GET BENT FRIENDS

ABOUT

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Who We Are
ABOUT GET BENT FRIENDS

We recognize that investing in our youth's physical and mental well-being yields numerous benefits. When young individuals are supported in their development, they gain the tools to overcome challenges, pursue their aspirations, and contribute positively to society.

By prioritizing their well-being, we are cultivating a generation of empowered individuals who are more likely to become productive, engaged, and compassionate members of our community. Furthermore, healthy and confident youth serve as role models and inspire others, creating a ripple effect of well-being throughout our community.

 
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OUR HISTORY

The Get Bent Friends non-profit provides services ranging from strength training and nutrition education for student-athletes to after-school tutoring and career mentorship with the goal of preparing the youth in our community for adulthood.

Our programs have been in place since 2018 and have been funded by volunteers in our community and ourselves. To ensure the long-term sustainability of our programs, we established the Get Bent Friends non-profit in 2022, seeking vital financial assistance so that we can maintain our community programs.

Board Members

Romero2

Board Member
Jason Romero

Jason Romero is a co-founder of Get Bent Friends and head coach committed to expanding access to safe, supportive training spaces for Oakland youth. With over 10 years of experience working alongside local schools, coaches, and families, he builds programs rooted in trust, consistency, and long-term community impact.

Jason has served as a strength and conditioning coach at McClymonds High School and Oakland Technical High School, contributing to championship-level football, baseball, and basketball teams. He is also the head coach of the Get Bent Youth Powerlifting Team, supporting athletes from first-time lifters to nationally competitive record-setters.

Shaped by his own experiences growing up in the Bay Area without consistent support or access to positive outlets, Jason is deeply committed to mentorship and equity. Through Get Bent Friends, he helps young people build not only physical strength, but confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of belonging.
 
Deborah wiltshire

Board Member
Peliala Collins

is a Bay Area native, founder of Get Bent Friends, and co-owner of Get Bent Oakland. A competitive powerlifter, experienced strength coach, and gym owner, she’s passionate about creating access to high-quality training for underserved youth in Oakland. Through Get Bent Friends, she’s building the kind of diverse, supportive community she wishes she had as a student-athlete. Growing up, her favorite sport was rugby, where she played fullback, wing, and outside center—and today, she finds deep joy in supporting the next generation of athletes.
 
Deborah

Board Member
Deborah Wiltshire

Deborah Wiltshire joined the Get Bent Friends board because she believes deeply in the power of community and in the moment she heard Jason talk about his dream of opening a space where everyone could feel strong, supported, and welcome, she knew she wanted to help make it real. She’s especially passionate about creating opportunities for young people who don’t always get the chance to just be kids, to move their bodies, discover their strength, and build confidence in a safe and encouraging environment.

A longtime advocate for inclusion and access, Deborah brings a mix of big-picture thinking and practical “let’s get it done” energy to the board. Her career has centered around building communities, amplifying voices that are often overlooked, and helping organizations grow with purpose; experience she now channels into supporting Get Bent Friends’ mission to make health and wellness more accessible across the Bay Area.

When she’s not working with the board, Deborah can usually be found cheering on community initiatives, mentoring others, or finding new ways to connect people and ideas. She’s proud to be part of a movement that believes strength looks different for everyone, and that everyone deserves a place to belong.
 
Grant

Board Member
Grant Emhoff

Grant began training at Get Bent in 2018 while rehabbing from surgery, initially focusing on rebuilding strength and mobility. With a background in cycling and hockey, he immediately connected with the discipline, community, and performance-driven culture at Get Bent.

As he became more involved, the mission of Get Bent Friends, to expand access to training, mentorship, and opportunity for Oakland youth — resonated deeply with him. Seeing firsthand how structured athletic programming can build confidence, resilience, and long-term health, Grant was motivated to contribute beyond the gym floor.

Bringing a strong business and operations background, Grant now supports both Get Bent and Get Bent Friends with strategic planning, financial oversight, and day-to-day accounting operations. His behind-the-scenes leadership helps ensure the organization remains sustainable, organized, and positioned for continued growth in service of the community.

Originally from Ohio, Grant relocated to Oakland in 2017 and proudly brings a Midwestern touch to the Get Bent Friends board. He is passionate about creating opportunities for young athletes to access high-quality training, mentorship, and support systems that can positively shape their futures.

 
Chriss haddwy

Board Member
Chris Haddawy

Chris Haddawy has been an integral part of the private currency & barter industry for more than almost 40 years. Prior to co-founding BizX, Chris held senior positions with a wide range of trade organizations. Starting out in the trade business as a sales person, he quickly rose to the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Bay Area and Hawaii Barter Exchange. In 1995, Chris founded Barter Business Network and built the company into one of the United States’ top trade networks, with four offices in California and Nevada before selling the company to BarterTrust in 1999.

