Coach Campbell to Lead Homeboy Industries Gym Expansion

It’s not often you get to observe someone live out a made for TV movie in front of you. I first met Campbell front and center at the Hold the Standard Summit in Scottsdale, AZ. And, I’d never been nervous about someone in the audience for a seminar before (or after) that day, but I was nervous to present to him because I hoped it’d somehow live up to the hype. 

I knew what a sacrifice it was for him to be there and that weighed on me. 

What preceded us meeting was Campbell reaching out via email. He told me about his story and his eagerness to learn and I sent him the details of Coach’s Prep, which he’d need to complete to one day coach at DEUCE.

Many people reach out about this and almost always nothing comes from it.

Campbell isn’t like most people. It took several miracles and a willingness to make things happen, but Campbell ultimately moved to Los Angeles and quickly delivered on anything and everything we put in front of him. He was diligent and asked thoughtful questions, just like he did in the front of that Summit in Scottsdale. 

What Coach Campbell accomplished in such a short time here is nothing short of remarkable. Frankly, it’s worthy of a Hollywood movie. He rose to the tip of the leadership spear here, leading our coaches’ development, programming, growing several specialty courses, and founding our non-profit and he did it all on his own against all statistical odds.

Several years ago that non-profit, DEUCE Community Inc., built a gym with Campbell’s expertise at Homeboy Industries, the world’s largest gang intervention non-profit. Now, with the help of Mike Tyson, I’m proud to announce that this gym initiative at Homeboy is expanding dramatically. I’m confident that there isn’t a living person more fit to lead that facility than Campbell. 

I’ve started and stopped trying to sum up this experience with words so many times and I’ve cried more than would ever feel tough to admit, but his impact speaks for itself. I personally am forever impacted by the last few years and many of you are, too.

I’m grateful for you and what you’ve contributed to my life up to this point, Campbell. 

It’s mostly bitter (because change sucks) and a little sweet (because Campbell is ripe to crush anything he wants in life) to mark this transition as a chapter here at DEUCE. It’s in times like these that I return to a reversal of a common mantra: life is long. 

I’m eager to see what will come from your creation, Campbell. Keep going.