When Kevin Maxen first messaged Sam Leicht, he was nonetheless apprehensive about embracing his homosexual identification. As a energy coach for Baylor College’s soccer group in conservative Waco, Texas, Maxen was not sure the way to transfer ahead.
However he was snug in a gymnasium or weight room, which is the place Leicht additionally appeared to spend most of his time. The founding father of Pridefit, an LGBTQ+ health app and neighborhood, Leicht works to make train extra accessible for queer individuals.
Whereas Maxen didn’t want a push to pump some iron, the previous faculty soccer captain was searching for mentorship.
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“I ended up popping out to one in all my shut associates, and that was actually it,” he tells Queerty. “I don’t understand how I got here throughout Sam’s profile. However I noticed what he was doing with health, and I assumed, ‘OK, this looks like somebody who has the whole lot discovered for essentially the most half.’”
It didn’t take lengthy for Maxen to view Leicht as a confidant.
“Sam was actually one of many first individuals I may look as much as, and really feel snug sharing a variety of myself that I didn’t speak to anyone about,” he says. “I used to be at a degree in my life the place I didn’t have lots of people who I may open to. He was an excellent outlet.”
Years later, Maxen is now a job mannequin himself for younger LGBTQ+ athletes discovering their approach. He made historical past as the primary out homosexual male NFL coach, revealing his identification to the world in 2023 when he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Maxen labored on the Jaguars’ energy and conditioning employees through his release in April. As he plots his subsequent transfer, he’s linking up with Leicht once more.
Besides this time, they’re connecting in a way more public trend than Instagram DMs. Maxen is becoming a member of PrideFit as a coach and teacher. His first program was launched June 1.
With greater than 1,500 members, Maxen has an opportunity to alter the health lives for LGBTQ+ individuals internationally, who haven’t all the time felt welcome within the gymnasium.
“Serving to the final inhabitants do one thing they didn’t assume they might do within the first place, it’s so rewarding,” he says.
To seek out out extra, Queerty just lately spoke to Maxen and Leicht about their budding partnership. Right here’s what they needed to say…
QUEERTY: Have you ever guys labored out collectively?
SAM LEICHT: No! Kevin got here to a PrideFit occasion two months in the past, however we didn’t get to work out collectively. He was teaching.
I used to be gonna ask you if there’s something you picked up from Kevin…
KEVIN MAXEN: I texted Sam yesterday asking if he would really like a CrossFit exercise. I’ve been doing the identical sort of coaching since 2007. Perhaps it’s time to alter it up a bit bit. … I don’t know if I may deal with it. I’m getting a bit older now. However it might be a great strive.
SAM: Kevin is actually the strongest man I do know! What’s so humorous is, Kevin and I figuring out collectively can be exact opposite ends of the spectrum. I’m very cardio energy centered, and Kevin is so robust, he can carry so heavy. I idolize that.
Kevin, now that you simply’re out of the NFL and in a distinct area, what are you most wanting ahead to?
I feel simply having the ability to reconnect with the world round me. Get that grounded and be introduced is an enormous factor. That’s one of many issues that PrideFit does so effectively. It’s not nearly health and coaching. It’s being linked. It’s such a great feeling to be concerned with one thing that’s a lot greater than your self. It’s not simply wins and losses. It’s your precise life.
Do you’ve got any reflections in your time within the NFL?
Oh, it was nice. I constructed a variety of nice relationships with individuals I’m nonetheless in contact with. The Jaguars group generally, everyone was so accepting of me popping out. It was like nothing modified. That’s a kind of issues I can replicate again on and be very proud. I received a lot out of my time within the NFL. Who is aware of if I’ll make my approach again, however It’s made me a greater coach, and extra importantly, a greater individual.
I’ve to say, after taking a look at your most up-to-date pictures, I’m digging the post-NFL bleach out.
KEVIN: I used to be excited to do it!
SAM: Once we did that photograph shoot, Kevin got here in fairly nervous. I additionally assume he misplaced his pockets that morning. And he destroyed that photograph shoot. He was so sizzling. It was so superb!
KEVIN: I’m not a digicam man…
SAM: Sure, you might be! You possibly can’t even say anymore. I’ll present you the photographs!
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