Chris lives in Oakland with his wife and two sons. He loves mountain biking & the outdoors. Chris is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in Political Economy of Industrial Societies . During his time at UC Berkeley, Chris was president of Sigma Pi fraternity and a member of the CAL Boxing team; earning All-American Honors in 1984.

 

Coaches

Ronnie mills

Coach
Ronnie Mills

Ronnie Mills - is an Oakland native, born and raised in West Oakland. He attended San José State University and earned his Master’s degree in Sport Management from the University of San Francisco. From a young age, Ronnie developed a passion for fitness, wellness, and health—interests that have played a pivotal role in his life. He enjoys helping others by empowering them on their fitness journeys. Ron became involved as a coach with Get Bent at the beginning of the pandemic when kids didn’t have a place to train consistently and was a big part of how Get Bent Friends originally formed. 

 
Katie kerr

Coach
Katie Kerr

Katie Kerr - has been a part of the Get Bent community since it's early days and officially joined the coaching staff in 2022. In her former life she played field hockey, basketball, lacrosse, and dance. These days she's focusing on lifting as a pathway to strength and chronic pain relief (and community!). She loves working with clients of all ages and genders but especially loves helping women/femmes and fat folks build comfort in the gym and with the barbell. 


 
James cunningham

Coach
James Cunningham

James Cunningham - grew up in between Alameda and Oakland. After coming back from Oregon State University (go beavs) with a degree in Computer Science and Mathematics, he started coaching team sports and strength sports. He has coached the Bishop O’Dowd boys varsity lacrosse team since 2014 alongside teaching strength training with a focus on teenagers of all sizes and capabilities. His favorite subject to teach teenagers is “How to be a Dawg”.


 
Joshua phillips

Coach
Josh Hatcher 

Coach Josh Hatcher has been working in strength and performance training since 2018, with a strong focus on youth development. During the pandemic, he remained deeply committed to serving his community by hosting structured strength training classes and supporting young athletes through challenging times. His approach emphasizes discipline, confidence, and long-term athletic development, helping athletes build both physical strength and positive life habits on and off the court.
Coach Josh began his basketball journey at Berkeley High School under Coach David Manson and played AAU basketball with the Berkeley Hoyas, where he developed a strong foundation in athletic discipline and competitive mindset. He went on to play collegiate basketball at Merritt College under Coach Keenan McMiller, earning First Team All-Conference honors and Bay Valley Conference Player of the Year. Josh later received a full-ride scholarship to Chadron State College (NCAA Division II), where he helped lead the program to its first conference playoff appearance in 20 years. Since 2019, he has proudly served with I Progress Basketball Training, coaching athletes of all ages and helping them reach their full potential in sport and in life.
 
Joshua ph

Coach
Joshua Phillips

East Oakland born and raised. High school Top 100 athlete, college and minor pro football player turned certified personal trainer. Josh found powerlifting in 2023 after meeting coaches Jason and Pela and never looked back. Now a 6x state bench record holder, competing nationally and still chasing more. Josh enjoys coaching the kids at the gym and has so much knowledge to offer as both a strength coach and as a mentor. 



 
Mijoia 2

Coach
Mijoia Finley

Mijoia Finley has been training for over seven years and holds a degree in Exercise Science, specializing in women’s health and youth/general population athletic development. Her work with the kids at Get Bent has been a major source of inspiration, fueling her passion for helping young athletes develop at every stage of life while emphasizing the importance of fitness as a lifestyle. Her time at Get Bent has been a profoundly rewarding experience and a true blessing. Under the guidance of Coach Jason and Coach Peliala, Mijoia has grown both as a coach and as a person. She values the positive community at Get Bent, recognizing the role of structure and support in fostering mental well-being. The gym has provided her with a safe space to cultivate her career and personal strengths, making it an ideal environment for her continued growth as a coach.


 
Sha'kuana osa

Coach
Sha’Kuana Osa

Sha’Kuana has worked with Get Bent Training for over five years. As a dedicated educator, she works with youth throughout the Bay Area. With a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a master’s degree in education, she combines her academic background with a passion for strength training and competitive powerlifting. Her goal is to inspire others to embrace their strength and pursue their fitness goals.


 

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Join us in making a transformative impact on the lives of youth in the Bay Area by donating to Get Bent Friends today! Your support empowers us to provide mentorship, education, and opportunities for their physical and mental well-being, helping them thrive and reach their full potential.
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