Last month, Elliott Castello of The Alpha Group put together a Crowdrise campaign to raise money for the program, hoping to provide equipment for the current team members and future ones.
“We definitely want to grow it, but the intention is not to get rich off that program,” said Brown. “The intention is to help those who want to come in and do it.”
And that’s just the first of many programs “The Immortal” wants to kick into gear in his gym.
“We’re gonna start working with a couple other programs too,” he said. “One is for recovering addicts, people who are trying to get sober, and we want to build them something where they can become a part of the community, beyond an AA meeting where they’re sitting around and talking about their life and most of them end up talking about how they’re gonna get some drinks after. We want to build something where they can get everything out while they’re in the gym. You sweat it out and grind and it builds some progressions where they can set some goals for themselves. We’re also gonna work with another group for veterans with PTSD.”
The way Brown sees it, this is more than a way to be an entrepreneur and start building a life for himself and his family after fighting. He’s looking to change and save lives the way his was.
“The purpose of owning a gym and what we do is the most powerful tool in the world, in my opinion, because martial arts and fitness can improve people’s lives. So if I can accomplish one thing through this business, it’s to get that out to others. It’s not solely about making money. The money is the necessity of the program because you can’t help people if you don’t have lights or heat. The point is giving back to the community. I see what the martial arts did for me in my life. I went from someone who was nothing and nobody and had nowhere to go, nothing to do, no goals, no ambition, no dedication, no drive and no hope to where I’m at now. And if I can give that back to change people’s lives, then that’s what really means something to me.”
I remind Brown that it’s a lot different talking to him now as opposed to when he first entered the Octagon in 2008. He laughs. And agrees.
“My motivation back then was different,” he said. “I had my eyes set on one, singular prize. I wanted to be the world champion. Selfish has a bad stigma to it, but it’s not bad in that sense. I had so much focus that I was in that tunnel and there was nothing outside it. 24/7 was inside that tunnel and I loved that. I love living that way, but now my tunnel’s expanded.”
For more information on the Alpha Immortal Army, visit https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/alpha-immortal-army
