Help Save the Gym, Help Save the Family!

Firstly, I would like to thank you for giving your time to read my appeal of assistance. I'm 54 years old and a father of 7 wonderful children. I started as a gym coach at the age of 20 and as my passion in sports and bodybuilding grows; I became more successful in this field. With God's help, hard work, determination and honest dealing with clients I was able to own 7 gym branches. I did everything I can to help students and clients to have a healthy lifestyle. People that are sick and feeling hopeless get better and healthier. Life is very short not to live it to the fullest, I believe. Because of success I'm having, the more I helped my family, charities and less fortunate people. Providing free access and offers to those who couldn't afford to pay. There were times that whoever asked me for job, I'd be willingly employ them without checking their background. With this shortcoming; there was a guy (one of my employees) who cheated me in so many ways that I lost 3 of my gyms. It affected me but worse was my family especially my children because they have to stop studying; for the reason that I couldn't afford their tuition fees. Aside from the court cases that I have to attend and payments for the lawyers, bank loans, pending debts and expenses; added to my distress. Despite all the problems in my business and family, I did my best to stay afloat with my remaining resources. Though no matter how much we deprived ourselves of everything even in basic needs, still our bills piled up like for space rents, business licence fees, penalties, house rents, school fees, bank loans, employees salaries, electric bills and so on. I already sold everything that I can but still I wasn't able to cover my expenses and debts. My court cases was still ongoing and I was really really in dire situation and the worst thing is my family with me.

I decided to work out hard and joined competitions in different countries, hoping to work as well in other country to earn higher. At age 52; I even joined and won Arnold Classic 2017 Competition in South Africa. But another trial came in our way; the owner of the building (who are very powerful and rich) where I was renting the space for my 3 gyms decided to breach our contract with them without any valid reason. My contract lease was for 3 years and I just finished 1 year of this contract. They let us suffer like disconnecting the electric power supply of the whole gym, not maintaining the building, not allowing the clients to park in designated gym parking lots, clogged sewage, termites, cockroaches, insects and construction in front of the gym that went on for long months to the point that we lost our customers. Because of this I filed a case against them; I have to fight for my rights and hard earned business. The case lasted almost 5 years, sadly after all the hard times they added with this the verdict that we lost the case. I lost my business worth almost $2 Million and I have to pay them $178,000 more. Aside my bank loan of $67,934 there are more debts that I have to pay like house rent and many others. Not including for the educational needs of my children. I was devastated. My father died and my mother is sick with all these problems. We really need help to get through. We are really worried especially the courts verdict to me. They might take me to prison if I don't pay.

Currently I need to raise at least $386,320 for my case, debts and renovations of my last old gym. I need to renovate most parts of it when the strong rain broke the ceiling and floors. Once I improve my gym I'm hoping that it could help us to support and recover from all the hardships that we experienced.

Me and my whole family are asking for your help and support. Our family has a long recovery ahead of us and any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Please help us carry on the work of giving and providing healthy lifestyle to our community. We promise to give back to others as soon as our situation gets better. Every bits counts and helps.

Thank you so much for your kindness and support.