HIM HIGHLIGHT
SHE SHED

Birth Name: Matt Robertshaw

Age: 51 (July 31)

F3 Start Date: June 11, 2024

Main AO Posts: The Outpost (AOQ), Hemingway

What led you to F3, and how did your first post challenge you or inspire you in unexpected ways? and how did you get your F3 nickname?

Oddly enough, my “M” was a gym rat and loves her gym.  At the time, we lived in Missouri City (Houston suburb) and her gym friends had mentioned to her that she should tell me about F3.  She didn’t know what it was but knew I had been quite addicted to working out over the years.  As time went on, I found I didn’t want to be throwing around heavy weight and I found Crossfit.  

Like most of my hobbies, I got really involved until such time as Covid hit.  My gym shut down and it was going to take me 40 mins to get to the next closest option.  I purchased a bunch of gym equipment, and my garage was my new place.  The only problem was I had no one to push me.  So…..when the “M” found out about this thing called F3, I decided to check it out.  My first post was led by “Krank”.  We did lots of burpees and it was at that point, that I didn’t want to come back.  I was out of shape and very quickly realized it.  But….the guys were SO helpful.  They had my back, and they didn’t even know me.  How on earth could that happen?  Well, I was about to find out.  

On to the naming part of things.  I have always wanted a cool nickname.  I mean I was almost 51 years old at the time and never had one.  I talked about myself and what I do for a living.  I am a mortgage loan officer.  I spoke about my love for all things beer. I love to brew and do all the things most men like to do.  Games, drinking, golf, etc.  Well once Krank heard I was a mortgage guy, he chimes in quickly with “She Shed!!!”  Guys were throwing around other names, but Krank was dug in.  He thought that commercial was a mortgage commercial but in fact, it was for insurance.  (If you know the commercial, you know this is funny) This made it all the better for him.  I hated it and there were bets I was not coming back.  Well, I did and the name has grown on me.  

Those that know me, know that I love a good “That’s what She Said!” moment.  I have my child Henry (F3 - Doodlesack) dialed in at age 11 and he impresses me with his abilities. Well…it has now become “That’s what She Shed!” and the name lives on.

What impact has F3 had on your life, and what lessons or moments stand out as defining your journey? 

About 3.5 months into my F3 journey, I had found Rucking.  The PAX would come together an hour prior to the beatdown for a “Double Down”.  This was an hour-long ruck consisting of about 3-4 miles, with or without stops along the way for “pain stations”.  This was 430am and at first, I could not fathom how that even sounded fun.  It got to the point that I yearned for it.  I was doing 5 beatdowns a week and 3 Double Downs to increase the endurance levels.  This time spent with these HIMs is what really stands out.  The extra time led to more cohesion and fellowship.  It led to the knowledge that tons of brothers always had my back.  It led to emotional support for a massive group of men coming together for a common cause.  

About 6 months into my journey, I decided to make the move to Dripping Springs.  THIS moment of my life was tough.  I had finally found my people.  We had an amazing life, but we wanted slower.  Not only for us but for our youngest.  When I told the PAX, there were tears, but they told me, “You plant your AO, and we will be there!”  When I moved on December 13, I led the beatdown that morning.  18 PAX showed up to send me off.  

Flash forward to Feb 22, 2025, and we had The Outpost going for about 6 weeks.  We had named 12 guys in those 6 weeks.  We planted that flag and THE most defining moment in my F3 journey was seeing 34 guys show up in support.  Of those 34, 18 of them came from Houston the day before (3-hour drive).  Of those 18….and here is the definition of fellowship and our 2nd F, 5 of them left at 3am to be here and support the mission.   It was truly amazing and emotional all at the same time.  

What’s been the hardest challenge you’ve faced—either in life or in F3—and what did it teach you about perseverance?

I think the hardest challenge has always been with my children.  For those that don’t know, I have two children with Type One Diabetes.  I have a third child with major ADHD.  As someone that grew up eating whatever I want, not paying attention to carbs, sugars and other nutritional information, my world changed when these two were diagnosed.  It is one thing to take care of yourself.  It is another to parent a child or children.  It is something completely different to manage a child’s body and blood sugar as they are learning what they like and don’t like.  How certain things like Pizza affect blood sugars at 3am and not 7pm when they ate the damn pie.  Never being able to sleep through the night because we had to wake up every 2-3 hours to check blood sugars.  This was all before the great technology that has been made but think about literally not being able to sleep through the night…..seriously.  Stress level 10 always thinking your child could die from a low blood sugar.  But in this journey with them, it has taught me that we are given a hand in life.  We didn’t ask for this, but we certainly have a choice to decide how we can react to the hand we are dealt.  Sure, life gives you challenges.  If you learn to embrace them, the good usually shines through.  Because of their misfortune, we have learned to live a healthier lifestyle (outside of my love for Goldfish and Oreos).  We have been pushed to shine for our children and in turn become leaders for them.  Flash forward, F3 comes into my life and I am now able to tell that story to each of you.  Maybe it will help you persevere with something you have going on in your life?

What else would you like to share about She Shed to the PAX that maybe most of us don't know?

 I am a veteran of the U.S Army.  I don’t talk about this a ton as I “only” served 8 years of my life.  I know this is nothing to overlook but I usually look at it as “I did my time, and I served my country”.  Yes, I know it is more than that, but I would rather the focus be on someone else that I can help/serve.  I think this is why I love this group so much.  It may sound corny but the mission statement of F3 is really the way I live.  When we talk about “…Plant, Grow, and SERVE…..” it is meaningful.  It drives me to want to be there for someone else.  If you ask my wife, she will tell you that I will usually jump at the chance to help someone else before I finish all the stuff that must be done around my own home.  Of course, with enough poking from the wife, it does get done.  

Last thing, while I have the soapbox, embrace what is in front of you.  Regret is a worthless emotion.  You cannot go back and change the past.  Sure, its ok to feel like you missed out and be sad.  I can assure you that if you embrace what is sitting in front of you, you will never have to feel like you missed your chance.  

SYITG – She Shed