The Heavy Breathing Foundation is dedicated to empowering at-risk and potentially at-risk individuals through physical culture and strength training. We connect participants with vital community resources, helping them achieve personal goals in a supportive, structured environment. By fostering discipline, accountability, and self-worth, we aim to build resilient individuals, strengthen community ties, and promote mental and physical well-being.

We provide youth programs that offer mentorship, physical training, and academic support, and adult programs that focus on personal growth, recovery, and reintegration. Through partnerships with local schools, community leaders, and organizations, we are committed to making a lasting impact on the North County San Diego community.

At the core of our organization are five pillars: honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, consistency, and patience.

We believe that when these values are applied consistently, they can create a foundation for success in and out of the gym.

OUR PROGRAMS

  • School Programs

    We know kids today face heavy challenges—anxiety, social pressure, unstable home lives, and more. Our programs provide not just a healthy outlet, but a culture of belonging and growth that many students have never experienced before.

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  • Public Speaking

    When students and community members hear from someone who’s been there—faced addiction, hardship, or trauma—and turned it around to build a foundation that’s changing lives, it hits different. It’s proof that strength isn’t just physical. It’s resilience, honesty, and the courage to start again.

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  • Tommy Gun Grant

    This grant exists for transitional age youth (18–24) who are navigating at-risk situations and doing the hard work to move forward. It’s for individuals facing challenges like sobriety, housing insecurity, or financial hardship—barriers that often stand in the way of growth and opportunity.

    learn more

  • Building Up the community

    Strength should be accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford a gym membership. That’s why we take donated equipment and put it where it matters most: in the heart of our community.

    From transitional housing to youth programs, we’ve made it our mission to bring the gift of strength training into spaces where it can have the biggest impact.

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  • Internships

    The Heavy Breathing Foundation is proud to partner with Iron Mongers Gym in North County San Diego to offer internships for high school and college students who are ready to take their passion for fitness to the next level.

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Get Involved

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Up to date information on events, volunteer opportunities, programs, individual participants, and more is on our Instagram and newsletter.

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THANK YOU The community’s belief in what we do means so much to us. We raised over $1,500 yesterday between IG and our website, which is a perfect start to our truck fund. PLUS, @parsleysage_ nominated us and we are able to receive a donation of over $6,000 from the team at @drbronner. This tells us we’re doing the right things in the community. All of this helps us continue our work supporting underserved youth and young adults in North County. We would not be here without you. We have a lot of exciting things happening in partnership with other community organizations and we are looking forward to sharing with you! #thisisheavybreathing #nonprofit
The whole operation, getting the gear to the kids, equipping the recovery houses, moving equipment to raise funds, it works because of mentors like Amber and donors like you. This Giving Tuesday, we are raising funds to secure a dedicated HBF truck. This isn’t a luxury. It’s the engine for our community mission. What your donation means today: - Mobilize Mentors: It stops our mentors, who are already giving their time and hearts, from destroying their personal vehicles hauling equipment to school sites. - Wider Reach: It allows us to pick up and distribute more donated equipment, expanding our Tommy Gun Grant impact and outfitting more reentry/recovery housing programs faster. - Keep the Focus: It lets Amber and the rest of the crew focus 100% on mentoring and coaching—not logistics and vehicle capacity. Ready to help us put some muscle on wheels? Hit the link in bio. Every dollar moves us closer to a truck that will allow us to move mountains of equipment and support for the community. #thisisheavybreathing #nonprofit #youthprograms
Joey has seen it. Lived it. And now, he gives his time, the most valuable currency there is, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our youth at places like Alta Vista and MGM. He’s not a paid therapist or a life coach with a shiny degree. He’s a peer, a mentor, and a heck of a spotter. He shows our kids that the heavy stuff you lift in the gym is nothing compared to the weight you’ve already carried in life, and that you can put that weight down and step up for someone else. The truth is simple: HBF works because of people like Joey showing up, and people like you stepping up and donating. #thisisheavybreathing #givingtuesday #nonprofit
Every rack, barbell, dumbbell, and sandbag we’ve placed in a school or community space got there because someone volunteered their car, truck, or time. This Giving Tuesday, we’re raising funds to make those missions easier — and multiply the impact. 
A truck means more equipment delivered, more weight piles built, more youth reached. If you’ve ever wondered where your donation goes… this is it. 
Directly into the hands, homes, and schools of the people who need it most. ➡️ Donate at the link in our bio or via the fundraiser. 
Every dollar moves the mission forward. #GivingTuesday #thisisheavybreathing #youthprograms #communityimpact #nonprofit
This has been a spectacular year so far! This weekend through Giving Tuesday, we ask that you consider supporting the work that we continue to do. All of our programs cost money to run, and while we have been approved for funding, those dollars earmarked for specific projects. Our goal is to purchase a box truck so that we can take equipment to and from schools (instead of using our cars RIP) and collect and distribute donated equipment! Please like, comment, and share! #thisisheavybreathing #blackfriday #givingtuesday
THANK YOU The community’s belief in what we do means so much to us. We raised over $1,500 yesterday between IG and our website, which is a perfect start to our truck fund. PLUS, @parsleysage_ nominated us and we are able to receive a donati
The whole operation, getting the gear to the kids, equipping the recovery houses, moving equipment to raise funds, it works because of mentors like Amber and donors like you. This Giving Tuesday, we are raising funds to secure a dedicated HBF truck
Joey has seen it. Lived it. And now, he gives his time, the most valuable currency there is, to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our youth at places like Alta Vista and MGM. He’s not a paid therapist or a life coach with a shiny degree. He&rsquo
Every rack, barbell, dumbbell, and sandbag we’ve placed in a school or community space got there because someone volunteered their car, truck, or time. This Giving Tuesday, we’re raising funds to make those missions easier — and mu
This has been a spectacular year so far! This weekend through Giving Tuesday, we ask that you consider supporting the work that we continue to do. All of our programs cost money to run, and while we have been approved for funding, those dollars ear