Listen to the lyrics. Acknowledge that many men battle depression in silence. We weren’t made to fight alone.

Mosey to the upper parking lot

• 1 Minute of Squats
• 40 SSHs (IC)
• 10 Prison Cell Pushups
• 40 Imperial Walkers (IC)

Mosey to the front of the church

• 1 Minute of LBCs
• 1 Minute of Flutters
• 1 Minute of Rosalitas
• 1 Minute of Freddie Mercuries

Mosey to the side lot

• 1 Minute of Mountain Climbers
• 1 Minute of Alternating Shoulder Taps
• 1 Minute of Ski Abs
• 10 Burpees

Mosey to the upper parking lot

• 40 Overhead Claps (IC)
• 35 MNCs (IC)
• 40 Little Baby Arm Circles (IC)
• 45 Overhead Press (IC)

Mosey to the front of the church

• 1 Minute of Box Jumps
• 1 Minute of Irkins
• 1 Minute Dips
• 1 Minute of Merkins

Mosey back to COT

• Butterfly Stretch
• Left Leg out Stretch
• Right Leg out Stretch
• 10 LBCs (IC)
• 10 Pretzel Crunch Left (IC)
• 10 Pretzel Crunch Right (IC)
• 10 Pretzel Stick Crunch Left (IC)
• 10 Pretzel Stick Crunch Right (IC)

-Italian Job