Kegan Hertz has been an athlete his entire life. But the version of him that runs arrived late. Uninvited. And turned out to be exactly what he needed.
Not for competition. Not for distance. For the one place where the obsession with growth, the refusal to settle — finds its rhythm and goes still.
“This is the only place where the noise goes quiet.”
Basketball Was His Foundation
Before the weights. Before GET A GRIP. Before the early morning miles — there was basketball.
It was his cornerstone. The sport through which he first understood discipline, consistency, and competition. When he eventually stepped away to fully pursue GET A GRIP, lifting and bodybuilding became his primary training. For a long time, running and cardio were nowhere in the picture.
Then his body intervened.
Chest pains. Electrical shock sensations down his arm. A doctor's recommendation: Zone 2 cardio, multiple times a week.
“I didn't choose running. Running kind of chose me.”
Over time, running became more than a health requirement. It gave him a different kind of discipline outside the gym — one that challenged him mentally in ways he had not expected.
Three Days a Week
Kegan runs Zone 2. Roads when the weather allows. Treadmill when it does not. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays — consistent, steady, purposeful.
“It's less about speed for me and more about endurance, consistency, and overall health.”
It has become a steady part of both his physical and mental routine. A space that is his alone.
He believes disciplined people are constantly resisting the temptation to settle for less than what they know they're capable of. That mindset, he says, comes from his upbringing and past failures — experiences that built his obsession with growth and purpose.
“Everything I do is tied to becoming the person I know I'm capable of being and inspiring others to do the same.”
“I know the way I think can be intense, and maybe even rare in some ways.”
Photo: Kegan Hertz
Built Before He Became It
GET A GRIP was born before Kegan became a runner. Before he had fully become the person he was building it for.
He grew up in a small town where he felt people settled for less than what they were truly capable of. Growing up without a father meant maturing quickly — finding his own way forward without a blueprint.
“I became obsessed with growth, purpose, and chasing the person I knew I could become.”
He built GET A GRIP around that obsession — a brand representing growth, discipline, and becoming the best version of yourself every single day. At first it was connected to lifting, training, and mindset. Then running entered his life. And the brand evolved alongside him.
“Looking back, it's cool to realize I started building this before I had fully become the person I am today. In a way, everything came full circle.”
The Run He Would Choose
If Kegan Hertz could run anywhere in the world, he would choose somewhere tropical. Somewhere deep in nature. A place that feels peaceful, grounded, and bigger than the person standing in it.
“I've always felt the most clarity in environments like that.”
And if he could choose anyone to run beside him, he would not choose a coach or a training partner.
He would choose the younger version of himself.
“I think he would be proud of the man I've become, the struggles I pushed through, and the life I'm building today. I think that run would mean more to me than anything else.”
Photo: Kegan Hertz
The most meaningful run he can imagine is not about destination or distance. It is about showing someone — an earlier version of himself — that the person he was becoming was always worth becoming.
Kegan Hertz is the founder of GET A GRIP, a performance brand for athletes and those who live an active lifestyle. Follow his journey on Instagram: @keganhertz.
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