BONUS: "I knew a Fitness Godfather."

What makes a gym more than just a place to sweat? In this special bonus episode of This One Time in Kankakee, Kaelin Patterson shares the story of Ken Castongia—known to the "Morning Crew" at Fit Body U as the Fitness Godfather.

Ken was a man living with Parkinson’s, but he refused to let his diagnosis define his spirit. Kaelin, a long-time employee of Fit Body U, recounts his friendship with Ken, the witty dry humor that kept the gym floor laughing, and the surprising family connection with Brandi Jensen that brought the story full circle.

From a "small world" realization to a life-saving intervention alongside Steve Wilder, this episode explores how a simple gym routine turned into seven extra years of meaningful life for a beloved local man. It is a testament to the power of showing up for one another and the unique "Godfather" energy Ken Castongia left behind.

This bonus episode is solely sponsored by the 2026 Juneteenth Jamboree. Celebrate strength, freedom, and community on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Lisieux Pastoral Center in Kankakee. The event features The Natural Physique Showcase, a drug-tested bodybuilding competition for all ages.

• Spectator Admission: $10
• Athletes: $50 initial registration / $20 additional category
• Location: 381 St. Joseph Ave, Kankakee, IL
• Inquiries: kaelinpatterson@gmail.com

Sponsors: Noodles and Company, Stacked Nutrition, Po Boys, Maxwell & Brady Schumer, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Netherton’s Bodyshop, and Jensen’s Funeral Home.

Want more from the WVLI Podcast Network? Listen to the WVLI News Update with Rob West every weekday morning! Get the days local news from the greater Kankakee County, IL area in 10 minutes or less. 

Subscribe now on your preferred podcast platform: https://wvlinewsupdate.buzzsprout.com

The Voices You Trust, Beyond The Dial.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:03

Support for this one time in Kankiki comes from the Juneteenth Chamboree. On Saturday, June 20th, 2026, the Lazoo Pastoral Center in Kankakee will host a celebration of strength and freedom. The day features the Natural Physique Showcase, a premier fitness event for all ages. If you aren't competing, come out and support the athletes. Admission is just$10 for spectators. We'll have more details on the Jamboree later on in the episode.

SPEAKER_01 0:39

This one time in Kankakee. I knew a fitness godfather.

SPEAKER_00 0:46

Welcome to this special bonus episode of this one time in Kankakee from the WVLI Podcast Network. I'm Jake Clamore. This episode is about a different side of Kankakee. It's about a relationship formed at Fitbody U Gym, a story about a local man with a tough diagnosis and the impact he had on everyone who crossed his path. Kalen Patterson is a personal trainer at Fitbody U. It was in the gym's kitchen where he was first introduced to a man named Ken Castonia, who immediately commanded the room with his presence.

SPEAKER_01 1:37

And then when I saw everyone centered around him, it kind of took me off guard because he was of age, and I was thinking, man, this guy's pretty witty. And he had this humor. It was very dry wit, but not hurtful or spiteful or anything to demean or degrade anyone he was engaging with. But man, he was so fast with those jokes.

SPEAKER_00 2:04

Kalen describes a specific social hierarchy at the gym. Ken wasn't just a member, he was a part of a legendary morning crew that included several familiar local faces.

SPEAKER_01 2:51

Oh, he had a walking stick. And the way he had it sitting, and he was sitting back, I said, man, you look Godfather fit by you. And it just stuck. And I, you know, it's one of those, it's it's said in a joking fashion. Like I said, not anything to take away from who he was. And we would basically try and picture him as the godfather. And then he basically took that mantra and ran with it. And it worked so very well. Because, like I said, he was so good to everybody there. Never disrespectful, never demeaning, never spiteful.

SPEAKER_00 3:30

Ken was navigating life with Parkinson's disease. But Ken's humor about his condition became a point of inspiration for everyone at Fitbody U.

SPEAKER_01 3:41

He was always like, hey, can you help me? Because I know everybody wants to use it, and I just want to use it first because I'm old and I got that right. You know, he was just that guy. And it was so fun dealing with him that you had to remember that it did. And it was very hard for me with the Parkinsons because on his last day, the last person on this earth to have a conversation with him was me.

