monster bash wrestling match!
Join us Oct. 19 from 3-7 pm for an all ages FALL Fair, Fundraiser, & WRESTLING MATCH! Come out and cheer on your fave wrestler in our 16 x 16 foot raised ring! Professional wrestlers Candy Pain and American Oni battle it out alongside some of LA’s finest in a NO HOLDS BARRED stiff (and campy!) competition for Wrestling Champ of LA! A benefit for Border Butterflies Project. Follow link for more!
EVERYBODY is🌈PROUD to present MONSTER BASH WRESTLING MATCH!🧟 Featuring Professional Wrestlers Candy Pain and American Oni! Saturday October 19 from 3-7pm.
QUICK N DIRTY DEETS:
HALLOWEEN COSTUMES & WRESTLING OUTFITS ENCOURAGED!
Food & Snax by The Ruby Fruit!
CASH BAR ON SITE: Water, Beer, Wine.
Stay tuned on social for MORE!
GET TIX HERE!
Come out and cheer on your fave wrestler in our 16 x 16 foot raised ring! Professional wrestlers Candy Pain and American Oni battle it out alongside some of LA’s finest in a NO HOLDS BARRED stiff (and campy!) competition for Wrestling Champ of LA!
Rolling w/ the kiddos? Check out our all ages spooky szn Fall Fair and games from 3-5pm! Stay for an old-fashioned Smackdown from 5-7pm. YES, PRIZES!
$25 /$35/ $50 sliding scale entry with proceeds going to Border Butterflies Project!* (Kids under 5 are free.)
Location: SIBLING Los Angeles: 3352 North San Fernando Road. Los Angeles, CA 90065
Rideshare strongly suggested. There are 2 marked accessible spots close to bldg. entrance.
Vibe: Candy Pain wrestling with Choke Hole
Volunteers: We have a few volunteer spots open! Volunteer with some set up either Friday October 18 or Sat. Oct. 19 (times TBA) and receive a free admission ticket for the event! Please email hr@everybodylosangeles.com with subject ‘wrestling volunteer’.
All Ages: Free entry for children under 5 years old.
*Border Butterflies is a coordinated coalitional response to the crisis of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers at the U.S. southern border. We provide legal and humanitarian support, policy advocacy, leadership development and community organizing. For more information and to support, please visit: https://transgenderlawcenter.org/border-butterflies-project/
MONSTER BASH Practice sesh @ EVERYBODY!
GET monster bash TIX HERE!
Please email hr@everybodylosangeles.com with any questions and…
GET READY 2 RUMMMMMMBLE!!
BONUS ROUND
Brush up on your body slam!
Join us for WRESTLING 101 every Sat. & Sun. in October until Oct. 19, the day of MONSTER BASH! No experience necessary! Sign up here.
homebodies & heroines
This month we are welcoming Fall Feels™ and celebrating the vibrant roots of some of our Latine / Latinx members and crew! Dive in deeper for spotlights on Mexican Women's Curling Team member Veronica Huerta, Red Carpet Reporter turned Trainer Marcela Isaza, Tamarindo Podcast producer Brenda Gonzalez, and Latinx Fire Sign Stoneware Founder Dee Clement!
As the Autumn Equinox approaches, we’re FALLing hard for flannel season, warm colors and cool, crisp nights. September is ripe for harvesting the achievements we have worked so hard all year for. Hello abundance, is that YOU?
Fall Feels
September 15th also marks the beginning of LatinX Heritage Month, so we are celebrating the vibrant roots of some of our Latiné and Latinx members and crew! Dive in deeper for spotlights on Mexican Women’s Curling Team member Veronica Huerta, Red Carpet reporter turned Trainer Marcela Isaza, Tamarindo Podcast producer Brenda Gonzalez, and Latinx Fire Sign Stoneware Founder Dee Clement!
