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“Heal the gut, heal the body! Heal the soil, save our planet! Teach the youth, create the future” – Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride
The GAPS Youth Movement (GYM) project launched in April 2023. The goal of this movement is to create a worldwide network of young people, ages 10 to 28, who connect virtually and locally to learn about and implement the GAPS lifestyle while having support from peers. In a time where many young people are struggling with health challenges, mental and physical, the GYM will help our “GAPS YoungStars” move from adolescence to adulthood with a strong foundation of health by simply making better food and lifestyle choices. Community building will be accomplished through podcast episodes, articles, blog posts, engaging social media campaigns, reels and shorts on Instagram and YouTube, as well as special lecture tracks reserved just for GYM participants at our annual GAPS OnCon event!
If you or someone you know is in this age group, Dr. Natasha and the GAPS Team would like to invite you to sign up for the GAPS mailing list to receive ongoing project updates. You’ll find our mailing list sign-up form in the footer of every page on this website. Once you subscribe, you’ll receive updates about the GAPS Youth Movement as Julia Dulgerova (GAPS Youth Movement Outreach Coordinator) and the GAPS Team develop and build this youth-based community.
What GAPS “YoungStars” Can Do to Educate and Give Back to Peers and Community:
- Start a cooking club in school or at home (formulate new recipes and snack ideas, teach fermentation, prepare meat stock, etc.)
- Introduce the GAPS concepts to teachers and classmates to inspire them to join the GYM
- Share about the GYM at a PTA or local school board meeting
- Plan church and school field trips to local farms, artisan kitchens, farmer’s markets, health food stores, etc.
- Start a gardening club at your church, school, or through a community garden program
- Volunteer at local co-ops, herb and CSA farms (Community Supported Agriculture)
- Teach classes of all kinds online or in person (cooking, gardening, general support, etc.)
- Adopt a friend, peer, or family member and teach them about self-care and nutrition as a GAPS Youth Mentor
- Go live and share GYM concepts on your own blog, podcast, social media channels, and website
- Start a local GAPS Youth Movement Group of your own. Organize ongoing in-person or virtual meetups to address topics such as, “How to Use Diet and Lifestyle to Better Navigate Emotional Highs and Lows During School Breaks & Holidays”. There will be an abundance of topics to cover with group members and you’ll be giving back to your community at the same time!
- Embrace the GYM entrepreneur within and start a GAPS-based business such as a meal prep service or restaurant (obtaining your food handling license, renting a commercial kitchen, etc.)
- Join the online conference track at our annual GAPS OnCon event with lectures reserved just for young attendees. Check out the video below to learn more about the GYM and Julia’s GAPS OnCon 2024 lectures!
Common Symptoms, Struggles, and Health Topics the GYM Will Address:
- Menstrual (PMS)
- Mental Health (self-esteem, confidence, etc.)
- Digestive/Stomach issues
- Headaches
- Building Muscle & Weight Management
- Acne, Eczema, and other Skin Issues
- Fatigue
- Lack of Motivation
- Social Anxiety Issues
- Healthier Alternatives to Fast Food and Energy Drinks
- Career and Personal Goal Setting
- Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts
- Eating Disorders & Body Dysmorphia
- Alcohol and Substance Abuse (including vaping)
- Non-Toxic Recommendations for Hair, Nails, & Make-Up
- Gender Confusion
- Hormonal Imbalances
- Birth Control
- … and many more!
GYM Outreach Coordinator: Julia Dulgerova
As a recent high school graduate who is currently interning for GAPS Training LLC, Julia has always had a burning desire to know what food really does for the body. She lives on a homestead with her family where she experiments with permaculture, raising healthy bees and chickens, and growing as much of her own food as she can. As she plans for her career in nutrition and herbalism, Julia hosts the podcast Wholesome Health for You. Julia wishes to share the incredible amount of knowledge that has been curated into the GAPS program with a young audience through the GAPS Youth Movement (GYM).
Julia will be creating and developing content for the GYM platform and will serve as a mentor for new GYM participants. Questions about “joining the GYM“? Contact Julia, the GYM Outreach Coordinator, at julia@gapsyouthmovement.com.
VISIT THE GYM BLOG to learn more about relevant GYM topics. Click the icons below to follow us on social media!
“The youth is the hope of our future.” ~ Jose Rizal