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When Kevin Maxen first messaged Sam Leicht, he was still apprehensive about embracing his gay identity. As a strength coach for Baylor University’s football team in conservative Waco, Texas, Maxen was unsure how to move forward.
But he was comfortable in a gym or weight room, which is where Leicht also seemed to spend most of his time. The founder of Pridefit, an LGBTQ+ fitness app and community, Leicht works to make exercise more accessible for queer people.
While Maxen didn’t need a push to pump some iron, the former college football captain was looking for mentorship.
“I ended up coming out to one of my close friends, and that was really it,” he tells Queerty. “I don’t know how I came across Sam’s profile. But I saw what he was doing with fitness, and I thought, ‘OK, this seems like someone who has everything figured out for the most part.'”
It didn’t take long for Maxen to view Leicht as a confidant.
“Sam was really one of the first people I could look up to, and feel comfortable sharing a lot of myself that I didn’t talk to anybody about,” he says. “I was at a point in my life where I didn’t have a lot of people who I could open to. He was a very good outlet.”
Kevin Maxen and Sam Leicht
Years later, Maxen is now a role model himself for young LGBTQ+ athletes finding their way. He made history as the first out gay male NFL coach, revealing his identity to the world in 2023 when he was with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Maxen worked on the Jaguars’ strength and conditioning staff through his release in April. As he plots his next move, he’s linking up with Leicht again.
Except this time, they’re connecting in a much more public fashion than Instagram DMs. Maxen is joining PrideFit as a coach and instructor. His first program was released June 1.
With more than 1,500 members, Maxen has a chance to change the fitness lives for LGBTQ+ people across the world, who haven’t always felt welcome in the gym.
“Helping the general population do something they didn’t think they could do in the first place, it’s so rewarding,” he says.
To find out more, Queerty recently spoke to Maxen and Leicht about their budding partnership. Here’s what they had to say…
QUEERTY: Have you guys worked out together?
SAM LEICHT: No! Kevin came to a PrideFit event two months ago, but we didn’t get to work out together. He was coaching.
I was gonna ask you if there’s anything you picked up from Kevin…
KEVIN MAXEN: I texted Sam yesterday asking if he would like a CrossFit workout. I’ve been doing the same type of training since 2007. Maybe it’s time to change it up a little bit. … I don’t know if I could handle it. I’m getting a little older now. But it would be a good try.
SAM: Kevin is literally the strongest guy I know! What’s so funny is, Kevin and I working out together would be complete opposite ends of the spectrum. I’m very cardio strength focused, and Kevin is so strong, he can lift so heavy. I idolize that.
Kevin, now that you’re out of the NFL and in a different space, what are you most looking forward to?
I think just being able to reconnect with the world around me. Get that grounded and be presented is a big thing. That’s one of the things that PrideFit does so well. It’s not just about fitness and training. It’s being connected. It’s such a good feeling to be involved with something that’s so much bigger than yourself. It’s not just wins and losses. It’s your actual life.
Do you have any reflections on your time in the NFL?
Oh, it was great. I built a lot of great relationships with people I’m still in touch with. The Jaguars organization in general, everybody was so accepting of me coming out. It was like nothing changed. That’s one of those things I can reflect back on and be very proud. I got so much out of my time in the NFL. Who knows if I’ll make my way back, but It’s made me a better coach, and more importantly, a better person.
I have to say, after looking at your most recent photos, I’m digging the post-NFL bleach out.
KEVIN: I was excited to do it!
SAM: When we did that photo shoot, Kevin came in pretty nervous. I also think he lost his wallet that morning. And he destroyed that photo shoot. He was so hot. It was so amazing!
KEVIN: I’m not a camera guy…
SAM: Yes, you are! You can’t even say anymore. I’ll show you the pictures!
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