Veronica Huerta, Marcela Isaza, Brenda Gonzalez, and Dee Clement
CURL JAM - VERONICA HUERTA
Shout out to our member and Mexican Women’s Curling Team Member, Veronica Huerta! Huerta represents her home nation of Mexico as a member of the National Women’s Curling Team and along with her crew, won the silver medal in Women’s Curling at the 2022 PanContinental Curling Championship. You may have also seen Veronica on our patio Monday nights at Sonny's Good Damage class at EVERYBODY, a perfect prep for Curling season!
When not at the Gym or training with the team, Veronica is a healthcare Infection Preventionist for Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center and is the Chair of the Homelessness and Housing Committee on the Glassell Park Neighborhood Council board. She also helped launch Northeast Neighborhood Outreach (NENO), a nonprofit that provides shelter, clothing, food, and other necessities to the homeless communities of Los Angeles.
Veronica Huerta (left) w/ Coach + Mexican Olympic Curling Team
“I want to thank @amarennotakaren, also a member of the gym, for introducing me to the sport of Curling, she changed my life.”
EVERYBODY is a proud supporter of Veronica on her way to the 2026 Winter Olympics! You can also join in supporting by donating to the Mexican Women’s Olympic Curling Team or check out their super cute store with Lotería inspired Curling shirts and more!
FROM BTS TO FEATURED GUEST - MARCELA ISAZA
Marcela recently made the leap from red carpet reporter to Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. Rubbing elbows with top entertainers such as J. Balvin, Bad Bunny, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Pitbull, Lizzo, Calle 13, and Ice Cube was a dream come true, but Marcela felt she was missing something.
So she left behind a successful 20-year career as one of Hollywood’s top entertainment bilingual reporters to embark on new adventures in the health and wellness world. Swapping out glamourous red-carpet gowns for leopard jumpsuits, Marcela is now bringing her unique Colombian joie de vivre to unlock the swagger for her private clients and spin class participants. Born in Colombia and raised in Latino Los Angeles, she has learned how to convert mental strength into tools of physical movement that have empowered her body and lifted her soul. She is excited to share those gifts with others on their own journeys of self-empowerment.
She has been an avid fitness practitioner for 30 years and as a previously single, working mother, completely undersands the constant struggle of “I don’t have time.” Her life’s mission is to empower clients to be their best selves through the power of movement.
Marcela Isaza's amazing journey...
“The career switch from journalist to personal trainer was the most challenging part. I loved exercise myself, but would I enjoy teaching it? It was scary to walk away from a successful career as an entertainment journalist to start something so different...”
Marcela has a bachelor’s degree from USC (University of Southern California) and is a NASM-certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor and a Les Mills RPM-trained spin instructor specializing in women’s fitness. She is also a featured guest instructor on EVERYBODY’s HOMEBODY VOD catalog!
Marcela Isaza on HOMEBODY VOD (photo by Slow Blink)
Catch Marcela IRL Wednesdays for her SPINDARELLA’S Spin class 6p at SIBLING, Fridays for HIP HOP TO THE CORE 9am at EVERYBODY, and 24/7 on HOMEBODY VOD!
Book Marcela Isaza for Personal Training sessions @ EVERYBODY here!
TAMARINDO PODCAST - BRENDA GONZALEZ
Founder & Co-Host of Tamarindo Podcast, Brenda Gonazalez is a self-proclaimed political nerd, a fitness instructor at EVERYBODY Gym, and nonprofit capacity-builder focusing on social justice nonprofits.
Born in Puebla, Mexico, Brenda lives in Los Angeles. Brenda’s experience as a formerly undocumented student shaped her interest in politics and she taught American Government at Cal State Fullerton before she was even eligible to vote. In response to negative rhetoric about the Latine community in political discourse, Brenda founded Tamarindo in 2016 with the mission to use comedy and laughter to illuminate important issues impacting the community.
At the intersection of advocacy and self-care, Tamarindo is a lighthearted podcast where hosts Brenda and co-host Delsy Sandoval discuss politics, culture, and self-development. Each week on the podcast, you can expect insightful conversations on race, gender, representation and life.
