“One Last P.O. Push” by P.O. edited by chatGPT

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to step away from the role of Nantan and if I’m honest, I’m dreading it a little, and I’m sad a little. But I’m also genuinely excited about what comes next for this region and for the man who’ll take the reins. It’s definitely time, and the P.O. Push has just one last shove left in it.
Here’s the funny part..... I never set out to be Nantan. Truth be told, I didn’t even really want to be ComzQ back in the day. I had very little technical skill and zero desire to pretend otherwise. But I guess my not so legendary but lengthy COT announcements got me the gig as I will over communicate the hell out of something coming up!!
And yes, I’d even do The Great SLACK Archive of 2023 all over again. At the time it felt chaotic, but if it hadn’t happened, I might never have wound up at that meeting with Aaaayyyy over a beer. I thought I was about to get my hand slapped… and instead I walked out fired up about building something big and meaningful here. That conversation helped spark a region many of you are part of today.
A lot has happened since then. We’ve grown, stumbled, laughed, learned, argued, apologized, and kept showing up in the gloom together. There have been challenges, and they’ve shaped us. They’ve shaped me. I went into this thinking I was pretty set in my ways, and F3 proved me wrong in the best possible way. I never imagined I’d be leading a group of men in anything like this, much less helping steer a region across greater Austin.
I still think back to Q Summit I. I honestly thought maybe three of us would be there. When more than thirty PAX showed up from across the area, I knew this was going to be something special. Not neat and tidy, not perfect but real, alive, and worth giving myself to.
Being Nantan has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Not because of the title, but because I’ve had a front-row seat to watch men change to see guys climb out of ruts, discover leadership they didn’t think they had, find fellowship they’d been missing, and show up for one another when life got heavy. Watching that happen over and over again is something I’ll never forget.
Which brings me to now.
At Q Summit V, this final P.O. Push reaches the end, and I’ll be handing over the role of Nantan. I would love to see as many PAX there as possible ...not for me, but to support the man who is stepping into this role and to celebrate what this region has become. Your presence matters.....It matters to me, and it will matter to him.
So yes, I’m a little sad to step aside. But I am even more excited about what the next season holds and what the new Nantan will bring. My role going forward is simple: keep showing up, keep encouraging, and keep locking shields with you men.
Thank you for trusting me, challenging me, pushing me, and laughing with me. It’s been a wild run and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Onward, brothers.
P.O.

 

VQ Month...Step Up, Lead, Repeat

We kicked off VQ Month with a bang ...BROgran already ran a VQ at Shootout over in the Badlands. If you’ve been around F3 for more than a minute, you know there’s more going on here than just sweat and burpees. Yeah, workouts get you out of the house.... that’s how we reeled you in but the real work is bigger than showing up a few times to the AO to sweat out last nights meal.  We’re here to develop leaders: in the gloom, at home, at work, and in our communities.

F3’s mission is simple: plant, grow, and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership. Notice it doesn’t say “show up, do the workout, go home.” If that’s been your routine ....I get it. I started that way too. It took me a handful of beatdowns before I took a Q. Back then it was less structured, which helped. But once I led my first workout, I realized it was about way more than calling exercises and jokes at the COT.

Leading a Q is where the rubber meets the road. It’s not a performance review. There’s no pay raise and no trophy (unless you count the unearned respect from your brothers). It’s you vs. you. It’s practicing the muscle of service and leadership in front of your peers. Will it make you a little nervous? Probably. Will the guys give you a hard time if you flub it? Absolutely....we’re men. But we’re also a group that shows up for one another.

The best leaders aren’t always the loudest or the guy with the best playlist. The best leaders show up, try to be better, and help others be better too. Q source says it best: leaders are developed, not born. Every one of us has that capability.

For the guy who’s never Q’d (or hasn’t in a while)

• Start small. Pair up with another PAX and co-Q. You don’t have to do it alone.

• Use the templates. We have workout templates and help...use them.

• Ask for feedback. After the workout, ask a couple guys what worked and what didn’t.

• Remember why you’re doing it. It’s not about perfection ...t’s about growth.

• Celebrate it. Your first Q matters. Your second matters more.

