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 revived the name to honor his family and transform it into something even bigger. What began as a small part time job at Pedro’s Judo Center to help cover his and his daughter’s training dues has grown into a full 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization: The Muscles Unlimited Legacy Foundation.
Today, Muscles Unlimited stands for opportunity.
At the BCYF Paris Street Community Center in East Boston and the Beachmont VFW in Revere, Tony and his team provide free and low cost martial arts classes to children from immigrant and underserved families. Supported by grants and donations, the program combines the world class Judo lineage of Pedro’s Judo Center and the American Judo System with 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 has taught in multiple dojos and has helped countless students build confidence, discipline, focus, and respect both on and off the mat.
She has had the opportunity to study under some of the greatest female Judo and MMA fighters of all time, carrying their skills, toughness, and spirit into her own teaching. As a new mother, she also brings patience, care, and a deep understanding of how important positive role models are in a child’s life.
Sensei Hailey is proud to help lead the next generation of students through the Muscles Unlimited Legacy Foundation, creating a dojo environment where every child can feel supported, challenged, and proud of their progress.
Head Youth Instructor Sensei Chris Alba Santana
Sensei Chris is a teacher, aspiring engineer, novice sailor, and dedicated judoka. He serves as our Head Instructor and Program Developer for students ages 7 to 13. Guided by his experiences as a Latino, the son of immigrants, and the first person in his family to earn a college degree, he cares deeply about the communities he serves.
Sensei Chris is always seeking new ways to teach, encourage, and support his students. In the classroom, he uses student-centered teaching methods and hands-on learning experiences. In the dojo, he builds on those practices through Jigoro Kano’s two core principles of Judo: Maximum Efficiency with Minimum Effort and Mutual Welfare and Benefit.
Senpai Anthony Silva
Senpai Anthony is our newest student instructor who was born and raised in East Boston. He currently attends the University of Massachusetts Boston, where he is studying electrical engineering while continuing his training in Judo and Uechi Ryu Karate.
The son of Brazilian immigrants and fluent in Portuguese, Senpai Anthony helps translate for native Portuguese speaking students and families. His support has helped make our classes more welcoming, and connected to the diverse community of East Boston and Revere.
As both a college student and martial artist, Senpai Anthony understands the importance of hard work, discipline, and perseverance. He brings patience, encouragement, and a strong sense of responsibility to every class while helping younger students grow in confidence and skill.
Head Adult Instructor 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.
Women’s Coach Charlotte Izzo
Charlotte Izzo is a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under John Fain, a certified personal trainer, and a devoted mother. Since beginning her martial arts journey, Charlotte’s goal has always been to teach and empower women through training.
As an advocate against domestic violence, Charlotte believes every woman should have the opportunity to learn practical self-defense skills and feel confident in her ability to protect herself. She is passionate about creating a supportive environment where women can develop strength, resilience, and self-confidence.
Charlotte serves as the lead instructor for our Women’s No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Program, where she is committed to helping women build confidence, develop self-defense skills, and discover their full potential through martial arts.
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 Rafael Mazzoni
Senpai Rafael is a dedicated student instructor. Still attending high school at Excel Academy in East Boston, Raphael makes time between his studies, his own training, and his responsibilities to volunteer with our program.
The son of Honduran immigrants and an active Judoka at Pedro’s Judo Center, Senpai Raphael helps teach and support younger students on the mat. Fluent in Spanish, he also helps translate for students and families, making our classes more accessible to people who need them.
As a young leader, Senpai Raphael sets a positive example on and off the mat, bringing patience, energy, and encouragement to every class. Through his commitment to Judo, service, and leadership, he helps students build confidence, discipline, and respect.
We are proud to have Senpai Raphael as part of our team and as a role model for the students of East Boston and Revere.
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!