Today we’d like to introduce you to Kwaku Sefah.
Hi Kwaku, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am originally from Ghana and moved to the US in 2010. I pursued my US citizenship and obtained this in 2017. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Minnesota in December 2015. My fitness and nutrition journey began with intense inspiration from my older brother Kwame, who competed in Physique bodybuilding. I met some local members of a gym in Washington State who helped me compete in my first show. Credit goes to Aamin Joshi, Michael Schneider, Brandon Hatley, and Manuel Quist for helping me start my fitness journey. Also, thanks to Jim Chipman and Ramsey Windsor for creating a fitness plan and pushing me to become a better bodybuilder and athlete each day.
After moving to St Louis, Missouri, I focused on nutrition and physique sculpting to compete in the highly prestigious Natural Federation, the NANBF. Winning my Pro card in the WNBF federation in Physique that year was a fantastic feat. I obtained my IPE Pro-card in Classic Physique and Bodybuilding in the same show in 2018. I continued to compete that fall in my first IPE Worlds Pro show in men’s bodybuilding, taking an impressive 4th place in my first Pro-Showing over several remarkable competitors. I then pursued higher education and got my Master’s Degree in Applied Analytics at Saint Louis University in 2021. Special thanks to Dr. Lisa Gore for helping encourage and proofread all my papers throughout my Master’s degree.
Since the last show, I have volunteered for several organizations, including Big Brother of STL. I am constantly training and improving my Physique and learning more about coaching and preparing nutrition plans for personal clients, which has improved their lives and helped them meet their goals. Mind Body Optimize Fitness grew from my observations and feedback into my vision for helping and addressing the needs of all clients, leading from my core values. Doing this led me to become the new face and promoter for the NANBF organization. As a new promoter, my show will be titled Tucson Multiverse Naturals Classic and held in Tucson, Arizona.
Currently, I have a nonprofit organization geared towards helping low-income single parents achieve their educational goals by providing scholarships to them. I am also researching becoming a gym owner in Tucson, Arizona, very soon. Also, I want to own a franchise in Supplement Superstore S2 here in Tucson in the next 2-3 years. On the side, I am a model and host a podcast channel. My YouTube and Instagram fitness podcast is the_victorypose_podcast.
I’d like to dedicate this to my late uncle Larry Sefah Kwabi. He created a path to success, and he is the reason why my dad and my brothers are in this country today.
Jesus Christ has been a great help to my achievement, and I pray that he continues to guide my ways as I pursue this new journey. Thanks for the opportunity and for allowing me to share my story.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been rough because I came from West Africa, Ghana. The language barrier was not easy to penetrate, and it’s still ongoing as I strive to better my English language.
Secondly, I’ve been made fun of so many times as a kid for how I talk, and coming to this country hurt me; let’s call it insecurities because I was afraid that people would make joking gestures and make fun of me when I talk. This led me to become a huge introvert, negatively impacting my public speaking. I remember in community college, I got a scholarship, and I was supposed to say my thank you to the board of directors at a huge ceremony, but when I got on stage, I froze and couldn’t even say my name. I felt so embarrassed that I never applied for a scholarship anymore. Doing this caused me even more pain and disgrace, and that experience continued.
When I went to the University of Minnesota, I decided to change my ways since I knew I couldn’t be like this and succeed. My brothers Kwame, Kojo, and Michael helped and encouraged me to apply for board positions in a few educational groups. Because I wanted to change, I applied to be in a Multicultural STEM group. Here, I was able to polish my group speaking; since then, I have always sought ways to be a better speaker in public. I still have a long way to go, but I will make it through with God on my side.
Achieving my Electrical Engineering Degree and Master’s in Applied Analytics was a challenge, but I achieved and realized my goals with dedication, determination, drive, and discipline. So yes, there have been numerous challenges but thanks to the almighty God, friends, and family, I am working to overcome these challenges.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I started Mind Body Optimize Fitness to help working individuals achieve their fitness and health goals. I dedicate my time to my clients by providing them with weekly consultations, fitness plans, and meal prepping for each client in my zip code. As I mentioned, my goal is to own a fitness gym so I can expand and help more clients achieve their goals. As an immigrant, I also help people in my home country seeking to improve their lives via fitness.
Two things that sets me apart is my being completely selfless. Ready to help anyone that walks through my doorstep seeking help, even if they come from a low financial background. Also, I have a nonprofit organization geared towards helping low-income single parents/guardians seeking a better future for themselves. Part of my income at my bodybuilding show will go towards this nonprofit. Due to my selflessness, discipline, going the extra mile, and belief in others, a high-level bodybuilding federation chose me to be a promoter in Tucson, Arizona. These set me apart from my competitors and anyone in my business. Along the same lines, these are my most proud brand in that it’s not only about fitness but also helping make the world a better place, even if it means helping just one person achieve their goals.
I want my readers to know that I deliver and 110% meet expectations and that they are my main point of focus from point A to point Z. Our mind is only limited by our thoughts. The mind is boundless, so whatever we put our mind to, we can make it possible. FYI, the name of my nonprofit organization is called Jayden Enidaso Foundation. Enidaso pronounced (Annie – Da – So), is a Ghanaian language meaning Hope. For more information about nonprofits, please visit mbofitness.com.
So, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you before we go? How can they support you?
The life path is knowing who you can trust and build fun and positive relationships with. A few of them are strong core values, trust, and making positive and fun relationships. People whose core values align with mine can help by volunteering to help at my bodybuilding shows. They can also help me become a board member for my nonprofit organization to aid better and drive its mission and vision. See my website, mbofitness.com, for more information. Fitness enthusiasts can also bring different ideas for coming up with health and fitness conferences in which I will be 100% ready to collaborate and help them achieve their goals, which will further my goals. Let’s do this! I’m always open to ideas to help others achieve their goals, so come one, come all.
Contact Info:
- Website: Mbofitness.com
- Instagram: Fitnesspals4life | the_victorypose_podcast
Suggest a Story: VoyageKC is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know
here.
