Build Up Fit wasn't created in a boardroom—it was born through real relationships rooted in mutual listening, learning between two caring humans.

It began in March 2020 when Sarah's business shut down overnight. She became a volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for a 17-year-old young man in the foster system. Despite a lifetime of inconsistency and instability, he was caring, kind, funny, smart, and resilient. His first encounter with Juvenile Justice was when he was 11.  He told Sarah once "They say the Hall is my second home," he once told her. "But really, it's my first."

As Sarah stood beside him through court dates, housing placements, and life transitions, she witnessed the staggering gaps in systems meant to support young people like him. Even with access to services, true mentorship was missing. Very shortly after turning 18, and in the extended foster system, AB12, he familiarized himself with the adult incarceration system. 

Sarah discovered, and was not surprised, that the odds of him entering jail or prison, as someone who aged out of the foster system, was greater than 50%.  By the time he turned 21, had a record and was actively working hard to "move differently" his basic life management skills and employment options were extremely limited. Pair this with his still developing adolescent brain, which under the best of circumstances is challenging-lack of impulse control, struggles with executive function and a drive to belong- moving in the direction of self-awareness and care required daily resistance which started to feel very hard to him on a daily basis. 

Through their friendship, Sarah met many others—young people in our city whose lives had been impacted by foster care, incarceration, and poverty. Despite the odds, their strength in resisting cycles and working to build better lives was awe inspiring to Sarah. She saw powerful nonprofits supporting them and noticed a missing opportunity: a place where they could not just receive services, but offer them. A place they could call their own.

The spark came unexpectedly. When Sarah mentioned wanting to get stronger to manage her aging body and multiple sclerosis, that fine young man—with zero formal training but natural encouragement—offered to help. He began training her, showing up consistently, enthusiastically encouraging her, celebrating small wins, and gently pushing her past doubts.

This role reversal strengthened them both and planted a seed: What if other young people pushed to the margins could find a space where they weren't clients or cases, but leaders? 

What if they could become certified personal trainers, build real relationships, and help others grow stronger—physically, mentally, emotionally?

When Sarah met Jarreau, the magic really started happening. That's how Build Up Fit came to be.

At B.U.F., we offer personalized training, certification, and—most importantly—real jobs for young adults impacted by incarceration, foster care, and other structural barriers. It's a place where healing happens on both sides of the weight bench.

It's not just about fitness. It's about community, redemption, resilience, and strength for all—in every form it takes.

Welcome to B.U.F.—where we learn and build each other up.