Brenda Gonzalez, Delsy Sandoval & Tamarindo Podcast Guests
“We’re here to uplift our community through powerful conversations with changemakers, creatives, and healers. More than a podcast, Tamarindo builds community through virtual and in-person events, workshops, and creative retreats. ”
Tamarindo Podcast is now featured on Apple Podcasts Latine Creators! Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and be sure to check out the feature on Marcela Isaza!
You can always catch Brenda teaching Full Body Bootcamp Mondays @ 6p at EVERYBODY and 24/7 on HOMEBODY VOD!
Brenda Gonzalez on HOMEBODY VOD (photo by Slow Blink)
CERAMICS SIDE HUSTLE - DEE CLEMENT
EVERYBODY Personal Trainer Dee has her hands in many pots…
Dee Clement (she/her/ella) is a non-binary, latinx, NASM certified Personal Trainer at EVERYBODY whose focus combines strength building, improving self-confidence and mindfulness. Dee aims to help people reframe the way they think of exercise and societal expectations so that they can enjoy physical activity that connects their minds to their bodies.
As an athlete who has been participating in competitive and outdoor sports her entire life, she hopes to teach people how to meet their goals, but also prioritize rest, recovery, and listening to their bodies. Compassion is the key!
When not training folks at EVERYBODY Gym, Dee is busy hand crafting ceramics for her passion project Fire Sign Stoneware.
I am a born and raised socal native. I have an affinity for all things natural, handmade and aesthetically beautiful. I love the idea of turning basic household items into something more. Building these pieces by hand, so that everything in your home is a little piece of art.
I am inspired by west coast scenery and spirituality. I am also very influenced by my Mexican and Japanese heritage and pay homage to both cultures in my pieces. I hope you find inspiration in my pieces the way I did making them.
Trainer Dee & Doobie 🐾
“Being a Sagittarius, I have to constantly keep myself active with my hands and my imagination. For me, pottery is my form of art and therapy. It eases my mind and brings me so much joy.”
Book Dee for an IRL Personal Training session at EVERYBODY or catch her 24/7 on HOMEBODY VOD!
Shop Fire Sign Stoneware here!
Dee Clement on HOMEBODY VOD (photo by Slow Blink)
Thank you for reading our Journal! Would you like to share your thoughts or be featured on our IG? Send us a DM @everybodylosangeles.
For more resources on Latinx history, please visit:
aug blog: CREW & MEMBER LOVE CLUB
We know it’s still Summer, but so much has been FALLing into our laps, we wanted to share! Here is a little late summer roundup of inspiring stories from our staff and members…
We know it’s still Summer, but so much has been FALLing into our laps, we wanted to share! Here is a little late summer roundup of inspiring stories from our staff and members…
FALL IN GLOVE 🥊
Did you know our Boxing Basics Instructor Katie Singer is also a published author with a PhD in American Studies? Katie’s work engages the fields of African-American History and Culture through Oral History and Urban History, and in her new book ‘Alien Soil: Oral Histories of Great Migration Newark,’ she foregrounds stories of a city, and a historical era, that too often get told by those without lived experience.
“I draw on this academic background in my activist work, as well. I am involved in various political and social justice organizations around immigration justice, carceral reform, and the election of progressive candidates.
If oral histories were more often taught in the classroom, maybe some folks out there wouldn’t be quite so confused about our country’s story!”
Pick up your copy of Alien Soil here and Fall in Glove with Katie’s Boxing Class Tuesdays 6pm/ Thursdays 9am.
Coach Katie has been a champ filling in for Juri’s Boxing classes while he was on his Classical Guitar Summer Tour. What does boxing have to do with guitar? Juri is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Southern California where he is researching how the application of sport's psychology can help musicians with performance anxiety and stage fright.
