Determined to make a difference: Physique competitor doubles up as anti–domestic violence activist

Lakewood resident Aaron Fransua, 26, defies characterization — but the first words that come to mind are devoted, driven and dedicated when describing the full-time student and competitive bodybuilder who turned a tragic loss in his life into a call for social change, launching his own nonprofit foundation against domestic violence.

In May 2011, Fransua’s mother Denise was shot and killed in Denver by her ex-boyfriend who then fatally shot himself. Two months later, Aaron and his family established the Denise Fransua Domestic Violence Foundation, a nonprofit organization designed to help raise funds for local shelters and educate the public about domestic violence.

Fransua hopes that through education the foundation can help victims get out of abusive relationships. To help raise funds, the Foundation organizes a 5K run every year — an event that not only provides much-needed resources for an important social issue but has deep personal meaning for many who attend.

“At every event, at least one person has come up and asked for assistance,” Fransua said.

And when it comes to drive, Fransua derives that, too, from his life experience, and has been training for physique competitions for the last five months. He entered his first event in September and won fourth place in his age category.

“It is my way of grieving,” he said, “a chance to focus on something and forget about other things.”

A business management student at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, Fransua hopes to eventually go to law school and become a judge — “The judicial system failed my mom,” he said. “I want to change the system from within.”

He said he would like to see the Foundation work more with the LGBT community, where domestic violence is often underreported or misinterpreted by law enforcement.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please seek help as soon as possible. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 800- 799-SAFE (7233). For more information on the Denise Fransua Domestic Violence Foundation or to make a donation, visit denisedv.org