Lifting More Than Weights - Coach Miguel Binion
- Jul 15
- 2 min read
There are people who show up to work, and there are people who work to make a difference. The honor of knowing that the people on your team are making the world a better place is something we don't take for granted at DSAL. Coach Miguel Binion is one of those people - and the youth he works with and empowers are the living proof.
At DSAL's Boxing Gym, Miguel brings that dedication to our Health and Fitness programming, working alongside youth to build physical strength, cardiovascular health, and the mental fortitude and discipline that supports every area of their lives. Whether he's correcting form, pushing a young athlete to beat a personal limit, or demonstrating a steady, encouraging presence, Miguel shows up with the same commitment every day.
That commitment extends beyond the gym as well. When the Alameda County Probation Department invited DSAL to bring fitness training to the Juvenile Justice Center in 2023, some individuals were hesitant to participate, but Miguel won them over with patience, genuine warmth, and a gift for meeting people exactly where they are. What began as structured workouts became a consistent source of trust, accountability, and genuine human connection for young people navigating one of the most challenging chapters of their lives.
Miguel doesn't just coach. He mentors. He listens. He shows up. He holds a steady belief that the young men in front of him are capable of more than their current circumstances suggest - and in a setting where a caring, consistent adult presence can be a genuine lifeline, that belief matters deeply.
His results speak volumes. Participants in Miguel's program have earned high school diplomas through academic credit tied to DSAL programming. One young man has gone on to graduate from college with honors. Others have returned to their communities employed, housed, and building stable lives - outcomes that strengthen families, neighborhoods, and public safety in ways that will reach future generations.
The culture Miguel has built within the program reflects his approach: a positive environment centered on growth, mutual accountability, and the understanding that the choices made today shape the life that follows. When the Alameda County Probation Department brought a group of VIPs to observe his group in action, it was a recognition of exactly that - that when justice-involved youth are genuinely supported and given real opportunities, they rise to meet them, and are proud to do so.
Through sports-based programming, Miguel helps participants build the life skills that make lasting change possible - emotional regulation, discipline, teamwork, goal-setting, and resilience. These are the foundations that brighter futures are built on, and Miguel lays them with care and intention.
We are so proud to have Coach Miguel on our team. His dedication, compassion, and unwavering belief in the potential of every young person he works with represents the very best of what we do - and what we believe is possible when people are seen, supported, and given the chance to grow.