As we head into the holiday season, I want to pause and reflect on what has truly been an extraordinary year for Inclusive Fitness.
In October, we celebrated our fifth anniversary. It’s humbling to look back at an idea that began around our kitchen table — inspired by our autistic son, Lucas — because we saw firsthand the transformative impact that exercise had on him and his peers — and because we knew that neurodivergent people deserve the same quality, dignity, and results-focused fitness experiences that so many others take for granted. Born out of that need, our mission has become to life-proof neurodivergent people by helping them become stronger, more confident, more resilient, safer, and more independent — so they can engage more fully in life for decades to come. And we strive to make that mission a reality every day!
What launched as an idea in the middle of the pandemic has since grown into two centers, a team of over 10 coaches, over 400 athletes in total served since we launched, 30,000 total sessions run, and a vibrant, committed community. And we’re just getting started!
In looking back on 2025, I’m thinking about our athletes and their families. More than 200 athletes train with us regularly, and every single one of them shows up with commitment, courage, and a willingness to work hard — to connect, to be challenged, and to become stronger as part of a community. Watching them arrive day after day, rain or shine, ready to put in the work, is endlessly inspiring. And the dedication of parents, caregivers, and others who prioritize strength, conditioning, and long-term health is a powerful testament to their belief in a high-quality life for their loved ones. We are deeply grateful for the trust they place in us and honored to be part of their journey.
I’m equally grateful for our coaches, who truly are the beating heart of Inclusive Fitness. They show up every day with skill, patience, creativity, and compassion — always presuming competence, meeting each athlete where they are, adjusting in real time, and believing deeply in what’s possible. This work requires far more than technical knowledge; it demands empathy, presence, emotional intelligence, and a genuine commitment to seeing each athlete as a whole person. Our coaches build trust, confidence, and momentum session by session, often in ways that extend far beyond the gym walls. The progress our athletes make — physically, emotionally, and socially — is a direct reflection of the care, consistency, and belief our coaches bring to their work. Inclusive Fitness would not be what it is today without them, and the impact they are having on hundreds of lives is nothing short of extraordinary.
This year also marked several meaningful milestones. We opened our new Burlington center while continuing to grow our West Roxbury center. We launched a new online presence, were fortunate to be featured in outlets including Ride High magazine, GBH, and Burlington Cable News, and participated in important community events such as the Profound Autism Alliance Summit, the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress Buddy Walk, and the Doug Flutie Foundation for Autism 5K. Together with our partners, we raised over $20,000 for our scholarship fund, helping provide hundreds of reduced-cost training sessions and expanding access to life-changing fitness opportunities.
This year, we also took an important step forward by establishing a Scientific Advisory Board to help guide and strengthen our work. The Board is composed of leading researchers and clinicians affiliated with institutions such as Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital’s Down Syndrome Clinic, UMass, and Boston Children’s Hospital. The mission of the Scientific Advisory Board is to ensure that our methodology continues to be informed by the best available evidence, grounded in clinical and academic insight, and aligned with meaningful, real-world outcomes for the people we serve.
To everyone who has been part of this journey — athletes, families, coaches, partners, advisors, and other supporters — thank you. We are deeply grateful for you, excited for what the new year holds, and can’t wait to see all that our athletes will continue to achieve.
Thank you for being part of the Inclusive Fitness community.
Warmly,
Greg
President & Co-Founder, Inclusive Fitness
