Inside the Mind of a Celebrity Fitness Coach EJ Philip Joshua | #53

I woke up, I couldn't breathe. I felt like almost having a heart attack. >> Jeez. >> And that was like something very weird for me because being fit last time coming into this, this was definitely not normal. Went to do a full body checkup and the doctor says, "Hey, EJ, all your markers are off. If you pursue this, guarantee you in the next two to three years, you will get a heart." Every day I would go to the bar knowing that I have a lot of trouble on my back. just going to the bar just to draw my sorrows because you can't tell anybody. >> But I told myself, hey, okay, I either have to be the worst or the best. There's no in between. >> Okay. >> So, I went off to be the best. Started bodybuilding. I went for my first competition at 36. I'm EJ Phillip. I'm um celebrity trainer. I'm Mr. World Singapore. Yeah. And I train most of the celebrities and I'm the owner founder of Alpha Base Fitness. When I started gyming back in the day, I was like every gym bro. So moving into the real set of training then I realized it's a whole complex thing and the only way to really understand is to actually put yourself to the test which is to apply what you learn onto yourself and letting other people see. >> Bodybuilding is a lifestyle >> you have to sacrifice friends you know outings you know a lot of things the highlight like in my career the clients are people who have health issues that I help to reverse. >> Yeah. >> These are people that I really people who go through depression. >> Yeah. like really bad depression, suicidal, and I I helped them. These are the the the clients that I always resonate because I was the make or break in their life. >> EJ, welcome. How are you, brother? >> Hey, I'm great, man. Thanks for having me. Awesome to be on board. >> You look like a million dollars. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> So, we'll jump we'll come back to this, but you've got a big fight. So, I'm glad that we're doing this today. >> Thank you. Yes. >> In time for your fight, >> correct? So, are you at your leanest that you've been for a while? >> Um, I normally go in and out because I prepare for competitions and this is by far a holding weight for me. >> So, it's easy. It was easy to get to my weight. It wasn't like um difficult. Yes. >> That's amazing. Now, can you just please give our audience the few people that may not know you a bit of a background as to who you are before we turn back the pages of time and we unpack your amazing journey. >> Okay, great. So, uh I'm EJ Phillip. I'm um celebrity trainer. I'm Mr. Wal Singapore. Yeah. and I train most of the celebrities and I'm the owner founder of Alphab Fitness. >> Wow. >> So when you grew up in Singapore, did you fall in love with sports at an early age? >> Um yeah, I was relatively active. You know, back in the day, football was the thing. So every kid would be down under the HDB block playing football, you know, aspiring to be part of the football team. So fitness was kind of my thing as we grew up. Yeah. So yeah. And how did you fall in love with because you you did you always do bodybuilding or lifting weights like from your teenage years? When did that journey start? >> So I only started bodybuilding effectively when I started um working in the gym. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Because that was a means of like how do you understand the body better in terms of um nutrition, diet and to get it off its peak. >> Yeah. >> So that's why I went into bodybuilding. >> Okay. And did you did you know that this is something you wanted to do you know and take it to the next level? Um so funny story when I started gyming back in the day I was like every gym bro you know we only ch train chest biceps cuz that was look good when you wearing t-shirt right >> so moving into the real set of training then I realized it's a whole complex thing and the only way to really understand is to actually put yourself to the test which is to apply what you learn onto yourself and letting other people see >> and a physique is something that's just because that's all about discipline and understanding what goes into your body, right? So bodybuilding was the best thing. So yeah, >> it's and the thing a lot of people unless they work out, bodybuilding is a lifestyle. >> Yeah, it is a lifestyle, man. You have to wake up, you have to breathe, eat, you know, live bodybuilding and it's a lot and a lot of people you have to sacrifice a lot of thing. when you want to go into that era, you have to sacrifice friends, you know, outings, you know, a lot of thing. And I have a lot of respect to those pro bodybuilders out there, uh, a couple of them in Singapore who really dedicate their lifestyle to really only want to do bodybuilding. >> Yeah, it's it's on another level. >> It's a different level like any sport. >> So, go back. So, growing up like um what was your journey into business? Because growing up in Singapore, did you think that you were going to get a 9 toive job? I want to I want to know your journey and how you got to it. So okay, growing up I primarily my life was in night life. I was a bartender. >> Okay. >> Right. So bartender, mixologist, kind of work at a restaurant, find restaurant. Yeah, that was my life. And eventually that um took a toll on me and I kind of like okay got tired of the whole nightife industry because it's it's really monotonous. You wake up, you go out, you work, then after that you go for drinks, you party and then the cycle repeats, right? So I