Kolmarge Harris, owner of Mt. Pleasant Boxing & Fitness. Lance Gascho
Mt. Pleasant Boxing & Fitness is located at 306 W. Michigan Street in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Lance Gascho
On Jan. 17, Centennial Hall welcomed Mt. Pleasant Boxing & Fitness, a fitness center owned by retired professional boxer and CEO of Lansing Spartans Youth Organization (LYSO), Kolmarge Harris.
Harris’ mission is to help children overcome adversity by exposing them to a healthy environment, prioritizing activity and the discipline of boxing. SwoleConnect, Inc. and their partner TruthMap, Inc., have helped Harris’ dream become a reality. Having the fitness center downtown allows a great opportunity for beginners to start their fitness journey.
At a young age, Harris was diagnosed with learning disabilities including dyslexia and attention deficit disorder (ADHD). His father suggested that Harris should try boxing, as a way to overcome his struggles with being bullied. After training in Lansing and at the Windy City Boxing Club in Chicago, Harris’ hometown, he went pro in 2002 before leaving the boxing ring in 2017.
As the President and Founder of LYSO, Harris started the nonprofit organization in 2009 in the hope of motivating children and teens who may struggle with weight loss and aggressive behaviors. With his passion for LYSO, he is grateful that he is able to provide a facility to the Mt. Pleasant community.
“My goal for Mt. Pleasant is to raise champions out of here because Mt. Pleasant hasn’t had champions come out of here in 30 years," Harris says. "If I could bring the first champion back here, as a black owner, I would be very blessed."
Utilizing the training that he learned from boxing, he’s able to coach children and teens so they too can be successful. Harris said that he always tells people to take the training slow because it’s going to take time to begin to see improvement, but with the right mentality, anything is possible.
Mt. Pleasant Boxing & Fitness offers a five-week fitness program that is $50 for children ages 5-13, $50 for youth ages 14-17, and $100 for adults. Since the duration is over five weeks, people will train Monday through Thursday. For those who prefer not to do a group session, they can book with a trainer for $15 per session.
“It is a true testament of character for a man to triumph over so much, and emerge with nothing but benevolence at his core. His passion for helping the youth of our community will continue to serve as a critical component of the Mid-Michigan Warrior culture,” says James Greene, CEO of SwoleConnect, Inc.
To learn more about Mt. Pleasant Boxing & Fitness or see current offerings, visit mtpleasantboxingfitness.com.
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Danielle Patrick is a Chesterfield resident who finds passion in writing about the Mt. Pleasant community. In addition to her freelance work with Epicenter Mt. Pleasant, she also journals for Ignite Donuts and is an editor for Grand Central Magazine. She is set to graduate from Central Michigan University in Dec. 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in English. Follow her on Instagram @_daniellepatrick_.