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Nieve Stein is one of 40 boxers who will compete from 5-10 p.m. outside Park City Mountain\u2019s Corner Store on the 6th, and the only returning fighter from RISE. Credit: Michael Ritucci\/Park Record<\/p>\nThursday night at the RISE Boxing gym in Summit Park, coaches and fighters were fine-tuning their skills. The gym is preparing coaches and nine fighters for their upcoming charity fight night, Mountain Mettle, on Sept. 6.<\/p>\n
Mountain Mettle will see 40 boxers lace up their gloves in the name of Parkinson\u2019s Foundation and youth boxing scholarships. RISE is hoping to raise $20,000 for said causes through advertising, donations and ticket sales.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This is RISE\u2019s second year having the proceeds from Mountain Mettle go towards Parkinson\u2019s. The gym is in their third year coaching classes for those with the disease.\u00a0<\/p>\n
RISE founder MG Vellinga leads many of the classes at RISE. She said she was first approached by some with Parkinson\u2019s in the community to lead classes, because boxing and physical activities can help improve motor skills and balance for people with the disease. Vellinga shortly after got a certification to better lead the classes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we started (Mountain Mettle), I just wanted to use our platform to do something more for the community,\u201d Vellinga said. \u201cWhen I started coaching and having more personal relationships with people who have Parkinson\u2019s is really when I pivoted to making the Mountain Mettle a fundraiser just for the Parkinson\u2019s Foundation. We also have a nonprofit that we started two years ago that helps facilitate youth scholarships for low-income kids in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vellinga said the classes and fight nights are helping create visibility for those with Parkinson\u2019s and who are underprivileged. Last year, they were able to donate $4,000 to the Parkinson\u2019s Foundation, and word of the classes has continued to spread.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This year, RISE hopes to raise $12,000 for youth scholarships and another $8,000 to create an exercise-focused app for people with Parkinson\u2019s. The gym also participates in Live PC Give PC to help meet yearly fundraising goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nieve Stein is one of 40 boxers who will compete from 5-10 p.m. outside Park City Mountain\u2019s Corner Store on the 6th, and the only returning fighter from RISE. Credit: Michael Ritucci\/Park Record<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s one of the most diverse events you could go to in Park City,\u201d Vellinga said of the fight night. \u201cPeople have a misconception about boxing being just violent. \u2026 I want to show what a supportive environment the boxing community is, and also give a platform for our youth scholarship kids and the wider breadth of athletes in the state.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vellinga said boxing is a great tool to showcase what strength everyone has, whether the \u201caverage Joe,\u201d someone with Parkinson\u2019s or a kid whose family is struggling to make ends meet. She said she is thrilled every year to see Park City and others from out of town come together for those in need in the boxing community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mike Granatowski is one of the RISE boxers with Parkinson\u2019s. He\u2019s been boxing since he was diagnosed with the disease about three-and-a-half years ago, and will be in the ring to showcase his improvements with Vellinga on Sept. 6.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy neurologist suggested I take a look at boxing, and I found out about this gym,\u201d Granatowski said. \u201cCame in here, and the first time I tried it, I fell in love with the whole idea.\u201d<\/p>\n
Granatowski trains three days a week with Vellinga and her staff. He said he doesn\u2019t notice the disease\u2019s symptoms when training and loves the community at RISE. He also said Vellinga and the other coaches don\u2019t shy away from pushing him and the other boxers with Parkinson\u2019s in order to help them improve.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Granatowski said he had friends from all over tell him how powerful he looked in the ring last year at Mountain Mettle. He thinks he\u2019s even quicker this year, and he\u2019s excited to showcase that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c(Vellinga) wanted to show what Parkinson\u2019s group has been doing,\u201d Granatowski said. \u201cMy dad used to say, \u2018the elder the bull, the stiffer the horn.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Brandis Turner will be lacing up her gloves for the first time at Mountain Mettle. She started boxing with RISE in 2020, and said she got some \u201cpositive peer pressure\u201d to get into the ring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Turner is a former field hockey and rower, slated to face a fellow RISE boxer. She said she\u2019s excited to prove to herself and others that she can fight.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really brings out the community,\u201d Turner said about Mountain Mettle. \u201cMy goal is to know that I pushed myself, punched hard and gave it my all.\u201d<\/p>\n
Turner said an added benefit will be showing her two sons, \u201cdon\u2019t mess with Mom.\u201d She\u2019s a bit nervous, but excited to compete in a more spectator-laden sport than rowing.<\/p>\n
Turner\u2019s boys are already joining her for some beginner classes at RISE. She hopes boxing and all of its benefits are something they can grow to share with their mom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an elite training gym. You\u2019re not going to get that everywhere,\u201d Turner said. \u201cAmateur Boxing, never thought I\u2019d check that one off my resume.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mountain Mettle will run from 5-10 p.m., held outside Park City Mountain\u2019s Corner Store. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/K3A2773.jpg\")
RISE founder MG Vellinga has been teaching Parkinson\u2019s classes for three years now, and was thus inspired to help raise funds for the cause. Credit: Michael Ritucci\/Park Record<\/p>\n
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