More Than Lifting: The Heartbeat of Community at Bull Stewart's Gym

In the heart of Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood sits Bull Stewart’s Gym—a sanctuary where strength training meets soul work. This isn’t just a place to lift weights. It’s a hub for transformation, community connection, and generational empowerment.

At the center of it all is Bull Stewart himself, a 15-time world champion powerlifter whose presence is just as impactful as his credentials. “My name is Bull Stewart” he says with pride. “I’m the president, CEO, and director of AAU strength sport in the state of Washington. We’ve got two locations, and I love what I do. I’m giving back to my team, and I just love it. It’s the greatest sport in the world.”

Bull’s gym doesn’t just build athletes—it builds people. The space is a launching pad for confidence, discipline, and second chances. It’s also home to major events like the National Air United Championship, which Bull hosts three times a year. “It’s not all about politics. It’s about fitness, about bringing the community together, enjoying one another, having fun, and pushing your limits to the next level.”

What makes this gym truly different is its culture. "A lot of teams out there recruit,” Bull explains. “We don’t recruit. We build. We create. We make.” That focus on growth from the inside out is reflected in everything the gym does—from team banquets and barbecues to neighborhood events. “So it’s a family,” Bull says simply.

That family environment has changed lives. Amateur powerlifter Jeffery Cheatham shared, “What Bull does is take ordinary people and make them do extraordinary things. You’ve got people here who can’t produce their own testosterone. People missing limbs. People 88 or 89 years old—still competing.”

But the impact goes beyond the physical. “Every emotion that you're experiencing, you can work that out here,” Jeffery adds. “This is a great emotional and mental outlet for the day-to-day life you’re going through.”

Michael Phenom echoed that energy: “The camaraderie, the support that everybody has for the lifters—it’s amazing to see.”

Bull’s passion also drives real opportunities for young people. “We’re on a program now with AAU,” he shares. “If a kid really wants to go to college—I’m the man for that. I’ll get you in.”

Cassie Karch sees the gym’s presence in Rainier Beach as powerful and necessary. “This space is so important for this area,” she says. “We need to be shown that there is positivity among the trauma—and our history does not define us. This space shows that we’re here to bring change, bring positivity, and bring the community together.”

Olympic hopeful and personal trainer Sasha Berry adds, “We get to showcase what it’s like to be a Black-owned business, to have a diverse team, and to show others who look like us what’s possible—how to run a business, have fun, be family, and create something positive.”

Bull Stewart’s Gym is more than a fitness center—it’s a movement. It’s where powerlifting meets purpose, and where every rep is a step toward personal and community transformation.