Curious? Get a taste of Juri’s IRL Boxing Classes on HOMEBODY VOD or IRL here!
MINDFUL
August was the birth month of our lovely Leo Sabel and Transgeder Awareness Month! You can book Personal Trainer Sabel Samone Loreca Saturdays and Sundays as she has adjusted her schedule to focus on her passion working with the Trans-focused G.L.A.M.O.R. division of Minority Aids Project.
We also featured Sabel’s projects last week on IG for #NationalNonprofitDay. We wanted to also give a shout out to the Audre Lorde Health Program, your local body positive, sex positive, patient centered, trauma-informed sliding scale Health Care Provider centering the LBTQ community.
COSMIC EMOTIONS
Did you know our Yoga Instructor mx puja singh (they/them) is also a brilliant singer, songwriter, activist, and producer? Immerse yourself in COSMIC EMOTIONS, puja’s new album which will be out on their bday, Friday September 6th! They will also be having a release show + birthday party that night at 7p @kiefy.studio in LA. ‘plz help spread the word! I CANNOT WAIT TO PERFORM FOR YOU + CELEBRATE W YOU!!!!!!’ 🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸
Get your tix and stream Puja’s music here!
Corn stars
In other news…Our HR heroine Jamie has joined a new Queer Corn Hole league. Yes, @funbagsla, ‘LA’s first(?) queer she/they cornhole league’ is every Tuesday at the 4100 Bar in Silverlake starting this Tuesday 8/27. Butter her up by going to support and LET THE GAYMES BEGIN!
MEMBER LOVE CLUB
Thank you for mentioning us in your new blog, Jamie Hahn! We’re honored (ok, blushing) to be mentioned alongside Queersound and The Lex App as an engaging queer space to connect and meet new ppl! Here’s a little excerpt from 3 (and a half) Secrets to Making Queer Friendships in Los Angeles:
Jamie recently quit their 9-5 job to start their own marketing biz for artists, creative, and the queer community. Need more connection, direction, or just a little rebrand? Follow @jamiehahncreative and look for her note up on our EVERYBODY Community Board! Next time you’re in the gym (or see Jamie at a Queersound show or on the apps ), make sure to connect! A member to remember!
stuntin’
Wrestling 101 has been tons of fun and GOING STRONG since May. We recently welcomed Pro Wrestler American Oni to the team to add B2B Beginner Wrestling Dates while Pro Wrestler Candy Pain has gone full Nelson and is now part of a local play:
Happy Fall: A Queer Stunt Spectacular is an original theatrical experience about a queer closeted stuntman’s journey to discover himself in a world of faux masculinity, unmasking the importance and danger of being true to oneself. Happy Fall is running thru Sept. 8 at the LA LGBT Center.
DOUBLE DOWN
We are so excited that Queer Wrestling is making a comeback! Just heard on the Gaydar: Transdudes of LA are having an upcoming wrestling match Sept. 21st and our Wrestling Instructor American Oni will be participating! Follow them for more info! It looks like a super fun down n dirty, yall!
We’re also excited to announce we’ve been plotting and scheming our own special match with Candy and Oni for a while and will announce our date soon! Plan your outfits and get ready to RUMMMBBBBLLLLLE!!!! Curious? Check our schedge for the next Wrestling 101!
CREW CUTS
Some clips from last month’s Staff Social. <3
Stay tuned for next month’s Fall Member Feature on Veronica Huerta, Mexican Olympic Curling Team Medalist!
If you are a member and would like to be featured, please DM us at @everybodylosangeles or email media@everybodylosangeles.com
🥊BIGLOVE. - EVERYBODY
welcome new members!
Welcome new members! Just a reminder of who we are, some notes on our space and why we’re all here! Read more on EVERYBODY Gym’s Mission, Social Contract, EVERYBUDDIES Board, Brave Space, Pronouns, Gym Etiquette and more!
Welcome new members! Just a reminder of who we are, some notes on our space and why we’re all here!
