Save this BIPOC, Woman-Owned Business

It's not just a gym. It's a community. It's a place of encouragement—of strength that doesn't just help us lift heavy weights, but helps us lift ourselves up out of injuries, depression, anxiety, and mediocrity. It lets us go beyond dreaming what our best selves might be and lets us start becoming them. Furthermore, it's the creation of an amazing woman who started with nothing, whose persistence and grit is unmatched, and whose knowledge and compassion continue to astound me day after day. And, so very importantly, it's a safe space—anyone is welcome. It's not every day you find a place like this. And it's on the verge of shutting down due to the economic crisis created  by the COVID-19 pandemic.

And so I'm starting this fundraiser to help save this gym that has drastically improved my quality of life. So I'm here, begging you, whether you can help a little or a whole lot, please help me save this gym that isn't just a gym.

Here are the facts:

Inner Beast Strength and Conditioning  is a minority and woman owned gym in Portland, Oregon that is dangerously at risk of closing. As part of the Oregon shelter-in-place order, the gym was forced to close on March 23, 2020. Despite weekly attempts to receive unemployment, Shay Emmons, the founder, owner, and trainer, has yet to receive any financial assistance.

During this time of closure, Shay has ensured that her clients still have a community, offering live online at-home training classes, along with mobility and mindfulness classes so that we can get not just the physical support that we need, but the mental support, too. She has gone above and beyond, as always, in caring for us, and it's our turn to do the same for her. 

In addition to helping re-open the gym, funds will also help provide scholarships for Shay's clients who have lost their jobs and can no longer afford to go to the gym. I can promise you that your donation will be put to good use.

Inner Beast is a vital part of the Portland community. It's my second home, and the athletes who train there are my second family. Please help it survive. For me, for Shay, for Shay's 8-year-old son Francis, and for all of the athletes who rely on Inner Beast for physical and mental well-being. 

Please—if you are able to at all—help save this invaluable Portland community.

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