Papa Bear Strong – For The Children!
In the 2023 Spring GGC, 74% of our athletes said they do not compete in sanctioned powerlifting meets. So we are predominantly lifters, who lift at home, and never go anywhere else. But the GGC welcomes all shapes and sizes of lifters. And there is no mistaking that everyone loves watching a strong ass dude pick up a shit ton of weight. Travis Rogers, aka @PapaBearRogers is that dude. When I think of a powerlifter, everything about him visually lines up. Short and stacked, covered in tattoos, and strong as hell. Travis has hit a 2001lbs total in the GGC, he is one of the top all-time cumulative total athletes in the GGC, he has won multiple Top Male Athlete awards.. oh, and he runs Papa Bear Strong, a Non-Profit for low income kids in his area.
About Travis
He is an artist, a high school art teacher, and a HIGHLY competitive powerlifter. He is sponsored by a number of the biggest companies in the powerlifting world, from ammonia to equipment. In Spring of 2022 he ruptured both quads during a squat and had to have them reattached. Wheel Chair bound after surgery, he went back to work. Travis was in the gym doing pull-ups in his wheel chair, getting work done, focusing on what HE COULD DO, instead of what he couldn’t. And after being absolutely destroyed by that injury, after a little more than a year he is back to full work with a 2138lb equipped total. And if you think he is done, you clearly aren’t paying attention.
Travis is a dude that sends vibes of being 100% himself, while doing it 100% for others. He wants to be the strongest version he can be, so others know what is possible. So he can give back… to his local community, to his school, the kids, to powerlifting.
About Papa Bear Strong Foundation
The Papa Bear Strong Foundation was created by Travis Rogers in March of 2019, to support a high school powerlifting club catering to students in need. After raising enough money, the charity received its official federal and state recognition as a 501c3 in August. Travis has donated thousands of dollars, done backpack drives filled with school supplies, donated food to hungry children, and printed heavy duty clothing for kids who walk to school in the cold winter months.
The Foundation expanded a private gym in 2020 where kids and supporters bond and share strength through both leadership and lifting. Travis hand draws all his designs and ships from his home with the help of his wife Jessica. Their long term goal is to eventually open a huge facility that caters to the needs of youth athletes while still giving back to underprivileged students. Travis is currently a high school English teacher, Gym owner in Salisbury, MD and the WRPF referee manager and MD/DE state chair. He is also a columnist at EliteFTS.
How Can You Help The Papa Bear Strong Foundation?
Store
Travis designs his own gear with his own creative flair. Shirts, knee sleeves, wraps, and more. Buying equipment from that store sends the proceeds to the charity. Check out the store right here.
Direct Donation
Want to send some funds to Travis and the Papa Bear Strong Foundation?
The foundation can be reached at papabear@papabearstrong.org or messaging Travis through his Instagram @PapaBearRogers.
You can also send funds through PayPal right here:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/papabearstrong
If you need the EIN for tax purposes: EIN is 84-2563974
2023 GGC Meet Shirts
Travis designed our 2023 Meet Shirts, which are NOW AVAILABLE. Proceeds will be donated directly to the Papa Bear Strong Foundation. Grab a Meet Shirt! (use code SummerVibes20 through July 11th to save 20% on your order, but NOT decrease the donation AT ALL!).
Compete in the 2023 Fall GGC
As the official 2023 Fall GGC Non-Profit, we will be donating $1 per participant to the Papa Bear Strong Foundation in the fall.
So you can buy some gear, buy a meet shirt, send them money directly… or simply compete in the GGC and let me handle the donation.
Pioneer Belt Raffle
GGC Sponsorship
Speaking of the GGC… Travis and the Papa Bear Strong Foundation have sponsored the GGC for multiple years now. Travis is a big fan of what we do, and likewise we love what he is doing. They are tossing up a Papa Bear Strong Prize Pack. Winners in previous events have loved it! So make sure you mark your calendar for your chance to win!
