Pictured above: Individuals participating in a boxing match as part of OptionZero’s programming.
Exercise, especially in a community setting, can have a powerful impact. It supports physical health, while also building confidence, connection and a sense of belonging.
That’s why, when Curtis Chaplin founded OptionZero, he set out to create something that felt different from traditional fitness spaces.
OptionZero is an organization that creates safe, supportive environments where people from low-income communities can grow physically, mentally and emotionally through fitness and boxing.
Eighty-five percent of current OptionZero members identify as Black, a population that disproportionately experiences physical and mental health challenges. These disparities are often driven by limited access to care, resources and community fitness spaces.
“We’re not looking for the next boxer,” Chaplin said. “We’re looking for people who are looked over. We want to help build them whichever way we can.”For Chaplin, the work goes beyond the physical aspect of boxing.
“I consider us a holistic facility instead of a boxing gym,” he explained. “I’m trying to build everyone’s physical, mental and emotional health so they’re prepared for the next chapter of life.”
That mindset continues to shape how OptionZero’s growth — especially through its newest initiative, B-Squared. The idea for B-Squared developed after Chaplin noticed gaps in programming during the colder months.
B-Squared focuses on adaptive fitness programming for older adults and individuals with disabilities, creating opportunities for people of all ability levels to move in ways that feel comfortable and accessible.
A crowd favorite is the everyBODY Rhythm and Fitness classes. These music-driven sessions focus on balance, flexibility and energy while allowing participants to move safely at their own pace in a supportive, social environment. OptionZero’s location inside Destiny USA makes it convenient and accessible, often attracting mall walkers who visit the mall to stay active.
We provided a $10,000 grant through our Black Equity and Excellence Fund to support OptionZero’s B-Squared initiative. This investment has allowed the program to expand, helping remove barriers to accessing community-based spaces for health and wellness.
Through B-Squared, OptionZero has created spaces for individuals who may not see themselves reflected in traditional fitness environments. Participants are encouraged to work at their own pace, without pressure to perform at a certain level.
“People my age think they have to perform like the kids,” one participant shared. “But here, you work at your level, and it all works.”
That flexibility, combined with a strong sense of community is a big part of what makes the space feel different
“It’s got a family vibe,” said Coach Mark Gerard. “People care about what’s happening in your life. Not just how hard you can punch.”
Inside the gym, relationships matter just as much as the workout itself. Participants support each other, stay accountable and build confidence over time.
“Physical fitness goes hand in hand with mental health and right now we’re in a serious mental health crisis,” Chaplin said.
For many participants, that combination of movement, structure and support can be life-changing.
“You may see a kid who came in shy and unsure,” Coach Gerard shared. “Over time, they apply themselves and they realize, ‘All that hard work paid off.’”
Through B-Squared and its broader programming, OptionZero is expanding what access to fitness can look like — creating space for people of all ages and abilities to feel supported, connected and strong.
