Nashville’s Toughest Leadership Event, STRUGGLE 005, Returns October 24

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – One of the city’s most grueling leadership challenges is back this fall. STRUGGLE 005, an overnight endurance and leadership event, will take place Friday, Oct. 24, bringing together men from across Middle Tennessee to confront both physical and mental battles.

The event is a collaboration between F3 Middle TN and the Nashville-based nonprofit 4:13 Strong. Unlike a race or fitness competition, The Struggle is designed to push participants beyond comfort and complacency, demanding teamwork, resilience, and leadership under pressure.

“There’s no itinerary, no spectators, and no finish line—only the call to show up and lead,” organizers said.

Participants can expect 10 to 12 hours of continuous physical training, weight carries, team-based obstacles, and miles of movement under heavy load. Leadership roles rotate throughout the night, often at moments of exhaustion, forcing participants to step forward when it’s least convenient.

Past events have taken men across downtown Nashville and Williamson County, where challenges have included carrying full-length telephone poles, navigating cityscapes in silence, and enduring surprise workouts led by former Special Operations leaders. After STRUGGLE 004, 4:13 Strong founder Steve Norris called it “the best Struggle event we’ve ever had.”

This fall’s edition promises to raise the bar again, with undisclosed routes and challenges designed to test participants physically, mentally, and emotionally.

The Struggle is open to men 18 and older—whether CEOs, college students, or those rebuilding their lives. “You don’t have to be elite—you just have to be willing,” organizers said. Registration is free but limited, with full event details shared only with confirmed participants.

About 4:13 Strong

4:13 Strong is a Nashville-based faith-driven nonprofit that helps men facing poverty, incarceration, and addiction build new lives rooted in discipline, hard work, faith, and accountability. Its mission is to break cycles of struggle and empower men to lead with integrity and resilience.

Event Information

Participation is free but limited, and registration is now open to men 18 and older. Event details will be disclosed only to confirmed participants. To get started, contact Ryan Smith at smithr53@gmail.com or 615-587-5803.