In their latest collaboration, Beast Philanthropy, a nonprofit organization founded by MrBeast the world’s top YouTube creator, and Stand Together illustrate what happens when a nonprofit focuses on drawing out a person’s strengths instead of focusing on weaknesses.
Beast Philanthropy and Stand Together share the belief that people who have experienced a problem or challenge are often the best suited to solve it.
Adjusting to the world after injury or trauma is arduous, but Adaptive Training Foundation (ATF) takes a bottom-up approach, creating a community of support that rebuilds physical abilities and provides a space for emotional healing. They help individuals use the determination, confidence, and community that existed before their injury to regain their sense of purpose.
With a new $250,000 gift from Beast Philanthropy and Stand Together, ATF will be able to advance its mission of serving more athletes nationwide. The gift was revealed in a Beast Philanthropy video released on September 29, 2024.
Millions of Americans face loss of identity, dignity after injury
The video also provides a platform for ATF to reach the 40 million people in the U.S. living with a physical disability, and the additional 185,000 individuals who have limbs amputated each year.
ATF, which is a member of Stand Together Foundation’s Catalyst Community, provides holistic recovery services to help these individuals overcome the barriers that erode their strength, self-sufficiency, dignity, and ability to compete.
In the Beast Philanthropy video, you will meet Ryan Chen, who was paralyzed in a skiing accident when he was 19. For a long time, he contemplated suicide. The community he found at ATF has given him a renewed sense of purpose.
"If I could go back in time and tell my 19-year-old self that I was going to be okay, I wouldn’t believe it, let alone the fact that I will be able to fly a plane one day, that I will start a company with my best friend, and be able to make my parents so proud,” says Chen.
Helping more athletes understand what they can contribute
“People with shared experience are best equipped to help their peers because they understand the challenges so much better,” says Darren Margolis, executive director of Beast Philanthropy. “This shared experience and understanding has built an incredible community of athletes that are fully invested in helping every single person achieve their highest potential.”
Indeed, ATF Founder and former NFL football star David Vobora experienced injury and addiction himself. What makes ATF so impactful is that the organization gives people struggling with similar obstacles a chance to come together.
"We’re not going to make this gym about changing the world for them,” says Vobora. “We wanted to change them for the world.”
ATF’s programing is 100% cost-free to individuals and the athletes operate on the principle of “sweat equity” — through the intense bonds formed through rigorous physical activity, they regain their sense of self and their ability to contribute.
The video explains how viewers can contribute to this effort and help ATF athletes like Brandi Fields. Fields became paralyzed after being shot by her stepfather, but her determination and collaboration with ATF had her not only walking within a year of her injury, but also setting personal weightlifting records.
“We talk about things that we can and cannot do,” says Fields. “I don’t believe there’s anything that you can’t do, you just have to find an adaptable way to do it."