If you’re paralyzed by “I don’t know how,” don’t let that stop you. Jump into the deep end,  the PAX are your floaties. Reach out to a buddy, the Area Q, or me. We get jazzed when someone new Qs. It’s a big deal. The only thing bigger than your first VQ is your second, third, fourth… and that one guy who’s somehow on his 67th.

So: VQ Month is live. If you haven’t Q’d yet, challenge yourself. If you’ve Q’d before, mentor someone else to do it. Let’s keep planting leaders...one workout at a time.

AYE. Let’s get after it.

 P.O. | F3 Austin "Your Neighborhood Floatie Co-Q" Nantan

 

The Fart Sack 

by P.O. (w/Chat GPT assist for grammar and little clean up)

This one’s especially for the newer PAX who’ve joined F3 Austin in recent months…

You may have seen a video where I.......your Nantan (which to help out with another word of the week.....basically means I’ve been tasked with leading this crazy crew of leaders here in F3 Austin, not by power or authority....although that would be nice, but simply by encouragement and what little influence I can squeeze out…ha!) was called out for the Word of the Week: Fart Sack.

If you haven’t seen it, here’s the quick and unofficial definition: The Fart Sack = intentionally not getting out of bed to post at a beatdown because the snooze button won. It’s one of the funniest, and honestly most impactful, words in the F3 lexicon. Around here, it’s used liberally to discourage PAX from choosing sleep over the gloom.

Now.....I ain’t gonna stand here and say I’ve never Fart Sack’d. (Though one infamous time, I was wrongly accused thanks to a technical issue with my iPhone alarm. A couple jokers decided to pile on by gifting me an old-school alarm clock, complete with detailed setup instructions, an actual fart sack bag, and cherry on top...my very own Fart Sack emoji.)

Pretty funny, I’ll admit…especially since the PAX who spam that emoji the most are also the biggest serial offenders of the Fart Sack. (you know who you are) Their excuse? “Well, I didn’t HC on the preblast…” Sorry fellas, that doesn’t get you off the hook. You, God, and your Nantan know if you were planning on posting and instead chose the sleep life over being out with your F3 brothers!!!

Now, there are exceptions. Don’t confuse the Fart Sack with the Smart Sack.

• Fart Sack = you could’ve been there but chose not to.

• Smart Sack = you intentionally stayed home because of injury, sickness, or you’ve been posting like a madman and need rest. Respect.

So if you’ve posted with us for a while, chances are you’ve either already Fart Sack’d or you will soon....it’s almost a rite of passage. Something to add to your F3 résumé. Well that is unless your name is Disc Jockey or Impact (seriously, do those guys even own pillows?), you’re not immune.

Oh, and before you go calling me out again, take a look at the F3 Austin Stats Page....you’ll see me right up there with the top posters. And I’d like to think only a few of those posts were from coffee Qs. 

So there you go....your crash course in the legend of the Fart Sack, why it’s tied to my name, and why you’ll see that emoji floating around Slack. Laugh at it, use it on your buddies, but don’t let it define you. Get up, get after it, and keep building the bonds that make the gloom worth it.

SYITG,
PO | F3 Austin Occasional Nantan Fart Sacker

 

Rise and Grind: Unpacking the Phenomenal Growth of F3 Austin's Brotherhood

F3 Austin PAX in action during an early morning workout.

I. Introduction: What's Shaking (and Sweating) in Austin's Early Mornings?

Imagine a scene: predawn darkness, not the quiet hum of brewing coffee, but a chorus of shouts, of encouragements echoing across a park. Men, figures illuminated by the faintest glimmer of dawn, pushing themselves through burpees and lunges. These aren't paid professionals; these are your neighbors, your fellow Austinites, united not by a shared profession but by a shared commitment... to something more. Welcome to F3 Austin!

More than a mere workout, F3 – Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith – is a national non-profit with a bold ambition: to cultivate male community leaders. It’s a fascinating experiment in male bonding, a counterpoint to the narratives of isolation that often plague modern masculinity.

But why? Why this pre-dawn pilgrimage to sweat and camaraderie? Because somewhere along the line, many men have lost their tribes, their support systems, that innate sense of connection. F3 aims to fill that void, fostering a space where men can challenge themselves physically and mentally, ultimately becoming better fathers, husbands, and citizens.

