The Better Sweat Foundation was built on a simple but powerful belief
No financial barrier
should stand in the way of
building a family.
how it all started
Fertility treatments are a reality for many hopeful parents, but the cost—often tens of thousands of dollars—makes it impossible for some to even try. For Matt and Lynn April, this struggle was personal.
As co-owners of Bent On Better, a private fitness facility, they experienced firsthand the challenges of infertility. They were fortunate—insurance helped cover the treatments, and in 2016, they welcomed their first son. But they knew that for many, the financial burden alone could mean the difference between having a child or not.
Determined to give back, they hosted their first fitness fundraiser in 2017. What started as a small act of gratitude quickly grew into a community-driven effort to support couples on their paths to parenthood.
2017 – First Couple Sponsored
By 2017, Bent On Better (before 1126 Greenhill Road) had its first real training space & a small but strong community. That April, during National Infertility Awareness Week, I decided to organize a fundraising event, just a one-time thing, or so we thought. We called it Sweat For A Cause, and the goal was simple: help a local couple cover some of the cost of fertility treatments.
At the time, we were still renting space at Advent Lutheran Church, running sessions out of the preschool’s music room. The church had a small rec room we could use for the event, so we made it work. That first event had an incredible turnout, and together, our community raised nearly $1,200. We gave that money to a couple in need, hoping it would help their journey to parenthood.
What we didn’t expect was that couple coming back to us with incredible news…they were expecting! And in a moment everything changed. They asked us to take that same $1,200 & put it toward helping another couple the following year. Right then, we knew this wasn’t a one-time thing.
2018 – twice the impact
2018 was a whole new level of awesome. We were close to wrapping up our first full year at 1126 Greenhill Rd., finally hosting Sweat For A Cause in my own gym. This time, the turnout was twice as big, and so was the impact.
With the energy of our growing Bent On Better community, we raised double what we had the year before, allowing us to help another local couple on their fertility journey.
That year showed us something powerful, not just what we were capable of, but what was possible when a community comes together for something bigger than fitness.
And that’s when we realized…we weren’t done. We could do even more.
2019 – a Game-Changing Year
2019 was going to be our biggest year yet. And with excitement soaring on event day, we knew we had to step things up—so we introduced a new way to raise funds: raffles.
So thanks to the help of Bev Philpott leading the charge with collecting items for raffle baskets, the response was incredible. Not only did our community show up in a big way through participation and donations, but we also received a generous contribution from local artist Haley Tucker Designs. Haley, who was going through her own fertility journey, wanted to pay it forward, adding a powerful new layer of impact to what we were building.
With all of these efforts combined, we raised over $12,000, our biggest grant yet. And then came the moment that changed everything: Main Line Fertility stepped in to match our donation, doubling our impact and allowing us to fully sponsor a couple already in their care.
That year, we realized–this wasn’t just a fundraiser anymore. This was a movement.
2020 – the pandemic pivot
2020 was a year none of us saw coming. The world shut down, routines were flipped upside down, and for the first time, we couldn’t host an in-person Sweat For A Cause event. But that didn’t mean we were going to stop.
Instead, we pivoted. With the help of coaches, Nick & Alysha, we hosted a live-streamed event, bringing our community together virtually. Even in the middle of so much uncertainty, 30+ people showed up online, showing just how strong & committed this community really was. And even in the middle of a pandemic, we still raised money to help couples in need.
But as we looked around at everything happening in the world, we realized that finding & sponsoring a couple that year might be tougher than before. So instead of rushing the process, we made a decision: we’d go all in for 2021. And this time, we wouldn’t just do one event, we were going to do way more.
2021 – The Year of Growth
2021 was a turning point, not just for our community, but for Sweat For A Cause itself. This was the year we officially registered The Better Sweat Foundation as a nonprofit, solidifying our mission to help more couples on their fertility journey.
Coming out of the pandemic, people were craving connection again, and we felt that energy in the gym. With face masks on, we went bigger than ever before. Instead of just one workout, we ran four different workouts throughout the day—including our traditional workouts, plus a prenatal workout + yoga class, and an athlete-focused session. On top of that, we live-streamed the event, allowing even more people to join in from home.
