Hidden Gems: Meet Ikewin Udengwu (Mr.WIN) of The CLIMB LA

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ikewin Udengwu (Mr.WIN).

Hi Ikewin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Ikewin Udengwu (E-Kay-Win) but people know me as Mr.WIN (@therealwinr) Co- Founder of The CLIMB. Long before The CLIMB existed, I was a young man fighting to become the best version of myself. I’ve always had a passion for fitness, leadership, and pouring into people, but for years I felt something pulling at me: a responsibility to build a space where people could grow mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally together.

I didn’t want to just “start something.”
I wanted to build a community that lifts people higher.

The turning point came during a moment of deep reflection. I realized that the same discipline, consistency, and resilience I used to climb out of my own struggles were the exact principles people around me were searching for. And I felt called to create a space where those principles could be lived out in real time.

That’s where the idea for The CLIMB was born.

I brought the vision to my brothers Jabari (@j.booog_) and Charles (@charlesgrantdebose), and to our sister Leonie (@therealgldensoul). I told them I wanted to create something simple, something accessible, something real: “Let’s meet at the Culver City Stairs every Saturday at 10 a.m. Let’s challenge ourselves. Let’s build a family.”

They believed in it instantly. No ego, no hesitation. We weren’t thinking about branding, photos, or turnout. We just wanted to show up for ourselves and each other. And that first morning, standing at the bottom of the stairs, I knew we were planting a seed for something special.

The beauty of it is this: we built The CLIMB with no funding, no partnerships, and no blueprint.
Just intention. Consistency. And Heart.

People started showing up.
Then they kept showing up.
Then they began bringing others.

Strangers turned into training partners, training partners into friends, and friends into family.

The CLIMB naturally became the heartbeat of my larger mission, WIN’N — because at its core, WIN’N is about becoming a winner of life. Every Saturday, the stairs give people the space to practice that mindset in real time. The same principles that built my brand through discipline, elevation, resilience, community — are the principles that built The CLIMB.

The stairs—those 282 steps—became a metaphor for life.
Every step represented accountability, resilience, healing, discipline, and choosing to grow even when it’s uncomfortable.

There were challenges too. Team shifts. Personal life changes. Leadership adjustments. Moments where it would’ve been easier to step back. What kept me grounded was the purpose: The CLIMB wasn’t about us—it was about the people who needed this community.

And that’s exactly what it became: A safe, powerful, uplifting space where everyone—no matter their background, age, or fitness level—comes together for one mission: to WIN!

We don’t just climb stairs.
We climb habits.
We climb fears.
We climb limiting beliefs.
We climb into new identities.

Today, The CLIMB LA has grown into a movement—an energy that people feel before they even take their first step. Our community stretches far beyond Los Angeles. Our story is being written every Saturday at 10 a.m., with every new person who shows up ready to elevate their life.

The most powerful part?

We are still in the beginning chapters.

When I look at where we started—just four friends and a vision—and where we are now, I’m grateful, humbled, and motivated to keep leading this movement. The CLIMB LA is bigger than fitness. It’s a mindset. It’s a lifestyle. It’s a FAMILY!

And everyone who shows up isn’t just joining a workout…
they’re joining a new version of themselves.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth and honestly, I wouldn’t want it to be. Everything meaningful that I’ve built in my life has come with resistance, and The CLIMB LA was no different.

In the beginning, the biggest challenges weren’t physical… They were internal. I had to step into leadership in a new way. I had to trust my voice, trust my vision, and trust that people would show up not just for the workout, but for the community and purpose behind it. There were moments where self-doubt, overthinking, and the pressure of wanting to create something great made the journey feel heavier than the stairs themselves.

Another challenge was building consistency without a blueprint. We didn’t have a marketing team, funding, or a handbook to follow — just heart and repetition. Creating something from scratch means learning everything the hard way: how to lead people, how to maintain energy week after week, how to create structure, and how to manage a growing community while still managing my personal life and multiple businesses.

There were also team challenges along the way. Whenever you start something with friends, roles shift, priorities evolve, and people grow in different directions. We had to navigate moments where members of the original team needed to step back to focus on their own lives. It wasn’t easy, because these were people I loved and respected, and we built this together. But I had to learn how to honor their journey while still protecting and advancing the mission.