Today, we’re diving into the heart of F3 Austin, exploring its meteoric rise, its unique culture, and the whispers – both positive and critical – that surround this intriguing phenomenon.

II. The "Gloom" Unpacked: What Makes F3 Austin Tick?

The magic, if you can call it that, happens in the "gloom" – that liminal space between night and day (dark and light). It's where the three F's converge, creating something truly unique.

• Fitness: These aren't your typical gym workouts. They are free, peer-led, bootcamp-style sessions held outdoors, come rain or shine. The beauty lies in its accessibility. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, no one is left behind. It's about pushing your personal limits, not competing with others.
• Fellowship: This is the heart of F3. It's about forging genuine friendships, bonds strengthened in the shared crucible of physical exertion. These relationships extend beyond the gloom, nurtured through social gatherings, shared meals (meatdowns), and even endurance challenges. It's a brotherhood built on mutual support and accountability.
• Faith: This isn't about religious dogma. Instead, it’s a call to live a life of purpose, to dedicate oneself to something larger than personal ambition. It's about character, integrity, and striving to be a better version of oneself.

The inner workings of F3 Austin reveal a fascinating structure. Workouts are led by participants ("Qing"), not certified trainers. There is no corporate oversight, just individuals stepping up to guide and motivate. And after each session, the men gather in a "Circle of Trust" (CoT), a moment of heartfelt sharing and camaraderie. A lexicon of their own binds the group together, from "FNG" (Friendly New Guy) to "fartsacking" (sleeping in, A.K.A., iPhonegate). You even get a nickname. The workouts take place across various "Areas of Operation" (AOs), decentralized across Austin, from neighborhood parks to school fields.

III. From a Spark to a Sweaty Surge: F3 Austin's Growth Story

The F3 movement began in Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2011, the brainchild of "Dredd" and "OBT." Their vision resonated, and the movement quickly spread across the nation.

Austin's story, while perhaps lacking a precise origin date, is one of organic growth fueled by passionate individuals. 

The trajectory has been impressive. The launch of new AOs, such as "AO The Mill" set launch records, is a testament to the growing demand for what F3 offers. The development of a strong Shared Leadership Team (SLT), focused on nurturing each of the three F's, showcases a dedication to long-term sustainability. Even events like the "Q Summit" have become catalysts for growth and unity.

But the real story lies in the individual transformations. Healthier family lives, invigorated communities, and strengthened relationships, are living proof of F3's impact.

IV. The Good, The Grit, and The "Cult-like" Claims: Public Opinion on F3 Austin

The F3 community, or "PAX", sings praises of the organization. They speak of transformative health improvements, the unwavering support of their brothers, and profound mental and emotional gains. The radical accessibility of F3 – open to all men, regardless of fitness level – is also a major draw.

However, the organization has its share of criticisms.

The unique culture, complete with its own lexicon, nicknames, and "Circle of Trust," has, inevitably, led to accusations of being "cult-like." The emphasis on "Faith," while not explicitly religious, has also raised questions, particularly when some groups incorporate prayer or religiously inclined sharing.

Some have pointed out a lack of diversity within certain F3 groups, an issue that perhaps reflects broader societal challenges. The intensity of the workouts, led by peers rather than certified trainers, has also sparked concerns about potential injuries. 

.

V. The Road Ahead: What's Next for F3 Austin?

The momentum behind F3 Austin seems unstoppable. The core mission – to "plant, grow, and serve" small workout groups of men for the invigoration of male community leadership– inherently implies continued expansion. The F3 Austin Nantan "P.O." is vocal about the ambition to make F3 Austin a household name throughout the greater Austin area, suggesting a future filled with new AOs and wider reach.

Individual members are also driving growth via posts on Social Media, signs, business cards,  F3 shirts and showing up regularly!

VI. Conclusion: More Than Just a Workout, It's a Movement

F3 Austin has blossomed into a powerful force, a unique blend of rigorous workouts, profound male camaraderie, and personal leadership development. It's changing lives, one early morning "beatdown" at a time, strengthening men physically, mentally, and socially.

Is F3 Austin the answer to modern male isolation? Does it offer a unique blend of challenge and connection that outweighs its controversies? Perhaps the answer lies not in definitive pronouncements but in continued observation, in listening to the voices of both its advocates and its critics.

