Episode #76
#76 How Betsy Kaplan Builds Grief Support Networks One Workout at a Time
Welcome to Curveball . In this episode, host Scott Reich sits down with Betsy Kaplan, founder of Grief, Sweat & Tears—a unique, community-centered fitness experience for people navigating grief and loss. After losing her father, Joel, to suicide in 2018, Betsy struggled to find connections with others going through similar journeys. Inspired by the benefits she found in movement and fitness, she launched Grief, Sweat & Tears as a space where people can come together, work out, and support each other—no explanations needed. Through candid conversation, Betsy shares how she’s turned her pain into purpose, what radical acceptance means to her, and how building community has transformed her own grief journey—and the lives of hundreds of others. Tune in for an honest discussion about loss, healing, and the power of simply showing up. Listeners Will Learn: Betsy uses fitness and movement as a way to process grief, suggesting that physical activity can be a powerful tool for navigating loss. The community element of Grief, Sweat & Tears offers a different experience from traditional support groups or therapy, focusing on informal connection and shared activity rather than clinical or structured discussion. Allowing people to define their own grief experiences is essential, as Betsy believes there is no single way to grieve or to experience loss. The concept of “radical acceptance” involves accepting what cannot be changed and learning to move forward, even if relationships or circumstances are not as one wished. Grief journeys can often be isolating, underscoring the importance of community and the need for better societal support for individuals experiencing loss. Social media plays a significant role in building communities around grief, providing opportunities for connection but also presenting challenges such as comparison and misunderstandings. Betsy experienced the harm of rumors and misinformation following her father’s death by suicide, highlighting the importance of sensitivity and respect in how communities respond to personal loss. Asking about who someone lost and what they loved about them, rather than focusing on the circumstances of death, can create a more supportive and respectful environment for those grieving. Working with grieving children at Experience Camps deeply shaped Betsy’s understanding of resilience and community, lessons she now applies in supporting adults through grief. Key Moments: (00:00) Hosting popular grief community events (03:55) Discussing grief and loss conversations (09:32) Coping with her father's death (13:16) Building community through grief classes (16:44) Building a supportive grief community (19:27) Journey through grief camp leadership (20:59) Reflecting on leaving program director role (24:19) Finding community after loss (28:13) Supporting friends processing loss
