Bullied 10-year-old started dreading school—until two former boxers stepped in to help him

Bullying can take a heavy toll on a child’s self-esteem and well-being. The emotional scars can last a lifetime if left unaddressed. Jacob Whitmore knows that pain all too well. At just 10 years old, he was dealing with relentless teasing because of his weight, which left him feeling helpless. His confidence plummeted, leaving him isolated and discouraged. But thanks to the intervention of two local brothers, Harry, 36, and Joe Freeman, 31, Whitmore gained not just physical strength but also a renewed sense of confidence. The brothers documented his transformation on their TikTok account @boxwave for millions to watch.

Whitmore’s struggles began when classmates mocked him, calling him names like "fatty" and "tubby." As the bullying continued, his mother Georgina Whitmore watched her son withdraw from activities he once enjoyed. "It was heartbreaking because I felt like there was not a lot I could do about it. I’d tell the school, they’d speak to the kids, but kids are always going to find someone to pick on," she told Newsweek. Whitmore turned to video games for comfort, spending hours in his room while snacking on unhealthy foods. He eventually quit football, a sport he once loved, because of the name-calling. His confidence sank even further. Concerned about his well-being, Whitmore’s grandfather reached out to Harry and Freeman, former boxers who run Boxwave, hoping they could help.

"He told us that Jacob is overweight and is like a prisoner in his room, gaming and getting bullied at school," said Harry. He also recalled the struggles of his own childhood, saying, "When I met Jacob, I instantly saw myself in him because I know what it's like and how hard it is to get out of a rut when you are unhappy." The brothers introduced Whitmore to boxing drills, circuits and football exercises at a local park. Slowly, his physical abilities improved, but more importantly, his confidence started to grow. Four weeks into the program, his attitude had noticeably changed. In the video, one brother asked him, "Jacob, how’s it going?" He responded with a smile, "It’s been going very great. And it’s just like, just all around, it’s been terribly good."

The biggest shift for Whitmore came at school. He said, "Over the past few weeks, I have been asked to play with. Now we're like break times in our lunchtime place." For Whitmore, that moment mattered as much as the physical progress. Grateful for the support he received, he made sure to thank the brothers. He said, "Thank you for helping me and inspiring me to do this. Without them, I wouldn't be doing this, and you wouldn't have Jacob's journey." Harry said that the focus was never just on weight loss. He added, "The goal is to get him fit and healthy. The weight is dropping off visually, but we want to get him back into football and involved in games—not stuck in goal." The brothers provide training to Whitmore free of charge.

Whitmore’s journey has resonated with millions, with many users flooding the comments to show their support. @rj_121112 said, "Only one month, and the progress is insane." @lauraloo0510 wrote, "Oh god, 'I’ve been asked to play at break and lunchtime.' That kills my momma's heart. He seems like such a great kid, too." @xxsarahxx485 commented, "The smile on his face—well done, Jacob. You guys have done something truly amazing." @kimberleyclyne quipped, "I notice in every video that he always uses his manners. You have a beautiful soul, Jacob. Don’t ever lose it."

You can follow Harry and Joe Freeman (@boxwave) on TikTok to get updates on Jacob Whitmore's fitness journey.