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Staying in shape with sports and fitness model, Evans Amoako

Budding US-based Ghanaian fitness and sports model, Evans Amoako is committed to working hard, staying in shape and becoming one of the best fitness models out of Africa. Born in Ghana, Evans was always very passionate about sports. It is therefore no surprise that at age 24 he has been involved in college cross-country, track […]

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Budding US-based Ghanaian fitness and sports model, Evans Amoako is committed to working hard, staying in shape and becoming one of the best fitness models out of Africa. Born in Ghana, Evans was always very passionate about sports. It is therefore no surprise that at age 24 he has been involved in college cross-country, track & field as well as soccer. He has been working out for nine years with dreams of becoming a fitness and sports model, drawing inspiration from fellow models, Obi Obadike and Sebastian Siegel.

His love for fitness and sports began during his school years in Hawidu Agogo back in Ghana, where he started playing neighborhood football matches. His skills made him very popular and his physical education teacher took a special interest in him. Evans soon joined the school soccer team and made a little magic until he moved to the United States at the age of 12 years.

In Houston, Texas he attended Fondren Middle School where he joined the soccer team and, at age 13, won the Most Valuable Player Award. When he began high school at Westbury, he played for a year and quit because he noticed that soccer wasn’t given as much attention as it was back home in Ghana. He decided to join cross-country and the track & field team instead. It was on the track team that he developed his commitment to hard work, dedication and discipline.

“Because I wanted to be the best at Westbury School, I woke up at 4 a.m to practice before I went to school. People began to notice me so I got more disciplined and dedicated; I was running 10 miles and doing 600 push-ups a day and spending one hour at the gym”, comments Evans. Due to such determination, his teammates named him ‘The Machine’.

Jamati Online got in touch with ‘The Machine’ to find out more about sports and fitness models, his aspirations as well as some quality tips to stay in shape and live a healthy life generally.

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What exactly does a sports and fitness model do?

Sports and fitness models can be used for all types of jobs like fitness magazine, sports TV commercials, sports advertising; and general TV commercials, pop videos, film, theatre, advertising. They are the kids that usually work for companies like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armor. Basically, you have to stay on your game and be in top physical condition all year round to be a sports and fitness model.

How long have you been doing it?

I have been doing fitness and sports modeling for about 6 months. I’m still new to the game. I’m trying to get my name out there so companies can notices me. In this short period some of my highlights including winning second position as fitness model in my first competition, Fame USA in Houston, Texas. I also did some few sports stock photos ad and some locate ad. My biggest accomplishment is the people all over the world that I have inspired to start exercising, and that lot to me.

Have you modeled for any sports company?

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Since I started, I have not gotten any opportunity to work for any company as fitness and sports model. I am currently seeking agency representation that will allow me to work in the commercial print field as well as TV and web advertising. Still very new to the industry so I pray that one day, a company or agency gives me an opportunity to work with them.

What else do you do beside modeling?

I just started my own business called Body Fitness. Body Fitness principally runs a strengthening and conditioning program for people of all shapes and sizes. I educate, motivate and support my clients with a positive attitude in a relaxed atmosphere throughout the entire program. Body Fitness is dedicated to serving my clients and providing them with the motivation to stay fit, have fun, and further their health and fitness education.

What is a routine day like for you?

I wake up early in the morning at about 5 a.m and I go for 4 miles and hit the gym for 2 hours. After the workout I will get ready to train my clients. When I get home from work I go to the gym and spend one hour doing 500 push ups and 500 sit ups.

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How do you stay fit all year round?

Staying fit requires a lot of hard work and commitment. I work out 5 days a week. I’m very disciplined when it comes to nutrition because food plays a very important part for me to stay in top shape. It is about eating healthy as well. My meals include low calories, low fat, lots of vegetables and fruits, fiber and lean protein and I drink plenty of water. Sleep and rest is another vital aspect for me in staying fit and healthy so I make sure that I get 8 hours of sleep everyday. I stay in shape all year round with 1 to 3% body fat. I always want to make sure that am ready for a photo shoot. One thing I don’t do is protein shakes or supplements; I’m 100% all natural.

