We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Akao. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

Hi David, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

I started NPWR Training because I know what it’s like to be overlooked.

Growing up, I struggled with confidence and didn’t feel like I belonged in sports or in the weight room. I was the underdog—always having to prove myself. I walked on at Coffeyville and eventually earned a scholarship. I transferred to Friends University, where I became an all-conference linebacker. The weight room didn’t just make me a better athlete—it changed how I saw myself.

That’s why my mission with NPWR Training is to empower underdogs. I work with youth, high school, college, and adult athletes, helping them build confidence through strength and movement. I don’t just want to make athletes faster or stronger—I want them to believe in themselves.

Every session, every camp, every conversation is about giving athletes what I wish I had: someone in their corner who sees their potential before they do.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is David Akao, and I’m the founder of NPWR Training, a sports performance company based in Wichita, Kansas. I’m a former collegiate linebacker who walked on at Coffeyville, earned a scholarship, and eventually became an all-conference player at Friends University. I also played two seasons of arena football with the Wichita Force. But what really shaped me wasn’t just the games—it was the grind behind the scenes.

I got into this industry because of how much strength and conditioning changed my life. As a kid, I was quiet, lacked confidence, and didn’t really see a path for myself in athletics. The weight room gave me a sense of purpose and identity, and I wanted to give that same experience to others—especially the ones who feel like underdogs.

NPWR Training provides sports performance coaching for youth, high school, college, and adult athletes. We specialize in speed, agility, strength, and vertical jump training, and we use tools like Dashr laser timers, Vertec, and PlyoMat to track data and measure progress. In addition to private and group training, we host youth camps in football, basketball, volleyball, and cheer to bring high-energy, confidence-building experiences to the community.

What sets us apart is our commitment to the person, not just the athlete. We’re not just trying to crank out D1 prospects—we’re building belief, confidence, and grit. Every program is designed to challenge athletes physically while pouring into them mentally and emotionally.

I’m most proud of the athletes who come back and tell me, “I believe in myself now.” That’s bigger than any PR or scholarship offer. I’ve seen kids walk into the gym with their head down and walk out with a completely different energy.

At the end of the day, I want people to know NPWR is more than just training—it’s about helping people tap into their full potential. We’re here to empower, to uplift, and to push athletes beyond what they think is possible.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One story that really defines my resilience happened early in my playing career. I was a walk-on at Coffeyville Community College—no scholarship, no guarantees, just a kid trying to earn a spot. I wasn’t the most recruited or hyped-up athlete, but I believed I had more to give and wanted to prove it.

There were definitely moments I felt discouraged. Seeing other guys on scholarship, getting reps before me, made me question if I even belonged. But I kept showing up. I locked in during workouts, stayed focused in the film room, and pushed through the doubt. Eventually, I earned a scholarship.

That experience taught me a lot about grit. Resilience isn’t loud—it’s just deciding to keep going, even when no one’s watching. That mindset has carried over into everything I’ve done since, especially building NPWR Training.

Starting a business from the ground up has had its own share of challenges. There were times when things moved slower than I wanted or when I felt like the vision was bigger than the resources. But just like back then, I stayed consistent, kept learning, and kept showing up.

Today, NPWR has trained over 100 athletes, hosted multiple successful youth camps, and partnered with schools and organizations around Wichita. And it’s all rooted in that same walk-on mentality—earn everything, stay grounded, and never lose belief in the process.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

The best source of new clients for me—hands down—has been word of mouth.

Athletes and parents who’ve had a great experience with NPWR Training are the ones who bring others in. Whether it’s a parent telling their friend after a game, or an athlete posting a video from a session and tagging us, that personal recommendation carries way more weight than any ad ever could.

Hosting youth camps and showing up at local events has also played a huge role. It gives people a chance to see the energy, meet me in person, and feel what NPWR is all about. Once they experience it, they’re more likely to trust it and share it with others.

I’ve run ads and posted on social media, but nothing beats consistently delivering results and treating people right—that’s what gets people talking.

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