My name is David Vargas and I am the Founder of Forge Fitness Foundation Inc. My story is not one of perfection, but of redemption, strength and a relentless pursuit of purpose.

As a child, I always knew I was different. I was born with a medical condition that led to multiple surgeries as an adolescent, pain, discomfort, embarrassment, and shame. Those early memories left deep scars. Physical pain became something I learned to control and embrace, but the emotional pain, slowly turned into frustration, anger, and eventually rage. I became a rebellious young man, often defiant and unwilling to back down from a challenge or a fight. Before long I found myself surrounded by friends, most of them gang members who would later end up dead or incarcerated. I was walking close to the same path.

But there were things in my life that kept me from drifting too far. Things pulling me back.

Sports and martial arts gave me direction. In my early teens I found strength training and started lifting heavy weights. The gym became more than just a place to train. It became an outlet. It was my reset. A place where I could channel the anger, frustration, and pain that had been building inside me.

For decades, strength training remained a constant in my life. I eventually went on to a career in law enforcement where I served 20 years. I loved chasing bad guys and helping people. Serving others and protecting my community gave me purpose. But looking back, there was still something missing.

What I lacked for most of my life was a real relationship with my Lord and Savior. Now that I have that relationship with Jesus, I see my life differently. I can look back and recognize that even through the pain, the anger, and the struggle, the Lord was shaping me. He was preparing me. He was calling me to lead and to serve.

Today I believe strongly that young men need mentors. They need guidance, encouragement, accountability and other men of faith who are willing to walk beside them.

I believe two powerful tools can help shape the lives of young men today: strength training and faith in the Word of God. The gym builds discipline, resilience, and confidence. The Word builds character, humility, and purpose.

Through the Forge Fitness Foundation, my mission is to bring those two worlds together and help young men begin a different journey. A journey that builds both strength of body and strength of faith.