thought okay fine. And then I got into real estate for a bit. Right after that gig, I got into real estate. >> And that was the funny thing. So when I got into real estate, um, it's a good business, but it didn't I wasn't passionate about it. I was still passionate about night life. >> So I made my money from real estate. Then I end up opening my bar. >> So that was my first >> Where was that? >> Uh, BKI. >> Okay. >> So it's called London. >> Okay. >> So I actually bought it from the guy. So in real estate actually uh I kind of did a niche market. I kind of do buy and sell businesses. >> Okay. >> So, I kind of like worked in the whole line of Burki. So, I know a lot of the owners there. >> So, that was one of my clients that I helped set up the bar. >> What year was that in? >> Um, somewhere 2020 was co three years somewhere 1998 kind of that period of time. >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> And then tell us about that. So did that a bit and I realized the passion of being the behind the bar mixing versus running an actual bar is big difference. >> Very different. >> Very different. It drains you. It takes a lot from you. There are ups and downs. You're always being an entrepreneur. You're always the first to pay people and you're the last to get paid, right? And that's the whole lifestyle and it can be very very stressful. So that was kind of like my my get into go for business >> and it was a eye openener and I realized that hey um I I love doing that but I need to manage it properly because with that lifestyle comes the alcohol the late nights and that was where I kind of took a health toll right because there's no control what do you do you go to work >> there's there's alcohol waiting for you it's just what time and when >> right and what that's all you have to do So that kind of took a toll on me and I did that for about four years. I did the whole bar scene, run the restroom for four years and then I had a health scare and I said, "Hey, you know what? I was not happy." >> What was the health scare? >> Um, all my markers were off. >> Okay. >> High cholesterol, um, high blood pressure, especially for the stress. >> Yeah. >> Uh, diabetes was also kind of high. >> And you and you were young. >> Yeah. Yeah, I was young. So that was kind of like a wakeup call for me because I was pursuing what I thought was my passion and then it end up turning sideways because that was what not I what I really needed right so then I told myself hey you know what can I can I do something else for lesser money that actually can make me more happy >> because the depression from that was bad >> like um the drinking you know if you are not in a good state of mind you add um abusive substance to it like alcohol Yeah. >> You just spiral down. >> Yeah. >> And there's never a a a good day. It's only how you cover up a bad day. >> Wow. Very insightful. >> Yeah. And that was my day day in day out because every day I would go to the bar knowing that I have a lot of trouble on my back. Just going to the bar just to draw my sorrows because you can't tell anybody cuz once you're the boss, the boss shoulder all the problem. >> You carry a lot of weight. >> Yeah. So and then you have to pile through and comes to the end of the month you have salaries to pay your suppliers and that and then the rental so everything piles on to you. So you are the only person holding on to everything. >> There's a lot of pressure. >> Yeah. So then what do you do? You have alcohol so you drink. >> Yeah. >> And that's not a good way to kind of like for health and mental. So everything was spiraling out of control. >> So at that point did you sit down and have a conversation with yourself? Did you speak to your family? Did you realize that I needed a change in my lifestyle? >> So, being in this very weird loop, even relationships was not good because half the time you're you're drunk and you're like you're making you're aggressive, you're angry, you you know. >> Yeah. >> And of course, you don't have anybody to talk to, you don't want to talk to anybody >> and it happened only because >> I had a health scare. >> That was my wake up call. I woke up, I couldn't breathe. I felt like almost having a heart attack. >> Geez. And that was like something very weird for me because being fit last time coming into this this was definitely not normal. Went to do a full body checkup and the doctor says hey EJ all your markers are off. If you pursue this >> guarantee you in the next two to three years you will get a heart attack. >> Wow. >> And I was like okay >> that's what you needed here though right? >> Yeah. But but that was reality check right like hey if you don't do this >> this is going to happen. >> Yeah. And that was very weird hearing the doctor tell it to me like firsthand right and of course I tried to say is there any medication you can take and all that. He says once you start medication you have to be on medication. >> Yeah. >> So you have to change your lifestyle. >> Yeah. >> And that was the thing then. So I sat down to myself and say hey the business is stressing me out. Everything is stressing me out. Is it worth it? Is it worth putting myself through this >> only to go down the spiral again? >> Yeah. >> I said hey you know what let me sell the business away. Let me see what I can do to kind of like can I work for somebody being happier? Just manage the happiness part, manage the mental capacity of it first. >> Yeah. >> Then slowly work on the other part. >> Yeah. >> You know, manage yourself first and Yeah. So, and then I got