MABA: Life lessons learned doing a CSAUP when I'd rather not

Things that suck, suck less with friends alongside you

Make America Burpee Again (MABA) is a nationwide CSAUP in which each of us is committing to doing 3,100 burpees in 31 days. Fall down. Get back up. Together. Sign up to join us here. It’s not too late. You can either get caught up or pro-rate your goal. Log your burpees here. Forward this to friends. SYITG.

Send your why, or your inspiration, or the PAX who keeps you going, to Matt Crossman (F3 Ralph) at mcrossman98@gmail.com.

Life Lessons Learned From MABA

By Crop Circle (STL)

I’m generally not a big CSAUP guy … initially. This summer, Lube (STL) presented his mile bear crawl challenge as part of the 10,000 Mile Challenge to benefit the Covering House, which helps those affected by sex trafficking. One-mile bear crawl? Nope, not interested. But I applauded the efforts of the men who did it.

The same thing occurred when the fragments of the Make America Burpee Again idea started descending from the heavens … or was it rising from the darkness? It then manifested into reality. First by the Region, but then the Nation heard, and there are now reports of burpees all over the U.S. this month.

Still, my first thought about doing 100 burpees a day was the same as my first thought on the mile bear crawl. No thank you. But then I did sign up before it began, and I’m glad I did. From that choice I’ve discovered some life lessons learned from this “fun.”

A CHALLENGE IS HARDER ALONE

Doing 100 burpees a day is challenging, but definitely feels more challenging when you have to do them by yourself. Realizing this, MABA has increased my postings. If I have to do 100, it’s a lot better to suffer along with other PAX. The same occurs once we face real-life challenges. That’s why every man needs fellowship (2nd F) and a ShieldLock to get through the Flux and battles that continually come our way.

MENTALLY CONQUER BIG CHALLENGES CHUNKS AT A TIME

I’m not Urkel (TRUEbadour from Naperville) or Elway (Naperville) and can’t crank out 100 burpees without stopping. When I’m unable to post and have to do the burpees at home, I do them in chunks. I do 10 to 30, rest, then just need to get the next set. When I stop thinking of the full 100, and just focus on completing the next step, I find it easier to get to the destination.

I’m a cycling enthusiast and typically participate in a few charity rides each year. In doing so, I’ll usually complete a century (a 100 mile ride). When I tell others who aren’t cyclists that I’m training for 100 miles, their eyes get big. Such a feat seems unattainable. The fact is anyone can do a century. Most of the rides have rest stops every 10 miles or so. I train to reduce my stopping time and complete within a respectable time, but as long as you don’t mind having your butt in a saddle for a whole day, anyone can do it.

The same approach works when you have a stretch goal. When you only focus on the finish it may seem nearly unattainable, however, when you build in milestones and near-term targets, it not only becomes doable, but you’ll likely continue the momentum and achieve your goal.

FOCUS ON THE WHY

As most who know me know I've had challenges in my marriage and currently struggling with parenting my oldest teenager. When my 10-30 burpees get tough (read above, reinforcing the lesson) when I go down, I focus on such things as: how this trial too shall pass, God will not allow a trial to overcome me if I trust in Him, and I will not let this trial defeat me. When successful in changing the focus from fatigue to these thoughts, I find I have the power to jump back up (maybe even with a clap) and continue.

YOU CAN ALWAYS ACCELERATE

A burpee is a good full-body exercise that builds strength and cardio all in one. I’ve completed this challenge in the Gloom and in my basement. From video footage submitted, we’ve witnessed burpees completed in an office, in front of a school, and in a parking lot. It’s a good reminder that when the Flux hits us and we can't post, there’s always an option to Accelerate wherever you are at. We still haven’t seen someone complete their burpees while waiting in line at the store, but I am sure that will surface soon.

Who would have thought such a horrible—but in the end, good—challenge would help remind us of some greater truths to apply to a larger perspective. Our country is currently in the Flux and is a good reminder that we all need to get some burpees in, Accelerate, and change our perspective, while helping others along the way.

About the Author: Crop Circle was a two-time Young Authors Award Winner in 2nd & 3rd grade. Records have not been found to prove this claim, however, we think it would date back to 1983 & 1984 timeframe. He has a B.S. in Public Relations with a minor in Writing from Illinois State University. He has been with F3 since Nov. 2019 and was EH'd by the notorious and current Nantan of the STL Region--GMO. Crop Circle is NOT a professional.  

A few burpees short of 400

We challenge you to send photo/video evidence of yourself doing burpees in a strange place. Whether that’s because you’re a few burpees short of 400 and need to knock them out wherever you happen to be … or because you’re just a weirdo doesn’t matter. Whoever submits proof of himself doing a burpee in the weirdest place wins a MABA t-shirt. It has to be in the course of MABA. The HIM above next to the snow plow is Frogger from Tri-County. “Getting in my burpees whenever I can,” he says. “Good way to wakeup after many hours in the snowplow. Only been with F3 for a couple of months now. Loving everything it stands for and the camaraderie of the membership.”

Hey MABA-boy, how many burpees have I done?

Your totals are here.

Through Saturday night, 306 men had submitted 438,804 burpees. I hope that collectively we will hit 1 million burpees, but I’m starting to doubt it. For most of MABA, we’ve held a fairly steady pace for about 830,000 or so.

With 384 HCs, we would hit 1 million easily if all y’all live up to your commitments, which, mighty HIMs that you are, won’t be a problem. Right? But the number of men submitting daily burpee counts is nowhere near 384. But MABA is not ultimately about numbers. It’s about attitude. It’s about resilience. Fall down. Get back up. Together.