Dopamine Boxing Club coach recognized at provincial level

By Lethbridge Herald on October 14, 2025.

Submitted Photo Minister Jason Nixon presented Chris Campbell with the MinisterÕs Senior Service Award on Oct. 1.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Dopamine Boxing Club’s founder and head coach was the recipient of a provincial award recently.

Chris Campbell was the recipient of the Minister’s Senior Service Award from the province for his efforts in adaptive boxing for seniors’ health and wellness through adaptive boxing.

“The award recognizes the impact of Dopamine Boxing’s unique community program, which helps individuals living with Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis (MS) improve strength, balance, and confidence through non-contact boxing,” as read in the release.

Cambell did not realize the magnitude of the award until he arrived at the government buildings Oct. 1 in Edmonton to receive the award from the Honourable Jason Nixon, Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services.

“It was quite an honour to be sitting with people who are just achieving such incredible things and giving so much of themselves,” said Campbell.

“I felt like I needed to raise up my game because I wasn’t really clear on why I was there. I love what I do but it’s something I’ve been doing for almost 10 years now … So, I never gave it much thought passed that and all of sudden we’re getting this fancy award.”

Campbell’s goal for years was trying to find ways to make sure the club stays open.

“We (the club) moved so often until we found a temporary home at a friendship society,” said Campbell.

“It was in question whether or not we were still (able) to continue it. So, now that we have our legs under us, we have a building, and I was gifted a bunch of money through another project to build a gym and so I’m doing that. Now that we have a fixed location, we’re able to expand our operation more.”

The Dopamine Boxing Club only offered programming three days a week until recently.

“Now that we’re not-for-profit as of late last year, the executive director, … along with my volunteers and some of the spouses in supports of our participants have been stepping up to  focus a little bit more on the things that take me away from expanding it,” said Campbell.

The specialized boxing club has also remained viable due to being volunteer driven, which has resulted in keeping costs low as fees still holding steady at $12 per class, which covers basic operating expenses.

It has also benefitted from University of Lethbridge students who put in volunteer time with participants.

The Dopamine Boxing Club has brought on their first paid coach, which will open two new classes and perhaps another two by the end of 2025.

The club has 17 members.

“We’re honored and grateful for this recognition, which celebrates how science and community working together can truly improve lives,” said Dr. Gerlinde Metz, President of the Lethbridge Dopamine Boxing Club and holder of the Dr. Bryan Kolb Chair in Neuroscience at the Canadian Centre for Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge in a release.

 “Through Dopamine Boxing, we’ve seen people living with Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis gain strength, confidence, and renewed independence. When research and community come together, rehabilitation becomes more than therapy; it becomes connection, purpose, and progress.”

More information on the program can be found at http://www.dopamineboxing.ca.