Meet Brian Okeke | Powerlifting Coach
We had the good fortune of connecting with Brian Okeke and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Brian, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My passion stems from powerlifting and strength sports overall. They take up a huge part of my life, not just from a performance standpoint, but from a discipline and transformative perspective and community engagement. Ultimately, after being in the sport for such an extended period, I realized there was a way to document, empower and showcase the transformations of my lifters and others as well through a lens that goes unseen sometimes.
As a powerlifting coach, I need to let my lifters know their potential exists beyond their current capabilities. With programming and technique correction, I’m challenging my lifters to unlock a physical identity. But I’ve also realized how much more effective it is to show someone what they’re capable of using imagery and videography. Thus, the intersection of adopting powerlifting as a niche area of an otherwise professional approach to high-level photography/videography occurred because powerlifting is more than just successfully credited accomplishments; it’s about creating content that helps people feel acknowledged. Everyone needs content—even the most novice of lifters, the most fatigued halfway through an 8-week training block, or the most humbled in a local gym, dedicated to their craft—worthy of being appreciated for everything from platform successes to momentary fatigue.
Thus, when forming this business opportunity, I contextually assessed how I’d appeal to future clients through creative and strategic lenses. Creatively, I’d challenge myself with the questions of where’s the story? Where’s the strength? How can I improve the lifter experience beyond the digital world? Because simply put, from a strategic world placement perspective, there are plenty of people who need this social media imagery down the line for sponsors and up and coming triumphs that allow for such aesthetic outcomes.
It’s short and long term beneficial; however, rarely provided by one entrepreneur simultaneously. Thus, starting this business would allow for an environment of strength, both in performance and perspective while allowing me to be in close proximity to my desired sport from an entrepreneurial standpoint, developing rapport within the community and allowing for diversified support beyond just performance/physical transformation.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art involves strength and storytelling. As a powerlifting coach, photographer and videographer, I’m constantly on the lookout to showcase the passion, perseverance, and personalized achievements behind each lift. It’s not just about getting the perfect deadlift shot during the lift or a squat video on the up; it’s about capturing an experience of meaning that lets the lifter tell their narrative.
What sets me apart is that I know what it feels like to be on either side of the platform. I’m not just the coach who’s standing behind the platform or the photographer standing in the corner with a camera; I’m someone who knows the mindset, the sacrifice, and the small victories that never make the scoreboard. That perspective allows me to shoot and coach with intention. I know what moments matter most to an athlete, because I’ve been there.
Professionally I would say I’m not there yet. I started from the ground, up—from filming friends at competitions to filming form breakdowns and setting exposure in poorly lit powerlifting gyms. I didn’t have a professional camera, a killer social media following, or a foresight for a business plan. I had consistent inquisitiveness and passion about this emerging sport. Every challenge I’ve faced—self-questioning, will I ever make money, giving takes that will go unrewarded, mastering new talents—kept pushing me toward pursuing my craft while reminding me why I started (powerlifters get little to no credit as it is).
Some lessons emerged from the fire; talent is never enough, and follow-through, communication, and humility are non-negotiables. I learned the value of showing up early, staying late, that all stories mattered, whether someone was setting national records or achieving PRs in their home garage gyms.
What I want the world to know about my brand is that it comes from a place of empathy—for the player, the accomplishment & journey, and the invested audience of visual storytelling. I want to give a voice where many don’t have one and create persisting memories of what’s worth remembering. Let me show you to the world for what your greatness is—subtle or flamboyant—because it’s sure to change someone else’s life in the process.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: Arrival, we’d take a stroll through Deep Ellum—my absolute favorite part of downtown with murals everywhere, live music and energy surrounding you. For dinner, you can’t go wrong with Nigerian food so we’d hit up West African Way in Plano, TX
Day 2: Work, Work, Work + Clean Eats We’d hit the gym first at either Absolute Recomp in Las Colinas or Battle Axe Barbell in Garland two legendary spots imo. I’d probably get some training footage while we’re there; gotta do it. Post-workout bites would be at Egg N Bird
Day 3: Museum + Rooftop Sunset Dependent on interests, we could spend the day at Dallas Museum of Art or Perot Museum. If they’re into science and technology, Perot is a cool experience. I find museums to be very creatively inspiring.
Then, we’ll head to Truck Yard for low-key bites and live music.
Day 4: Content Creation. Day 4 is midweek so it’s a great time to break out the camera. We’ll hit some cool backdrops for lifestyle or training content (Klyde Warren Park, Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Fabrication Yard for graffiti art)
Dinner would be Saemaeul Korean BBQ in Carrollton for a different experience. Maybe we’ll end the night with a random run on the McKinney Avenue Trolley for fun.
Day 5: Fort Worth Field Trip On day 5, we’re driving out to Fort Worth to experience the Stockyards, Riscky’s for lunch or dinner and maybe the Modern Art Museum or Rodeo if it’s winter—where Wild West meets contemporary art; an interesting contrast to an otherwise Dallas week and great experience!
Day 6: Restore & Recharge Day 6 is a sleep in kind of day; brunch at Bread Winners or Overeasy before either walking around White Rock Lake or hitting Katy Trail Ice House to chill.
Day 7: Sunday Send Off. Would honestly be another chill day, would find a local brunch spot before they head back home
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
If it were not for Jamal Browner and Russel Orhii I would not be in the space I am now. Seeing their Youtube videos way back in mid 2019 is what drew me to the sport of Powerlifitng
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
