Our why
StrongFest is only part of our story.
The Star City Strong Foundation 501c3 nonprofit works to make strength sports more accessible and sustainable. We are starting with the sport of Strongman, because that's where our roots are.
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Our work
Iron Fund
The Iron Fund helps remove financial barriers that can keep people from competing in strength sports. We address that issue in the sport of Strongman with our Iron Fund. It provides support for competition-related costs for first responders, law enforcement, active-duty military, veterans, adaptive athletes and mental health providers so more people have the opportunity to step onto the competition field.
The Loading Zone
In 2027, we'll launch support for those behind the platform: the organizers, promoters and volunteers who make local Strongman events possible. The Loading Zone is built to provide practical resources, templates, mentorship and connections to small-scale funding opportunities. We will help people build stronger events without having to reinvent the wheel every time.
upLIFT Network
The upLIFT (Uniting to Promote the Lifelong Impact of Fitness + Therapy) Network connects fitness professionals, mental health providers, educators, families and other community partners around the role movement can play in mental wellness.
Together, these partners-in-mission will share research and resources, strengthen collaboration, identify programs and partners already doing the work and help build more opportunities for people to access movement as part of their overall well-being.
By the numbers
43%
In a large-scale US study of over 1.2 million adults, 43% reported fewer poor mental health days when they were physically active.
(Checkroud et al, 2018)
2x
Just 2 strength workouts per week are enough to improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
(O'Connor et al, American College of Sports Medicine, 2020)
75%
A review of 43 studies found adding exercise to substance use treatment protocol reduced recurring use in 75% of cases and decreased depression in 28%.
(Abrantes et al, 2023)
>$20k
Thanks to awesome support we've received, StrongFest & Star City Strongman have already contributed over $20,000 to local needs including youth mental health, addition recovery and community wellness.
(Abrantes et al, 2023)