Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Owusu
Hi Eric, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My name is Eric Akwasi Owusu. Many know me as “Coach O.” My story is about Resilience, Relentless Determination, and Pursuing an Uncommon Dream against Overwhelming Odds.
I was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Ghana, West Africa, until I was 8.
I have been tumbling since I was 4 years old when I lived in Ghana, West Africa. I started gymnastics during my first year at Fenton High School, Bensenville, IL, at 15 years old. Ever since, I have committed my life to Gymnastics, trying to create a gymnastics team for my country, Ghana, to become Ghana’s first Olympic gymnast; however, after two ruptured Achilles tendons and one ruptured patella tendon. I have decided to put gymnastics on hold for the time being. For now, I had to put my first love of sport to the side.
What started as a way to help raise money for my gymnastics training camp became what I am known for. Tumbling. I started coaching tumbling at 15 years old. Now, I run an at-home tumbling service to bring high-quality tumbling knowledge to your home where you are comfortable. “ComFit™” This is my career and one of my many passions.
However, in 2018, my life changed.
In 2018, I was recruited to the Ghana Skeleton Team. While coaching at Niles West High School in Skokie, IL, I met former Greenbay running back Micheal Blair. Who has lineage from Jamaica? Think “Cool Runnings.” While training with the Jamaican bobsled team, he met Akwasi Frimpong. Blair introduced us, and the rest is history. Becoming the first in my family to have the opportunity to represent my heritage on an Olympic stage. But the road to this point has been far from easy.
Growing up as a first-generation American has not been easy. From being raised by an immigrant single father from Ghana, West Africa, who didn’t speak English fluently, to being bullied after moving back to the United States, overcoming homelessness, the struggles of a drug-addicted mother, and multiple devastating injuries, every step has been a fight.
Despite these challenges, I’ve continued to push forward, but today, I need your help & support to keep my Olympic Dream Alive. My life has always been about defying the odds. I grew up in a challenging environment. My father raised me as a single parent, navigating a new country with limited resources and no fluency in English. I taught my father how to read & write. I even helped him study and pass his American citizenship test. My mother struggled with addiction, leaving us to fend for ourselves. Despite these obstacles, my father’s resilience taught me to keep fighting and to dream big, no matter what.
Life took another challenging turn when I was homeless for six months, fighting to survive Chicago winter in my Toyota Yaris before eventually moving to Florida.
On top of that, the Ghana Skeleton Team receives no financial support from the country and relies entirely on independent funding and sponsorships. Due to the lack of funding, I’ve never been able to complete an entire skeleton season—a critical step for gaining experience, earning points, and qualifying for the Winter Olympics. These challenges have only fueled my drive to push harder and achieve my dreams. The road to the Olympics is not just about physical and mental endurance—it’s also about financial support. Skeleton is an elite sport that requires extensive travel, specialized equipment, and costly training. Without funding, I haven’t been able to complete an entire season, which has limited my experience and ability to earn qualifying points for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
My first goal is to complete a skeleton season in 2025–2026. This will allow me to gain the much-needed experience to excel in the sport and earn the points required to qualify for the Olympics. I seek to raise over $50,000 to cover plane tickets, luggage fees for traveling with a 100 lb sled, training runs, coaching, new equipment, physical therapy, competition fees, food during competition weeks, lodging, and Car Rental. Every dollar will go directly toward this goal, helping me take the next crucial step in my journey. This dream isn’t just about me. It’s about representing Ghana, West Africa, and all of Africa. Breaking barriers and showing the world that relentless perseverance can overcome anything. It’s about inspiring young people—especially those who feel like underdogs—that they can achieve greatness no matter where they start.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
OH, NO. Far from smooth. My life has always been about defying the odds. I grew up in a challenging environment—my father raised me as a single parent, navigating a new country with limited resources and without fluency in English. My mother struggled with addiction, leaving us to fend for ourselves. Despite these obstacles, my father’s resilience taught me to keep fighting and to dream big.
