AN INTERVIEW WITH DC OKONTA, FHF COACH & AT-LARGE CANDIDATE
We sat down with Freight House Fitness coach DC Okonta to talk about his run for Kansas City’s 4th District-at-Large and how he balances his career and fitness with his campaign. Read on to learn more about his passion and vision for the city, and check out his website (DC4KC.com) and IG page (@DC4KC) for campaign updates, including upcoming events.
Why did you decide to run for KC’s 4th District-at-Large?
I love Kansas City. This is my home. I want to see everyone here thrive. There is so much going on in the world right now that we don’t have any control over but here at the local level, we do. I can do my part in making this city a better place for folks who live and work here. I decided to run because I knew there was more I could be doing to meet this end. I decided to run because it was time for me to be audacious. I want to make sure that the city is doing everything it can to help make the lives of the people who call Kansas City home a little easier. And I decided to run because I wanted to remind folks that running for office is about serving others, not serving yourself. I hope to embody that whether I become an elected official or not.
Can you talk about your focus on healthier communities and what that looks like to you?
To me, a healthy community is one that is both accessible and affordable. It meets the needs of everyone, regardless of race, gender, financial status or ability. A healthy community acknowledges historical harms and works toward reconciliation and corrective action. It provides access to affordable housing, reliable and affordable (or free) public transit, healthy food near neighborhoods, livable wage employment, and comprehensive health care, including mental health services, all within reach of home.
A healthy community has the resources and infrastructure to support its most vulnerable members. It fosters walkability and other opportunities for physical activity, addressing safety, lighting, sidewalks and parks. It empowers those closest to the challenges to lead the way toward solutions, whether for crime prevention, violence reduction or other community issues. Ultimately, a healthy community helps people move from surviving to living and from living to truly thriving.
How does your passion for community tie into your passion for fitness?
My passion for community connects closely to my passion for fitness. In both my fitness community and my broader community, we have each other’s backs. We root for one another and push each other, not in competition, but as a challenge against ourselves, helping each other grow. I want everyone in my city, my district and my neighborhood to thrive. I want people to have what they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives and to cultivate a positive relationship with themselves and the world around them. Similarly, in fitness, wellness starts from the inside out and grows stronger in a supportive environment.
How has your career in public health and as a fitness coach helped inform you on the challenges our communities face?
Physical activity is one of the most significant ways to improve health and reduce your risk of chronic disease. Public health teaches us that health is largely shaped by social factors, the conditions in which we live, work and play, as well as our access to resources and power. These factors include our physical environment, access to quality education, affordable housing, reliable transportation, health care and employment opportunities. Generally, the greater a person’s access to quality housing, education, health care and living-wage jobs, the better their health outcomes and vice versa.
Fitness and physical activity are also influenced by these social factors. In Kansas City, some neighborhoods aren’t walkable or safe due to disinvestment and lack of opportunity; some residents lack transportation to green spaces like parks; and some residents face crime, violence or financial barriers that prevent them from accessing gyms, parks or wellness programs. Working in both public health and fitness has shown me that we must address these challenges at their roots. If we only react to symptoms rather than preventing the problems, they will continue to persist and worsen over time.
Lastly, fitness spaces should be as welcoming, inclusive and equitable as possible. Not everyone starts at the same fitness level, pace, ability, body size or with the same relationship to movement. As a coach, it’s important to recognize those differences and meet people where they are.
The same principle applies to the people I hope to serve. In Kansas City, different neighborhoods and communities have unique needs, and they deserve thoughtful, tailored responses.
Why is it important to you to keep up your career as a fitness coach as you campaign?
It’s important for me to continue my work as a fitness coach during my campaign because Freight House has been a place where I’ve found community, and right now, it’s one of the few constants in my life. Every Tuesday at 4:25 a.m., I wake up to coach my 5:15, 6 and 6:45 a.m. classes. When I’m coaching, I can tap into a part of myself that’s more relaxed and playful. I get to move and groove to the music while helping people power through a tough workout, the first thing many of them do in their day. I get to help them build a positive relationship with fitness, and for a little while, I can forget everything else and just be fully present.
Why would you encourage others to stay active even during the busiest times in their lives?
Being active is a very normal thing for me. I’ve played sports in high school (basketball, track) and in college (track and field). I’ve shifted into the fitness and the run club world for the last several years. Being active grounds me. It helps regulate my stress levels, my mental and emotional health, and it’s something that is purely for myself. It keeps my body in good shape to deal with stress, and it’s an excellent tool to prevent chronic disease. For example, running a few miles helps me ascertain what part of my body needs the most attention. Staying active while I’m busy also helps to build a positive routine for the time AFTER campaigning. I know that this part of my life will change and the habits I’ve formed while running for office will stay with me for a very long time. So instead of turning to something that is short-term gratification, I’ll do something that is good for my mind and body.
Anything else you want people to know about you as a candidate and how to support you? Or ways to get involved in their own communities?
The primary election is on Tuesday, April 6 , 2027.
This is an at-large campaign, so if you live in the city of Kansas City, you can vote for me (share and tell your friends/family).
What I want people to know most about my campaign is that I don’t fit the mold of a “typical” candidate. I’ve never run for or held political office, and I’m not tied to any system or special interests, only to the people I’m running to serve.
I work full time in public health and coach at a gym. I do what I can to show up for my community. And I try my best to make time for my family, friends and being outside in the sun.
I’m running this race because I see what’s happening around my country, state and city. I see people getting left behind. I’m tired of watching people struggle to pay rent, get reliable transportation or put food on the table. I’m running to do something about it. I want to serve the people of this city and make sure working people can earn what they deserve and afford to live here.
I’m here for working class people. I’m for affordability. I’m for healthy communities and neighborhoods. And as Kansas City grows, I want to make sure no one gets left behind. I want people to feel like they belong, and I want city government to be a support, not an obstacle.
Here are a few ways to get involved in your community:
Show up and speak out, whether that’s protesting injustice or standing against actions that harm people.
Contact your elected officials and make your voice heard on issues that matter to you.
Donate or volunteer for local causes you believe in (I often support food-based initiatives).
Support local businesses, especially those that align with your values.
Get to know your neighbors and build relationships within your community.
Participate in community defense workshops and join mutual aid efforts, including supporting immigrant communities.
Consider running for office if you feel called to serve.
And most importantly, VOTE.
Join DC every Tuesday at 5:15, 6 and 6:45 a.m. for Tabata Tuesday! Sign up on the app.