Meet Anton Zhiganov | Founder & Head coach of LA Running school

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anton Zhiganov and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anton, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I recently moved from Russia to Los Angeles. Back home, I was deeply involved in organizing various sports events, coaching, and preparing amateur athletes for their goals. When I arrived in Los Angeles, I noticed that the local running culture was quite different, and people often paid little attention to the fundamentals of proper, safe, and injury-free running, as well as to setting and achieving specific performance goals.

With over 30 years of experience in running and endurance sports, I felt a strong desire to help people define and reach their athletic objectives, while teaching them how to run correctly and safely. I wanted to show how running can positively impact and transform their lives. That’s why I decided to open a running school that works with both children and adults.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
LA Running School is more than just a training program — it’s where people of all ages discover how to run like professionals, with a professional approach, and still find pure joy in the process. What truly sets us apart is our results-driven mindset combined with the methods and attention to detail you would expect from elite athletes. We want running to become a natural and enjoyable part of people’s lives — not just a challenge to endure.

Our school has worked with runners of all levels, from complete beginners to experienced athletes. We’ve also had the privilege of training children with autism, and we’ve seen firsthand how running can have a profoundly positive impact on their well-being and confidence.

Starting this business in Los Angeles was not easy — I arrived in a new country, with a new community and culture, and had to build trust from scratch. But I relied on my 30+ years of experience, consistency, and a deep belief in my mission.

My mission is simple yet powerful: to inspire people to change their lives for the better through sport. This is not just my work — it’s my calling. And every runner who leaves our school stronger, healthier, and more confident is a part of that story.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting Los Angeles for a week, I’d create an itinerary that shows off the city’s incredible blend of urban life and nature. We’d start with a morning run in Griffith Park, enjoying sweeping views of the city and the Hollywood Sign. Another day, we’d head to the Santa Monica Mountains for a trail run or hike with breathtaking ocean vistas, and then spend an afternoon by the Pacific.

I’d also take them to experience the variety that makes Los Angeles so unique — a quick trip to the desert for wide open landscapes, and in the winter, a drive to the nearby mountains to run or hike in the snow. In just 30 minutes, you can go from skyscrapers to sandy beaches, from forested trails to arid desert paths.

Los Angeles is truly a city where nature blends seamlessly into the metropolis, offering endless opportunities for exploration, adventure, and inspiration.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’m deeply grateful to the trail running community and to all the runners who told me that my events had truly changed their lives — their words have always inspired me to keep moving forward and to approach every project with great attention to detail. I’m also thankful to my friends here in Los Angeles who believed in my success and supported me from the very beginning, as well as to all the students who have trained with our school and continue to be part of our journey.

Website: https://activelifeschool.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larunningschool/

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/anton-zhiganov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Larunningschool/61560237026652/