Ready to shed the "fartsack" and find your F3 name? The gloom awaits.

Everest - F3 Story (published by Impact on behalf of Everest)

 My F3 Story – Everest | AO: Sasquatch | F3 Austin

One morning, I was out running on a trail with my wife when a man called out to me: his name is Impact.

“Free men’s workout!”

I stopped and asked, “What days?”

He said, “Monday, Wednesday, Friday—5:30 AM.”

That moment changed everything.

Since that day, I’ve been part of F3 Austin, showing up at Sasquatch with a group of men who challenge, encourage, and sharpen one another.

They gave me the nickname Everest—because I’m from Nepal, home of the highest peak in the world. But the real summit I’ve been climbing is the one inside myself.

F3 has helped me grow stronger—not just physically, but mentally and spiritually.

It gave me structure, brotherhood, and purpose.

It reminded me that I’m not alone.

I’m proud to be Everest.

I’m proud to show up in the gloom with the men of Sasquatch and other AO groups in the region.

And I’m grateful for that one trail run that led me to this life-changing community.

Thank you, F3 Austin.

#F3Austin #SasquatchAO #EverestF3 #HIM #F3Nation #FitnessFellowshipFaith #IronSharpensIron #FreedToLead #OYO

Rediscovering myself in the gloom

 Written by Hammer Time (submitted by P.O.)

My family and I moved from Arkansas to Texas in August of 2014 - me, my M, 5 y/o daughter, 2 y/o son, 5 week old son, and two dogs. I thought this would be the best move for me and my family, despite having no job lined up for me. Prior to the move, I worked 14 years in a large church - started as a junior high youth pastor, worked as a music pastor/director, and then became the executive pastor. Throughout those 14 years, I also worked for our inner-city church and served our homeless community. It seemed like no matter what I tried, with grit and determination, I succeeded. I had a community. I had influence. I was known. I had purpose. I had drive. I felt like a winner. I had hope, but I worked a lot. When my wife became pregnant with my daughter in 2009, I decided to get my Masters in Social Work to switch careers and hopefully be more present with my family. When I graduated with my masters degree in 2014, we decided to move to the Austin area so I began applying to open positions in the area. I applied for countless jobs (~100), but never received an opportunity to interview with a single one of them! My wife, a nurse, applied for one job, received an interview, and was hired. We had 3 weeks notice to pack up, find a place to live, and move. Once we relocated to Texas, I began applying again. After nearly 50 online applications, I still had no responses for an interview. I began to question my worth, my competence, my experience, and my belief in myself. I was losing and felt like a loser. I wondered why no one seemed to take a chance on me. I had hoped my experience and new degree would open doors, but nothing opened. Two of my best friends in the area told me they would get me a job, but they could not find a job for me either. I finally took a $10/hour job to do what I could to provide for my family. That messed with my brain. I was a married 38 year old with 3 kids, 2 dogs, a mortgage in Arkansas, and rent in Texas making less money than I had when  I was a 23 year old single college student. This scenario has played out year after year, since we moved to Texas. It hasn't felt like the best move for my family.  I’ve never been able to recoup the salary I had in Arkansas, with any company. As a man, the provider of my home, I felt less then. For the first time in my life, I fell into deep, dark depression. I isolated. This used-to-be-people-person would much rather sit at home and stop engaging. I took the lack of employer interest in me personally and did not think I had any value to offer anyone. I felt like a failure. To be honest, I still fight feeling like a failure. There were times driving down I-35 highway that I prayed someone would just swipe me off the road and put an end to the inner turmoil I was in. Over a year ago, while isolating, I began playing Halo. I met a dude on there. A few months ago, while playing with the dude, I felt comfortable enough to share the above journey with him. There was anonymity, so I actually felt safer sharing it. To my surprise he used to live in the area and we shared similar backgrounds. I told him I needed to get back into a community and that I probably should start getting back into shape again. He tells me about F3 and his F3 name, Covenant. He explained to me how F3 started and what it had done for him. He looked online to find an AO near me. This was August 2023. I told him I would go the following week. September 1, 2023, I woke up early and nervous, but determined to go to F3 because I told Covenant I would. I arrived at Sasquatch, walked up to the flags, and told them what my buddy told me to say, “My name is Steve. I’m an FNG and my buddy Covenant from F3-Katy told me about F3 and this location. He said something about Impact being a site Q and Whitehat doing a BD?” I was welcomed quickly and then we circled up and I was on my way to my first F3 experience. I’ll never forget my first gloom workout. Struggling with other men to accomplish a task, laugh along the way, and then chat at the end was strangely satisfying. I found myself exhausted, yet energized too. At the end, I was given the name HammerTime - a handyman and mental health therapist. I am grateful Covenant shared with me about F3. It is truly the highlight of my day. Like many men have shared with me about their F3 experience, I echo it. I came for the workout, but I’m staying for much more. The quality of HIMs I’ve met since September have made a significant impact in my life. I used to be people-person, with passion, purpose, drive, and hope. For many years, I’ve struggled to find the strength to dig deep and rediscover myself. What I’ve come to understand is that I tried to do it alone. Watching the PAX struggle in the gloom and listening to the PAX share their stories andtheir time with me, I am inspired. I can feel myself climbing back to rediscover me. I am honored to share my mornings with HIMs, because I know I am better for it. To the HIMs of Sasquatch, Shootout, and Tigers Den, thank you for pushing me to be a better man than when I first attended.

