From Sensory Swings to Strength and Self-Belief: Gabriel’s Journey

Gabriel at the Dodger Stadium Spartan Stadion with ZOOZ.

Gabriel, who’s almost 18, knows what it truly means to be fit.

When he’s not doing box jumps, sled pushes, or squatting at ZOOZ Fitness, he’s playing baseball with friends, staying active outdoors, or interning at the very gym that’s played such a central role in his life. There, he shadows trainers and helps write blog posts—part of a growing passion for storytelling and sports broadcasting.

A sports enthusiast, aspiring journalist, and social butterfly, Gabriel also happens to have autism.

“I wasn’t always this way,” Gabriel says. “And I wouldn’t be here without ZOOZ.”

The Beginning

Gabriel during a home workout with Jake.

In 2009, at just two and a half years old, Gabriel was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurological and developmental condition that affects how individuals communicate, interact, and process the world.

For Gabriel, autism manifested in multiple challenging ways:

Physically: He struggled with body awareness, often wore headphones in public, and covered his ears to block out overwhelming sounds.

Sensory-wise: Environments were overstimulating, making everyday activities feel intense and chaotic.

Mentally/Emotionally: Expressing emotions and needs was difficult.

Behaviorally: Frequent meltdowns and what his family referred to as “tantrums” were common.

Socially: He lacked the confidence and skills to interact or make friends.

“Gabriel didn’t sleep well, he didn’t eat well,” his mom, Dina, recalls. “He wasn’t verbal then—he wasn’t even pointing at things.”

Gabriel remembers those early days, too.

“If my mom took me out to a gym or a public place, I didn’t have control over myself. I would yell, cry, sometimes even hit other kids,” he admits. “I didn’t have the skills to express myself, and my mom was always apologizing for my horrible behavior.”

Desperate to help her son, Dina worked with numerous therapists, one who suggested she transform her own bedroom into a sensory gym, complete with swings, a trampoline, and a crash pit. 

These tools were crucial in helping Gabriel regulate his body and emotions.

“After six months, he was a different child,” Dina says. “He started speaking more, playing with his sister, and listening to his therapists. The exercise helped him exist in our world. It desensitized him to outside stimuli.”

That experience changed everything—not just for Gabriel, but for the autism community at large.

Building a Movement: We Rock the Spectrum

Inspired by the progress she saw in Gabriel, Dina launched  We Rock The Spectrum Kids Gym in 2010, modeling it after her in-home setup. Her vision: to create a welcoming space for children on the spectrum to move, play, and grow—without fear of judgment or the constant pressure to apologize for behaviors outside their control.

“The slogan for her gym is ‘It’s a place where you don’t have to say I’m sorry,’” Gabriel says proudly.

The gyms are filled with sensory-rich equipment: suspended swings, crash mats, trampolines, climbing structures, and sensory toys—all tailored to support children with sensory processing needs.

What started as a single location in California is now a global movement, with gyms in 34 U.S. states and eight countries.

Finding ZOOZ

Jake has trained Gabriel for nearly 10 years, since he was 8 years old.

As We Rock the Spectrum grew, Dina began attending disability resource fairs. At one of those events, she met Jake Weiner, founder of ZOOZ Fitness—a then-new concept focused on adaptive fitness for individuals with disabilities.

At the time, ZOOZ didn’t have a physical location, but Jake’s passion was evident. After hearing him speak, Dina felt an immediate connection.

“I knew Jake was special,” she says. “I asked him right away to start working with Gabriel.”

Jake began training Gabriel at home—his very first child client. He brought portable equipment like agility ladders and dumbbells, and turned every workout into something fun and functional.

“Whether we were in my backyard or my parents’ bedroom, Jake found a way to make working out fun for me,” Gabriel says. “Exercise made me a much healthier person. And along with therapy, it helped me navigate my emotions and feelings.”

Jake said it's been a profound experience watching Gabriel grow. 

“Gabriel has been with me since the very beginning. I’ve watched him grow from a quiet, unsure kid into a strong, confident young man who knows who he is and what he wants. He’s not just a success story—he’s part of the soul of ZOOZ. I’m honored to have been even a small part of his journey.”

The connection was instant. And lasting.

“In nine years of training, Gabriel never once said he didn’t want to go to his session,” Dina says. “Their bond, and the confidence it built in Gabriel, was life-changing.”

Growing with ZOOZ

Gabriel and Will after Gabriel was awarded ZOOZ's 'Athlete of the Month!'

When Jake eventually opened a physical ZOOZ location, Gabriel transitioned from home sessions to in-person group classes and one-on-one training with Jake and fellow coach, Will.

“ZOOZ is such an inclusive, welcoming environment,” Gabriel says. “It’s helped me build habits, make friends, and gain confidence I never thought possible. I always knew exercise was important—but I didn’t realize how vital it was for both my body and mind.”

Over the years, Gabriel has grown stronger and more capable—physically, emotionally, and socially. His favorite workouts now include sled pushes, deadlifts, bench press, and box jumps.

 “I love anything that challenges me,” he says, “especially when I beat my personal record.”

His newfound strength and self-assurance led him to try something that once seemed out of reach: joining a neurotypical baseball team. It’s an accomplishment he and his mom credit to the confidence and physical skills he gained at ZOOZ.

Recently, Gabriel returned to ZOOZ in a new role—this time as an intern. He’s worked with trainers, helped write blog posts with Allison (a ZOOZ coach and the blog’s creator), and plans to volunteer more this summer.

“It’s a dream,” Dina says. “Gabriel grew up with ZOOZ. Seeing him become more independent and confident—it’s everything I hoped for as a parent.”

“ZOOZ isn’t just a gym,” she adds. “It’s a need. Our kids and young adults need places like this—places where they can move, regulate, and feel seen. Without ZOOZ, Gabriel wouldn’t be where he is today.”

Looking Ahead

Gabriel continues to train regularly at ZOOZ and is still playing baseball. His next chapter? College—and a future in sports broadcasting, with his sights set on covering the World Series.

He’s proud of how far he’s come—especially considering what doctors once told his family: that he’d never attend a mainstream school, never drive a car, never go to college, and never live independently.

He’s already accomplished all of those things—and he’s just getting started.

Now, Gabriel hopes his story will inspire others on the autism spectrum to chase their goals, no matter what limitations others may place on them.

“You don’t have to let your diagnosis define your future,” Gabriel says. “You can become whoever you want to be.”