From Setback to Spotlight: How the Mapt Transformation Challenge Helped Launch Down But Not Out
When Alphonso Bailey was growing up on the near east side of Indianapolis, he was known for his talent on the football field. He was the youngest of nine siblings and a star athlete at Shortridge High School, earning all-city and all-state honors. With a scholarship to play football at Kentucky State University, his future looked bright. But when Alphonso lost his father during his sophomore year of college, the grief sent him into a downward spiral.
He found himself surrounded by the wrong crowd, caught up in drugs and poor decisions, ultimately leading to a robbery charge and a prison sentence. "That was the lowest point of my life," Alphonso recalls. "It broke my mom's heart. I knew I had to change."
In prison, he discovered boxing. And everything changed.
"Boxing taught me discipline, self-control, and how to fight for something bigger than myself," Alphonso said. After serving less than three years of a ten-year sentence, Alphonso left prison transformed. He went on to become a USA Boxing Team member, ranked number one in the country as an amateur, and later turned pro, earning national recognition.
His life story inspired a documentary, Down But Not Out , which sparked a new purpose. Alphonso and his wife Marsha began mentoring youth through boxing, creating a safe space where young people could build confidence, character, and resilience. The name of the documentary would become the name of a movement.
Today, Down But Not Out (DBNO) is officially launching as a nonprofit, thanks in part to the Mapt Transformation Challenge grant.
At Mapt, we created the Transformation Challenge to invest deeply in a mission that deserves a lift—and a partner ready to take it further. Down But Not Out was a clear choice. Alphonso’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and relentless belief in the potential of youth. His authenticity, clarity of purpose, and deep community roots captured our team from the start.
"Alphonso's vision for DBNO is exactly what the Transformation Challenge was built to support," said Brittany Krier, Co-Founder and Lead Consultant at Mapt. "We saw a compelling story, a credible leader, and an opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of young people. Our job was to take everything Alphonso had already started building and help him grow it into something sustainable, scalable, and enduring."
Over the last several months, Mapt has partnered with DBNO to build a strong foundation for launch. Our team helped craft a comprehensive business plan, establish clear program models, build a distinct brand identity and website, and prepare DBNO’s facility for opening day. We also supported early-stage board development, communications, and fundraising strategy—investing time, resources, and heart to ensure DBNO is set up to thrive.
"When we found out DBNO had been selected, me and my wife were over the moon," Alphonso said. "We just looked at each other and said, 'Can you believe this is happening?'"
"This partnership has been a blessing," he continued. "It feels like God saying, 'You’re ready now. Let’s take it to the next level.' With Mapt behind us, we’re not just dreaming anymore—we're building."
DBNO is more than a gym. It's a community. It's a second chance. It's a message to every young person who’s been knocked down: you can rise.
As Alphonso prepares to go full-time with DBNO, he’s thinking about the future. "I want this to be a cornerstone in the city," he said. "I want the kids who come through our program to come back as mentors and leaders. That’s how we grow this. That’s how we change lives."
DBNO’s grand opening is just days away. And for Alphonso Bailey, it’s the culmination of a comeback story that’s still being written—this time, in the lives of others.
Join Us:
DBNO Grand Opening
Saturday, May 10 (10am – 2pm)
Tours, youth boxing demos, community celebration
See event details