How I Built a Brand Beyond Sport: Black Ice, Speaking, and Partnerships
When I became an Olympic skeleton athlete, I realized my journey could reach people far beyond the ice. My experiences taught me resilience, but they also showed me something important about building a brand. Your story can become a source of inspiration, opportunity, and meaningful business when you share it with purpose.
Why School Should Mean More Than Going Back to the Classroom
By the time October arrives, the excitement of a new school year has started to settle. The new notebooks are no longer new, schedules have become familiar, and students are finding their rhythm. But for me, this is also the point when we should ask a bigger question: What are children really gaining from being […]
Why October Is the Perfect Time for Me to Rethink My Business
October gives me something I value as both an entrepreneur and a skeleton athlete: a chance to pause, look at the bigger picture, and decide what needs to change before I push forward. The fourth quarter can move quickly, especially when unfinished goals, financial decisions, relationships, and daily responsibilities start competing for attention. That is why I […]
How I Practice Non-Reactive Leadership When the Pressure Is On
Pressure can showcase who we really are. I have felt it at the top of an icy skeleton track, while building organizations, and while working to create opportunities for children through Hope Of A Billion. Every challenge reminds me that people are always watching how a leader responds. That is why I believe non-reactive leadership is not […]
How I Overcame the Fear of Starting From Zero Again and What It Taught Me About Building Anything Worthwhile
There have been several moments in my life when I had to face the reality of starting from zero. Each time, it felt uncomfortable. Sometimes it felt overwhelming. Whether I was chasing my Olympic dream, building a business, or creating opportunities for children through Hope Of A Billion, I had to accept that meaningful growth […]
How We Help Students Turn Small Dreams Into Global Opportunities Through Hope Of A Billion
When I look back on my own journey, I remember what it felt like to have big dreams but very limited resources. That experience shaped who I am today. As a skeleton athlete, entrepreneur, and co-founder of Hope Of A Billion, I believe every child deserves the chance to dream beyond their current circumstances. Through our programs, […]
What Hope Looks Like When You Grow Up With Almost Nothing
Growing up, I did not have much. There were days when basic things that many people take for granted felt out of reach. But looking back, I realize that having very little taught me something powerful. It taught me to dream anyway. It taught me to keep moving forward even when the path seemed impossible. Most […]
What Most People Get Wrong About Building Confidence in Kids
When people talk about building confidence in children, they often focus on motivation. They think kids just need praise, encouragement, or positive words. I understand why people believe that. Support matters. But from my experience as an Olympic skeleton athlete, confidence is not something you simply speak into existence. It is something children build through […]
Breaking Barriers: Giving Underserved Children Access to Sports and Education
I grew up knowing what it feels like when opportunity sits just out of reach. I was born in Ghana, raised in the Netherlands, and experienced many failures in becoming an Olympic skeleton athlete. My journey taught me that talent exists everywhere, but access does not. That truth drives everything I do today through Hope Of […]
Turning Failures Into Fuel: How Setbacks Shaped My Entrepreneurial Mindset
I did not grow up with a safety net. I grew up with questions, missed chances, and a lot of closed doors. For a long time, I thought failure meant I was doing something wrong. Now I see it differently. Every setback I faced helped shape my entrepreneurial mindset and pushed me to think bigger, tougher, and smarter. […]