This is where I started:
Please know I write this post to encourage PAX to keep pushing the rock and knowing that results will come with work. With several new PAX joining F3Greenwood recently I wanted to share my story, not to talk about myself at all but to encourage those who just started posting that results will come with time and work. Some of the newer guys think they know me but really they don’t. They see and hear of Meatloaf, a guy running before workouts, running extra miles on run days, running fairly decent mile times, putting in solid work at boot camps and pushing training for events. Well the Meatloaf the newer PAX’s know today has been 2 year in the making. To get to where I am today has taken a lot of concentrated effort, work and encouragement from my F3Greenwood brothers.
This is Bryan McCall (this picture is about a year before F3 but a good representation of where I was physically) 272lbs, out of shape, little fellowship with other guys, not exercising (spending all my time with my family I would say), I was leading my family but being more passive than I should have been. On April 23rd I received an email from Michael George (Boy George) introducing me to F3 and asking if I would join him at the launch of F3Greenwood on May 9th, 2015. I was intrigued at first, and began to have doubts about trying the group knowing my physical shape, but I showed up for the launch and I’ll never forget my thoughts. When I arrived guys, mostly fit looking guys, were getting out of their cars to get ready and I thought “I hope there are some fat guys like me here.” There were guys in F3 shirts on the track running before the workout and I began to fell very out of place. The workout got going and man was I in a world of hurt. But I’ll never forget guys coming alongside of me as I was dragging and encouraging me that I was doing great and to keep pushing, that its not about being out front but that you keep working and pushing yourself. The workout ended and I wound up with the name Meatloaf. Honestly I wasn’t sure if I was coming back after that first day. Then I saw several guys at church and we shared our pain stories and encouraged each other to keep coming back. I was so sore, I mean painfully sore but I kinda liked it a little, just a little though. I remember going outside in the evening on Wednesday after that 1st Saturday and attempting to do some work at home with my boys and I went to do a merkin and my body was like what do you think your doing. I made it back the 2nd Saturday was still sore the week after, missed the 3rd Saturday with a yard sale (was hating I missed the workout during the yard sale). We started mid weeks and I was hooked. Run groups formed that 3rd week but I wasn’t a running so I didn’t join those guys. That last Saturday, the 6th Saturday, Phonebooth and Stagecoach lead and at Howards talked about how they were not runners but pushed themselves to start running with the run groups and began to actually like it, so I decided I’d try the run groups. That first run I run/walked for about 3 miles at a 14 minute pace and it was painful. I came a few Mondays in a row before I joined them on Wednesday as well. My 1st Wednesday run I barely finished 3 miles in the 45 minutes. After about 2 months of posting and dropping about 5 or so pounds I decided I needed to change my diet if I was going to keep pushing around my body weight. I didn’t want to do anything drastic that I couldn’t keep up so I just started making small changes every couple of weeks. 3 months in and I was posting about everyday of the week we had a workout and was totally hooked. I had began developing new friendships with guys I would not have crossed paths with outside of the group and was developing a few strong bonds was a smaller group of guys. We got ready to split the group and I raised my hand to step up and lead the Epicenter. In October of 2015 some guys talked me into my first CSAUP event the USMC MudRun. I ran with a few beast who dragged me along and encouraged me and gave me a desire to get better and come back again.
Fast forward 2 years to today and I’m doing the stuff that I thought was crazy and impossible. I’m now 215lbs, I’ve run the BRR, a marathon, a half marathon, USMC MudRuns and am currently training to complete the Sparta Trifecta this year. The physical transformation didn’t happen over night, in a month or in a few months, this has been 2 years of work and not just work when everything felt good. All the work hasn’t come without pain and sacrifice. There have been several injuries and a lot of discomfort. You have to know yourself and be able to push through the pain and minor discomforts at times to gain results and keep moving forward. You also have to find a guy your chasing and once you catch him don’t become complacent, find the next guy you need to catch to get better.
If your sore, keep posting, the really sore soreness will go away after a couple of weeks, you will still get sore at times but it gets better as you get better.
If your hurt modify and keep working doing what you can to avoid the hurt. Don’t completely stop every time you have a little nagging pain but be smart to know an injury from just a strain.
If your tired develop in a rest day or go to bed earlier but keep posting and you’ll get used to the early mornings.
The friendships I have formed have been lasting ones that are growing. I’ve gained more self confidence and have become a better leader in my home as a result. I’ve been challenged to get better in all areas of my life, not just physically. I’ve sought to apply the same determination I’ve put forth physically to all areas of my life and challenge my efforts to be better.
Not everyone is the same or will progress the same but you can’t make changes if you don’t put in the work. My story is not everyone’s story but my story is not possible with all of you. I wouldn’t have kept pushing if it wasn’t for the encouragement and challenge at times from my F3Greenwood brothers. Thanks for this journey we are on together to get better emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Meatloaf Out