Kwame | Sculpting the Perfect Physique!
Kwame's rise to state, national and professional world championship glory.
I was born in Ghana in West Africa but grew up in country South Australia. I played a ton of sports, including Aussie rules football, basketball, tennis, hockey, and many others.
Q. Where did it all start for you?
It all started when I moved up the Adelaide to pursue a degree in media arts. I didn't have a passion for it, so I also studied Certificate III and IV in fitness to improve my knowledge about health and training.
Q. How did your journey in bodybuilding begin?
While studying, I met a guy who competed in bodybuilding, and he recommended a coach to me. He believed I had what it took to be a great bodybuilder. As much as I questioned his faith in me, I like taking on new challenges, so that's how my journey in bodybuilding began.
Building my physique was something I've always loved. As a kid, I'd spend hours playing sport and watching the WWE wrestlers.
Competitive bodybuilding, on the other hand, wasn't something I had ever considered. I competed in my first bodybuilding show before I even watched one.
I was grateful that someone believed and saw the potential in me, though. It motivated me to push towards professional competitions. Then in my first competition, I won first place.
I met many amazing people and learnt a lot about bodybuilding, competing, and myself that I apply to other aspects of my life today. So, I set myself new goals to compete in more competitions. Then I decided to do a degree in nutrition to improve my knowledge of the human body, bodybuilding, training and food.
Q. How do you stay focused?
I keep it simple. I set myself smaller goals, and when I achieve them, I set bigger goals. I love continuously challenging myself and raising the bar. I get a lot of satisfaction from achieving my goals and setting bigger goals.
Q. Is your life based on your training routine?
No. My training routine is structured around my life. I love training, and it is a priority. However, there are other aspects of my life just as important as training. The fantastic thing is that even after training for over ten years, training is a privilege, and I love every second of it.
Q. What is the good, bad or ugly side of bodybuilding and competing?
This sport has its goods and bad aspects. Like any sport, I imagine. It's a great sport because it brings a lot of people together. We motivate each other to be the best and live healthy lifestyles both physically and mentally. It's also fantastic to be around like-minded people who support each other.
On the other side of the coin, some people can develop a bad relationship with food, or their mental health can suffer.
I battled myself for a few years by setting new standards for myself. In my head, my vision of being lean was to be fit and have the physique to win competitions. Then, after competing, people would say what fantastic shape I was in, but I never really accepted those compliments because, at the time, I felt I wasn't.
Not feeling good enough was all in my head. We all have a little voice in our heads telling us that we are no good. I never look at anyone else or think about them negatively, so why do I do it to myself? So, for a time, I became very critical of myself. That's part of the journey and what happens when you constantly strive to get to the next level to be the best. It's a tug of war between your mind and body.
Constant criticism of yourself is not a great mindset, feeling or long-term strategy for competing in professional bodybuilding or living a happy, healthy life.
These days, it's different. I've learnt to overcome the little voice in my head and focus on how I feel, who I am, training my clients and being happy and healthy.
Q. What titles have you won?
I've won state, national and professional world champion titles over the years, which include
- Musclemania PRO Overall world champion 2017
- Musclemania pro world titles 3rd place 2014
- Musclemania Nationals (Australia) Heavyweight overall champion 2014
- Musclemania Junior world champion 2013
- 1st in teenage ANB Asia Pacific 2013
- 1st in Juniors ANB Supernatural mania (State)SA 2013
- 1st in Over 80 ANB Supernatural mania SA 2013
- Overall winner ANB Supernatural mania SA 2013
- 1st in Mr Teenage Australia ANB Nationals 2012
- 1st in WNBF State Adelaide Teenage men 2012
- 1st in WNBF State Adelaide Opens Heavyweight 2012
- 1st in ANB Nationals Australia Teenage men 2012
- 1st in ANB Nationals Australia Opens Under '90s
- 1st in WNBF Nations 2012 Teenage men
- 1st in WNBF Nationals Opens Heavyweight 2012
- 1st in WNBF state Adelaide teens 2011 teens
- Overall, Mr Supernatural Mania ANB 2012
- 2nd WNBF Nationals Juniors Asia Pacific 2011
Q. You describe yourself as being an all-natural athlete? What do you mean by that?
Being a natural athlete means I have developed my physique without performing-enhancing drugs or banned substances.
Q. How do you gain big muscle mass?
I have gained my physique by consistently eating the right food to fuel my body and muscles for maximum growth. I also understand how to execute exercises efficiently to target specific muscle groups, so my body recovers properly. With laser focus, structure and consistency, most people can develop a fabulous physique if they choose to.
Q. What is your training routine?
My training routine goes through several different phases. I love strength training because it builds mass. Training also consists of a power building structure for ten weeks, and then I move into a more time under tension structure for 6-8 weeks to prioritise engaging the muscles.
After that, I'll move on to a hypertrophy program that lasts for about 6-8 weeks. That's a mix of heavy, high reps and volume and time under tension training.
Q. Tell us about your coaching and what makes your coaching style unique in the world of bodybuilding?
When it comes to coaching, my main priorities are the health of my clients. I want to ensure that they are training efficiently but listening to their body. When it comes to nutrition, the biggest thing is developing a great relationship with food. Some clients might come for a lifestyle approach, and I'll ensure they have great flexibility with their meal plan. That's why I created "TeamKwame."
My goal is always to tailor my client's plans to what they need as I don't believe one approach fits all.
Q. What have the highs and lows been for you in your bodybuilding journey?
Wow, I've been lucky to have some pretty good highs. I've travelled internationally, competed in Las Vegas and am blessed to have a great group of people around me.
I've achieved the physique I've set myself and won competitions and titles. On top of that, I've been fortunate enough to be a special guest at fitness expos to share my story and knowledge as well.
My lowest point was tearing my biceps at an expo and undergoing surgery while in training. I was given a nine-month recovery time after that surgery and recovered 100% in 3 months. I stuck to my rehab, focused on my physical and mental health and turned my negative experience into a positive one.
Q. What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you? You come across as a funny guy who doesn't take himself too seriously.
I was on holiday in Malaysia a couple of years ago. Being a gym junkie, I always stay at hotels with a gym. However, I couldn't figure out which floor the gym was on, so I asked the receptionist. His response was, "Please don't break our gym".
Q. What other interests do you have?
I'm into music and acting. I've been working on a few songs that I have written and have a few other pieces I've written with other people. My first songs are nearly ready for release and are mainly about training, the gym, cheat meals and KFC. People that know me well know I love to work hard and like a good laugh too.
Q. What's on the horizon for you?
Right now, I'm blessed to share the experience and knowledge I've learnt over the years to help my clients on their fitness journey through "TeamKwame". So, I'll continue coaching my clients. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing my clients excel, kick goals and most importantly, living happy and healthy. We're one big family.
I also have a few other businesses I'm developing, so I'll be putting my energy and focus into developing and growing those as well. On top of that, I'll focus on living a happy and healthy lifestyle and enjoying everything I do in the future.
Q. What's the ultimate end game?
My end game is staying fit and healthy as I get older. Yes, there's always muscle groups that I aim to improve, and I will work on them to create more aesthetics. However, if I can keep enjoying my training like I am now and live a healthy lifestyle, that's my end game.
Q. What's one piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you?
Learn to listen to people who are more experienced and wiser than you. When they say, "look after your joints and train smart", take it on board and practice it. When you are young, you feel invincible. But, as you age, advice like this is sound and practical. It becomes part of who you are and part of the secret to living a long and happy, blissful life.
For more information or interview requests, please contact Kwame at www.kwame.com.au
