member september🫶
Welcome to Fall y’all. The leaves, times and vibes are changing. This year’s Fall Feels like our literal and proverbial clocks are being set back, but as always we remain radical in our resistance and resilience. We will continue to create and celebrate community even (and especially) as our intersecting communities come further under attack from this Administration. Amidst all the chaotic shifts, we are happy to harvest a few fab Member Features, local queer Latine/ Latinx businesses, and community resources!
Fall in here… 🍂
AMANDA FAYE JIMENEZ - member of the month!
L.A. born & raised writer and comedic performer Amanda-Faye Jimenez stopped by for a gym selfie and she couldn’t say no to our requests for an interview. Ok, we practically begged! When else could we catch our fave local ‘Writer/Performer/Funny Friend
Blaxican/Dyke💅🏽’ in between shows, finishing her new release for Dopamine Books, or hosting Personal Best at local lez-owned sports bar Hi Tops Los Feliz? In our latest Member Feature on IG, Amanda shares a #tbt gym selfie and how EVERYBODY served as a necessary community hub during the first wave of Tr*mp in 2016. Cue ‘The Rhythm of the Night’ and check it out on IG here!
“It was Inauguration Day 2016 of Trump...having that community then was so important...coming together, having a place to not be depressed about the inauguration was really emotional.”
julian sanchez - GENDER DISRUPTOR
A few years ago we roped Queer Studies Professor Julian Sanchez into a Flash Mob performance to Pink Pony Club choreographed during MK’s Pump the Jam class. Since then, Julian has willingly returned to take Wrestling 101 classes w/ Candy Pain and American Oni and even landed a main character role as Dyke Daddy in our Bash Back Wrestling Fundraiser. After the match, Spectrum News came by EVERYBODY to feature Julian in a piece about Wrestling and the importance of Trans inclusive spaces. Before Julian could even get an agent, Sabrina Carpenter called, and guess what? They answered! Can you catch their quick cameo in the new Tears Video? Pls remember us in your acceptance speech, Julian!
“We have to create spaces where we can celebrate who we are. To thrive. To find ourselves. I survived because of places like this.”
maria piÑeres / RESIST muralist
Earlier this year we interviewed L.A. based artist Maria Piñeres about her gorgeous camo-inspired mural work in our space. Beginning with the iconic RESIST mural on our patio completed in 2016, Maria’s work was recently commissioned inside the gym and then to the patio at SIBLING, our sister space down the street. Read more about Maria’s artistic process, the ‘queering of camo,’ and the throughline tying all of our spaces together with themes of RESISTANCE & RESILIENCE!
“[The RESIST mural] just reinforced the idea of community and identity, and sort of having our little fortress of safety...it’s so safe and it’s so nice, and I’d do anything to maintain and preserve that safe space. ”
paulo diaz / t-boy wrestling
Shout out to EVERYBODY Trainer Paulo Diaz, whose work with T-Boy Wrestling has taken him on tour as REF with the radical wrestling competition. As fellow queer wrestling lovers, we’re so excited to see this ‘Amateur transmasc wrestling competition and performance art showcase’ provide a fun and gender-affirming space for Transmasc and Transfemme folks from coast to coast, especially as Trans rights come further under attack. Paulo also produced the closing piece for the most recent T-Boy Wrestling Tour. Need to prep for your next match? Book Paulo at the gym or catch him in the ring!
VERONICA HUERTA / OLYMPICS OR BUST!
Longtime EVERYBODY member Veronica Huerta represents her home nation of Mexico as a member of the National Women’s Curling Team who have a shot at qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan! Veronica is a frequent attendee of Sonny’s Monday night Good Damage class where she met another member and Roller Derby Diva Maren, who introduced her to the sport. Want to support the self-funded Mexican Women’s Curling Team on their way to the Olympics? Donate to the Mexican Women’s Olympic Curling Team or check out their super cute store with Lotería inspired Curling merch! Vamos Veronica!
“If you don’t excel at traditional sports, there are many other team sports out there. I stumbled into this and it’s given me so much joy. I want to give it forward to others.”
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Some of our EVERYBODY members, instructors and neighbors are also involved with local orgs and businesses. Here are a few faves!
PRESS & PODCASTS
For insightful conversations on race, gender, representation and life, dive into Tamarindo Podcast hosted by EVERYBODY Strength Instructor Brenda Gonzalez and co-host Delsy Sandoval. L.A. Taco, an online portal highlighting local culture, news, and food (yes TACOS!) has extensively expanded its reporting to meet the moment by sharing daily ICE Raid recaps on social. LA Public Press is another publication keeping us posted on important LA culture and news.
LOCAL BIZ & MUTUAL AID
Gay DOLA’s list of Queer Latino-owned businesses includes Cypress Park neighbors Folklore Salon, and LA-based Barrio Drive, Kiso Los Angeles, Green Qween, Fan Girl Cafe and more! Our Community Partner Gloria Molina GrandPark hosts FREE Wellness events and an annual Día de Muertos Ofrenda and celebration.
Member Jed Bell is volunteering with a local Community Defense Center at the Cypress Park Home Depot and our FEELS on WHEELS Instructor V. along with Lena and Miles from our Wellness Crew, assist the NELA Food Distribution helping to supply food to folks impacted by ICE Raids.
MEMBER LOVE CLUB
We’re so proud to share space with all of our members, local businesses, and community orgs from Cypress Park and beyond. Keep looking out for more member features and most importantly, for each other. Please tag @everybodylosangeles in your IG stories, we love to share! Take care.🫶