![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/image-2026-07-20T190738.572-e1784596149175-1024x576.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\nWinnipeg\u2019s Pan Am boxing gym is where men from all walks of life are given a pair of boxing gloves and a chance to change their future. And for some members, it meant life or death.<\/p>\n
\u201cFinding Pan-Am has given me an outlet to channel any type of frustration, any kind of temptation. I\u2019ve got a focus. I\u2019ve got a purpose now. I\u2019ve got a passion,\u201d said Trevor Williams, a member of the Pan-Am Boxing Club.<\/p>\n
The program is in partnership with Pan-Am Place, a transitional housing facility for at-risk men.<\/p>\n
Williams, who is 41-years-old, has been in the program for just under a year. He\u2019s been in and out of different recovery programs and says that none compare to Pan Am, and now, he\u2019s 500 days sober.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not going to be a lot of good for my daughter if I\u2019m out using or I\u2019m in jail. So focusing on one day at a time, staying sober is key, and boxing is just absolutely beautiful for my recovery,\u201d said Williams.<\/p>\n
Trystan Dario, 22, has been in the program for three months and even in his short time at Pan Am, he\u2019s already been inspired to someday open a similar program.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve seen myself grow a lot. I\u2019m definitely back to my old self. Like how I used to be. I think over the last couple years I was very groggy, probably depressed,\u201d said Dario.<\/p>\n
Dylan Martin is a manager and head coach with Pan Am Boxing Club. He trains with Tristan and Trevor multiple times a week and believes there needs to be more recovery programs that include a physical outlet.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome guys, they do it cause they have to. Those guys do it because they want to do it. That\u2019s the big difference. Just like anything, if you don\u2019t actually believe in what you\u2019re doing and have no motivation for it, you\u2019re just wasting time,\u201d said Martin.<\/p>\n
Pan Am Place allocates space for up to 22 men at a time. Christopher Sarifa is a manager with the program and works with members on a day-to-day basis.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt helps them a lot to release anger, tension, whatever they have in their life to keep their mind off of something else, rather than what they\u2019re used to. So yeah, I\u2019ve seen it help a lot of people,\u201d said Sarifa.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\tWinnipeg gym continues to support men in recovery through boxing and brotherhood. (Koby Mitchell, CityNews) <\/p>\n
\t\tKeep it Factual<\/p>\n
Add CityNews Winnipeg as a trusted source on Google to see more local stories from us.<\/p>\n
![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/google-trusted-badge.png\"){kind=icon}