Kevin's History | Kevin Zahri's Official Website

1978-1991: Hamburg Germany

I was born in Hamburg, Germany on 12th December 1978 where I spent most of my childhood.

In 1985 I entered primary school and immediately found myself excelling in math and sports. Somehow those two came very natural to me without much effort.

I picked up table tennis (yes table tennis!) along the way and was ranked 3rd in Hamburg for my age group. Other than that I represented my school in athletics and swimming.

1991-1997: Malaysia Part I

Around June/July 1991, we finally made the move to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Not easy at that age. I had to adjust to a new culture, new language (couldn’t speak Malay and my English wasn’t great either) and had to make new friends.

…couldn’t speak Malay and my English wasn’t great either…

I enrolled in a local KL school, worked my way through Peralihan and slowly picked up the language. What happened to sports? It suffered but still represented the school in table tennis up to the KL level.

In 1994, my father enrolled me in a “kampung” boarding school in Teluk Intan to learn about religion and humility. I surely wasn’t too happy back then but now, I truly appreciate the experience. Completed my PMR there and left for MRSM Pengkalan Chepa where I graduated in 1996, as SPM trial top student and was offered a scholarship to further my studies in the US.

…where I graduated in 1996, as SPM trial top student and was offered a scholarship to further my studies in the US…

1997-2002: College in Boston, USA

I enrolled in Northeastern University (Boston)in 1997 and graduated with a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Economics by 2002. For me the US was really not about my education but to experience life and become well…a man.

…I graduated with a major in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Economics…

It was in the US, where I got my first few jobs, started fitness training and to truly learn about nutrition and sports science. Here too, I got my AFTA Personal Training and Nutritionist certification.

2002: Malaysia Part II

Opon graduation, I returned to Malaysia in 2002. Like anyone that age, I was (still am) full of dreams and enthusiasm to kickstart my “real” life.

Sure, being a scholar, I had to serve my bond but working 9-5 job was never my thing. I wanted to be my own boss and control my life. However, being fresh out of college, I didn’t have the funds to start anything..yet. So I started doing ads and commercials to save up.

…however, being fresh out of college, I didn’t have the funds to start anything..yet…

2004-2005: My First Company

With these, in 2004 I launched my first company, Maxtrition.com.my. A company providing health & fitness products and services in Malaysia. I used the company & website as a platform to expand my reach and build myself as a health & fitness brand.

In 2005, I started to write for fitness articles for various local magazines, hosted by first TV program (Mango TV) and recorded my first health & fitness TV show (Gaya Hidup Sihat).

2006-2007

With Maxtrition expanding and growing, in 2006 I was selected as “Cikgu Fitness” for Astro’s Akademi Fantasia season 4. The experience was an eye opener for me and made me a somewhat of a household name in the area of health & fitness for Malaysia.

At the end of 2006, I started writing material for my first book and opened my IT/Web Hosting Company - Maxhosting.com.my in 2007.