Vargas Boxing

We are coming to the end of Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health doesn’t always look the same for everybody. Sometimes it’s loud, and sometimes it’s completely silent.

For Manny, it was silent.

About 8 months before Manny passed, we had a conversation after he shared that one of his friends was struggling and contemplating su***de. I asked him the scary question every parent is afraid to ask:

“Have you ever thought about su***de, Manny?”

His response was, “No Mom, that’s weird.”

Sometimes it’s the people whose light shines the brightest… the ones whose presence fills every room… the bravest, funniest, most fearless people… the ones who love the hardest and seem to succeed at everything.

Sometimes those are the ones hurting silently.

Mental health awareness matters because not every battle is visible. Check on your people. Ask the hard questions. Listen without judgment. And please remember that someone can look completely okay while carrying unimaginable pain.

We miss Manny every single day. If sharing his story helps even one person feel seen, heard, or willing to reach out for help, then his light continues to shine.

This morning, Vargas Boxing had the opportunity to be part of the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce mingle hosted at the YMCA. We were grateful to welcome so many new faces into the gym and proud to have our boxers show off some of their hard work and skills. 🥊

A special thank you to Christine Vinatieri Erickson who is running for mayor but has also had a big impact in combat sports for South Dakota , Angela from Fight Like A Ninja - Brittany Corcoran Scholarship Fund , and the Sioux Falls YMCA staff for the continued support they’ve shown our club and our athletes. Community support like this means everything to us.

We loved meeting so many great people this morning and are thankful to be part of a community that continues to uplift local youth, athletics, and small organizations.

Thank you, Sioux Falls! ❤️🥊

We are so thankful for the liberties we get to enjoy because of our heroes.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

We will be closed today! 🇺🇸

Proud of Defan for graduating 🎓

Today we said goodbye to coach Abel Bubuli
His family is relocating to AZ!

Coach has been nothing but a blessing to the Vargas Boxing family/athletes! He has poured his heart into the club like it was his own and we could all feel it!

We wish you and your family nothing but the best in your new adventure! May God go with you guys and bless you!

Thank you from all of us! You will be missed coach!

Our house is your house and you will always have a place here at Vargas Boxing!

Proud of this kiddo for sticking with it and getting in the ring over and over again! He never gives up and has energy for days!

Santiago has been with Vargas Boxing for 5 months now! He's shed a few pounds but he's gained confidence, and he's learning emotional control along the way!

He definitely brought the s***k to the gym!

Friday nights are for boxing 🥊

Happy Mother's Day 💐🥊