I spent the majority of my adolescent, teen and young adult life in punk and hardcore shows in Miami, FL. The typical show was filled with a mix of cultures, genders and backgrounds. When I opened Soul in 2010, I had some work experience, but much of my formative years were spent in the DIY/hardcore culture. I say this because I want you to understand that my opinions on life and experiences are mostly framed by my upbringing as a middle class Cuban American male in Miami and someone who was heavily involved in the South FL scene of hardcore and punk rock shows. As a result, racism is not something I have dealt with much personally. I have had some experiences, but they aren’t even worth mentioning… When I opened Soul, I wanted my gym to feel more like a hardcore show than most stuffy ass gyms I had been...Read more