Jeff & Brooklyn Locals battle mental awareness

Hi, my name is Jeffrey Gallardo; animal lover, BJJ blackbelt, 25+years as personal trainer, life coach for those who need me, and an absolute beginner white belt triathlete.

I love animals and nature. They can heal us.

Here are my ol' professors when I had hair LOL

Let's Go Personal Trainer Jeffrey Gallardo jogging across Brooklyn Bridge!

I participated in the New Jersey State Triathlon. The lifeguards pulled me out of the water halfway through the swim. Ask me about this in person. Yup! I'm a white belt in this sport!

My mission in life is to bring mental health awareness through martial arts and fitness.

I've battled with mental illness all my life and never talked to anyone or got help because I was too embarrassed to talk about my depression, anxiety, and childhood trauma which led to other 'not-so-healthy' addictions.

One day, I lost my father to mental illness. He took his own life.

I wanted to understand mental illness and learn how we can prevent this from happening to us or a loved one.

I started to think his illness did not build up in one day; it must have accumulated over time. I guess he never had a safe place to express himself truly.

I want to build a place where people can come together and feel safe without judgment. This community of martial artists and fitness enthusiasts will feel like their second family. I want to build a place where we can all grow together and support each other in our worst and best time.

Here's how I plan to use $9,000

Build out 700 sq. ft. boutique gym in Carroll Gardens, South Brooklyn, NYC

A. Gym flooring, wall & mats

B. Ventilation & filters

C. Locker room, shower, & drainage

D. Gym equipment installation- resistance bands, stall bars, ice bathtub

E. Website & booking software development

F. Insurance

G. Water Cooler