These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your use of the True Effort platform operated by Derrick Blackwell (doing business as True Effort) ("we," "us," or "our"). By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to these Terms.
Questions? Contact us at derrick@trueeffort.co.
Acceptance of Terms
By creating an account or using True Effort (the "Service"), you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service. These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and True Effort, governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
Eligibility
You must be at least 16 years of age to use the Service. By using the Service, you represent that you meet this requirement. We do not knowingly collect personal information from users under 16. If we become aware that a user is under 16, we will terminate their account and delete associated data.
If you are under 18, you represent that your parent or guardian has reviewed and agreed to these Terms on your behalf.
Your Account
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You agree to:
- Provide accurate and complete registration information
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access to your account
- Not share your account with any other person
- Not create more than one account
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms.
The Service
True Effort is a community fitness platform that scores workout effort using heart rate zone data from wearable devices. Scores are normalized against your personal baseline so users of all fitness levels compete fairly. The Service includes:
- Workout effort scoring based on wearable heart rate data
- Community leaderboards and challenges
- Personal fitness goals tracking
- Optional faith features — all faith data is private by default and never appears on leaderboards or community feeds
Wearable Device Data
The Service connects to third-party wearable devices and fitness platforms (such as Garmin and Strava) to receive heart rate and workout data. By connecting a wearable device, you authorize us to receive and process data from that device to calculate your effort scores.
We use heart rate data, including resting heart rate and maximum heart rate, solely to calculate your effort scores. We do not sell your heart rate or biometric data to third parties. Heart rate variability (HRV) data is never used in scoring calculations.
Your use of connected third-party platforms is also governed by those platforms' own terms of service and privacy policies.
Acceptable Use
You agree not to:
- Manipulate or falsify workout data to gain an unfair advantage on leaderboards
- Use the Service for any unlawful purpose
- Harass, abuse, or harm other users
- Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any part of the Service
- Use automated tools to scrape or collect data from the Service without permission
- Upload content that is offensive, defamatory, or violates the rights of others
We reserve the right to remove content and suspend or terminate accounts that violate these standards.
Display Names and Public Identity
You may choose a display name visible to other users. Display names must not be offensive, impersonate others, or violate any third-party rights. We reserve the right to remove or change display names that violate these Terms. Display names may only be changed once every 30 days.
Faith Features
True Effort includes optional faith features including prayer logging, Bible reading plans, journaling, and service tracking. These features are entirely optional and designed for users who wish to integrate faith into their wellness practice.
Faith data (journal entries, prayer logs, reading logs) is always private and is never shared on leaderboards, community feeds, or with other users without your explicit opt-in. If you choose to participate in group accountability features, only streak counts — not content — are shared with opted-in community members.
Bible content is provided by API.Bible (ESV translation) and is subject to their terms of use. Verse suggestions are labeled as starting points for reflection and are not predictions or personalized spiritual advice.
Health and Fitness Disclaimer
Important: True Effort is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise program.
True Effort provides fitness tracking and scoring tools for informational and community purposes only. Heart rate data and effort scores are not intended to replace professional medical or fitness guidance. You use the Service at your own risk.
Supporter Notifications and Communications
The Service may allow you to invite supporters who receive notifications when you achieve fitness milestones or complete goals. By adding a supporter, you represent that you have their consent to receive notifications from True Effort.
All outbound SMS communications comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Supporters may opt out of SMS notifications at any time by replying STOP. Email communications comply with CAN-SPAM requirements.
Intellectual Property
The Service, including its scoring algorithms, software, design, and content, is owned by True Effort and protected by applicable intellectual property laws. You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works from any part of the Service without our written permission.
You retain ownership of any content you submit to the Service (such as journal entries and goals). By submitting content, you grant us a limited license to store and display that content solely to provide the Service to you.
Privacy
Our Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using the Service, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Key points:
- We do not sell your personal data to advertisers or third parties
- Heart rate and biometric data is used only to calculate your effort scores
- Faith data is always private unless you explicitly opt in to streak sharing
- You may request deletion of your account and data at any time by contacting us
Third-Party Services
The Service integrates with third-party platforms including Garmin, Strava, and API.Bible. These integrations are provided for your convenience. We are not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or practices of third-party services. Your use of those services is governed by their own terms.
Disclaimers
THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, ERROR-FREE, OR FREE OF HARMFUL COMPONENTS. WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Limitation of Liability
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TRUE EFFORT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY CLAIMS SHALL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT YOU PAID TO US IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR $100, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless True Effort and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your use of the Service, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any third-party rights.
Termination
We may suspend or terminate your access to the Service at any time, with or without notice, for any reason including violation of these Terms. You may terminate your account at any time through the Settings screen. Upon termination, your right to use the Service ceases immediately.
Sections 9, 11, 14, 15, 16, and 19 survive termination.
Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify you by posting the updated Terms on the Service and updating the effective date. Your continued use of the Service after changes take effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated Terms.
Governing Law and Disputes
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in North Carolina, and you consent to personal jurisdiction in those courts.
Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms, please reach out:
Last updated: April 1, 2026