Cartboy, also known as Drew, had invited me for more than two years, and I kept telling him that it wasn’t for me. Why would I want to get up at 5:30 in the morning to do a 45-minute boot camp where I would feel out of place because I was out of shape?
He finally convinced me by telling me that there were more than 30 locations here in Birmingham, and at the Hoover Met that promised no running. I decided that I was tired of being tired, and he kept promising that there were people of all ages, sizes and fitness levels who showed up. So, on Tuesday, June 21, I went to my first F3 bootcamp.
While there was indeed no running, it was still a very intense 45 minutes of lifting, stretching and calisthenics. At one point, when I was about to fall out, a 51-year-old doctor wearing an LSU shirt whom they called “Toucan” came over and grabbed the cinderblock I was carrying and told me to not give up. He said he’d been coming for a year and was down over 50 pounds, didn’t drink as much and had a better relationship with his wife. He couldn’t explain it — just told me to keep coming.
He was right. I can’t explain it — nor can the other men that I’ve invited to come along over the past few months — but something about this community keeps people coming back. I’ve been going for almost four months without missing a week. Since this community is all over the world, you can find groups anywhere.
In my time with F3, I have noticed a few things that make this community different from other gyms or workout groups. First, the workouts are always peer-led, meaning that there are no paid trainers or employees leading. They don’t expect you to lead when you are brand new, and no one will ever force you to lead a session, but it pushes you past your comfort zone and helps you grow. Second, the workouts are always outdoors. This morning’s temperature was 33 degrees when we started. We still had 20 people show up at 5:30 a.m. There’s a level of accountability that helps push everyone to get out of bed.
The other feature that draws people in is that F3 is always free. It's a blessing to have access to a world-class workout without spending a dime. You will see people from all classes, ages and races.
My advice: if someone named Eighty6, Bunyon, Ramrod or Concrete excitedly comes up and asks you to try out F3, you should definitely listen. They know how great of a community it is and how blessed you will be if you go. Plus, it could be the catalyst for that health change you have been looking for since you were in your 20s. It was for me, and I’m thankful for this group of community leaders who always ensure they stand by their motto of “Leave no man behind, but leave no man where you find him.”
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Females in Action - the Other Side of F3
Regional Leader Beth Phillips talks FiA
What is the history of FiA Bham?
FiA Bham started when two women wanted what their husbands had been getting from F3: friendship, workouts and a faith factor. In B'ham, we were able to connect and start two locations, one in Liberty Park and the other in Spain Park. We officially launched in September 2019, and, about six months in, we had to shut down for a short time due to Covid. Out of that time, we were able to launch four other locations in Cahaba Heights, Trussville, Gardendale and Chelsea. We have also started running groups.
How does an individual get involved in FiA?
Like F3, FiA is a “no sign up, just show up” group. You can show up to any workout, and our leader for the day will keep you in the loop. We have a lot of women who visit through word of mouth or social media, and some locations pass out business cards. We have gear available to purchase a couple of times a year. All workouts are free. Once you join one group, you are free to travel to any of them — you aren’t committed to one location.
What is the best part about FiA?
The friendships! These ladies have become family! While I am the Regional Leader of Birmingham, it takes all of these ladies to make it work. I started this group when I was 38. I had four kids and wanted to get back to running and working out like I did in high school and college. Now, I am running trail races and just recently found out I got into The Barkley Fall Classic. Had it not been for this group and the support of F3 men who do the same thing, I would not be where I am today. I also wouldn’t have the friendships I have. Our kids play sports together, our community ties are tighter, school events are more fun, and runs are so much better because of the love and support.
"This group motivates unlike anything I’ve ever seen," adds Jennifer DeStefano, one of the B'ham members. "I started training for the Bhm26.2 Marathon after joining FiA in early 2022. I wish I could say I found FiA, but the truth is they found me when I didn’t even know I needed them."