The Road to Pro after 40
Entering Men’s Physique at 44, becoming a two-division NPC champion, and pursuing an IFBB Pro Card without pretending the outcome is guaranteed.
MEDIA · INTERVIEWS · COLLABORATIONS
A real story.
Still unfolding.
Champion athlete. Gym founder. Father. Performer and Bay Area creator. I’m documenting the pursuit of a Pro Card while building original entertainment and the next chapter of a life shaped by repeated reinvention.
CURRENT STORY · OCTOBER 11, 2026
A coach, a dad and a competitor.
Still building at 47.
Keith is preparing for Mother Lode on October 17 after placing fifth in Masters 40+ at Ace of Stage on October 3. His story connects competitive progress, four consistent years of bodybuilding, family life and the Redwood City community he built at ObstaCourse Fitness.
Professional Ace of Stage photos are now available to view. For media photo requests, contact Keith. Photography: Gilco Productions.
View the current stage gallery →NPCMen’s Physique athlete
on the Road to Pro
on the Road to Pro
2×2025 Ace of Stage
first-place champion
first-place champion
2017Founded ObstaCourse Fitness
in Redwood City
in Redwood City
44Age at his first
Men’s Physique show
Men’s Physique show
STORY & INTERVIEW ANGLES
There’s more here than
another fitness story.
Rebuilding after the accident
A near-fatal motorcycle accident at 15, two long periods without the ability to walk, and the road back to the passion that started as a teenager.
The founder under real pressure
Building ObstaCourse Fitness in 2017, rebuilding after COVID, and pursuing an extreme athletic goal while running a real community business.
The athlete who is also an entertainer
How childhood drawing, acting instincts, characters, and humor became original comedy rooted in real Bay Area people and businesses.
Fatherhood and the pursuit
Showing up for Jack and Logan from youth football through Logan’s college ambitions, supporting Lucy’s dance, and pursuing something difficult without disappearing from family life.
Building confidence in public
Why identity has to be backed by action—and why believing in yourself can help other people become who they know they can be.
GRIT. FREEDOM. CREATION.COPY-READY BIO
Keith Kern
Short bio
Keith Kern is the 47-year-old founder of ObstaCourse Fitness in Redwood City, a coach, father of three and NPC Men’s Physique competitor pursuing an IFBB Pro Card. His Road to Pro follows the training, competition, family life, humor and real reflections behind that pursuit.
Extended bio
Keith Kern found bodybuilding as a teenager before a near-fatal motorcycle accident at 15 led to two long periods without the ability to walk. After raising a family, rebuilding his health, finding strength and conditioning, and founding ObstaCourse Fitness in Redwood City in 2017, he returned to the passion that first lit him up. Keith entered NPC Men’s Physique at 44 and won Masters 45+ and Open Class D at the 2025 Ace of Stage. Today he is pursuing—not claiming—an IFBB Pro Card while running OCF, creating original Bay Area entertainment, and sharing what it takes to keep becoming without abandoning the people and responsibilities that give the pursuit meaning.
APPROVED PHOTOS
Ready to feature.
These images may be used for editorial coverage, podcast promotion, event listings, or aligned collaborations. Credit Keith Kern and link to KeithKernLife.com or @keith_kern_78.
THE RIGHT FIT
Podcasts. Local media. Events.
Original collaborations.
Keith is a fit for interviews and profiles, local television and news, podcast conversations, event appearances, athlete and fitness partnerships, and comedic brand collaborations grounded in a real story.
Contact Keith ↗