This was our biggest turnout ever & one of our most successful fundraising years yet. But none of it would have been possible without an incredible raffle setup, organized by a group I like to call the Hustling Unicorns (Susan Reed, Kathy Mann, Bev Philpott). They took fundraising to a whole new level, making sure our efforts were not only impactful but also a whole lot of fun. 2021 showed us the potential of this movement–and in less than a month, we were discussing 2022!
2022 – Back & Bigger than ever
2022 felt like a fresh start. For the first time since the pandemic, we were able to welcome a large crowd without the worry & restrictions of previous years. That meant we could make the event experience as special as possible—for everyone who showed up, supported, and believed in the mission.
With that renewed energy, we leveled up in every way. Bev, Kathy, Susan, and Ann created the biggest & best raffle display we had ever seen. The excitement, the prizes, and the community effort behind it all made it a HUGE success.
We also introduced something new: a brand-new shirt design that blended the Better Sweat Foundation logo with the historical Bent On Better Sweat For A Cause fundraiser branding—symbolizing just how much we had grown while staying true to our roots.
2022 wasn’t just about raising money. It was about solidifying our mission, honoring our journey, and proving that this movement wasn’t slowing down anytime soon.
2023 – a year of new beginnings
By 2023, Sweat For A Cause had become more than just an event—it was a tradition. Most of our members had experienced at least one in the past, and with a tight-knit community that stays for years, the excitement & support only continued to grow. But this year felt different.
We had a brand-new team of trainers alongside familiar faces, bringing fresh energy while continuing the legacy of what we had built. And thanks to the unwavering support of the Hustling Unicorns & our incredible community, we were able to expand the fundraising experience even more.
For the first time, we hosted a Bingo Night leading up to the main event—giving us another way to raise money and bring people together for the cause. And on top of that, we introduced a brand-new design: HOPE. The HOPE design wasn’t just a shirt, it was a statement.
A symbol of everything Sweat For A Cause stands for: resilience, strength & the belief that everyone deserves a chance to grow their family. It was an instant hit! Seeing our community wear it with pride made it clear–This movement was getting stronger.
2024 – a year of love & Ending a chapter
2024 was a year of growth, change, and gratitude. As Bent On Better evolved, welcoming new team members, refining our programs, and strengthening our community, it was also the first year that Bobby got to experience Sweat For A Cause.
Each year, we’re blown away by the generosity and support of our community, and 2024 was no different. The raffle lineup was bigger than ever, featuring an incredible variety of high-ticket items that reminded us just how much love & dedication surrounds this event. This year we introduced a brand-new shirt design inspired by Philadelphia’s iconic “LOVE” sculpture. The design symbolized everything this event is about—compassion, unity, & helping others grow their families. It was a huge hit, almost selling out completely.
But behind the scenes, we knew this year was special for another reason…it was the final year of “Sweat For A Cause.” We didn’t announce it until after the event, but in 2025, we’re shifting our focus & taking things to the next level.
2025 – Strong for a Cause
After eight unforgettable years of “Sweat For A Cause,” 2025 marked a turning point. We made a bold shift from sweating to being strong. Why? Because strength is at the heart of what we do.
At Bent On Better, our mission is simple: To make strength beautiful. We’re still sweating for a cause, but this year, the message grew deeper. It wasn’t just about movement. It was about showing up with purpose, resilience, & strength for families still waiting for their chance to grow.
We hosted an invite-only fitness experience for those who know & love what makes BOB…well, better. We focused on what we do best: Service, coaching, education, strength, balance, form, stability (& fun). We ended with silly, Minute-to-Win-It-style games that brought joy & laughter. Then we opened the doors to the public for Raffles For A Cause – and it was a huge success.
We raised enough to provide two fertility grants in 2025, helping two more families move closer to parenthood. 2025 wasn’t just another event. It was a return to our roots, a leap toward our future, and a reminder that true strength isn’t just physical – it’s in how we show up for others.
