Around 20 boxers filed into a studio on East Main Street on a Wednesday afternoon in December. Led by sisters Kristi Boasso and April Huckabey, the class warmed up with moves like marching in place, opening and closing their fists, and cross body punches. The oldies station was on, and a few participants sang along.
Neuro-boxers
For information about class demos and schedules, visit neurofighters.org or call (805) 698-1983. Follow along on Instagram @neurofightersinc.
For the rest of the hour, Huckabey instructed the main workout. Side lunges, jabs, skater squats, and sit-to-stands with crossed arms were in the rotation.
The boxers at Neurofighters all have neurological conditions. Most fighters are between 75 and 85 years old, but the youngest is 39 and the oldest is 92. Some live with Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, ALS, and MS. Others have had strokes or injuries.
“We combat it through the noncontact boxing and functional exercise,” Huckabey, the gym’s founder, told the Sun during a break between classes. “The biggest compliment I get is, ‘I can get off the toilet now.’”
Everyone is at a different level, but most, if not all, improve. As one boxer came through the doors for the Wednesday class, Huckabey pointed out that a month and a half ago he used a motorized wheelchair to come into class. Now, he walks in with a walker.
“His wife doesn’t even bring a wheelchair anymore,” Huckabey said.
Other participants have regained the ability to write, drive a car, have good posture, and get up off the floor after playing with their grandkids.
Boxers also see mental and cognitive benefits. Even remembering long punching combinations exercises the brain.
The concept started nine years ago when Huckabey was a personal trainer. She started working with a client who had Parkinson’s, researching the trainings at another boxing gym specifically for Parkinson’s patients.
Within three months of training, her first client went from shuffling his feet to jumping rope. His golf game was back, too.
“That was amazing. I was so happy for him.” Huckabey said. “I was like, ‘OK. We have to help other people.’”
Shortly after starting Neurofighters, Huckabey partnered with Marian Regional Medical Center. Since 2019 the studio has been located at the Marian Health and Wellness Center in Santa Maria.
“I never thought I’d have a job like this,” she said. “It’s just really neat to work with people and help them feel better.”
Participants pay for the classes, but Huckabey offers a reduced rate for those who need it. As a nonprofit, Neurofighters accepts donations and hosts fundraisers to keep the lights on and maintain the equipment.
For a while, Huckabey was the only coach until her sister joined a year ago. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, they run three classes, including one online.
Many boxers bring their caregivers—also known as cornermen—to class, and it’s become a community for them too.
“When I started this, my whole goal was not to just have a class,” Huckabey said. “It was to have a community. It was to have people that are going through the same stuff be able to talk to each other and be able to socialize … . It has really become a community.”
Highlights
• The city of Lompoc partnered with FlashVote to collect anonymous surveys from residents that’ll inform municipal decisions. Participants can give input via email, text, or phone call in a 48-hour window after each survey is released. After the survey closes, voters will receive a summary of the responses. To sign up for FlashVote, email or text (775) 235-2240 or visit flashvote.com/lompoc. Call (805) 875-8278 with questions.
• Santa Ynez Valley library cardholders can reserve a vehicle pass to visit state parks. Passes are available at the Solvang and Buellton libraries. They allow vehicles to park for free during the day at more than 200 state parks. Patrons can check out a pass for three weeks.
Reach Staff Writer Madison White at mwhite@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 25, 2025 – Jan 1, 2026.