SHERMAN, Ill. (WAND) — Be Humble Gym, a gym specifically for people with physical or mental disabilities, is coaching athletes in preparation for the Special Olympics.Â
Jordan Matulevich, founder and coach at Be Humble Gym, started his journey as a Special Olympics coach, but wanted to fill the void left in the off-season. Now, he coaches athletes at Be Humble Gym in powerlifting multiple days a week.
"I absolutely love working with the athletes. I had a dark past and they have given me my peace that I thought was never possible before," Matulevich said.
Matulevich started coaching in his basement gym in 2018. By 2022, he was able to build a gym solely off of donations.Â
"I always had a dream of building the kids a gym in my backyard, and people from the local area, to all around the country and the world, donated money and did fundraisers themselves, so this gym is 100% paid for," he said.
Be Humble Gym operates on donations, so not just the building, but also equipment and competition fees are covered by fundraising.Â
"When I get a new athlete, the parents are like, 'how much does it cost?' I'm like, 'everything's free for the kids,'"Â Matulevich explained. "That's what we do. Fundraising is to ensure everything stays free."
Now, they're deep into the training season for powerlifting at the Special Olympics, and athlete and Assistant Coach Ben Simpson says everyone is excited.
"We are getting so pumped up for the Special Olympics," Simpson said. "All these athletes are so inspiring because they have been doing this, they want to compete."
For more information about volunteering or donating, check out the gym's Facebook Page or send an email to behumblegym@gmail.com.
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