User:Mike Kwao

Michael Kwao the Bodybuilder / Author / Recording Artist and Songwriter was born in West Africa (Ghana) He migrated to Canada in 1985 and currently resides there. Kwao endured a troubled childhood and adolescence before achieving success in the fitness industry.

He was separated from his parents at an early age as they set out to pursue a new life for the family in Canada. Kwao did not have the opportunity to establish a relationship with his parents during early childhood as he was ten years old before he finally joined them. Unable to speak English, he struggled to adjust to life on a different continent with unfamiliar cultures.

Kwao's education suffered as he attempted to master a new language and despite showing a flair for writing, he was unable to attain the required standards. Efforts to support his learning proved detrimental to his self esteem and he became increasingly despondent. Kwao watched his peers progress as he was made to repeat grades and felt out of place when he was moved to a special education class. As his motivation and self-worth plummeted, his behavior deteriorated and he eventually left High School without graduating.

As relations at home deteriorated Kwao's life went into a downward spiral and he found himself living a very troubled life on the streets. The passing of some close friends triggered Kwao's lowest period when he was incarcerated on more than one occasion. Kwao's lifestyle was becoming increasingly dangerous and his future fraught with uncertainty.

It was at this point that crucially Kwao crossed paths with a friend who introduced him to art of bodybuilding. Initially he benefited from the stress release factor of keeping fit but as he continued to participate his ability and determination to succeed grew. As he became competitive in the fitness industry Kwao dominated the art of body posing. His expertise in human sculpture posing has seen his image captured by many acclaimed photographers.

Kwao has recently shifted his focus to concentrate on his passion for writing.

The Journey

Life is a journey not a destination. The reason why I say destination is because you're not at the end of your journey yet. You must focus on not one but many achievements. All doors are open for you to enter, it's up to you to decide which ones to close. Many opportunities will approach you and it's not all that you have to accept. This is the reason why the journey is worth while because you get to experience the different achievements and goals that are right in front of you. You have the choice to choose all of them but most importantly, you have to choose wisely what will make you happy as you continue forward. The power of money makes you make choices that you don't even think about until it's too late. I'm saying this because I've experienced it and went through hardship with it. My thoughts are everything to me that's why I do my very best to make the right decisions and not the wrong choices. I think twice before I make my decisions. Mistakes will always be made which will make you stronger as you learn from them. I do my best to be true to myself as I continue this journey of life. The destination doesn't mean much to me at all, but I realize that it means so much to people, that's why most are in a rush to succeed as fast as possible. They forget to realize that being in a rush to get to a destination is sometimes never achieved. Enjoying the moments of this beautiful journey is what makes you close the wrong doors to keep the right ones open. You are given tools that you will not know how to use until you practice how to use them. These are tools of life, and in order to know how to use them, you have to build whatever it is that you want in your life, and if that means continuous rebuilding then so be it because at the end you will know how to perfect it at all times and will never need to rebuild again. The journey is always worth it. Believe -Michael S. Kwao

Accomplishments

2010-7th place Canadian National Championships 2010-4TH place Ontario Provincial Championships (Light heavyweight) 2010-2ND place CBBF Canadian Natural Physique Championships (Middleweight) 2010 Best poser CBBF Canadian Natural Physique Championships 2009-1st place CBBF Eastern Canadian Qualifier 2009-Best poser CBBF Eastern Canadian Qualifier 2009- 2ND place WBFF World championships light heavyweight division 2009-1ST Place, IDFA Pro-Division 2009-Best poser IDFA Pro 2009-1ST Place, CBBF Canadian National Physique Championships (Light-Middleweight) 2008-2ND Place, IDFA Pro-Division 2008-Best poser IDFA Pro 2008-9th place Canadian National Championships 2008-2ND Place, Ontario Provincial Championships 2008-3rd Place, South Central Championships 2007-3rd Place, IDFA-Pro Division 2007-Best poser IDFA Pro 2007-3rd Place, CBBF National World Qualifier 2006-1st Place, IDFA Toronto Classic 2006-Best poser IDFA Toronto Classic 2006-1st Place, Musclemania Canada 2006-2ND Place, IDFA Canadian Classic 2006-5Th Place, Musclemania Worlds- Pro Division 2005-1st Place, FAME Centrals 2005-2ND Place South Central Championships 2005-Best poser Ontario Championships 2005-2ND Place, Ontario Naturals 2005-2ND Place, OPA Western Ontario's 2005-1st Place, Canadian Classic 2004-2ND Place, Musclemania Canada 2000-1st Place, Eastern Canadian Naturals 1999-3rd Place, Canadian Nationals 1999-1st Place, Eastern Canadian Naturals

God Bless