On this episode of “The Newman Bond” podcast, head athletic performance coach David Akao shares how he started lifting weights at age 12 in his mom’s basement and turned his love for sports and fitness into a career.
He now helps athletes of all ages — from little kids to college students — get stronger, faster and more confident.
Overview of conversation topics
Read on to skim or find timestamps of specific topics covered in this episode.
From basement workouts to coaching (00:38–02:28)
Akao, owner of NPWR Training, shares his background: started weightlifting at age 12, played football through college, interned at Newman and grew into coaching.
Building strength and confidence (03:16–04:04)
Lifting weights shaped not just his athletic career but also his confidence and mental health. He emphasizes the philosophy of getting “1% better every day.”
Coaching all ages (04:29–06:31)
Coaches a wide range of athletes — from children as young as 5 to college students and other adults — balancing fun, fundamentals and mentorship depending on age.
Tailored training for every sport (07:00–08:06)
Collaborates with sport coaches to tailor training to specific athletic needs (e.g., shoulder health for volleyball, rotational strength for baseball).
A success story beyond the gym (08:27–09:38)
Shares a success story of mentoring a high school athlete who gained confidence, improved performance and eventually joined the military — illustrating the lifelong impact of coaching.
Advice for future coaches (09:58–10:39)
Advice for aspiring strength coaches: find a mentor, gain diverse experience and keep a growth mindset through continuous learning.
How strength training has evolved (11:05–11:45)
Notes evolution in strength training: beyond old-school heavy lifts, programs now use single-leg training, new equipment and technology to improve performance.
Upgraded Newman weight room (12:04–12:53)
Newman’s upgraded weight room provides essential tools for high-level training, even without flashy extras.
Empower fitness and future goals (13:16–14:32)
Through NPWR Training, David runs camps and envisions future growth, possibly opening a gym and mentoring other trainers.
Finding the right coaches (15:10–15:36)
Seeks guest coaches who are passionate, good with kids and experienced in competitive sports to support youth camps.
‘The Newman Bond’ podcast
Watch full episodes of “The Newman Bond” podcast on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