Then there was the pressure of showing up even when life was happening behind the scenes; balancing business, finances, relationships, mental health, personal responsibilities, and still leading a community with confidence when sometimes I was working through my own battles.

But each struggle did something important:
it sharpened me.
It strengthened my purpose.
It forced me to grow into the person The CLIMB needed me to be.

What I’ve learned is that smooth roads don’t build strong leaders.
Challenges do, every obstacle we faced ultimately became part of the foundation of this movement.

Today, when I see people pushing through those stairs, struggling together, breathing heavy together, laughing together — I’m reminded that the resistance is what builds the muscle, physically and mentally. The CLIMB is a reflection of life: nothing about elevation is smooth… but it’s always worth it

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The CLIMB LA?
The CLIMB LA is a community-driven wellness organization built around one mission: to help people elevate physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—through the simple, powerful act of climbing together every Saturday at the Culver City Stairs at 10am.

We specialize in creating transformational experiences, not just workouts. Every week, people from all backgrounds come together for one shared purpose: to WIN. What makes The CLIMB unique is that we are not a gym, not a class, and not a program.. We are a movement.

What We Do

We host free weekly group climbs that focus on community, accountability, and personal growth. We bring people into an environment where they can challenge themselves, support others, and experience breakthroughs that go far beyond the stairs. Many of our climbers say the climb has helped them mentally just as much as physically, which is exactly the heart of our mission.

But The CLIMB LA extends far beyond Saturdays.
We’ve created community events such as our 4th of July Beach Day, Field Day, and Friendsgiving, all designed to bring people together outside of working out. These gatherings turn into networking events, social events, and connection-building spaces where our members can bond on a deeper level—playing games, listening to music, sharing food, laughing, and forming friendships that feel like family.

These experiences remind people that elevation isn’t just physical.. It’s relational, emotional, and communal. It’s all part of WIN’N.

What We’re Known For

The CLIMB LA is known for its welcoming family energy. Whether you come alone or with friends, you are embraced instantly. People don’t just show up for a workout—they show up because they feel seen, supported, and inspired.

We’ve built a space where strangers meet at the bottom and become family by the top—
and our events strengthen that bond beyond the climb.

What Sets Us Apart

What separates The CLIMB from any other wellness group is our emphasis on mindset and community, not performance. We don’t focus on being the fastest. We don’t focus on competition. We focus on becoming better than you were yesterday — which is the foundation of the WIN’N MINDSET.

Our culture is built on:
    •    Elevation
    •    Unity
    •    Accountability
    •    Love
    •    WIN’N MINDSET

Another major distinction: we are entirely movement-led, not business-led. The community comes first, always. That authenticity is why people return—not because they paid a membership fee, but because they genuinely feel connected.

Our Expansion Into Whole-Life Elevation

As our community has grown, so has our mission. We are now expanding beyond physical climbs into creating resources that elevate our members in every aspect of life: mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, and through meaningful community-driven support.

The vision is not only to climb together but to WIN together, providing tools that help every individual step into the strongest version of themselves.

What I’m Most Proud Of

I’m most proud that The CLIMB LA has grown organically through love, leadership, and consistency, not through paid ads or marketing campaigns. It’s a testament to how powerful things become when they’re rooted in purpose.

I’m also proud that we’ve stayed true to our values. No matter how large we grow, every person who shows up feels welcomed, important, and part of something special.

What I Want Readers to Know

The CLIMB LA isn’t just about climbing stairs.
It’s about learning how to WIN your life.

We’re building a culture of WIN’N—people who are committed to growth, committed to community, and committed to showing up for themselves. The CLIMB LA is open to everyone, no matter your fitness level or background. If you show up with heart, you’re one of us.

Our goal is simple:
create a space where people can WIN, TOGETHER!

And the beautiful part?
We’re only at the beginning of this journey.

What are your plans for the future?
The future of The CLIMB LA is all about expansion, impact, and building a legacy of WIN’N for our community. We’ve built something powerful in Los Angeles, and now we’re preparing to take it to an entirely new level.