SPEAKER_00 4:15

We'll return to Kaylin's story in just a moment. This bonus episode of This One Time in Kankiki is made possible by the Juneteenth Jamboree. Join us June 20th, 2026 at the Lazou Pastoral Center, 381 St. Joseph Avenue in Kankakee from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The highlight of the day is the Natural Physique Showcase, featuring male and female entries and masters and teenager categories. Registration is$50 for the initial category and$20 for additional ones. If you're coming to watch the competition and enjoy the celebration, there's a$10 admission fee. We would like to thank the sponsors who make this event possible Noodles and Company, Stacked Nutrition, Poe Boys, Maxwell and Brady Schumer, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Netherton's Body Shop, and Jensen Funeral Home. For more info, you can email Kalen Patterson at gmail.com. Now back to Kalen's story. In a town like Kankakee, connections often run deep. Kalen had been the instructor for a kickboxing class, and one of the people who was attending was Brandi Jensen of Jensen Funeral Homes. It took some time before Kaylin realized exactly who she was and what her connection to Ken was.

SPEAKER_01 5:45

She was very energetic, very outspoken about what worked for her, what didn't, and what she needed improvement on. So we had we we got to know each other very well. And then she came in and hugged Ken and I was like, you know this guy? And it was so crazy because that's my dad. And I was like, you know, I feel stupid right now. But anyway, when we were going into the conversation, I said, now it makes so much sense with you being the person you are being taught by this person, it makes so much more sense. And I said, then I started thinking about when people would tell me as a kid, boy, you act just like your dad. Now it makes sense because I get to see it on the outside, and that was so heartfelt because you could see the love and the hug they had for each other.

SPEAKER_00 6:43

Ken collapsed as he was heading to his vehicle. Immediately, the mayor and Kaelin jumped into action.

SPEAKER_01 6:52

The last person on this earth to have a conversation with him was me. And that was crazy because he sat down on the hammer strength incline machine, and he poured out his heart how much he loved his family, how much he loved his wife, how much he loved the people in the gym, and he was just so aware that everyone was pulling for him each and every day. And he just got so deep into it. And I was thinking, you know, who am I to be speaking with him about the things we were speaking? But, you know, in hindsight, I'm so grateful because the things he said he couldn't share after that because when he walked out of the door, he collapsed.

SPEAKER_00 7:40

Ken collapsed as he was heading to his vehicle. Immediately, the mayor and the godfather's trainer jumped into action.

SPEAKER_01 7:49

So, you know, Steve was working on him for a little bit, and I was, and we were doing the breath, getting breaths into him. And we were able to sustain him until the paramedics got there, and obviously they had to do some work on him before they could put him on the cart, but they were able to get him breathing again to where they even got a pulse, and then they took him to the hospital.

SPEAKER_00 8:14

Ken didn't pass away that afternoon. Because of quick intervention at the gym, Ken Castonia was able to hold on a little bit longer.

SPEAKER_01 8:23

His birthday was either prior to that or just after, but he lived through his birthday, and then he he passed after that. And I knew when his daughter came into the gym the bad news she was going to be sharing, and I just cried like a baby. Because he he just he was so much a part of my day.

SPEAKER_00 8:49

Ken's wife eventually returned to the gym to share the afterstory. How those years at Fitbody U had fundamentally changed their lives.

SPEAKER_01 8:59

The willingness to get to the gym was the one thing she did not ever want to argue because obviously he's getting up, he's being active, and she gets to be around him for the day. Because he said prior to that he would be very sedentary, napping and dozing, and so basically he was in the house, but they weren't together. When he was exercising, he was always engaging with her before because he she would drive him there, and then she would come and get him and drive him home. So basically it was a conversation going, there was a conversation coming home, and then there was a conversation in the house, and that was something she never expected from him going to the gym. She thought he would be overdoing it, getting him, you know, basically causing an argument and friction in the house. And she said it was the last thing that ever happened because he was always so jovial, so engaging in conversation, and he had plenty of things to talk about, but he also remembered what he wanted to talk about, and he wasn't so forgetful prior to going to the gym, and that was just so big, like, and I it's just kidding. You know, we were just loving on a guy that's lovable, but for her, you're giving me seven more years, and I was like, I you're welcome. I mean, I don't know what to say to that because we were just loving the guy that's lovable in life. This man was a well-earned godfather in humanity. He he just had that kind of character.

SPEAKER_00 10:45

The story of Ken Castonia reminds us that the best gyms aren't just places to move weights, they are places to move lives. This special bonus episode of this one time in Kankakee was produced by me, Jake Clamore, and the WVLI Podcast Network, and was made possible solely by the Juneteenth Jamboree. We hope to see you June 20th, 2026 at the Lazoo Pastoral Center for the Natural Physique Showcase. Admission is just$10 at the door. If you have a story you'd like to share, send me an email at Jake at Milner MediaPartners.com and finish this sentence for me. This one time in Kankakee