Success Story _ DO Boxing Academy

DO Boxing Academy | Loveland, CO

Scaling DO Boxing Academy after a successful school pilot required a new approach, which became clear when founder Danny O’Connor connected with the Colorado Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Larimer County. Bill Dieterich of SAGE and a Colorado SBDC community partner recognized Danny’s potential and referred him to Hope Hartman, executive director at the center in Larimer County. During her one-on-one session with Danny, she shared marketing strategies that shifted his focus to school districts, youth enrichment programs, and parents instead of directly targeting schools. She then connected him with Colorado SBDC advisors Roger Funke, Marley LeClair, and Gabby Lopez, who helped him further refine his business, marketing, and funding models. 

Combining the Colorado SBDC’s advice with their professional backgrounds, Danny and his wife and business partner, Diane, unveiled a mobile boxing and wellness program. Danny, a U.S. Olympian and former boxing champion, brings Olympic-level discipline to the program. Diane, a certified yoga instructor, integrates holistic wellness practices. Together, they created an inclusive program combining elite athletic training with restorative wellness for comprehensive personal development.

Today, DO Boxing Academy partners with schools, community groups, and youth programs, delivering a curriculum that blends non-contact fitness boxing, mindfulness, and yoga. This approach fosters physical, emotional, and mental well-being, cultivating resilience, focus, discipline, and emotional regulation in a supportive environment. The "you vs. you" philosophy eliminates competition, creating a safe space for individual growth and empowerment.

More than just fitness, DO Boxing Academy offers a transformative experience that merges physical activity with mindfulness, equipping young people with essential life skills to thrive.

For more information, visit DO Boxing Academy.