Our mission statement is written on our wall behind our Front Desk.
EVERYBODY IS COMMITTED TO CREATING A RADICALLY INCLUSIVE CULTURE FOR ALL BODIES TO MOVE, STRENGTHEN, AND HEAL.
We believe that you walked in worthy and that your body is the boss. We don’t make assumptions about your goals like most gyms do and we’re not here to blame and shame you into a routine that makes you feel worse instead of better. We’re here to listen to what you need to help you connect with your own body, just as you are. There’s nothing to fix because you’re not broken. Welcome.
MISSION AND VALUES
Health and wellness should be accessible, affordable and adaptive to all people regardless of their gender, sexuality, size, age, ethnicity or ability. This is unfortunately not the case in most mainstream gyms! We created this space because we understand that mainstream gym culture is bad for everyone, even the most bro-ey of gym bros.
And we know it is even worse for folks who don’t conform to the racist, ableist, fat-phobic, trans-phobic norms and ideals of big-box gym culture. We are here to model a new culture that makes creating & sharing inclusive space the new normal for all of us! Inclusive community is the key to our collective health and wellness.
Our Community Board is available for members to post and view community events and offerings.
OUR VALUES
We are a business founded on the core principles of radical inclusion, diversity and equity. Whenever we call ourselves a “radically inclusive business,” we mean that we have a zero-tolerance policy regarding racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, fatphobia, and transphobia. We remain committed to this often challenging and rigorous work.
Since our founding in 2016, we have consistently held these values as our guiding principles as a business, and we have facilitated accountability processes whenever we have encountered actions or attitudes that go directly against these values. This page serves to outline our core values, provide educational resources, name our expectations of each other and ourselves and share our working Action Plans to hold everyone accountable to this mission of intersectional liberation.
Our locker room is a shared, gender-neutral space. We also have private changing rooms.
BRAVE SPACE
What is the difference between “safe space” and “brave space”? We specifically don't say EVERYBODY is a "safe space" because safe space is not possible to ensure. While we make it explicit that we don't tolerate oppression or discrimination here, we don't pretend that the walls of this building keep out anyone's prejudice, ignorance, pain or privilege. In fact, we acknowledge that the project of creating radically a inclusive space here at EVERYBODY can, will and does inevitably invite a unique clash of cultures, beliefs, identities, ideas and lived experiences.
This is all part of the unique challenge of true radical inclusivity, which requires a lot of courage from all of us to create and maintain. Here are five ways we try to encourage what we call Brave Space:
Come open, willing and ready to learn.
Acknowledge the privileges you carry.
Actively listen.
Use inclusive language.
Try to have direct conversations whenever possible.
SOCIAL CONTRACT
As members of the EVERYBODY community, we each have a responsibility to help create & maintain a culture of inclusivity. Anyone who uses our space, from a day pass to an unlimited membership enters into a social contract that defines what radical inclusivity means to us. Our Social Contract is given to each new person who comes through our doors. We review and edit this contract regularly. It is available both in English and Spanish at our front desk.
Everyone who enters our doors is given our Social Contract. Available at our Front Desk in English and Spanish.
WE INVITE ALL MEMBERS AND VISITORS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CREATION OF THIS NEW GYM CULTURE BY AGREEING TO HONOR OUR MISSION AS CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY. YOU NEED TO SHOW UP DIFFERENTLY AT EVERYBODY THAN YOU WOULD AT A TRADITIONAL GYM.
What radical inclusivity means to us: We created this space because we understand that mainstream gym culture is alienating to many people and often toxic and oppressive. At EVERYBODY, we celebrate all bodies, abilities, sizes and fitness backgrounds and encourage a holistic approach to health and wellness. We create programming for all bodies, whether you are brand new to gyms or a lifelong gym user. Big-box gyms stress weight loss and diet culture. Losing weight may be a personal goal of some members, but at EVERYBODY we embrace weight neutrality. We never make assumptions about our members’ health or fitness goals based on their size.