an opportunity to work in a commercial gym and it was kind of like stressfree because all you needed to go to work, train the client, make sure that the client's okay and yeah, so that was my beginning start of going into fitness. Okay. >> Proper. Okay. And then when you did that, was it weird going all of a sudden running your own business now to working for someone? >> Well, yes, it was weird because you have to listen to people who don't know anything about business talk about business. Yeah. >> Cuz you have run a business before. You know what's the better way. But I realized that you have to listen because it's a company, it's a hierarchy. So you just listen. So I just listen, >> you know, digest and let it be, you know. Yeah. So [laughter] >> very philosophical. Y >> and then what happened when how long before you then decided you're going to go alone? So okay so in the commercial gym I kind of realized hey um I needed to be so when I started as a trainer I was already 36 years old okay >> I was the oldest one of the oldest trainers in the batch everybody was like in their 20s the early 30s so I had to catch up I had to level the playing field right u what do I have to offer I am someone who is just coming to be a trainer am I good no do I know stuff no do I have any achievements No, nothing. >> But I told myself, hey, okay, I either have to be the worst or the best. There's no in between. >> Okay, >> I love it. >> So, I went off to be the best. So, I started said throw myself in the deep end of the pool, started bodybuilding. I went for my first competition at 36. >> Wow. >> Yeah. And it was I didn't believe I could do it. Um, it was kind of a dare with my client and he had lost a lot of weight. He had already lost 20 kgs and he has reversed his his like high blood pressure and all that. >> Yeah. >> And he says, "EJ, I think you should go for a competition." I said, "No, I don't think I'm fit. You know, I don't think I'm I'm good enough." And he says, "If you go for your competition, I'll go for a marathon." >> Wow. >> And he inspired me to say, "Hey, okay, let me do it." >> Amazing. And I mean it's it's so you know fitness is so cool because you you inspire people and in the same time they inspire you know and you never know you never know the journey right >> because you are both a part of each other's journey >> 100% >> and and that's the beauty part of it because you never know when they are going to give back to you >> so it's that's that's the thing and he inspired me and I said okay I'll go for my first competition and I won my first competition >> really straight out the gate >> came in third and it was quite like impressive I was like okay I'm Not too bad actually, right? So, okay, why not try? And then [snorts] you get hooked onto it and then you realize, oh my god, what's next? What next? >> And you start learning and you start practicing and they start applying and they go, oh wow, the body can perform this way and then I apply with my clients and my clients see results and you go like, you know, so I'm always a learning coach. I'm always learning new things, applying it on myself first and then with the clients. I think that's so important because the thing the the funny thing is there are a lot of trainers out there but I think the best trainers have to have seen a lot of different things. You have to have skin in the game. >> Have to. >> I believe. So if you want to be a good coach, let's say don't talk about training. You want to be a good coach, you must be a student yourself. >> Yeah. >> Then you can actually apply and learn and say, "Hey, I learned this. I know it works this way." Try this method. >> But if you have not tried and you just go and onto the internet and read it or you do some bro science, it's not going to work. >> It's not going to work. >> It's not going to work. So when you were learning bodybuilding, who were the great bodybuilders that you looked up to and you learned from in terms of techniques? >> So okay, so my my um specialty is men's physique, right? Um bodybuilders who weigh too big like all the Olympia the the the heavyweights, they're too big. >> Yeah. >> Right. I'm a small frame guy. So I kind of like work towards what I can achieve. >> Yeah. >> Right. So I like bodybuilders like Jeremy Bondier. You know, these are the all the old school bodybuilders who started off at the same era that I did. Yeah. >> And today you see the the men's physique guys are huge man. Really really big. >> Yeah. >> Right. So for me these are the guys that actually um Lucky Libra these are the guys that I have a picture of him. >> Yes. >> Um that was the first body that I actually liked. And like I said the law of attraction. >> Yeah. >> The first time I I wanted to join bodybuilder I saw the picture and I said hey I want to look like this guy. >> Yeah. And fast forward two years later, I had the same pose in the toilet looking exactly like his picture. >> Yeah. Amazing. >> Three years later. >> Crazy. >> I was like, "Wow." >> Yeah. >> So, I mean, you just have to believe sometimes, right? >> Sometimes, you know, like in the old days when Arnold was bodybuilding like Frank Zayn, that type of >> physique. Yes. Yes. It's it's beautiful. It's aesthetically beautiful. >> Yeah. >> Today with the use of uh enhancement drugs, >> the the the bridge has been so different, right? people grow beyond. I mean back in the day I believe they definitely use also but it was more of work >> was minimal. >> Yes. More of the work put in versus >> using the enhancements out to get