Jordan Yeoh is one of the featured experts at the 2024 Hong Kong Fitness and Wellness Expo. - Photo: Jordan Yeoh
HONG KONG: As a child, Jordan Yeoh admired the physiques of martial arts star Bruce Lee, Conan the Barbarian and the buff characters in the animated television series ThunderCats.
Shyness, however, prevented him from hitting “the intimidating gyms” that were full of muscular guys.
“Eventually, I got tired of my party lifestyle and decided to make a change. With a good buddy joining me, I signed up for the gym, and that’s when I discovered a whole new chapter in my life,” he says.
Today, the 37-year-old Malaysian is very different both mentally and physically.
Dubbed the “Jay Chou of the fitness world” due to his resemblance to the Taiwanese singer-songwriter and actor, Yeoh is a super-fit influencer with over 14 million followers on social media.
He will also be one of the top international fitness instructors at this year’s Hong Kong Fitness and Wellness Expo (FWE), which will take place at AsiaWorld-Expo from November 22 to 24.
Other featured guests include Zumba expert Jennifer Kim from South Korea; New Zealand yoga teacher Josh Kramer; KpopX Fitness founder Maddy Lim from Singapore; yoga teacher Lulu Soul from South Korea; Move Repeat co-founder and fitness expert Alicia Pan from Singapore; and Malaysian actress Lin Min-chen.
FWE offers a feast for fitness fans, with more than 100 group classes, eight key zones and more than 20 innovative fitness and wellness experiences, from pickleball and Pilates to strength training and pole fitness.
A top draw is Hyrox, a fitness race introduced in Germany in 2017 and now held globally. Participants run eight 1km dashes, each to a different workout station to complete a challenge. They can race as individuals, in teams of two or in relay, and can see how they fare in a global ranking system.
Hyrox 365, a mini fitness studio designed for non-Hyrox participants, will give people the opportunity to experience different aspects of the race, where they can test their endurance, strength and speed.
Bodyweight workouts are one of Yeoh’s specialities and at FWE he will show metcon, or metabolic conditioning.
“Metcon is a method to boost your fitness level in a short amount of time or build endurance over longer sessions, turning your body into a muscle-building or fat-burning machine,” Yeoh explains.
“It involves basic exercises that most of us did in PE class, like jumping jacks, running, squats and push-ups. These exercises come with almost no learning curve, so whether you’re fit or unfit, anyone without movement limitations can benefit from this training.
“It’s perfect for people who don’t have much time or access to gym equipment.”
The fitness celebrity and certified personal trainer is visible proof of hard work. Diet, too, is key to his daily routine.
“First, I do a four- to five-minute cold plunge at three to five degrees Celsius [37 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit], then follow it up with some quick breathwork. After that, I dive into work tasks like brainstorming content, programming and managing my small team.
“In the afternoon, I begin my first workout of the day with weights ... to maintain and build strength and muscle. Later, two to four hours after that, or sometimes right after the gym, I do a cardio routine – it could be running, bodyweight exercises or playing sports like badminton with my wife.
“In the evening, I have my first solid meal of the day: three chicken legs, along with a bowl of broccoli or greens and a mix of white and sweet potatoes. After that, I relax with my family, have some ‘me’ time and then wind down for the night.
“You might ask, ‘Do you only eat one meal a day?’ Earlier in the day, I have liquid meals like whey protein shakes and sometimes mix in oats if I need an extra boost for high-intensity work.”
Fatherhood, he says, has shifted his goals.
“Honestly, sleep has been the biggest challenge during the first year of fatherhood. It’s almost impossible to maintain a perfect routine because, well, life isn’t perfect.
“Goal-wise, things have shifted. Before, it was all about aesthetics. But now, with kids, I prioritise my mental health and physical longevity. I want to be able to do extreme activities with my kids when they’re in their 20s and 30s, rather than being that old guy who says, ‘Nah, that’s too much for me.’”
Yeoh is a great believer in how physiology affects psychology.
“Fitness has boosted my confidence by improving my posture, which, in turn, strengthens me mentally,” he says.
“When you focus on your strengths, that’s where you truly find yourself, and that’s where real confidence is built.”
Yeoh, who found fame in 2015 when photos of him shirtless selling durians at a friend’s fruit stall in Malaysia went viral, says dealing with the attention was at first overwhelming.
“I struggled with the pressure of all the attention and stares – it felt like everyone was watching and had an opinion. But over time, I’ve come to see it as a good problem to have.
“I always remind myself that if you have haters, critics and people commenting, it’s not a bad thing – it just means they’re paying attention to you. You’re alive!
“I’ve been training for almost two decades, working with more than 100,000 people both online and offline. I’ve produced over 10,000 pieces of content since 2011, but this will be my first time leading a class in Hong Kong. I’m excited.” - South China Morning Post
