F3 — Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith — is a free, peer-led outdoor workout group that has built a devoted following among men since its founding in North Carolina over 15 years ago. The group found a home in Franklin in 2015 and this year is being led by resident James Wells. No fees, no equipment, no excuses. Just community, accountability, and a whole lot of sweat.
What inspired you to get involved with F3?
James Wells: I was invited by a few friends from church and honestly showed up the first time just to check it out. What kept me coming back was the fellowship. I realized pretty quickly that I didn’t have many close male friendships outside of work, and F3 filled a gap I didn’t even know I had. A lot of men are looking for connection, challenge, and purpose, even if they wouldn’t always say it that way. F3 creates a place where men can find all three.
What is your background? Did you have a background in fitness?
Not really. I didn’t grow up as an athlete. I was more of a music and scouting guy. Walking into an outdoor bootcamp-style workout was definitely outside my comfort zone.
That’s one reason F3 works so well: you don’t need a fitness background to start. We have guys from every kind of background and fitness level. Some have been athletes their whole lives, and others are just trying to get moving again. Everyone starts somewhere.
For those unfamiliar, how would you describe the mission and core values of F3, and what makes it different from a traditional fitness program?
F3 stands for Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith. The mission is to plant, grow, and serve small workout groups for men for the invigoration of male community leadership.
What makes it different is that it’s about much more than exercise. Yes, we work hard physically, but the bigger goal is helping men become stronger leaders in their homes, workplaces, and communities.
The workouts are always free, open to all men, held outdoors year-round, and led by peers on a rotating basis. No contracts, no mirrors, no pressure. We finish every workout in a “Circle of Trust,” where guys connect, share, and encourage one another.
And we have fun with it too—nicknames, cadence counting, and plenty of laughter. We take the mission seriously, but not ourselves.
What have you seen as the biggest physical and mental transformations in participants since joining F3?
Physically, I’ve seen men lose weight, gain strength, improve endurance, and start doing things they never imagined. Personally, I started running at 50, and now it’s a regular part of my life. A group of us have even tackled 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado.
Mentally, the changes can be even bigger. Men gain confidence, discipline, consistency, and resilience. There’s something powerful about starting the day doing something hard alongside other men who are cheering you on.
How does F3 create a sense of accountability and camaraderie among men who may be at very different fitness levels?
One of our sayings is: leave no man behind, but leave no man where you find him. That really captures the culture.
We meet men where they are, but we also encourage growth. Workouts can be modified for any level, and nobody is left to struggle alone. Whether someone is brand new or highly experienced, everyone contributes.
The early mornings, shared effort, and regular encouragement build camaraderie quickly. Doing hard things together has a way of bringing people together.
For someone who might feel intimidated to join, what would you say to encourage them to show up for their first workout?
You do not need to be in shape before you come. That’s like saying you need to be clean before taking a shower.
Just show up. You’ll be welcomed, encouraged, and challenged at your own pace. No one expects perfection. We simply respect effort.
Many of us were nervous the first time too. The hardest part is usually getting out of bed and showing up once.
F3Franklin.com
"The early mornings, shared effort, and regular encouragement build camaraderie quickly."