Without Achievements

Written by Sketch (submitted by P.O.)

Ninja all the fruit, crush all the candy, get 30 headshots with the pistol in one Team
Deathmatch. It’s a good thing WeasleBot can’t track my K/D ratio like Halo did. It’s never been about the achievements. Gamification is meant to keep users plugged in and engaged with whatever app/game/platform they’re pouring their lives into, and yes, have some fun along the way, of course. Beyond keeping PAX engagement up, our achievements are meant to reinforce our mission as well. Plant, Grow, Serve. There’s a reason one of the achievements isn’t ‘Post only with the same 4 PAX each week’. The achievements we have to date serve the first and third F’s directly, but more importantly, they support Fellowship.

The 2nd F, at it’s most basic structure, is the relationship between 2 PAX. To grow the relationship both PAX must build experiences together. With a group of PAX the relationshipis built and experienced collectively.

Recently at Sasquatch, Impact forgot to bring the shovel flags (for the first time ever, no doubt). We ribbed him the entiretime. “You just cursed Disc Jockey’s VQ!?” “Where do we even take the count-o-rama picture?” “Can’t mosey back to Start X, no idea where it is!” Even Piano Man put him on blast in his VQ Preblast: “with FLAGS”. Ha!  The collective experience of laughing throughout the beatdown bonded all 16 of us and I can guarantee we won’t drop it anytime soon.

Moments like that wouldn’t be made, shared, or bonded over as strongly or as frequently if we weren’t chipping away at our achievements. As coincidence would have it, Low Pass and White Hat both earned ‘Holding Down the Fort’ that very same beatdown. Its easy to imagine a world where a nice warm fartsack would’ve called their names instead and they would’ve never known the flags were missing.

I’ve got a lot of social energy that I love to share and I deeply value laughing with friends. That’s what I’m in pursuit of. More shared comedy, more shared joy, more bonding. Achievements are mile markers on the way to long lasting relationships. Without ‘Centurion’ on the horizon, I might’ve missed Primer’s soapy coffee, without ‘Be the Hammer, Not the Nail’, the Liberty Hill police might not have pulled me over in The Green’s parking lot right in front of all the PAX, without ‘Cadre’ there might have never been a Great Motivator Debate. Our pursuit of achievements facilitate the experiences we have together ITG.

Without achievements those moments that bond us together would happen less frequently to fewer PAX and have less impact (although we all could do with a little less ‘Impact’ sometimes ;-) ). And not just the good moments. The serious ones would happen less too. The heartfelt CoTs, the six-sweeping, the CHAD 1000x, the show of solidarity for a San Antonio PAX’s 2.0 going through a heart transplant, and countless more. Consider tackling an achievement you thought might be out of reach. Your efforts might net you some smiles, some warmth, and some fellowship. At the very least, you might help some others net thosetoo. I’m not trying to get preachy, but if I can earn these achievements, so can you.

Thanks for reading - Sketch