Man undertakes 13-hour workout marathon in Waterloo for 2SLGBTQIA+ support program

CTV News

4 hours ago

A man in Waterloo is doing some heavy lifting to raise money for LGBTQ2+ supports.
A man in Waterloo is doing some heavy lifting to raise money for LGBTQ2+ supports.
A man is taking the phrase, 'a strong supporter' to a new level.
Mark Griffien embarked on a 13-hour workout marathon at a gym in Waterloo to raise funds for a 2SLGBTQIA+ program.
'Normally I come here as a regular client of The Fit Club,' he told CTV News on Friday. 'We decided to do a fundraising event that involved me working out for the entire time that the gym was open.'
Griffien began his campaign at 6 a.m. and continued working out until 7 p.m. as part of an effort to raise funds for Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health's OK2BME program. The initiative offers confidential counselling services, public education, consulting and a youth group for people between the ages of 12 and 18.
'Youth in that community are at a much higher risk of mental health issues and suicide and having these programs is really beneficial to a really great start in life,' Griffien said.
Griffien may have been the one doing the heavy lifting, but he had the support of one of the gym's fitness coaches, Becca Sanchez Karley.
She made sure he didn't overexert himself and carefully planned a routine.
'Each hour we're working a different muscle group. With that first hour we're working on an upper pull, then we'll work on the lower body, then upper body – mixing cardio in there just to make it doable so that he doesn't pass out on me,' she said.
She was also there to offer moral support during the grueling challenge.
'The mental component, that's where I come into play. That's where a bit of the psychology kicks in where if I see him getting down I have the amazing connection with him that I know what brings him up again,' she said.
The two had set a goal of $5,000 ahead of the marathon.
After Griffien finally set the weights down for the last time, they had raised $9,069 according to Camino's website.
Sanchez Karley said donations would be accepted online throughout the night and hoped they may be able to double their goal and hit $10,000.