1978 - Today
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.
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.
In 1994, my father enrolled me in a “kampung” boarding school in Teluk Intan to learn about religion and humility. 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.
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.
Here, I 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. Being a scholar, I had to serve my bond but working 9-5 job was never my thing. 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 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.
2008-2009
Launch of my first book, “Fitness 24/7″ in Feb 2008. Launched Cekodok.com, a Malaysian health and fitness educational website.