What benefits have you gained from staying fit?

Staying in shape has prevented me from getting all kind of sicknesses. For me, taking care of my body gives me higher self-esteem which leads me to feel good physically and mentally. Most importantly, my goal as a fitness and sports model is to inspire others to stay in shape and lead a healthy lifestyle. The benefits are endless. Being fit is just a great way to live your life.

What kind of food do your recommend for staying fit?

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The quote I go by when it come to healthy food is: “Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness.”

1) Brown Rice, 2) Oatmeal, 3) Salad and Vegetables, 4) Baked Chicken, 5) fish

What are some 5 basic exercises to do to stay in shape?

1) Push ups, 2) Abdominal exercises, 3) Running or Walking, 4) Sports, 5) Maintain a healthy diet

What are some quick  dos and don’ts in staying healthy?

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Do’s

Try to exercise at least 4 to 5 times per week, drink plenty of water, eat a healthy diet, and get enough sleep.

Don’t’s

No fried food, no smoking, no alcohol.

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Ameyaw Meets

Oprah Winfrey & Blitz Bazawule answer my questions about ‘The Color Purple’

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Oprah Winfrey & Blitz Bazawule answer my questions about ‘The Color Purple’

In April, I had the opportunity to join a Zoom Q&A session with Oprah Winfrey and Blitz Bazawule, courtesy FilmOne Distribution. The conversation was around the bold remake of ‘The Color Purple’ scheduled for release this Christmas!   (more…)

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Ameyaw Meets

Asari Music highlights new single ‘Like Dat’, balancing college with music and more

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Asari Music

Week-in week-out I get to interview one of the many faces in showbiz and this week on Ameyaw Meets, Asari Music is the one. She’s a young, upcoming and very talented Ghanaian-American singer – who in case you haven’t heard, is out with the hottest song you might hear all week. (more…)

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People & Lifestyle

I single-handedly popularized Shea Butter in the United States – Margaret Andega

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According to Margaret Andega, a Kenyan entrepreneur in Atlanta, she was the driving force behind the commercialization of Shea Butter in the US during the late 90s. (more…)

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People & Lifestyle

He went from cooking on Instagram to owning a food truck in Atlanta and more… the story of Quabena’s Kitchen

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story of Quabena’s Kitchen

The COVID-19 pandemic birthed many opportunities for people all over the globe. For one Ghanaian living in the US, the pandemic reconnected him with his passion which has now become a full-time job.

Quabena’s Kitchen shared with me his story about how he went from cooking for family and friends, to sharing content of his cooking on Instagram page at the height of the pandemic, which has now transformed into a thriving catering business in Atlanta, Georgia.

Quabena’s Kitchen services now include a food truck providing Ghanaian and West African delicacies to Africans and non-Africans alike, with ambitions of a restaurant on the cards!

Watch this exciting story on Ameyaw TV below:

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Read Also: The chef behind Fufu Pizza is about to open Afro-Fusion Cafe in Atlanta

 

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Ameyaw Meets

The chef behind Fufu Pizza is about to open Afro-Fusion Cafe in Atlanta

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US-based Liberian professional chef, Chauncy Yarngo caught the attention of the world with his amazing creations such as fufu pizza, fufu taco, plantain burgers and more. (more…)

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Fashion

Why Ghanaian-American Jeffrey Ampratwum is the menswear expert to watch in fashion!

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At the start of the Victoria era, early 19th century – the English began to tone down the royal style dressing of the French army, namely those adorned in prestigious regalia and heavy embroidery. It was a sign of English nationalism and sparked a new wave of appearance in men. A few decades later, the suit was born and heavily influenced those in Italy and America. The British and the Americans have a rich revolutionary history, of course, and coincidentally the British colonized the African country – Gold Coast – until 1957 when they declared their independence and changed their name to Ghana. 