Our next step is to establish The CLIMB LA as the central hub of community wellness, connection, and elevation in Los Angeles. We want to WIN our city—by serving it, empowering it, and creating spaces where people feel supported physically, mentally, spiritually, socially, and financially.

Expanding Across LA, Across the Nation, and Across the Globe

Once our foundation is fully built in Los Angeles, our vision is to expand into nearby cities—and then across the nation. But our mission doesn’t stop there.

We want The CLIMB LA to become a global movement, reaching countries, neighborhoods, and communities around the world that need spaces like ours.
Spaces where people feel seen.
Spaces where community is strong.
Spaces where WIN’N is possible for everyone.

Our goal is to go international—taking The CLIMB to places where hope, connection, and unity can change lives. The same healing and elevation we experience here in LA can serve people across continents.

A Safe Space for People of Color — While Remaining Inclusive to All

Although The CLIMB LA welcomes everyone, one of our core purposes is to be a safe, empowering space for people of color—especially Black and Brown communities.

We want to provide a place where people who look like us can:
    •    Be fully themselves
    •    Grow without judgment
    •    Feel seen, valued, and supported
    •    Stand among people who understand where they come from
    •    Know they matter and belong

Our commitment is to build a community where people of color are not just included—they are prioritized, uplifted, and celebrated.

Building Resources for Real-Life WIN’N

We are evolving far beyond a Saturday climb.
Our future includes:
    •    Workshops & educational programs
(mental health, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, nutrition, relationships, spiritual growth)

    •    Support systems & mentorship programs
(accountability partners, small groups, mental wellness support)

    •    Bible studies & faith-based gatherings
To support spiritual elevation for those seeking it.

    •    Partnerships with gyms & fitness instructors
Giving our members discounted memberships, outside workouts, and expert-led classes.

    •    Collaborations with hospitals & medical professionals
So our community has access to health education, preventative care, and trusted resources.

    •    Brand-building, career-building & legacy-building support
Helping our members develop purpose, confidence, leadership, and generational skills.

    •    WIN’N Wellness events & large-scale activations
Bringing the community together in powerful ways.

Becoming a Nonprofit

We plan to evolve into a full nonprofit organization, allowing us to secure funding, partner with institutions, support families and youth, and create long-term programs that change lives.

Family & Youth Expansion

We’re preparing to launch:
    •    Kids fitness/sports camps
    •    Youth mentorship programs
    •    Family-oriented CLIMB events
    •    Community retreats for healing and growth
    •    College & career development resources

Community Events That Strengthen Our Family

We will continue expanding and creating events that bring us closer:
    •    4th of July Beach Day
    •    Field Day
    •    Friendsgiving
    •    Holiday events
    •    Game nights & music events
    •    Networking socials
    •    Charity & service projects

These gatherings deepen relationships and transform our community into true family.

Sponsors, Partnerships & Corporate Collaboration

We aim to work with:
    •    Wellness and fitness brands
    •    Local LA businesses
    •    Health organizations
    •    Corporate sponsors
    •    Educational institutions

Anything that helps us elevate and resource our community is a WIN.

Retreats, Camps & Travel Experiences

We envision:
    •    International retreats
    •    Transformation weekends
    •    Family camps
    •    Adventure trips
    •    Restorative getaway experiences

All designed for deeper bonding, inner healing, and collective elevation.

The Ultimate Vision

Our ultimate dream is simple:
To build a global movement of WIN’N, one city and one community at a time.

A movement where:
    •    People grow together
    •    People heal together
    •    People WIN together
    •    People of color feel deeply supported and uplifted
    •    Every member feels like family
    •    And every step we take inspires a lifetime of elevation

The CLIMB LA started with four friends and a vision.
Now, it’s becoming a worldwide legacy.

Pricing:

• FREE
• Memberships Coming 2026

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sweatpals.com/host/TheClimbLa
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theclimbla?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@theclimbla?_r=1&_t=ZP-9233fBTpHcF

Image Credits
@greatpicsonly @visualsbyjb__ @malikbakersproductions