Jimmy St. Louis on Training, 3FU3L, and Aspiring to Do Things Differently

My name is Jimmy St. Louis. First, I’d like to start with telling all of you that it is an honor to share my story with you. I am a family man, business owner, former professional football player, converted CrossFit Athlete, and now I am doing everything I can to learn and succeed at the highest level in the sport of rowing with my eye on the 2020 Olympic Games.

When asked by 3FU3L to share something about myself, although honored, I wasn’t quite sure where to start. The best answer I could come up with was to start at the beginning.

At the age of 5, I participated in my first competitive event. I remember it like it was yesterday. A one-mile fun run in Augusta, Ga. After my first race, I wanted to do more, and more, and more. Every week, I would look in the newspaper with my father to find another race.

Fortunately for me, my father was in the military, and he was able to do one better. We moved to Seattle, Washington. In my mind, this is running country! Growing up a runner set a foundation for an adventurous career of many sports, all with endurance as my foundation. Faced with severe asthma as a child, I would run until I’d nearly pass out, sometimes waking up in a hospital bed, but never wanting to quit. With my father as my rock, he was able to teach me the difference between hard work and recklessness. A fine line that we always played with!

Although there are many interesting stories to share with you, I will save most of them for later posts. The one I’d like to share is the single moment that paved my path. I always wanted to run. But I always wanted to play new sports. The first time I picked up a football was when I was 16 years old. It was summer break, and my friends and I spent the summer playing basketball, kicking footballs, and running at our high school in Cullman, Alabama.

In the eyes of many, it’s football country.

This was the location of my father’s first job after retiring from the military. Our high school football coach approached me and said he had figured out a way to set a record for most varsity letters. I was definitely interested.

“Wake up at 5 a.m., practice cross-country, come to football practice each afternoon, play Friday night football games, and wake up and run Saturday morning cross-country meets all over the southeast,” he said.

The decision to do something that nobody else had ever done was the single most important decision my life. It taught me discipline, self-responsibility, and not only personal work ethic, but the ability to inspire others. Many tried, not many succeeded, but everyone who tried to match the schedule turned into a better person. Three years later, I signed a football scholarship at Auburn University. I only wish I had 3FU3L back then!

I tell you this story because I have always had an aspiration to do things differently. I was first introduced to 3FU3L by Brian MacKenzie. Brian does things differently. He and his wife Erin are the most interesting, sharp thinkers I have ever met in any sport. What they are doing with 3FU3L is thinking differently, but in my opinion, thinking correctly.

Right to Left: Brian Mackenzie, Me, Erin Cafaro-Mackenzie

Each morning, before I hit the water, I wake up with a cold shower and a glass of Tart Strawberry 3CARB, with a fresh squeezed lemon. For the first time in my entire life, I have found fuel that keeps me going throughout my entire workout, without feeling full from too much, or hungry and weak from not enough. This scientifically advanced product has been perfected over constant testing of many athletes. It is nearly impossible to explain the exact benefit in person. You have to experience it for yourself.

In addition, post workout, I take 3FU3L. This formula is the perfect ratio of fat, carbs, and protein. Over years of professional football and many other sports at a high level, I have never found a more perfect fit. Some protein blends have too much sugar, too much protein, don’t taste good, or simply don’t digest properly. Since day one of using 3FU3L, I have noticed an immense change in my fitness, diet, and overall health. This may sound like a pitch, but keep in mind that I have experienced this change, nearly 25 years into a life of sports, and even multiple sports at one time. Always feeling tired, always feeling like I needed more. This is the first time I’ve felt like I’ve found that.

I look forward to sharing my story with you throughout whatI have found to be a fulfilling and adventurous journey.