Momentous Moments: Olympian Akwasi Frimpong
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Momentous Moments is a new series that shines a spotlight on those who push what’s possible—whether they’re lacing up for a race or navigating menopause. Today, we introduce you to Akwasi Frimpong, a Momentous employee who also happens to be Ghana's second Winter Olympian and the first Black male skeleton athlete in Olympic history. Read about his inspiring story, his Momentous routine, and more.
What does it take to be an Olympian? For 37-year-old Akwasi Frimpong—known to his friends, family, and co-workers as “Kwaz”—the road to the world’s premier sports competition centers on perseverance and resilience, two qualities that have helped push the father-of-two forward in the face of adversity.
From Humble Beginnings
Long before setting Olympic records, Kwaz—who joined the Momentous team as Growth Partnerships Manager six months ago—moved from his home country of Ghana to the Netherlands, where he faced challenges as an undocumented immigrant that impacted his access to education and healthcare. But this setback didn’t stop him from pursuing his dream of becoming an Olympian. After finding solace in track and field, and becoming a Dutch junior champion at 17, Kwaz would eventually go on to train and compete in bobsledding and skeleton racing, representing Ghana in international competitions.
“Any time I get an opportunity, I don't mess around with it,” says Kwaz, who was in action this weekend at a World Cup event in Innsbruck, Austria. “I take it fully 100%…I think it has really [made me] who I am today in all aspects of life. Being a father, being a husband, being an athlete, being an employee, it doesn't really matter. It's all the same principle.”
The hard work eventually paid off. After not qualifying for the Olympics on two separate occasions, and overcoming a knee tendon injury, Kwaz finally made it. In 2018, Kwaz became the first skeleton athlete from Ghana, Ghana's second Winter Olympian, and the first Black male skeleton athlete in Olympic history.
Best in Class
A positive mindset and rigorous training schedule have fueled his journey, but a commitment to high-quality supplements have taken it to another level. Kwaz calls joining the Momentous team as “a match made in heaven”—not just from a branding standpoint, but because Kwaz implements these best-in-class supplements into his own routine.
“Personally, I take Vitamin D3, Omega-3, and Whey Protein after workouts,” he says, adding that he’s “big on collagen” after experiencing tendon injuries in his career. “I get access to the best products and I get to talk to experts … so that's helped me a lot.”
As for the advice he would give those looking to jumpstart their health journey, Kwas recommends a moment of introspection: “Figure out what you want, educate yourself, and then try different things, and find out what works best for you because [we’re] all different.”
While his main objective is training for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, he and his wife, Erica, also work on their foundation, Hope of a Billion, which encourages and empowers “a billion lives in underserved communities around the world through sport, business, and educational opportunities.”
“My why motivates me,” says the athlete-turned-philanthropist. “I have not just one [why], but you know, this particular big one: ‘What kind of legacy do I want to leave behind when I'm not here anymore?’”
Grace Gavilanes
Grace Gavilanes is a writer-editor with over 10 years of experience in the wellness and lifestyle space. Her writing has been published in People, Well + Good, Glamour, Food & Wine, and more.
