Growing Up Competitive in Vancouver

Aaron Keay grew up in North Delta, just outside Vancouver. Sport shaped his early life. “If there was a ball involved, I wanted to play,” he says. Basketball and soccer became his focus, and he quickly moved into high-level competition.

He represented British Columbia in both sports and later played soccer for Canada at multiple levels. His career took him to Europe, then back home to play for the Vancouver 86ers and the Vancouver Whitecaps. While competing professionally, he also earned a degree in Business and Human Kinetics from the University of British Columbia.

In 1997, he was named CIAU Student-Athlete of the Year. “That one stayed with me,” he says. “It wasn’t just about performance on the field. It was about showing discipline everywhere.”

The Shift From Athlete to Business Operator

When his playing career ended, Keay didn’t rush into the next big thing. He started in fitness, working as a personal trainer. The role gave him daily exposure to motivation, habits, and how people actually change.

“Training taught me a lot about consistency,” he says. “You see quickly who shows up and who doesn’t.”

From there, he moved into corporate finance. It was a different environment, but the competitive edge carried over. He learned how capital moves, how deals are structured, and how timing matters. That foundation would shape the rest of his career.

Spotting Opportunity Early

One of Keay’s most well-known early moves was his involvement with OrganiGram, one of the first publicly listed cannabis companies. The company later reached a valuation of $3 billion at its peak.

At the time, the sector was uncertain and often misunderstood. “It wasn’t about hype,” he explains. “It was about regulation, consumer demand, and patience.”

That experience reinforced a core belief. Build value first. Let results follow. After exiting that chapter, he widened his focus to consumer products, technology, and wellness.

Building Across Consumer, Tech, and Wellness

Keay now manages his family office, Klutch Financial, and sits on the advisory board of RX3 Growth Partners, a consumer-focused fund co-founded by NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers. His work centres on brands that sit at the intersection of lifestyle, performance, and daily use.

“I’m drawn to businesses that people actually use,” he says. “If a product becomes part of someone’s routine, that’s powerful.”

That thinking led him to launch Kommunity Fitness, a boutique group training concept in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood. The studio blends guided video workouts, design-led space, and a strong emphasis on community.

“We didn’t want another gym,” Keay says. “We wanted a place where people felt comfortable pushing themselves and connecting with others.”

Why Community Matters in Business

Across sport and business, Keay keeps coming back to one idea: people perform better when they feel supported. That belief shapes how he builds teams and brands.

“In sport, you rely on the group,” he says. “Business is no different. Culture decides how far you can go.”

Kommunity Fitness reflects that view. The layout encourages interaction. Classes are structured to create shared effort. Members know each other by name. The result is stronger engagement and consistency.

This focus on community also shows up in his philanthropic work. Keay has supported organisations like Kidsafe, Music Heals, and the Canadian Cancer Society. He has also funded scholarships for student-athletes.

“People helped me early on,” he says. “Giving back isn’t complicated. You just show up.”

Staying Grounded Through Movement

Despite his business commitments, Keay stays close to sport. He plays competitive golf, trains for Hyrox events, and stays active year-round.

“Movement keeps me level,” he says. “It’s where I think clearly.”

That balance between physical effort and strategic work defines his approach. He doesn’t separate performance from wellbeing. Each supports the other.

Lessons From a Non-Linear Career

Looking back, Keay doesn’t describe his career as a series of pivots. He sees it as progression. Each phase built skills that carried forward.

“Sport gave me structure. Finance gave me patience. Entrepreneurship gave me perspective,” he says.

His advice to others is practical. Learn early. Build strong relationships. Don’t chase every trend. “Focus on execution,” he adds. “Ideas are easy. Follow-through is where things get real.”

A Vancouver Story Still Unfolding

Aaron Keay Vancouver represents a modern kind of leadership. One shaped by competition, informed by experience, and grounded in community. From the soccer pitch to the boardroom, his career shows how big ideas take shape when discipline meets timing.

He isn’t finished building. But the pattern is clear. Start with people. Build with care. Keep moving forward.