I first met Mayra Brandt over email in 2021 when my daughter wanted to join friends in a tumble class at Boca Extreme Cheer & Tumble. Mayra, who I would later learn was the owner of the Boca Extreme gym and CrossFit Delray Beach, quickly emailed me back and got my daughter right in to the next class. On our first day, Mayra burst into the place with enthusiasm and a smile—running from one thing to the next and somehow rocking career life with home life, not an easy task as all parents know. She didn’t know my daughter and me but was so good to us and welcoming of a new little tumbler. She made my daughter feel right at home from the moment we walked into the gym and the same can be said for all of us parents anxiously watching from behind the glass.
The next year I would meet Mayra’s husband when he rocked Boca’s Ballroom Battle with my most favorite dance routine in the 15 years I’ve emceed the event, an event that helps send kids to college who wouldn’t otherwise have the means. Jay lit up that dance floor at The Boca Raton with his and his partner’s rendition of “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer. His and Sayra Vazquez’ routine made me smile and laugh and cheer like crazy.
Jay is now the George Snow Scholarship Fund’s Vice President of Development, creating light and guidance for so many Palm Beach County teens as they journey off to college thanks to their George Snow scholarships. Before that, Jay Brandt played college baseball, attended and later worked at Lynn University and St. Jude School and in his free time, he continues to rock the community not only with charity work through many local nonprofits but also performing with his Wolfhawk bandmates week after week, including during the Boca Raton Bowl’s annual Fan Fest.
Now though, it is the Brandt family that could use our light and support. So much light and so much support as Jay suddenly lost his wife Mayra this past weekend. She was just 43 years old. A mom of two.
Their hearts ache with this loss. Join me in support and love via a GoFundMe fundraiser set up by family and friends.
