Meet the dads of the Stroller Running Club in LA's Chinatown

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- On a Sunday morning at Los Angeles State Historic Park in Chinatown, you might catch a rare sight - a new group of dads running with strollers.

"A lot of stares and a lot of cheers at the same time, like, let's go dads," said Hezekiah Johnson, a personal trainer and nutritionist in L.A.

Johnson started the Dads Stroller Running Club in hopes of getting dads back in shape and re-inventing the "dad bod."

"Also just have that space where we can talk about the journeys of fatherhood, what we go through on a daily basis," Johnson said.

It goes back to when his son was born and saw a need for support and resources, so he started a non-profit called Rolling With Dads, meant to help dads navigate fatherhood.

"It led me to want to build a community where fathers could have that space and get the help, the resources that they need to better themselves for their family," said Johnson.

Dads in the group say it's helped them not feel so isolated.

"As a new person here in California, Los Angeles, especially a new father, it's hard to meet people and meet other fathers in the community, cause I'm originally from Houston, Texas," said Joel Fant.

"I don't know too many other dads that I just hang out with one on one and being able to have that time and talk about anything and everything and bounce ideas," said Paul Nankivell.

It's a safe space to bond, grow, and exchange parenting tips.

"My kid is one of the older kids here, so we've kind of been through the ups and downs and struggles of parenthood in Los Angeles with a three-and-a-half year old boy," said Fant.

All while giving the moms a break, and being an example to their kids.

"Being able to be active and show her that an active lifestyle is just part of what we do," Nankivell said.

"It's showing them what community looks like, showing them what showing up looks like and what being present is as a father," Johnson said.

Get more information on the group at RollingWithDads.org or through the group's Instagram page.