Aaron Keay grew up in North Delta, British Columbia, where his early life revolved around sport. He played at the highest level—representing Canada in soccer, playing professionally in Europe, and suiting up for the Vancouver Whitecaps. But what’s more interesting than his success on the pitch is what came after.
After retiring from professional athletics, Aaron didn’t step away from competition—he just changed fields. He started building businesses. He first partnered in a fitness company, learning what it takes to motivate people and build communities. That experience sparked a deeper passion for entrepreneurship and personal growth.
Now, as founder of Kommunity Fitness, he’s developed a unique approach to group training—blending physical challenge with connection and high-end design. He’s opening his second studio in Kitsilano and preparing to expand into the U.S.
Aaron also leads Klutch Financial, his investment firm, and sits on the advisory board for RX3 Growth Partners, a fund co-founded by Aaron Rodgers.
His story isn’t about overnight success. It’s about stacking wins—one step, one pivot, one lesson at a time. From IPOs to community workouts, Aaron’s work reflects a belief in doing things with intention.
What makes his path stand out is how much he gives back along the way. Whether mentoring young entrepreneurs, supporting charities like Music Heals and KidsSafe, or training alongside his own kids, Aaron leads by example. And it’s that quiet consistency that draws people in—and moves them forward.
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Aaron, you’ve had a wide-ranging journey—from professional athlete to investor to entrepreneur. What keeps you inspired?
Honestly, it’s the process. When I was younger, everything was about outcomes—win the game, get the deal, close the investment. But over time, I’ve come to really enjoy the build. I find inspiration in structure, in momentum, in watching something go from an idea to something real.
Even in fitness, which is such a core part of my life, it’s the same. You show up, do the work, and after a while you realise it’s not about the perfect result—it’s about discipline. That inspires me. That mindset.
A lot of people struggle with believing in their ideas. How do you build confidence in what you’re doing?
I think confidence comes from doing the hard stuff quietly first. When I started Kommunity Fitness, I didn’t make a big splash right away. I worked on the model. I tested it. I tried to figure out what made it different. Only after we had a member base who loved it did I think, “Okay, now we’re ready to grow.”
Same with investing. I was an investor in RX3 Growth Partners long before I joined their board. I watched how they worked, how they supported brands. That made me more confident when the opportunity came to step in more officially.
You’re now preparing to franchise Kommunity Fitness and expanding into the US. That’s a big move. How do you stay grounded while taking that kind of risk?
One step at a time. It’s tempting to look at the big picture and get overwhelmed but being an entrepreneur keeps you humbled and grounded! But I focus on execution. Is our next location ready? Are the right people in place?
I also don’t think of risk as something to fear. When I played soccer for Canada and in Europe, risk was just part of the game. You make a play, you miss it, you adjust. In business, it’s the same. What’s the downside? Usually it’s time, effort, ego. You learn, you move on.
What’s one lesson from your early athletic career that still shows up in your business life today?
Trust your preparation. I can’t tell you how many times that shows up. Before a game, before a pitch, before a launch—if you’ve done the reps, it shows. If you haven’t, that shows too.
There’s also a real benefit in staying level. Athletes know how to reset quickly. I try to carry that into everything—meetings, leadership, investments. You win one day, lose the next, and you just keep going.
You’ve worked with big names through RX3—Aaron Rodgers, Kevin Hart, Vanessa Hudgens. What’s that like from a business perspective?
It’s great because the brands we work with through RX3 are trying to connect culturally. So having people at the table who know how to tell a story, how to build an audience—that’s powerful.
But they’re also people. Everyone on that team is there because they bring something beyond fame. That’s what makes it work. I don’t know them all personally, but from what I can see – It’s not about celebrity – it’s about impact and the brands they want to be associated with.
What would you say to someone who’s just getting started but feels like the journey ahead is too big?
Have a Plan – Show up – Be Consistent and Maintain your focus. Do the same things every day that moves you forward—whether it’s reading, planning, training, building.
You don’t have to know the full path. I didn’t. I still don’t. But I know how to take the next step and the step after that. You have to grind, as being an opportunity is always a grind. That’s always enough.
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