We offer a wide range of classes including yoga, pilates, boxing, aerobics, HIIT, barre, strength training, core, mobility and more!
OUR ONLY ASSUMPTION IS THAT OUR MEMBERS ARE HERE TO FEEL BETTER.
How do we achieve radical inclusivity? EVERYBODY strives for inclusivity at every level, from our hiring & programming to our unique facilities, which includes the industry’s first all-gender locker room and sauna. Each member and visitor who walks through our doors enters into a unique social contract.
Every gym has heavy weights to lift. At EVERYBODY, we also ask you to actively lift up the community. We expect every person to participate in this inclusive project regardless of their perspective or identity. We center folks who are traditionally marginalized in mainstream gym culture, and this provides a unique opportunity for all of our members to show up in support of each other.
EVERYBODY TRAINER SABEL (she/her). You can see all of our Personal Trainers here!
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
1 Create space and show respect to one another regardless of race, gender, gender presentation or sexuality. We have a zero tolerance policy for racism, sexism, transphobia, or homophobia of any kind.
2 Come with an open mind and willingness to learn. Do not make assumptions regarding the experiences of others. There are many members of the gym who identify as transgender or gender non-binary. There are folks here whose appearance may not align with their gender identity. Please ask for & share your pronouns whenever possible so as to not make assumptions and accidentally misgender someone.
EVERYBODY Non-Binary Trainer Dee (They/Them)
3 At an inclusive gym, assume that there are members with disabilities, both visible and invisible. Person-first language (ie. person with disability vs disabled person) is a best practice unless directed otherwise by the individual themselves. In your interactions with a person with a disability, be mindful that the person may not wish to disclose the details of their disability. Follow all posted signs prioritizing access for members with disabilities.
4 If you do make a mistake, promptly acknowledge it, apologize, and move on. Mistakes happen, and making it a bigger deal than necessary can sometimes do more harm than good. Mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow!
5 Be aware of the privileges that you carry and how these privileges affect your experiences. This may be new for folks who have never had to consider what it means to be part of a community that not only includes, but centers, people who are marginalized. This is an opportunity to become an ally. An ally is a person who acknowledges, accepts and understands their privileges as things that are not universally experienced and who strive to create equity among those who do not enjoy those same privileges. It is critical to our community that allies of all kinds are a strong and supportive part of the culture we are collectively creating.
6 Be brave. Creating a truly inclusive community takes courage. EVERYBODY brings together people with different perspectives, identities, and experiences. Be open to sharing space with others who are different from you. Keep in mind that If you have a concern with someone directly and are not in any danger, it may be most beneficial to both parties to have a direct dialogue.
Our indoor free weight area.
GENERAL HOUSE RULES
Follow all posted signage.
Use no more than 2 machines at once.
Limit time on cardio machines to 20 minutes during peak hours.
Wipe down and return equipment after use.
Use headphones for all music and personal media.
Refrain from unnecessary noise/ grunting/loud talking/shouting.
Wear appropriately modest clothing and shoes at all times.
Do not arrive at the gym under the influence of any drugs or alcohol.
Do not introduce strong odors into the gym. This means monitoring your body odor and limiting the use of scented products.
Close restroom doors when using toilets.
Understand that the locker room is a shared, gender-neutral space and that while there is privacy for changing, showering and using the bathroom, there may be people who choose to change publicly.
If you do change publicly in the locker room, do your best to be respectful, courteous and mindful of those around you.
No minors are allowed.
No pets are allowed besides service dogs.
FIND A FRIEND!
Have you seen our EVERYBUDDIES Board? Post a note on our EVERYBUDDIES Board to find a Workout Partner!
If you have questions about the social contract, our community or our mission, please ask. Our staff is here to help! We also have a suggestion box located by our Front Desk. You can also find more information on our website under Policies, Resources, and Action Plans.
See you at the Gym!
