Big strides

Financial advisor got a running start on success

BY ELLEN GILLETTE

Runners talk about being “in the zone,” when everything just works. Their stride, breathing patterns and mental state are so in tune that they perform at their peak — undistracted, completely focused. It doesn’t happen the first time they lace up a pair of running shoes. The “zone” can only be found after an investment of time, effort and a willingness to learn from injuries and more experienced runners. 

Port St. Lucie’s Keith Newman is currently “in the zone” in several aspects of his life: as a husband, friend, coach, financial advisor — and as a competitive runner. 

BALTIMORE DAYS

Born in Durham, North Carolina, Newman grew up in Baltimore, Maryland with his mother and an “amazing” stepfather. His lifelong love of history developed when he was a teenager.

“In high school, I did an interview with a friend of mine,” Newman said. “His grandfather discussed what it was like being in World War II. To hear it at that age, never being around it — to hear the emotion in talking about it. We don’t learn enough from history.”

Newman dabbled in lacrosse and played basketball, but football was his sport. A successful high school running back and defensive back, he received Division III offers. But after so many games, he was ready for a change.

Newman planned to major in psychology at West Virginia University. “I enjoyed the aspect of learning about people and how they react to different things,” he said. “I thought about teaching, but I did more partying than studying. So my parents changed my mind for me.”

Back at home, when a friend offered Newman the opportunity to help him manage a liquor store, he left community college. “It was a lot of fun. You’re in your early 20s learning about wine and liquor and different beers, working with distributors, traveling all over.”

A part-time gig with a catering company led to a full-time position that included a variety of responsibilities and more travel. During the busy season, Newman worked back-to-back, 20-hour days in different cities. “It was stressful. Overwhelming. But I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.”

After several years, the same friend who had gotten Newman into the liquor business moved to Florida, to work for a beverage chain. When he showed his boss Newman’s resume, the resulting offer was too good to turn down. “Working 40 hours a week for the same money and living in south Florida at 29 years old? That appealed.” 

FLORIDA

Based in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton, Newman worked for several companies in the beverage business before, once again, a conversation with a friend changed his life. Pointing out that Newman had years of experience with clients, sales and numbers, he suggested a move into banking. Jobs with Chase and Wells Fargo eventually led to his present position with the Fort Pierce branch of Stifel, as a financial advisor.

“It feels like family here,” Newman said. “I have great relationships with my clients and with the other associates.”

Newman met his wife online. A supervisor for a local dermatologist’s office, Jennee was the one who got him interested in running. 

“Biking was my thing,” he said, “but when I moved up here, there weren’t as many bike lanes at the time. Jennee was going to do a 5K, so I grabbed an old pair of sneakers a few weeks before and thought I’d get ready for it, too. I made it about a block and a half before I keeled over.”

Newman did survive the 5K, however. “I had fun, but I did not like running at all.” Entering more races with Jennee, though, he discovered not just the physical challenge of running, but also the mental challenge. “Everything in you tells you to stop.”

Today Newman runs about 35 miles a week, either alone or with clubs: Tuesday nights with Sailfish Brewery’s club in Fort Pierce and Thursdays with Tavolo Pizza’s in Port St. Lucie. He’s also a volunteer coach with Fleet Feet, a Tradition store that sells running gear. “I help with runners’ goals, set the pace, watch how they run, give them tips on form, breathing and injury prevention, etc.”

Getting fitted for the correct shoe should be a would-be runner’s first step, Newman said. Running with a partner or group can be helpful. “One of the hardest things — and people get frustrated with running — is learning to breathe. Be patient. It takes time. Start with jogging, or walking and jogging in intervals.”

Naturally competitive, Newman’s goal is to win his age category in the six or seven races he enters each year, including a half-marathon or two. He and Jennee have made friends through running, traveling together to other cities for races. 

Newman’s interest in psychology still comes into play, both in his office with clients, and on the road or trail. “It’s a blessing in my life that I lived in the city, but also visited grandparents in the country,” he said. “Then traveling the world has given me a different perspective, allowing me to connect with different people on different levels. I listen to people’s stories about their lives and about what they want to do and guide them on how to get there.” 

---

KEITH NEWMAN

Age: 54

Lives in: River Place, Port St. Lucie

Occupation: Financial advisor

Family: Wife Jennee, with family members in Maryland 

and North Carolina

Education: West Virginia University for a year. “I came home, went to community college but never finished. I ended up going into the working world and just stayed.”

Hobbies: Running, hiking, travel, anything close to water

Who inspires me: “My mom. She was 19 and single when she had me, so she’s sacrificed a lot to raise me. Her support and understanding, teaching me how the world works — respect for people. She taught me to always treat others the way you want to be treated.”

Something most people don’t know about me: “I spent the majority of my 20s managing a catering company that specialized in big events: concerts, amphitheaters, arenas, tours. Tina Turner, the Dave Matthews Band, Neil Diamond, Aerosmith.”