 

As part of an independent Ghana, a host of individuals began to exercise new freedoms and venture out of the country into new territories. Many Ghanaians set their eyes on American travel and a wave of trail blazers left the country and settled in the infamous New York City. For most, it was an opportunity to plant new seeds in the hopes that their children would be afforded even more opportunities for a prosperous life.

 

One of these children of the diaspora is Bronx-born Jeffrey Ampratwum. The only child to Kate Bampoe and Eugene Asante-Ampratwum Mpere, who met in the Bronx after immigrating from Ghana. The dynamics of having African parents and being raised in a heavily eclectic environment gave rise to Jeffreys style and prose. More importantly, we can honestly say that there are only a handful of Ghanaian-Americans living in the states that can exhibit a special presentation that reflects both their African heritage married with the esthetic of their nationality. We recently caught up with Jeffrey to discuss how his early influences provided him with a framework to now become such a strong force in the menswear industry in fashion.

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Jeffrey. 

AD: Jeffrey, Ɛte sɛn?

 

Jeff: Haha, Eye.

 

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AD: I had to test your Twi really quick! You know most Ghanaians who are born in the states dont have a clue about the language unless its spoken fiercely in the home.

 

Jeff: You are 100% correct with that. Ha. But for me, I was lucky in that my mother took me to Ghana before I even knew how to use words. So, in actuality, Twi was the first language and vocabulary I learned, and in essence, English is my second language. So, Im really decent when it comes to using Twi. Im a cheat code! But keep that quiet. Ha.

  

AD: How much of the remnants of the Ghanaian culture factored into your approach to your style and presentation?

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Jeff: When I was younger and in school, particularly in the Bronx – it wasnt always your proudest moment to be from Africa or to say your family was African. Part of the silly embarrassment was perhaps from the narratives that were spinning on television. Americans were being indoctrinated with visuals of feed the children” which only highlighted the extreme poverty in a few Africans countries. The images and broadcasts were all the same, for decades. So called philanthropist and humanitarians took camera crews into ravaged areas and televised starving children for us to see here in the states. I believe that had a profound effect on young boys and girls born from African parents.

Jeffrey

However, as for me – I always looked at being dark skinned and being deeply rooted into my African culture as a super power. I liked the idea of being different, even though all the kids in all my classes were also children of immigrants. They just couldnt grasp the concept of it at that time. So, from there, it was showtime. My Uncle, Joseph Ken Mintah – was the pioneer as the first in the family to travel to the states – he had extreme style. My mother also is very detailed with her sense of jewelry and fragrances. I adsorbed it all. 

 

AD: Did you start dressing in traditional African attire? What do you mean exactly?

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Jeff: Not exactly! But, being an only child really allowed for me to sit deep in thought for long periods of time. Being left-handed allowed for me to be extremely dexterous and detailed. And being raised solely by my mother further allowed me to pay attention to the importance of clothing and accessories – as she dressed herself each morning. It was the ultimate cocktail and I was already drunk with creativity. I started customizing all the clothes I had. By no means were we wealthy, so I had to manage just a few outfits for school.

 

My styling began when I would turn 5 outfits into 15 – so essentially, a 5-day school week became New York Fashion Week for me. I would airbrush my sneakers, turn Old Navy sweaters inside out for a fleece appeal, and cuff my jeans in 4 different ways depending on my footwear. This soon became a bad habit and made me late for school many mornings.

 

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AD: You see, if you are late to school in Ghana back then – you might as well have sat by the road to hide from both your mother and headmaster! What was college like for you then?