QUEER ALL YEAR
As a queer owned, operated, patroned & beloved business, we celebrate pride all year long, but we also recognize the sacred month when we pause to be together and celebrate as a community. Pride, indeed, is a protest. It's a protest of joy, a protest of hope, a protest of peace, a protest of possibility, a protest of passion, a protest of playfulness, a protest of undoing what's been done, a protest of becoming what you have always been or what you have never dared to be before.
Pride, indeed, is a protest. It's a protest of joy, a protest of hope, a protest of peace, a protest of possibility, a protest of passion, a protest of playfulness, a protest of undoing what's been done, a protest of becoming what you have always been or what you have never dared to be before.
Personal Trainer Sabel drenched in a Rainbow in front of our Mission Statement.
As a queer owned, operated, patroned & beloved business, we celebrate Pride all year long, but we also recognize the sacred month when we pause to be together and celebrate as a community. Community is so sacred. It isn't always easy, as anyone in the queer community knows who has been around a while. It is a special kind of blessed curse to know that the folks in your queer universe circle you so tightly, across the decades and state lines and all the other boundaries of time and space. Anyone with an ex can attest! I sometimes marvel at how we stay in each others lives despite our winding and diverging pathways through this life together.
Front Desk Fam Jamie and Brit at Dyke Day LA
When we come together over and over again, it reminds us that we are essentially one big family. For so many of us who either have lost family or chosen to leave it behind, this is a tremendous gift. I am wishing everyone out there today a Pride month filled with connection and joy, comfort and community. May you be with those who love you truly and deeply and find time to honor yourself as well.
-Sam / EVERYBODY
Did you miss us at the 16th Annual Dyke Day LA Pride event at Sycamore Grove Park? Enjoy some pix of our crew and members below!
movement & mental health
Happy May and Mental Health Awareness Month from EVERYBODY Gym! This month we’re touching on the connection between movement and mental health. We also reveal the meaning behind our new inside mural, a new mental health-focused film from one of our staff members, collective support for Gaza, and a few ways for folks to stay connected through our upcoming wellness, community and outdoor programming.
Happy May/Mental Health Awareness Month from EVERYBODY! There are so many unique ways we are supporting mental health this month (and every day), but I wanted to take a moment to share a few thoughts & highlights.
When we were bringing EVERYBODY to life, Co-Founder Lake Sharp and I bonded about having parents with mental health issues, and it has ALWAYS informed so much of what, why and how we do things at EVERYBODY. When my own Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease over a decade ago, I had to shift gears practically overnight to become her full-time caregiver. As anyone who has gone through this experience knows, caring for someone with a mental illness can become a full-time job of its own and takes a serious toll on the caregiver as well as the person with the disease.
Strength Class with Sonny on our outdoor patio.
MOVEMENT & MENTAL HEALTH
I now closely follow the research on dementia and there are many current studies that explicitly link loneliness, stress and depression to increased risk of dementia and other forms of mental illness. There is also an emerging body of hopeful scientific evidence that supports the fact that exercise and connection to community in younger and midlife years are two of the most important keys to avoiding dementia and mental illness in later life. This brings me personally a lot of hope, especially since my Dad is now also on his own end-of-life journey with dementia.
CONNECTION & COMMUNITY
Of course we know many members of our LGBTQIA+ community already face a dramatically increased risk of depression, anxiety and suicide. We always create programming with the idea that moving our bodies together in community is about so much more than simply getting our heart rates up and achieving better circulation, flexibility, and strength. It is about a sense of belonging, a real connection to your community, and having a safe place for you to explore and expand your own relationship to your body ON YOUR OWN TERMS.
Outdoor mural by artist Maria Pineres.