far. >> Yeah. >> Right. So yeah. So it's very different like very very different today. >> So then um talk to us about beast and how how did this come about? So um so I was in the commercial space gym space until about pre-COVID right and CO was a good time for a lot of people because it kind of it's either you sank or you fly >> it's two ways right um for me um funny thing during co I had all the time in the world there was no gyms >> right um but I kind of created an initiative where some of my clients who needed to train I would like sneak them under my condo, create a little high intensity workout circuit and train them. >> Nice. >> And more more importantly, what they needed not for fitness but for mental health. >> They were suffering. >> Yeah. >> They were also cooked up. They they needed to get out. >> Yeah. >> And they needed a reason to get out. >> Yeah. >> So, uh in in that training process, I trained a couple of them and because of that, they also helped me. They gave me purpose. So, I didn't feel like I was doing nothing. >> Yeah. So in in that space of time it really we helped each other >> you know when you talk about that I feel that you get it and very few people do because a lot of people always thinking it things are transactional >> but [snorts] you know like when you work with great people it's a full cycle. >> Yep. Yep. >> You know you [clears throat] you end up leveraging off each other. Correct. >> And I think that's very powerful if if one leans into that. Yes. >> Do you know what I mean? I mean it's it see you should always look at the bigger picture right the transaction part of course there has to be a value for your time full stop that's it but you need to understand how much can you pour into other people's cup so that one day it will come back to you >> and that's the reality of life right it will come one full circle and you don't know it >> when when you were doing this did you real let's touch upon that by the way because there was a period of my life where I didn't work out for about 10 years >> okay >> and I was just busy building the business as you were And you know when you're younger you take your health for granted >> and then I was slipping into depression >> and you know I know it sounds bizarre but at one point I was buying books on depression happiness and then uh I went I went on a solo holiday >> okay >> and you know I realized you know what you idiot you've stopped working out you've forgotten to work out and you know the endorphins that it releases and I'm always saying to people that I come into contact with, you know, I' I've give people training vouchers. Go out, let's go for a walk. Let's do this. Let's do that. Even with my team, I'll challenge them. Do 10k. Just do a 10k walk. You'll feel better for it. Do you know what I mean? And that's the thing about exercise that I think people don't understand. It's it it gives you everything. >> It changes your mind first. >> Yeah. >> Because once your mind change, the body will follow. >> Yeah. >> Because a lot of people >> the mind is the first to give up in anything. Your mind. >> Yeah. >> And then your body starts to disintegrate. But if you can control your mind and you always challenge your mind that a little bit that extra two steps, the extra 10 steps, then your body follows >> cuz your body takes heat from your mind, right? >> Do you find because you know like uh I I there's no way I was ever going to be able to go into bodybuilding my my even if I was good enough, my muscles are there's no symmetry, right? So that's the thing when you're you're you're an artist when you think about these things. Were you worried about that? Um, >> what was the biggest challenge? Was it putting on muscle? Was it the symmetry? >> So, putting on muscle was definitely the biggest challenge because in this game you have to pack on muscle. That's the key. >> And it takes years. >> Yeah. And and it takes years and if you go on the clean way, it takes you years, right? Yeah. >> But if you know how to use supplements and eat correctly, right, then it balance it out a little bit. Of course, you still have to put in the hard work, that's for sure. But it kind of like helps you a little bit. So a lot of people with the whole purpose of building muscle say everybody when you say I want to build muscle. What comes to your mind? What is the what what do you do to build muscle? >> Yeah. Eat chicken. >> Eat protein. >> The first thing hit your protein. >> Yeah. >> Right. That's the first thing everybody says and it stops there. >> Yeah. >> It stops there. But they forget that >> to build muscle is like building a cake. >> Yeah. >> Protein is the flour. But you need everything else. >> I love it. >> Or else the cake won't rise. >> Yeah. >> And that's the point. So people start to go on high protein diets but forget everything else. >> Yeah. >> And that's why the muscle group becomes so slow. >> Yeah. >> Right. So that's where I kind of realized that hey they are missing out the other portions of the whole building muscle part. >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> You know what I also find interesting is that people will spend money on cigarettes a day, right? Or they'll spend money when they go to the doctor or medicine, but they won't spend money on themselves getting fit. You know, >> you see that, you see this all the time on Instagram, right? People buying new bags, spending on the holiday. >> Yeah. >> Right. I have a lot of people who, you know, kind of like reach out to me, oh, I want to start