Stepping Down To Step Up

Stepping Down To Step Up

TOLKIEN’S TWO CENTS

Yes, it’s true. Today was my last day as co-site-Q at Stonehenge, but I’m not going anywhere fellas. In fact, the way I see it, I’m stepping DOWN to step UP.  Miffed? Let’s talk. When Dredd and OBT founded this thing called F3 Nation ~6.5 yrs ago the MISSION was to plant, grow and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership.  And being a site-Q is an excellent way to fulfill part of that mission, in fact I believe it’s the genesis.  What better role than site-Q can there be than to assemble, develop, provide leadership, encourage, and shield lock with men wanting (knowingly or unknowingly) to do the same with you.  In fact, after about 2 years as a site-Q, I can honestly say all my tremendous gains in the First F (Fitness), have been officially outpaced by the gains in the 2nd F (Fellowship) and 3rd F (Faith) thanks to my brotherhood with all of you #notaninjuryjoke.  It’s been a honor to lead, and an equally great honor to hand the baton off to another man to grow and lead. #F3missionaccomplished.

But you see, although I may not be the site-Q of Ballantyne’s Premier Saturday workout anymore, I’m not stepping DOWN from leadership… in fact, quite the opposite, I’m stepping UP.  Over the past few years, I’ve witnessed ordinary men do extraordinary things after being invigorated by F3: like seeing my brothers in Union County raising money and renovating Debbie’s House when they didn’t so much as stay in a Holiday Inn the night before.  In A51/SOB, you’ll find guys hitting the grocery store to buy food and water, load up the truck, and head down to Columbia for the weekend to help out flood victims in any way possible. Pick anything from my brothers in The Fort, whether it’s giving away turkeys, supporting the Joe Davis Race to end addiction, or having a charity magic show to help kids get the start in life they need #totallyAWESOMEevent.  In Metro, on Tuesdays PAX start their day off encouraging our homeless brothers at Fortitude, put in a full workday, and cap the day off by teaching underserved kids at Billingsville Elementary how to read.  On Saturdays, they hit their own workout, then double-down at the Charlotte Rescue Mission to support the men battling addiction, before supporting their kids at soccer/baseball/football games just like the rest of us.  Travel further North, and you’ll find a father, who in the midst of never-ending grief for the loss of his daughter a year ago, started a charity to bring joy to children through Operation Sweet Tooth.  I’ve been invigorated, and now it’s my turn to do something greater than serve myself to help accomplish the mission of F3, so I’m stepping UP for the Nation, and hope you all will come along for the ride… it’s going to be FAST!

Introducing: The F3 SPEED FOR NEED Charitable Initiative.

SUMMARY

14 PAX came out to Stonehenge (Frasier, W-Turkey, JRRT for 3 mile “2nd F” prerun) to stretch their legs on a beautiful Saturday morning and work in a little exercise, before heading to Einstein’s Bagel…. the real reason for exiting the fartsack. Former Stonehenge Site-Q Frehley’s Comet ran out of loincloth towels, woke up feeling a little ‘greasy’ downstairs after Cinco de Mayo, and thought better to skip the workout and head straight to the coffeeteeria.  It was supposed to be a special day at Stonehenge this particular morning.  Mr Bean made a guest appearance, and was celebrating his 3 year anniversary of being in F3 (no he hasn’t Brexit from it…. just been busy with being newlywed, his new baby boy Luca, and of course Haggis intolerable working conditions at the Stone Man).  Today was also the day YHC was handing off the Stonehenge Site-Q keys to Nard Dog (not present, needing to attend the international ragdoll and beanie-baby collectors convention in Shakemyhead, Idaho) after nearly 2 years of site leadership. No wonder more guys showed up at DaVinci (of all places) for a Voodoo meathead led workout! It was a great morning, full of all 3 F’s – Fitness Fellowship and Faith, and YHC is thankful for everyone present, MIA, or DR on this day.

THE THANG

<Placeholder for Mr Bean’s First 30min of Workout backblast. Bets anyone if it gets written?>

Tolkien’s time to Q… and fittingly we ended up starting at the “off limits” Premier Parking Deck up Ballantyne Corporate Place.  For those of you who have known me long enough, YHC has always loved parking deck workouts, ever since the 1st time YHC posted at The Muthaship on 6/15/15 (RIP to the workout).  YHC instructed PAX to run backwards on the ramps AND the straightaways of each level of the 5 story deck, stopping at each end to perform 20 hip-slappers (10 each side) with feet on top of wall, in cadence, all the way to the top.  Quads and core smoked.  Next, over to the stairs, run up to level 5, 5 donkey kicks on the wall, run all the way down to the bottom…. run up to level 4, 5 donkey kicks on the wall, run back down to the bottom… repeat until all levels completed.  Finally, mosey over to the Helipad where Partner #1 performs 1-min of strict sit-ups while Partner #2 holds feet. Flapjack.  Loser does 5 burpees. How did Tuck get 95 sit-ups in 2 minutes at BROlympics?!?! (See video evidence here:  BROlympics Video ) Run back to launch for COT. FINITO!

NAKED MOLESKINE

<Placeholder for Mr Bean’s part of backlist…. still waiting>

Thank you SOB’s for the opportunity to lead Stonehenge.  YHC has become great friends with many of you through this experience.  How can anyone forget all those ridiculous marketing Tweets sent out to promote your Q’s between myself and Wild Turkey? (Fahvra’s VQ and the railroad train of ‘applicants’ meme…. Dolphin’s marketing with the ‘vibrating soap dispenser’…. millions of cuddly pandas).  We’ve had fun playing bucket pong, carrying logs, segment hunting, and even having a celebrity Q like Dark Helmet (not Foulball) pop in once in a while.  YHC is looking forward to Nard Dog’s leadership, and expect him and Wild Turkey to do nothing less than continue to grow SOB Nation…. F3 Nation from here.  YHC will still see you guys at Stonehenge most Saturdays so you’re not getting rid of me that easily!  YHC also expects you ALL to lead with me on F3 Speed For Need!

“They may take our lives, but they’ll never take our F3DOM!”  ~ @JRRTolkienF3