 

Jeff: Right! Ha. It grew legs during my undergrad. Now all the pretty girls were around, I had more freedom to come and go, and more importantly – I had a stage to showcase my style. I joined a student club in the SEEK Program, and soon became the President and started hosting a string of events based around fashion. 4 years and a bachelors degree later, there were 6 fashion shows and 3 beauty pageants under my belt. Huge successes. I started to doubt my real educational reason for attending college, which was to become a dentist. Fashion was dancing on one shoulder and dentistry on the other. But somehow, I figured out how to still involve the two. My best buddy, Kenny – whom I met at the college on the road to become dentists – made it through. So, I live vicariously through him. And now, coincidentally – together we’ve developed a brand – a service of bespoke mens luxury shoes and women’s handbags, and ready to wear womenswear shoes as well. Named, Kenjeffreys. It is serendipitous because all of the products are sourced and handcrafted in Haiti and infused with Ghanaian culture. As Kenny is from Haiti, we properly employ artisans within the community and focus heavily on our social impact.

Following undergrad, I then began at FIT as student, really just trying to test my styling hand – and to learn more about the industry. While there, I came across extremely talented and knowledgeable fashion professionals that have really guided me. Namely, Sadia Seymour and Joseph DeAcetis. Both wildly experienced, patient and embedded with a wealth of information. Respectfully in womenswear and menswear. You cannot beat that, and I am grateful for it.

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AD: That is strangely unique and admirable. Talk to us about how all those experiences and inspirations give rise to the Jeffrey or Che we see today and ultimately, where that places you in your field of fashion and menswear.

 

Jeff: Sure. Great point. I have been indoctrinated by the basic principles of creativity as an adolescent – with respect to clothing. That is extremely hard to shake. Innately, styling was my ultimate form of communication, seeing that I was a shy introvert. So now, I still revert back to those same feelings…. the feeling of home, warmth, memories, great food and innocent fun. My approach now is exactly the same in the sense that when I am dressing, styling or designing for someone – I am taking into account their entire repertoire and holding a mirror in front of them which reflects the items that they love most. It is a skill that perhaps only empaths are only able to exhibit.

 

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Having the ability to read into thoughts and connecting with the motivating spirits that drives people – is a gift. I ran the New York City marathon three times, and the 2nd time I ran it in a tuxedo! It was my ultimate homage and pledging of allegiance to fashion. Ha.

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I also believe my extensive traveling experience has aided to the arsenal. Recent trips to Ghana always resets a creative instinct with me, as I look around and arrive back to a place of self-awareness. It feels right. My cousin Harry knows where to be to capture the real essence of the land. And, coincidentally enough, I am often back and forth to the UK as well. Savile row in London, England -as you know – is a menswear connoisseurs Disney Land. It is the traditional hub for the world’s best tailored-bespoke suits. Naples and Florence are a close second. However, sartorially, the British have etched their names in the fine-art making of the suit. I do though spend most of my time in Brighton, UK. Its where my love is and also like a second home for me. The culture there is infused with various styles and the community is inviting. The Duchess of Brighton-Hove, Lady Donna and her amazing friends will assure that you have a great time! 

 

AB: Finally, talk to us about your styling approach with respect to specific talent that you work with.

 

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Jeff: Definitely. This is perhaps an area you cannot teach. It is learned with years of experience and even reading the room wrong most times. I tell my fashion students often that they have to continue shooting airballs at the basket. Get out the miss shots, now – and properly learn your subjects. For example, if I am styling a celebrity for the red carpet – several nuances are to be considered before arriving at a dress or a tuxedo. Such as, what stages in life is your talent currently in, how body conscious are they and what are they most nostalgic about. These (and some of my other secrets that I cannot give away) are the pillars to nailing great style, image and presentation.

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If I am shooting for a magazine in a studio – its party time. If you are not dancing as a model or grooving as a photographer, you are are in the wrong business, per say! Haha. With me, you are very liable to hear everyone from Bob Marley, James Brown, MJ, and Jay-Z to Queen, Lady Gaga, Biggie, Nas and Beyonce all on the same playlist. I say that to say: I enjoy what I do in fashion, and I will always represent the joys of that. I believe that is what makes me an enigma in this industry. Always professional however, but make it subjective and inject areas of your creativity wherever you can. Particularly in menswear – I keep a very intimate and close pulse on traditional, casual and street styles of these sub genres – and study them gravely like the science they are. That all still comes from sitting deep in thought as I did
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