One Monday morning at 7 a.m., 68-year-old retired college professor Dr. John “Spence” Hill was not reading his paper nor at the local diner having a cuppa with his neighbors. Instead, he was leading a group of mostly younger men through a grueling hour-long workout called “The Murph Challenge” (named after Lt. Michael Murphy [SEAL] U.S. Navy, killed in action in 2005). How does a guy in his late 60s maintain an active and fulfilling life after retirement, to the point he’s leading and exercising with men almost half his age? Intentionally.
Spence is not one to sit around. He admits, “I’m no athlete. I’m not very coordinated but enjoy running and keeping in shape.” For the bulk of his career, he taught at Immaculata College in Chester County, PA. Tragedy struck in 2015 when he lost his wife to metastatic breast cancer. “That is a difficult spot to be in … ” when you’re 59 and a widower. His life spiraled downward for a year until he decided to start climbing back. Despite a large family and many work friends, he reflects, “After three years, I realized I wasn’t alone but still lonely. I went on Match.com, which was horrible until I read a profile that was clearly different from the others. We went on a date, then another, then many more. Though my family may have raised an eyebrow, we got married.”
He retired in the spring of 2022 and they bought a house in Easton thinking it would “give us something to do. And it did!” But his social circle existed mainly in Chester County—a couple of friends from his former job, and some family near Philly. Initially after moving, he didn’t know a lot of people. “I needed some hobbies so I took up boxing. This was fun until I blocked a left hook with my head. From the concussion and neck injury, my doctor advised me to find a different physical activity.”
Shortly thereafter, he read about a nationwide, men-only, outdoor workout group called F3. It is a free, peer-led, bootcamp-style workout, open to all men, held outdoors. It looked like fun, was definitely physical, and as it happened, there were several F3 workouts in the Lehigh Valley. “I picked the closest one, which was in Catasauqua. They were organized, welcoming, and yes, the workouts were challenging.”
But then, something else happened. F3—standing for Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith—is more than an exercise group; it’s a community. “I was invited to and attended other workouts as well, in Upper Macungie, Emmaus, Allentown, and Macungie Borough, to name a few. More importantly, the camaraderie, the community, and the friendships I made were notable, offering more than just a good workout. I began hanging out with a group of guys I could like and respect, almost instantly.”
The fitness is self-explanatory but the fellowship comes when the group gathers outside the workout. For instance, on Saturdays, they meet for coffee after. “We dive into a leadership guide, discussing different aspects of being a better dad, husband, employee, and part of the community.” The third F, Faith, is not about going to church but having an understanding of a higher power, and realizing we’re called to think outside of our own head and serve others by cleaning up a park, helping a food pantry, or construction at a local charity. Sometimes, it involves simply serving the guys he works out with because loneliness is all too common. “To have a small group of guys you can safely chat with about car repair or football or speed bumps in your marriage and family is a treasure. It fills a gap for me and many others, I’m sure.”
The Murph Challenge consists of a 1-mile run, 100 pullups, 200 pushups, and 300 squats, ending in another 1-mile run. It’s challenging, exciting, and intimidating, all at the same time. No matter their age, all the guys are cheering each other on. This sense of community was palpable on that recent Monday morning among 13 guys, all grunting, laughing, and encouraging each other.
Mornings like those encourage Spence’s purpose and keep him coming back. “My one bit of advice to fellow retirees: Say ‘Yes!’ Yes to meeting new people, to opportunities to serve, to experience new things. Might be out of your comfort zone. So what!”
Spence and Susan live in Easton with their rescue dog, Gus Grimly.