My Life took a challenging turn during warm-ups at ALL STAR CHEERLEADING Worlds in Orlando in 2015. I ruptured my left Achilles tendon. It was the first significant injury in my whole life. My cheer career was over, so I thought. In 2018, when I was homeless for six months, fighting to survive in Chicago Winters in my car, I decided to make a cheerleading comeback. To my dismay, during practice, I rupture my other (Right) Achilles Tendon. Now, I’m living in my car, dealing with an infected Achilles tendon. I fought it, and then Covid happened. Eventually, moving to Florida. Where I was homeless again for 3 months while living in a gym that I worked at. During gymnastics training in 2023, I ruptured my right patella tendon. I went through a grueling and testing recovery because I had a goal. I want to compete in my first International Skeleton Competition that same year. I was able to achieve this goal. This period was one of the hardest in my life. However, it reinforced my determination to overcome every obstacle before me, no matter what. Regardless of the circumstances and adversities, my faith never wavered and grew with each setback and success.
In addition, the Ghana Skeleton Team receives no financial support from the country and relies entirely on independent funding and sponsorships. Due to this lack of funding, I’ve never been able to complete an entire skeleton season—a critical step for gaining experience, earning points, and qualifying for the Winter Olympics. These challenges have only fueled my drive to push harder and achieve my dreams. I have neglected my bills, risking eviction, repossession of my car, and lights and phone off due to putting those funds into training and competition. However, with help from friends and family and holding tumbling clinics, I have gotten something out of nothing. Any little experience and time on the ice I can get. I will take it. Now, I am ready for the next level. COMPLETE A FULL SEASON. I genuinely believe I can achieve something great. My scars and wounds testify to my will to battle and WIN no matter what. This is why I know I will become something significant for Ghana and all of Africa. No Excuses. I Will Never Give Up!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Coach O. That’s who I am known as in the coaching world. I have been called that since working at Niles West High School in Skokie, IL, in 2013. It’s just the ‘O’ in Owusu. What started as a way to help raise money for my gymnastics training camp became what I am known for. Tumbling. I started coaching tumbling at 15 years old. Now, I run an at-home tumbling service to bring high-quality tumbling knowledge to your home where you are comfortable. “ComFit” This is my career. This is one of my many passions.
At 15, I joined gymnastics and began coaching while excelling as an athlete. As a high school gymnast, I ranked in the Top 10 on Floor and Vault in Illinois and became a 2x IL State qualifier for High School Cheerleading. After transitioning into All-Star cheerleading, I competed with Cheer Illinois Athletics at the All-Star Cheerleading World Championship in Orlando, Florida, Twice.
My coaching journey began with a passion project to fund a gymnastics clinic at the University of Illinois, a Big 10 school. From there, I earned certifications to coach high school gymnastics and cheerleading, eventually founding ComFit™. This at-home tumbling instruction company focuses on helping athletes develop their strength & flexibility in tumbling in a pressure-free environment.
Based in Jacksonville, Florida, I continue to inspire athletes of all levels, from 4 years old to 60 years old. I can teach anyone how to tumble, have them understand everything to do, and develop exponentially while forming into a more developed athlete at tumbling for gymnastics, cheerleading, and dance. Outside of coaching, I am a dedicated International Athlete for the Ghana Skeleton & Bobsled Federation, training in skeleton racing for the 2026-2030 Winter Olympics. He also enjoys skateboarding in his free time.
What’s next?
I plan to represent my country, Ghana, and Africa in Winter and Summer Sports. To do this, I have created a campaign called “UncommonDreams” to raise awareness and funds and Find Sponsors to help me complete a Full Season of Skeleton to put Ghana on the map in winter sports. These funds will allow me to further my training, earn points and experience, and qualify for the 2026-2030 Winter Olympics. Because I am also a Gymnast and Skateboarder, I aim to become Ghana’s First Winter and Summer Olympian.
Pricing:
- $200.00/Hour Private At-home lesson
- T- Shirts $50.00
- Online Learning $1,000
Contact Info:
- Website: https://uncommondreams.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uncommondreams?igsh=MW52N2s2amlicDMzOA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16EKG9ud2m/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coach-o?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@uncommondreams?si=mx_O8q8E1W_1jI6l
