This is the why.

A Message from The Mayor @F3Suncoast When I moved to Florida in 2023, my sons Wayne and Brian encouraged me to try F3, a free, peer-led outdoor fitness program for men. F3 stands for Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith and is built on five core principles: always free, open to all men, always outdoors, peer-led, and ending each workout with a Circle of Trust where men support one another and share life together. I arrived at my first workout as a 74-year-old, overweight, out-of-shape man surrounded by younger participants. I was nervous, but from day one I was welcomed with open arms. F3 gave me the nickname "The Mayor" because of my previous service as Mayor of Texarkana, Arkansas. One of the things I appreciated most was hearing, "Modify if you need to." F3 meets men where they are while encouraging them to grow. Another guiding principle is, "Leave no man behind, but leave no man where he was." More than once, when I struggled to keep up, the group circled back to encourage me forward. Over the past four years, I have lost 30 pounds, improved my fitness, and built meaningful friendships. In 2026, at age 77, I stepped into leadership by serving as the workout leader, known as the "Q." The support I received from other men, including those who ran miles to celebrate my first and second opportunities to lead, perfectly demonstrated the fellowship that makes F3 special. Today, I am the only man over 70 regularly participating in our local F3 group. Yet I have never felt out of place. These men—many young enough to be my sons or grandsons—have welcomed, encouraged, and challenged me every step of the way. I would encourage any man, regardless of age or fitness level, to give F3 a try. Few organizations bring together men across multiple generations to improve their health, build friendships, and become better leaders in their families and communities. F3 has certainly done that for me.

98 men showed up for the F3 Louisville 2026 Spring Convergence, living out the core principles of F3 Nation. We celebrated the leaders who carried us this far and welcomed the new team stepping up for 2026/27. Grateful for this group of men and the impact they make. #F3Nation