Trinity Athletics

Our mission at Trinity Athletics is simple. We exist to raise a generation of servant leaders in North Texas through functional fitness. To make this important work possible, we rely on contributions from our community – especially during North Texas Giving Day. 

“Before Crossfit, I wasn’t happy with myself, my body, or performing well in school. I lost 30 pounds, and [Trinity Athletics] made me feel more confident in myself and my school work,” says Anthony Herrera, a member of Northlake Crossfit Club. 

Trinity Athletics believes all kids from all different socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds have the potential to be great servant leaders. CrossFit Kids fosters an atmosphere of inclusiveness, accountability, and excellence that is unparalleled in other sports. We engage and mentor kids from kindergarten to college to provide opportunities and experiences that will shape them into active, community-minded servant leaders.

Through our program, we are able to spend 45 minutes daily after school with students like Anthony, teaching them skills through movement and encouraging them to talk about what’s going on in their lives. 

Functional fitness movements like squats and pushups–done at high relative intensity–help develop kids’ physical literacy and fitness, and vestibular work improves balance and cognition. Research shows that these movements stimulate the release of a chemical in the brain called BDNF that improves kids’ neuroplasticity, or their ability to process and store new information. That gives them more cognitive resources to use in class – like improved concentration, memory, and decision-making, which can translate to improved academic performance. Each class ends with circle and reflection time, where coaches lead conversations designed to improve students’ empathy and emotional vocabulary. 

“When my friend told me that the gym would change me, I wasn’t sure what he meant,” Anthony continues. “But working out has helped me with my mental health and helped me pursue graduating with my high school diploma and associate’s degree.”

Our coaches and volunteers become trusted role models in the students’ lives, providing them with positive reinforcement that they may not receive in school or at home. 

Steven, a Trinity Athletics Board Member and the founder of our program at Northlake High School, explains the impact like this: “I wanted to create a safe, inclusive space where our students could improve their physical fitness and learn how to serve and lead in their communities. As a coach and teacher, I’ve seen firsthand the impact our Crossfit and yoga programs have on our kids' academics, self-esteem, and leadership ability.”

We know what we are doing is important when we see our students try to come to class even on days they haven’t been in school. They do that because, as Anthony says, “Working out has been therapeutic for me whenever hard times come. The community at the gym has become my family.”

We are currently serving nearly 100 students in 5 schools and are working to open in 5 more schools by Spring 2023, which will add up to 125 more students to our reach. Will you make a gift on North Texas Giving Day to help students like Anthony? Your support will make all the difference in helping us provide kids with motivation and purpose through functional fitness.