MY JOURNEY TO FITNESS

Hi, my name is Keaton Koy. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and for a long time, I wanted to start my career as an automotive technician and hoped to own my own shop. I loved working with my hands, diagnosing problems, and fixing cars. It was a dream I had worked hard toward.

Then life threw me a curveball. In February 2021, I was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), which caused a significant loss of my vision. This sudden change meant I could no longer work on cars, and I had to completely rethink my future.

During that difficult time, I found something unexpected—fitness. I started going to the gym to stay active, and it quickly turned into a passion. As I learned more about bodybuilding, strength training, and how the body works, I realized it wasn’t just about physical transformation—it was about mental resilience, confidence, and pushing past limits. Friends said I motivated them to want to start working out and even wanted me to train them, which was my first inkling that this could be my new path forward. I also competed in my first natural bodybuilding show in Austin, TX in June 2024!

Now, I’m an NASM Certified Personal Trainer at Illuminate Heights. I want to help others experience the same sense of empowerment that I found through fitness. I know firsthand what it’s like to face unexpected challenges, and I believe fitness can be a powerful tool to regain control, confidence, and a sense of purpose.

When I’m not in the gym, you’ll probably find me spending time with my dogs, listening to music or videos about fitness and science. One of my favorite pro bodybuilders Paul Krueger says, "Be a learn-it-all, not a know-it-all," and that’s what I try to bring into my training—a love for learning, hard work, and growth.