FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Folsom, CA – September 2026 – Special Strong, a specialty fitness provider serving individuals with mental, physical, and cognitive challenges, today announced that Special Strong Folsom is now its largest franchise by number of athletes served. Owners Tracy and Matt Furrey have added 24 new zip codes spanning the Elk Grove & South Sacramento areas, extending their adaptive fitness programming to families across Northern California.
Tracy and Matt launched Special Strong Folsom because they believed this community deserved a place where individuals with disabilities could grow stronger, more confident, and more independent, while feeling supported, encouraged, and celebrated every step of the way. Since opening last year, the Furreys have served more athletes than any other Special Strong franchise in the country — 215 and growing weekly. As demand for their services grew, so did their team and their reach. The size of this expansion reflects both the strength of that foundation and the number of families still waiting for access to adaptive fitness programming in Northern California.
“Hearing from parents about the changes they are seeing in their children, at home and in the community gets me every single time,” said Tracy Furrey. “When they tell us their athlete is more confident, more independent, or doing things they weren’t able or willing to do before, those are the moments that remind me exactly why we do this and were the catalyst for our growth.”
The Special Strong franchise model made that growth possible. Owners can choose how they provide training services, which can be offered virtually, in clients’ homes, at various partner locations, or in independently owned gyms. This flexibility first attracted the Furreys to Special Strong and has now allowed them to scale their operation without losing the personalized, community-driven approach that defines their work. The Folsom expansion reflects what happens when a business is built on the right foundation from the start.
“This has never been about simply growing a business,” said Matt Furrey. “It is about being able to reach more athletes and more families and continue a mission we believe in with our whole hearts. When the need is there, and you have the team to support it, growing gives you the opportunity to make an even bigger impact. At the end of the day, that is what this is all about for us.”
Special Strong was founded in 2016 by Daniel Stein, who began specializing in health and fitness for people with special needs after being diagnosed with a learning disability, mood disorder, and autoimmune disease. The company provides adaptive and inclusive fitness programs to individuals around the world with mental, physical, and cognitive challenges, including Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, rare genetic conditions, and more.
“When I began franchising in 2020, I was inspired to not only help Special Strong’s clients, but also leaders who share a passion for empowering individuals with special needs through fitness,” said Daniel Stein, CEO & Founder of Special Strong. “Tracy and Matt have built something remarkable in Northern California. Their growth is a testament to what happens when the right people lead with the right heart.”
To learn more about Special Strong Folsom, visit their website.
About Special Strong
Founded in 2016, Special Strong provides adaptive fitness training for children, adolescents, and adults with mental, physical, and cognitive challenges. Through its rapidly growing franchise model, Special Strong empowers communities to offer inclusive fitness programs that improve health, build confidence, and promote independence. With a foundation built on faith and service, Special Strong continues to expand nationwide, making a lasting impact one life at a time.
