Meet Keon Saghari of NeonKeon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keon Saghari aka neonkeon.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started dancing at three years old (trained in classical ballet and modern/ contemporary) and over the last decade, I danced professionally as a concert modern dancer in the Bay Area, CA – touring and performing across the states and internationally. Dance has always been my constant, the object of my passion and focus… but I hit a point where the effort spent to see success began to outweigh the joy. My priorities were shifting and my relationship to dance was beginning to feel less fulfilling than it used to.

I moved to Los Angeles and decided to explore the commercial scene. After two years of the hustle and grind, one portion of which I was working three jobs while teaching yoga, auditioning every week, and working dance projects on the side, I finally hit a wall. I was burnt out and dispirited. I couldn’t go a day without breaking down. I knew I needed to make a change, but the fear of redefining my relationship to dance was very real. Making changes would pose a threat to my identity as a ‘dancer’ or an ‘artist’, and grappling with that was incredibly painful. Skating became an escape, it was a new form of movement to pour myself into. It allowed me to continue experiencing the joy of connecting with my body without the negative emotions that were fused to the career I was disengaging from. I was a beginner again and I had no expectations or goals, just a desire to explore! I was able to be present in every moment; it quickly became a mediative practice, and every time I leveled up I became more and more invested. Throughout that entire process, not only did I discover a new passion, but I also connected with a new community that I am incredibly grateful for.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’m very proud of my dance career and I feel lucky to say I’ve worked with incredible choreographers, performed on beautiful stages, and moved with insanely talented dancers. Despite that, I’ve always had a tumultuous relationship with dance, and it’s left a wound on my heart that I continue to heal as I grow. It set foundations for unhealthy mental patterns; desiring an unattainable ideal physique, navigating toxic work environments, acquiescing to abusive directors, nursing chronic injuries, and facing constant unhealthy competition. What primarily kept me going was my love for performing on stage. Live performance is the one place where I felt truly free to show my artistry. Anything can happen during a live show, so it requires you to be hyper present. All the rehearsals, all the work, all the injuries, all the struggle was worth it to be on stage.

My interest in skating was driven by my desire to reconnect with that hyper present feeling like I had on stage. Anything can happen when you’re on wheels – you are forced to drop in and listen to everything going on in your body. That sensation is addicting and gave me motivation to keep learning. Was it easy? Hell no! In the beginning, I would fall, feel frustrated and get stuck, but the beauty of skating is that you just keep rolling. With every fall, you’re taught a new lesson, with every mistake you learn what you need to correct. Over time, my body retained the new information and now, after about two years of committed work, I’ve gotten to a place where I can let my dancing shine through. Of course, I still fall and have so much to learn, but when I skate, I get into a zone where I feel transcended to a state of bliss. That’s where I find my groove or unlock new movement. It doesn’t matter if I’m at the rink, skating the beach path, or at a dirty parking lot.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
After years of freelancing as a dance artist, I’ve learned how to speak up for myself, to know my worth, and to only accept projects that align with me. I love to collaborate with creatives of all types and now I have the opportunity to do so on my own terms; I don’t feel like I’m at the mercy of a director or producer or choreographer. There is now space to collaborate more, be credited for my ideas, and feel empowered to say “no”.

I plan to continue to develop and grow my neonkeon brand, incorporating skating into a variety of different avenues. I want to collaborate and bring positive and inspired work into the world; so continuing to build partnerships with other brands who share a similar mission and aesthetic as me is key. Lastly, I want to continue to do deep work; develop who I am as a skater, explore my artistry, stay playful, and expand my mind, body and soul. This is truly the happiest I’ve been in a long, long time, and what makes it even better is the fact that I get to share my skating with the world. It’s joy, It’s cathartic… It’s feel good vibes only.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Social media, specifically Instagram and TikTok, have played a huge role in the recognition I’ve received for my skating. Was it luck? It depends on how you define it. I was certainly in the right place at the right time. Not only am I living in one of the skate capitals of the world, but I was mentored by several OG Venice Beach skaters who welcomed me into their skate community and are now dear friends… But I sought it out and put in the work. Some of my closest friends in LA are my skate mates – we met at the rinks and skate with each other as much as humanly possible, wherever and whenever we can.

Initially, I started sharing my skate videos because I finally felt comfortable and confident enough to show my progress. I had found my flow and was able to perform at a level that allowed me to express myself artistically. From there, my videos started to get more and more views. After a few viral videos, my following had significantly grown, and new opportunities presented. I never anticipated that roller skating would evolve my artistic career in this way. At first, I simply skated to feel free and elevated. I was challenged, but in a manner that felt incredibly rewarding.

 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.neonkeon.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/neonkeon

Image Credit:
Sarah Bosworth, Jason Travis, Gabriel Mendoza Weiss, Claire Lejune, Katarina Flickinger

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