ALL-IN

Birth Name: Ben Shanahan 

Age: 36

F3 Start Date:  5 May 2022 

Main AO Posts: The Sting – Bee Cave TX 

How did you hear about F3 and how did you get your F3 nickname?

My F3 journey began in Northwest Arkansas at AO Five and Dime in downtown Bentonville. I was EH'd by Casket, a member of the church I led at the time. Coming from a local CrossFit gym, my first beatdown wasn't just about competing against myself; I was competing against every other guy there! ;) That paired with a story from one of the guys at our church about how I always stand at the edge of the stage, with my toes hanging off, led to me getting the name "All-In." Ironically, though, I wasn't truly "All-In" on F3 until January of this year, when my gym raised its rates, prompting me to quit and fully commit.

You are originally a NWA PAX (Northwest Arkansas) and moved to Austin, TX to start up a church and a brand new AO….what were your thoughts in doing both and how has the transition and starting up an AO going for you ?

When we moved to Austin, I knew I needed F3 for myself. I wanted a place to work out, but I also needed the gloom to connect with other men outside of their normal routines in our new city. When I saw that the closest group was 30 minutes from Lake Travis, I knew I had to start one. It was awesome to discover that Catfish, Semihard, and Spam were all in the area and willing to jump into something new with me! Since joining in 2022, I’ve found that F3 is an incredible way to help guys in my church connect with one another, and it serves as a valuable leadership development tool. Just last week, a guy called me from Arkansas to thank me for EH'ing him nearly a year ago—he shared how drastically different his life is now! It has become such a natural partnership with my ministry, combining my passion for working out and helping men step into all that they are called to be.

You have also started a few fellowship nights with the PAX and their families out in Bee Cave where the AO The Sting is located, how important is the 2nd F to you and your journey through F3?

Spam and I are co-site Qs for The Sting, and he has done a fantastic job of creating opportunities for the guys to connect. Recently, he organized a pickleball night that was well-attended, and it was great to connect with everyone and their families. Another initiative we’ve introduced is onsite coffeetiras. It’s amazing how a consistent 5–10 minutes of drinking coffee together after a workout fosters connections among men.

What can we look for next out of All-IN and where do you see that next 43 feet taking you in F3 Austin?

We’re full steam ahead in getting our church ready to launch in January! I’m excited to see AO The Sting continue to grow and expand, and I look forward to the opportunity for multiple AOs across Lake Travis. As we launch, I’m also eager to continue plugging guys into F3 and helping them connect with one another.