Deadlifts and Doughnuts

This weekend will be the second rendition of Deadlifts and Doughnuts for 2022. These will be held the final Saturday of every month through the remainder of the year with the goal of raising awareness and money for Maple Built -- a local non-profit organization that helps at-risk youth develop woodworking skills, life skills, provides mentorship, and helps with job placement.

Back when I was miserable working in politics and dreaming of becoming a coach, I wanted to use my future platform to help not just my clients, but the neighborhood, local community, and in particular at-risk youth.

My heart goes out to young kids -- they've got so much potential and vigor and pureness about them. With good people around kids, kids can grow up to be an enormous positive force in this world.

Unfortunately, a lot of kids falls through the cracks. And that absolutely breaks my heart. They will experience anguish and frustration rather than joy and fulfillment. They will have less of a chance of helping others and blessing others and living a life on a mission to build something great. (Not to say adults can't turn it around, but it's easier going from a better starting point!)

That's why I really love what Maple Built does. The organization was founded by a couple of brothers. They started out with intentions of starting a church in the area, but a different vision came along... They wanted to be actively engaged and involved in people's lives to bend the arc of humanity toward justice and peace. So they took it upon themselves.

They started making skateboards and quickly became well known for their skill and creativity -- making skateboards for people all over middle Tennessee and even for touring artists like Fall Out Boy and Kip Moore. In fact, Kip Moore helped make a skate park in front of their shop as part of his "Comeback Kid" initiative.

Kip Moore and Will

Kip at the Skate Park He Built

This year when I was contemplating what philanthropic endeavors my platform would undertake, I reached out to Will of Maple Built and asked him if he knew of any good organizations. And then I had an internal "Sam you Dumby" moment and was like DUH, You're going to help Maple Built out! (Most of the time answers to my questions are right in front of my face but I'm just a little spacey and don't notice it.)

This month is particularly awesome as we will be partnering with EVO Performance Therapy -- a leading physical therapy and rehabilitation practice in the Nashville area. Two of their doctors of Physical Therapy will be in attendance, Dr. Willis Graves and Dr. Wil Moore. Dr. Graves is actually a multi-time national Highland's Game Champion, so I'm sure he'll be bringing an interesting perspective to the event.

In Summation

Maple Built is a great organization, run by some really awesome brothers, based in the Buena Vista neighborhood of Nashville just a few blocks from Praxis Strength. Doughnuts are delicious. A couple Doctors will be on hand to help assist with any nagging injuries. Deadlifts help make you stronger so you can help and bless others. AND the community of people who gather to LIFT HEAVY AND BE LIGHT is one you should surround yourself with.

I hope you can make it the last Saturday of every month this year! To reserve your spot, shoot me an email at strength coach sam at gmail . com