Meet David Akao

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful David Akao a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

David, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I didn’t really “find” my purpose overnight — it came through experience.

Growing up, I was unconfident and shy. I started lifting weights in my mom’s basement when I was 11 years old, and that’s where everything changed. I fell in love with the process of getting better. It wasn’t just about chasing numbers or strength — it was about seeing progress, feeling more capable, and realizing that hard work could actually change who I was.

Training didn’t just make me a better athlete; it made me a better person. Over time, I realized I wanted to help others experience that same transformation. My purpose came from wanting to give others what training gave me — confidence, belief, and the ability to see what they’re truly capable of.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I run NPWR Training, a sports performance business based in Wichita, Kansas. We work with youth, high school, college, and adult athletes — helping them build strength, speed, and most importantly, confidence.

What makes NPWR special is that it’s not just about sets and reps. Training is the vehicle, but the real goal is to empower underdogs — the athletes who might not be the biggest, fastest, or most naturally gifted — to realize what they’re capable of through hard work and consistency. I was that kid once, so I take it personally.

One of the things I’m most proud of is our youth sports camps. We’ve hosted camps in football, volleyball, basketball, and more — creating fun, competitive environments that get kids excited about training. The camps aren’t just about skill development; they’re about building relationships, teaching life lessons, and helping kids find confidence early.

We’ve continued to grow NPWR’s impact in the community and recently added new tools like Dashr laser timers and a Vertec jump system to help athletes measure their speed, explosiveness, and progress in real time.

At the end of the day, NPWR Training is about more than athletic performance — it’s about helping athletes find their confidence the same way I did: by falling in love with the process of getting better.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three biggest qualities that have shaped my journey are passion for helping others, building relationships, and earning buy-in and trust.

The passion part came first. I genuinely love what I do, and I care about helping people. That’s what gets me through the long hours and tough days. When you truly want to see others succeed, it shows — and that energy is contagious.

Building relationships has been huge. This profession is about people more than programming. The stronger your connection with an athlete, the more impact you can make. Every conversation matters — whether it’s between sets, before a session, or after a tough workout. Those little moments build the foundation for everything else.

And finally, buy-in and trust. Without it, nothing works. Athletes won’t give you their best effort until they believe in you and know you believe in them. The good news is, that part gets easier over time — the more hands you shake, and the more athletes you train, the more confidence you develop in connecting with people and earning that trust.

For anyone early in their journey, my advice would be: focus on people first. Learn how to communicate, listen, and meet athletes where they’re at. If you can do that, the technical side will always follow.

Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?

My ideal clients are the underdogs — the ones with the odds stacked against them but who are still willing to do whatever it takes to get better.

I’ve always had a soft spot for those athletes because I was one of them. I know what it feels like to be overlooked, to lack confidence, and to not be the most naturally gifted athlete. That’s why I connect so deeply with people who show up every day ready to work, regardless of where they’re starting from.

Some of my favorite stories come from those types of athletes — like the one who didn’t make their team but kept training until they did, the one who was diagnosed with leukemia and refused to let it define them, and the one who trained with a prosthetic leg and never used it as an excuse.

At NPWR Training, we’re not just building stronger athletes — we’re helping people find confidence, resilience, and belief in themselves through the process of getting better. That’s what makes this work so rewarding.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.npwrtraining.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidakaotraining/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidakaotraining
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-akao-422394189/
• Twitter: https://x.com/trayner_dave
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidakaotraining
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/npwr-training-wichita