A RELENTLESS JOURNEY
Two Boxing coaches discover a deeper connection to one of the most iconic gyms in the world, but not until their paths crossed at EVERYBODY.
EVERYBODY Boxing Coach Katie Singer and Strength Instructor Rae Binstock
Katie Singer boxed her way through Brooklyn's mostly 'boys club' gyms in the 80's. The most notable of these was Gleason’s Gym, the oldest boxing gym in the United States founded in 1937 by Bobby Gleason and one of the few gyms who welcomed women into their space.
Gleason’s boxing coaches have trained the likes of world champs, including Muhammad Ali, Jake LaMotta, Benny “Kid” Paret, Roberto Duran, and countless others. It also served as a production set for several classic movies and commercials, further solidifying its legendary prestige for more than 70 years. Photo Credit: Syracuse Stage.
THE OG BOXING BADDIE KATIE SINGER:
‘In the mid-1980s I was living in Manhattan when I learned of Gleason's Gym and its "white collar" boxing class on Saturdays. I started taking the F train to Brooklyn every week to be trained by the same men -- they were all men -- who trained the competitive boxers. After a 4-hour session, the guys in the class would let me and the one other woman in the class shower first. (There was only one locker room and it was for men only).
After everyone cleaned up we'd head to a nearby bar to lift Miller Lites to our lips with shaking hands. 40 years later I am teaching boxing at EVERYBODY Gym and I meet fellow boxer and Gleason's Gym "alumnus" Rae Binstock, who has even written a play about it all!’
Did you know our Boxing Basics Instructor Katie Singer is also a published author with a PhD in American Studies? Katie’s scholarly work includes African-American studies, oral history projects, and urban activist history. Her book ‘Alien Soil: Oral Histories of Great Migration Newark’ is a culmination of this research.
ENTER PLAYWRIGHT AND STRENGTH COACH RAE BINSTOCK:
Rae joined the EVERYBODY family in 2025 sharing their Strength Training skills in our space at their bi-weekly HIIT classes. While filming a promo for social media recently, Rae had mentioned they also trained at Gleason’s gym and recently wrote a play highlighting it’s legacy:
‘Relentless’ By Rae Binstock | Directed by Melissa Crespo | Co-produced with Sing Out, Louise! Productions
Monique Jeffries was poised to be one of the greatest professional boxers in history, but years after her career has ended, she is right back where she started: running Bailey’s, her childhood gym, training finance bros with delusions of grandeur and taking directions from her former coach Johnny. As the Golden Gloves amateur tournament approaches, Monique receives a surprising offer from one of her “white collar” boxing clients: he wants to buy Bailey’s and convert it into an elite boxing facility, where they can train the best of the best and revitalize the flagging sport. But Johnny isn’t about to let that happen, and the ensuing bout between teacher and student is as intimate as it is brutal in this bare-knuckled world premiere.
Relentless’ had it’s world premiere on the Syracuse Stage, Central New York’s premier professional theatre this past February and received rave reviews.
‘In 2019, I was bored with my workout routine and decided I'd try something new. Boxing had always seemed cool and butch, so I decided to get a day job at a boxing gym (free membership, heyo!) I ended up at Gleason's Gym, the oldest boxing gym in the country - and proceeded to have my whole life changed.
Not only is Gleason's itself an exceptional space that welcomes literally every type of person and creates a home for those who share a love of fitness (much like EVERYBODY!), but my trainer, Darryl Pierre, taught me about boxing in a way that elevated it from a sport to a life philosophy. His number one rule was "the only thing more important than hitting is NOT getting hit," and he taught me to get in touch with my instincts at a time in my life when I second-guessed everything I did.
Gleason’s boxing coaches have trained the likes of world champs, including Muhammad Ali, Jake LaMotta, Benny “Kid” Paret, Roberto Duran, and countless others. It also served as a production set for several classic movies and commercials, further solidifying its legendary prestige for more than 70 years.
I loved the way my body felt when I was training, and I loved getting in the ring and sparring. I loved the people I saw there every day and the people who ran the gym. I loved the soul of the sport.’
Check out playwright Rae Binstock and the cast of "Relentless" as they get into fighting shape at the legendary Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, NY.
We love how these two storylines jab, hook and cross connect through time and space. We’re so honored to have your shared history and talent in our space!
Catch Coach Katie’s Boxing Basics 4x/ week and find Rae Wednesdays and Sundays at HIIT ME UP if you want to see these two legends in action. More info/ sign up here!