Empowering East Boston & Revere Youth Through Martial Arts
Muscles Unlimited Legacy Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free and low cost Judo training for children and teens in East Boston and Revere. Our mission is to empower immigrant and underserved families by building strength, confidence, and character through fitness, mentorship, and community support.
Our Story
Rooted in Revere. Reborn for East Boston.
Muscles Unlimited began in 1979, when Sunny Avola and his son, Bobby, opened a small gym in Revere, Massachusetts. It was a place where neighborhood kids, bodybuilders, and hard-working families came to get stronger together. It wasn’t fancy, but it had heart. It was the kind of gym where everyone spotted each other, everyone pushed each other, and everyone belonged.
That spirit never faded. Even after the original gym closed, the name Muscles Unlimited lived on in the people who trained there and the values they carried forward: work hard, take care of each other, and believe that strength has no limits.
Decades later, that legacy found a new purpose.
Tony DiPrizio, Sunny’s grandson who grew up working at the original gym for $50 a week revived the name to honor his family and transform it into something even bigger. What began as a dream to teach a few local kids Judo for free has grown into a full 501(c)(3) nonprofit: The Muscles Unlimited Legacy Foundation.
Today, Muscles Unlimited stands for opportunity.
At the BCYF Paris Street Community Center in East Boston, Tony and his team provide free martial arts classes to children from immigrant and underserved families. The program blends world-class Judo lineage through Pedro’s Judo Center and the American Judo System, strong mentorship, and the timeless values of Jigoro Kano: Mutual Welfare and Benefit, discipline, respect, confidence, and community.
The mission is simple:
Give every child the chance to become strong in body, mind, and character regardless of their financial situation.
And just like the original gym, everyone is welcomed, supported, and pushed to be their best.
From a gritty Revere weight room to a thriving East Boston youth program, Muscles Unlimited has always stood for the same thing:
Together, there is no limit to what you can accomplish.
Our Team
We are a dedicated group of volunteers as diverse as Boston itself. Though we come from different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs, we share a common vision as martial artists rooted in the principle of Mutual Welfare and Benefit. We believe that when we support one another, the entire community grows stronger.
Sensei Hailey Darling
Sensei Hailey brings structure, passion, and professionalism to every class she teaches. With over 10 years of experience in youth instruction, she leads fun, disciplined sessions that help students grow both on and off the mat. Her guidance builds confidence, focus, and a strong foundation for every child who steps into one of the many dojos she has taught at. She studied under some of the greatest female Judo and MMA fighters of all time, carrying their skills and spirit into her teaching.
Sensei Chris Alba Santana
Sensei Chris is a teacher, aspiring engineer, novice sailor, and dedicated judoka. He is guided by his personal experiences as a Latino, son of immigrants, and the first in his family to receive a college degree. He cares deeply about the communities he serves. He is always seeking new ways to teach and support his students; in the classroom, he implements student-centered practices with hands-on experiences. In the dojo, he carries these practices and enhances them with Jigoro Kano’s two core principles of Judo: Maximum Efficiency with Minimum Effort and Mutual Welfare and Benefit.
Sensei Benjamin Noboa
Sensei Ben is a highly skilled martial artist and bilingual instructor who brings clarity, patience, and steady energy to every class. Born in the Dominican Republic, his family immigrated to New York before later settling in Boston. Known for his strong technical eye, he breaks down movements in a way that helps students truly understand Judo’s fundamentals. His teaching supports both English- and Spanish-speaking families, ensuring every child feels included, confident, and capable on the mat. Sensei Ben began his martial arts journey studying Miyama Ryu in New York before later transitioning to Judo. He is currently a student of Olympian Jimmy Pedro and volunteers every Saturday morning at his dojo, continuing to refine his craft and give back to the Judo community. Dedicated and detail-focused, he plays a key role in helping students grow in skill, discipline, and self-belief.
Senpai Rabail Butt, MD
Dr. Rabail Butt is a Pakistani immigrant, researcher, and dedicated Judoka who brings compassion, discipline, and a global perspective to the mat. Trained in mental health and grounded in the values of hard work and service, she embodies the balance of mind, body, and character that Judo teaches. She has lived experience being the mother of an autistic child which deepens her commitment to youth development, family, and community well-being. As both a physician and martial artist, Dr. Butt believes strongly in using movement, discipline, and mentorship to promote lifelong health, confidence, and resilience. Her journey reflects perseverance, cultural pride, and a passion for giving back, making her a powerful role model for students and families.
Sensei Tony DiPrizio
Sensei Tony is the founder and Program Director of the Muscles Unlimited Legacy Foundation. A father of two girls, a dedicated Judo instructor, and a lifelong martial artist, he is committed to giving every child the opportunity to grow stronger and be more confident through free, community-based training. He is a student of Olympian Jimmy Pedro and brings a broad martial arts background to his teaching, including years of experience in Armored Combat, early training in American Kenpo Karate, and ongoing study of Uechi-ryu Karate under Sensei Kevin Linehan at Travis Stevens’ academy in Wakefield. Known for his positive leadership and passion for teaching, Sensei Tony strives to make the dojo a welcoming space where all students can thrive. He is proud to serve East Boston and Revere giving back to the communities that raised him.
Senpai Frankie Presta
Frankie Presta is a lifelong martial arts student, cultural educator, and trilingual communicator dedicated to strengthening community connections and expanding access to youth martial arts. Known for his professionalism and his ability to bring people together, Frankie helps create welcoming spaces where families feel supported and valued. He holds a Brown Belt in American Kenpo Karate and has also trained in Hung Gar Kung Fu, reflecting a deep, long-term commitment to traditional martial arts, discipline, respect, and personal growth. Fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, Frankie proudly serves the community by building bridges across cultures through service, mentorship, and shared values.
Join Our Mission
Help Us Empower More Youth
Support Muscles Unlimited’s mission to make martial arts accessible to every child. Volunteer, partner, or spread the word your involvement makes a difference!