The Bear Cave

07/15/2021

In loving memory and in celebration of the extraordinary life of the Extraordinary Man - Scott "Bear" James Keough - We have created the Scott 'Bear' J. Keough Memorial Fund. Click to learn more.

We thank you all for your continued outpouring of love and respect for our beloved, Scott/Bear! Your support has been invaluable to us. Bless you all.

… Sonia Crespo-Bradford needs your support for Honoring Scott 'Bear' J. Keough: Memorial Fund

07/04/2021

🇺🇸 HOME OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE 🇺🇸
To our Family's Hero and Our Nation's Hero, Scott "Bear" James Keough, we salute you and your lifelong courageous, relentless, selfless service to our country. Bear retired as a Chief Petty Officer (100% disabled vet) from the Naval Special Warfare Community -Special Warfare Combatant Craft (SWCC), and served in a myriad of other positions and capacities too numerous to mention here. A highly decorated war hero, he proudly served his country for over 21 years, multiple tours, and after retirement worked as a military contractor before dedicating himself to his passion of helping fellow vets returning from combat. He literally gave his life to his country and brothers and sisters in uniform. You honor us, and makes us proud everyday. Your heart, patriotist, humility, love for country and its citizens - An love for us - is unparalleled. We love and miss you beyond measure. Hooyah in heaven, Keough!

06/13/2021

***6/14/21-IMPORTANT UPDATE: As promised in previous post - You CAN NOW MAIL CARDS, NOTES, ETC. IN HONOR OF BEAR TO: Attn. Keough Family, 757 Emory St., PMB #306, Imperial Beach, CA 91932
and please do not leave anything at the gym site for reasons previously stated in post below. We are SO appreciative. Thank you & bless you all! ***

6/13/21 - IMPORTANT NOTICE RE LEAVING CARDS/FLOWERS AT GYM: It’s come to our attention that flowers & cards in honor of Bear have been placed at The Bear Cave - On behalf of the entire Keough Family, we are SO heart-warmed & overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support, & shared grief & gratitude for our precious, Bear.
Unfortunately, as of 5/7/21 Bear was forced to close his doors to his beloved gym-& heart’s work & passion-The Bear Cave. As such, we ask you please do not leave anything at the gym site since, sadly we’ve learned many things have been taken and the gym is closed. Of course, we don't want anything meant to honor Bear taken and would love to hold on to what you've all left.

If you’d like to send cards, etc. info will follow later this week on an address where cards and such may be mailed.

Also, a reminder, we’ll continue to keep you informed on details of Bear's celebration of life and how you can be a part of honoring his life and legacy. An online memory book and more to follow as well.

To know a whole community grieves with us and loves Bear so much - Lifts and heals our hearts and is further testament to the man Bear was, and always will be. Once more, words can’t express our gratitude for your expressions of love - Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your acts of kindness, heartfelt words, and leaving flowers and cards are sacred to us and deeply appreciated and will forever be remembered.

Bear would be so humbled and honored by you all. We are overwhelmed by the love - Thank you.

06/01/2021

To my dearest Bear- I always told you, "You are the nation's hero, & you are mine." Your service & sacrifice for your country is more than remarkable & extraordinary. I couldn't be more in awe of your heroism, humility & heart. I love you beyond words. HOOYAH in Heaven, baby boy!
Home of the free because of the brave. Freedom isn't free. Today, & everyday, we honor & give heartfelt gratitude for the selflessness & valor of our fallen soldiers who have given us so very much. We also honor all active & retired military for their service-We salute you.

05/25/2021

It is with the heaviest and most grief-stricken heart that we announce the passing of our most beloved, Bear, owner, founder and lead instructor of The Bear Cave. Bear passed away suddenly in early May.

For many of us, the gym was far more than just a gym. For some it was a refuge, for others a place to grow and become, but for everyone, it was a place where all were accepted, treated equally and were fiercely believed in and encouraged. For many, Bear was far more than an instructor/gym owner. He was a dear friend, a confidant, a mentor, a leader, an example. Bear always said, “we are a humble gym” and yet in truth he had every reason not to be. He was a highly decorated war hero and retired Navy Chief, among other many other military titles, accomplishments and awards. But Bear would never let you know that; he saw everyone as his equal, and he believed there was always something he could learn from the person next to him.

To know Bear was to love him – Plain and simple. Bear was a friend to all. With his big stature, charismatic personality, and big booming voice – You knew Bear was in the room; he lit it up. His huge heart, charm, wit, humility, loyalty, devotion to his craft and gym members and fierce passion for making a lasting difference are just a few of the reasons The Bear Cave was so much more than a gym, and Bear was so much more than an instructor.

Bear brought out the best in us and inspired us to believe in the best in ourselves. He believed in equality, treated everyone with respect and demanded the gym be a safe, respectful haven for all. He led by example and taught us to be proud yet humble. He taught us that one’s integrity is everything and to do the right thing even when nobody is looking. He taught us to never ever take anyone’s s**t – Badasses come in all sizes. Bear taught us to get back up no matter how many times you get knocked down or tap out. He showed us that hard work, grit, and determination pay off. Bear showed us to dream big, work hard, and live boldly. He insisted you believe in yourself at all costs and never let another define you. And best of all, he loved like crazy.

