Rising Stars: Meet Keith Kilgore Jr of Camarillo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Kilgore Jr.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
First off I have to give credit to my pops who ran the LA Marathon back in the day. When I was in my early 20’s and in my addiction, he asked me if I wanted to go on a run with him. I figured he was old so why not haha. We ran from Wilmington to Inglewood and back which I think was around 17 miles but honestly who knows. I just know it took a long time and he kept asking me if I was all right. Maybe it was my youth or not knowing any better but that ended up being a very enjoyable moment. Unfortunately the next day was not so much because I could barely walk. I told him that’d be the last time Id run. Well I guess not because after many years of struggling with addiction, picking up running felt like it was waiting for me all along. My first run back after quitting alcohol, drugs, and cigarettes Id say was a ride on the struggle bus. All I wanted to do was run a mile in Carson off Figueroa to Target and back. Let’s just say it took me a whole lot longer than anything Id run now. I stopped multiple times, threw up, and sat at Target questioning my life choices at the time. This is where God comes in because I wanted to quit everything else so bad, he gave me something accessible to hold onto. Quitting everything you want usually comes with leaving what you know behind and every time I ran, it felt like I was getting closer to the person I wanted to be. The more I ran, the better I got and the better person I started to become. Then my girlfriend at the time and now wife asked me if I wanted to move to Ventura County. Im a military brat so I lived many places but Inglewood was the longest I ever lived anywhere and I got a permit to go to Santa Monica High, but I had never even heard of Ventura County. That move has been one of the best decisions I ever made because it took me out of city life and introduced me to the outdoors and most importantly….trail running. I went running with a group led by my best friend Brandon at a place called Hill Canyon and that opened me up spiritually more than anything. I had a new addiction and that was my feet hitting dirt as much as I could. Maybe it reminded me of putting Metro Bus rides together (I never had a driver license until I was 30) but connecting new trails and exploring places was everything to me and I even got a job as a hiking guide for a while. The more I did it though, the more I realized I didnt see many people who looked like me. This was no accident so I connected with SoCalTrail and became the Director of Community Outreach. This position allowed me to organize, lead an amazing team, and speak from my heart that my mission was to introduce this connection to all who wanted to try. We put on the Tour of LA running events every summer getting around 100-250 people from all walks of life connecting with one another. I have been grateful to meet so many wonderful people in this space who truly what to do for others. Theres more than people think! Ever since throwing on those running shoes Ive joined the Run With Us Pasadena race team, ran many trail races, road races, track races and been introduced to a side of myself I never knew existed while still learning more. I have met people I’ll be connected with my entire life and I have plenty of encouragement to try many things in my life that I thought I couldn’t before.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I dont think anything is a smooth road for anyone. The first and hardest thing I ever learned through therapy was accountability. Taking ownership of my life and all the decisions that led me to this point. We ALL have things that happen to us but the mirror is normally your biggest roadblock. I still have to fight the urge to blame other things and people until it all comes back to decisions that I made whether conscious or subconscious.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Ive been a run coach for many years and I currently work as a physical therapist aide as well. I specialize in connecting with people mainly over performance because running is life and life is running. Normally who you are in situations when running or racing is the same person in every other situation. Now I have been fortunate to coach some wonderful athletes, everything from winners of races to people running their first race but mainly the goal is to help them enjoy what they are doing. I just try to be the best me in every situation possible. I dont know it all and nor am I someone who’s reinventing the wheel but Im constantly yearning to learn and grow and I think thats what my. athletes or people I work with see in me.

What does success mean to you?
Success to me is if I have been blessed to see another day, take advantage of it. Be of service including to yourself and you’ll be successful the rest of your life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://keithkilgoreruncoaching.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keith_kilgorejr/
• Other: https://www.strava.com/athletes/70352414