Our Story

Hastings Kofkin was a lot of things…

He was a bright, kind and outgoing young man. A fiercely passionate student athlete and gifted strength coach who dreamed of advancing the exercise science discipline through his research on acute exercise and cognition. Hastings had a propensity for greatness—he always pushed himself and those around him to “do epic sh*t.”

He was only 21 years old when his life ended; having endured a long and hard-fought battle with mental illness, Hastings chose eternal peace on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.

The trauma of suicide has a way of devastating loved ones left behind and shaking an entire community to its very core. Hastings’ loss was no different… But from tragedy comes purpose.

The pain of suicide is not one that can be ignored, nor should it be – and it was from this pain that Kilos for Kofkin was born. K4K Founder, President & CEO Meagan Deppe banded together with an amazing and dedicated group of people who knew and cared for Hastings to hold an event honoring his memory and spreading awareness of the importance of keeping up with your mental health. The very first powerlifting meet dubbed Kilos for Kofkin was held on February 4th, 2017 near High Point University in Hastings’ memory, and would become an annual event that still lives on today.

What started as a coping mechanism to deal with the death of a dear friend, has now grown and evolved into so much more. In 2020, the Kilos for Kofkin team took steps to officially incorporate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Our mission is to create and expand awareness of the benefits of exercise on mental health through comprehensive, research-based education, community outreach, and various athletic events.

Mental health is health. For far too long mental illness has been stigmatized and overlooked. We refuse to stand idly by while millions suffer in silence and more lives are lost each day to suicide.

Like the weightlifter fighting to lift the bar off the ground, we are fighting to lift the stigma off of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders that can be helped – and we will win.

Mental health matters. You matter.