I remember when The Bear Cave was just an idea, a dream. But Bear wasn’t the type of man to sit around and talk about dreams; he got things done and got to work, he got his hands dirty and worked like hell to make his dreams a reality. Being witness to his dream becoming a reality and seeing all his tenacity and hard work pay off was beautiful and made be so damn proud. But nothing compares to seeing how many lives he touched, people he lifted up, helped, those he inspired, encouraged and befriended – That is the true legacy of Bear &The Bear Cave. Seeing all of the connections he formed with his members and how he came alive and flourished on the mat, never got old to see. Whether he was on the mat encouraging you to keep at it even when you wanted to give up or he was having a heartfelt talk with a member on the sidelines who was going through hard times, Bear was dynamic and could be many things to many people. He would come home and share gym stories with such enthusiasm. He’d beam as he explained that someone had learned a move they had been struggling with or conquered their self-doubt and now were unstoppable. He also shared tender moments, where members confided in him (he never told me what was discussed; he valued confidentially and loyalty) and asked for his advice. And he would tell me, with such humility and awe, that yet another person had told him all that The Bear Cave meant to them. Please know that each and every one of you was special to him. I thank you for touching his life and helping make his dream of The Bear Cave come true. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for that.

They say no one ever dies as long as they are remembered by even just one person. In this way, Bear will be eternal as he is remembered lovingly by so many. Please take his legacy, what you may have learned from him and live it in your own life. He would want you all to live your best lives; doing so will, in a way, honor his life too. Bear will be infinitely missed. There will forever and only be one, Bear. They broke the mold.

Details on his celebration of life will be provided down the road when Covid restrictions are lessened. Also, we will soon share a link to an online memory book where you’re welcome to share your favorite memory of Bear, a message to him or his family, a photo, etc. Thank you.

Thank you all for what you gave to Bear.
Lovingly,
Sonia (Bear’s Fiancé) & the Keough Family

01/16/2021

***IMPORTANT MESSAGE RE GYM FEES FOR DEC.***
Dear Bear Cave Members,
It's come to our attention that unfortunately some of you were charged gym fees for the month of Dec., despite the fact we froze all member accounts at the start of the Covid shutdowns. We sincerely apologize.
Please rest assure that we have contacted the company that manages our gym memberships and have initiated the refund process. All refunds will be made before the end of the month. If for some reason you do not receive your refund, please direct message us on Facebook or call Bear and we'll see that it gets handled in a timely manner. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention and most importantly for your patience and understanding while we make it right. Many thanks.

11/26/2020

Happy Thanksgiving from, The Bear Cave!!! We are grateful for all of you, our Bear Cave Fam/Team - Thank you.
Many blessings.

11/25/2020

OK FELLOW BEARS - WE ARE EXPLORING ALL AVENUES OF POSSIBILITIES REGARDING TRAINING AND CONTINUED OPERATIONS. THE CITY HAS OFFERED LITTLE TO KNOW GUIDANCE REGARDING THIS MATTER. THE COVID VIRUS IS A VERY REAL THREAT AND WE CANNOT LOSE SITE OF THIS. WE CANNOT AFFORD A SINGLE CASE OF COVID-19 OUTBREAK THAT RELATES TO OUR GYM DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. AS OF THIS MOMENT WE ARE READY TO BEGIN TRAINING AGAIN IF AND WHEN THE CITY LIFTS THE "PURPLE" BAN THAT LIMITS AND/OR FORBIDS TRAINING INSIDE ON ANY LEVEL. THE FACT IS THAT WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE NEXT FEW DAYS WILL BRING. COACH THOMAS AND I ARE ADAPTING NEW TRAINING IDEAS TO BE IMPLEMENTED OUTSIDE OF THIS FACILITY ONCE CITY APPROVAL IS OBTAINED. ALL ACCUNTS WILL BE FROZEN AND/OR CREDIT GIVEN SO DO NOT WORY ABOUT THAT - YOU HAVE MY WORD. WE ARE IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY AND TRHE FUTURE IS UNKNOWN BUT REST ASSURED, THE BEAR CAVE WILL SURVIVE BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL PEOPLE IT BRINGS TO ITS DOORS. I THANK YOU SINCERELY FROM MY HEART FOR YOUR LOYALTY AND ASK FOR YOUR FURTHER COMMITMENT STANDING BEHIND OUR MISSION - WE WILL ALL BE STRONGER FOR IT. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND MAY YOU ALL ENJOY A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY. MORE TO FOLLOW VERY SOON. CHEERS.

11/25/2020

So after a week plus of back and forth our gym will remain closed
All accounts will be frozen for the next month and beyond depending on our citys instructions .
Check Krew Page for updates

Coach Thomas

11/11/2020

JUST AN UPDATE - WE WILL REMAIN COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE SAFEST / CLEANEST TRAINING ENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE. i AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO OUR BEST REGARDING THE COUNTIES POSITION ETC.

11/11/2020

HELLO TO ALL! THIS IS BEAR - THE COUNTY HAS CHANGES THE STATUS OF COVID RESPONSE TO THE COLOR PURPLE WHICH MEANS THAT WE MUST CONDUCT ALL TRAINING OUTSIDE AND UNDER DIRECT SUPERVISION. MY HOPE IS THAT THIS WILL NOT BE A LONG PERIOD BUT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WE WILL HAVE TO CLOSE OUR DOORS TO INDOOR TRAINING AND CONDUCT ANY AND ALL TRAINING OUTSIDE. WED WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THE DURATION OF THIS CHANGE AND WE ARE VERY AWARE OF THE FRUSTRATION THIS IS CAUSING. I FEEL IT ALSO. I AM N CONTACT WITH THE MAYORS OFFI CE AND HOPE TO HAVE SOME GUIDANCE ON THIS MATTER SOON. UNTIL THEN I HOPE YOU ALL STAY SAFE AND KEEP WATCHIN G THIS PAGE AS I WILL UPDATE SOONEST WE HAVE INFORMATION TO SHARE.