IRL SEROTONIN BOOST
You may have also noticed that our beautiful multi-colored camouflage outdoor mural has just graced our interior space, all thanks to incredible artist Maria Pineres, a local Mt. Washington resident and beloved member of our community. Maria was inspired to bring the beauty of her original outside mural into the gym and our hope is that these gorgeous colors and shapes energize your workout and fortify you for the many fights ahead. "Resist" is the title of her initial large outdoor mural on our patio, which she painted just after Trump's 2016 presidential election. "Resilience" is the theme behind this powerful and inspiring interior imagery that re-purposes military imagery for our use as a tapestry of solidarity, strength and resilience for the days before us and those yet to come. Maria also wanted to represent the many colors, textures and shapes of our community in a slightly more abstract form, playing on the idea of many different "skins" imbued with various shades of Camouflage. I hope this contributes to everyone's sense of well-being, support and collective strength. Come see what we’ve done with the place!
COLLECTIVE SUPPORT FOR GAZA
We also continue to do everything we can to support and amplify the call for a ceasefire in Gaza including donating membership proceeds to the Palestinian Children's Relief Fund and donating supplies and resources to our local student groups including @oxyjvp at Occidental College organizing and protesting for divestment from Israel. The extremely critical work of demanding the safety of innocent Palestinians remains a top priority for us, as well as providing needed space for folks in our community to grieve, gather, restore & recharge between devastating emerging news, protests and local community actions.
We have been unsurprised yet extremely saddened to learn that many mainstream gyms have actually * fired * members of their staff for speaking out in support of Palestine. We remain very proud of our commitment to hold space for Palestinian solidarity with our collective reflection, grief, and calls to action. We continue to advocate for an immediate ceasefire and end to Israeli apartheid and genocidal Zionism. Knowing our tax dollars are going to fund a genocide is absolutely detrimental to all of our collective mental health, and we must continue to show up, speak out, and call out for divestment from Israel in whatever ways we can.
STAFF FEATURE
A shout out to our Wednesday Night Hot & Heavy Strength Class teacher and Personal Trainer Ames Miyako, who is currently producing and raising funds for a film centering mental health.
Checking Out is a short film about a queer date gone mentally ill, where no one is crazy and humor and hope prevail: When a really good date brings up really bad experiences from the past, Alex (played by Ames Miyako) has a dissociative episode at the worst possible moment: a first kiss with their really cute date Jess. Trapped inside the literal walls of their own psyche (which just so happens to look like the inside of a school gymnasium), Alex is challenged by “Cool Alex”, a past version of themselves, to crack the psychological code needed to get back into their body for that first kiss with Jess.
If you’d like to support this independently produced film written by Ames Miyako and directed by Ariel Zucker, consider making a tax deductible donation here!
WELLNESS, COMMUNITY AND OUTDOOR PROGRAMMING:
Looking for a little more movement, wellness or connecting with community outdoors? Join us for:
Monthly Sliding Scale drop-in Community Acupuncture w/ Ben Leventer.
New Monthly Sound Bath Series: High Vibes w/ Jordan Wolan starts May 31st at 6pm at out sister location, SIBLING.
EVERYBODY Swims! returns for the summer every first and third Sunday at Occidental College beginning June 2nd! All bodies welcome.
In addition to all our weekly on-site class programming, these special wellness and outdoor events are intended to add a little more to the mix to our affordable and accessible programming. We are proud to offer a wide range of opportunities for connection and health.
Sign up/ see our full schedule of offerings here!
HOMEBODY VIDEO ON DEMAND
FOR ALL THE HOMEBODIES:
I would be remiss not to mention HOMEBODY, our revolutionary Video-On-Demand library that continues to deliver all our radically inclusive programming to you wherever you are, whenever you need it. We understand for those who may face mental health issues, working out from home can be a vital way to access the services you need most when you need them most. Our full Video on Demand catalog is available to our gym members or available as a separate subscription.
VOD curious? Check it out here!
Beach Pilates returns in July!
Take good care this month and remember, self-care is key to community care! We all need to breathe in our own oxygen before giving it away to others.
Happy almost Summer!
Sam / EVERYBODY Co-Founder