training, blah, blah, blah. Oh, you're quite expensive. Oh, I don't have the budget. And then I see them buy the new bag. >> Yeah. >> And I go or go out and eat at this restaurant or that. I'm like, >> yeah, >> but if you took your health seriously, >> Yeah. >> you'll make time for it. >> You'll make the sacrifice for it. And obviously that's not the purpose, right? >> But I'm sure you like there have been times when you've got to walk away from some clients because you're thinking, >> "Listen, I can't help you, man. You don't want to help yourself." >> I mean, so as much as see the reason why they engage me as a coach is not for me to count reps. >> Yeah. >> 100%. >> That that is you go get the counter. >> Yeah. My one hour that I spend with you is more about you understanding your body, me helping you to understand what is right in your diet and the training and to give you the points that you don't see yourself. >> Yeah, >> that's the job of a coach to help you to understand how you can get there faster, effectively and without getting injury. >> Yeah, >> that's my job. >> Yeah, >> you have to do the work. I cannot carry for you the weights to help you look the way you want to. >> Yeah. >> You see me one hour, maybe three hours in the whole week. >> Yeah. >> What do you do that then? >> Yeah. That's that important magic. >> So everybody think oh I have a personal trainer I'm going to look that way. Yes but also no you have to do the work I can't do it for you. >> Yeah >> right. So a lot of people get misconceived about that. >> So then what happened? So after as CO was rolling out >> then when did you realize okay >> so so CO was rolling out and the commercial gym was already I could see like a lot of people not going to the gym anymore but my clients they still continue coming to the gym because I told them I said hey whether you like it or not co is going to come and it was going to go but your fitness is the most important because if you're not fit during co then you you're definitely going to get you know and it's going to be worse for you. >> Yeah. So they came in, we wiped down, we put mask on, we really took care of what we needed, right? And they did not stop. So for them, it's about the mindset of, hey, fitness is still a lifestyle. You have to do it. >> Yeah. >> The world doesn't stop. If you can't come to the gym, you don't want to come to the gym, do something outside, go for walks. >> Yeah. >> I'll plan programs for them, right? >> So after that, when that happened, I realized, hey, we really need to up the fitness in Singapore itself. I really need to give my clients better than what commercial gym was offering. >> Yeah. because I was limited because I still have to go back to the commercial gym and stuff like that, right? So then I started my own brand, Alpha Beast. So how did I started? I was in the room. I kind of like So when I started the brand Alpha Beast, it was a very it's a very masculine brand. When I ran it through a couple of people to say, "Hey, EJ, no women would want to come to you." >> Yeah. >> It's too masculine. It's too alpha. >> Yeah. And I said, "Hey, the word alpha, it's not more of being so much masculine. It's about being in control." And the word alpha came upon in COVID. I was in control of my situation. A lot of people weren't. >> Yeah. >> So, if you can be alpha of your situation to make the best of what you have. I think that's the purpose of being an alpha. >> Yeah. >> Controlling your circumstances. >> Yeah. >> And not giving into it. Right. That was why I choose the word alpha. Not so much of the show off or I'm better than you. No, you're better than yourself. You are your Yeah. >> And that's where people get get get control. Oh, of course egoistic. No, it's not. It's about you. You stepping in, you taking charge of your circumstance, not being a victim of the circumstance. >> Yeah. >> Right. And the word beast is because either you go hard or you go home. >> Yeah. >> Right. So, you just have to bring your inner beast out. Everybody has an inner beast. >> 100%. >> You have to bring it out. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And to rise to your circumstance. >> I love that. >> And that's how I got the name. >> It's beautiful. You know, like during co it was the people were saying you're going to come out a chunk or a hunk. >> Yes. >> You know, and I think there's a lot more chunks than hunks. >> Yep. A lot. >> You know, and that's my wife, she always got annoyed with me cuz I've always had gym equipment. >> Okay. >> And um and then all of a sudden during co I said this is a perfect opportunity cuz I'm not having to drive you know the kids to school to the office and come back and you know I'm I'm getting two hours of my life back. >> Okay. >> Right. And uh it was brilliant for me. I I I probably lost too much weight. I got I got down to my weight when I was 21 22. >> Wow. >> Right. And then the thing is I kind of dipped under where I wanted to be. >> Okay. >> And then I realized ah cuz as you get older you get thicker. >> Yes. >> So in theory I should I shouldn't have been that light but I love the journey. I was loving and I was trying different things all the time and uh as you get older as you know you have to work around injuries. >> Yes. Yes. You know 100%. And uh I what I always say to people about exercise is if you try new things in your exercise program um you'll always have the fundamentals but it makes it more fun. >> Correct. >> You know what I mean? Correct. And that's that's half the battle to enjoy it. >> Of course you you have to enjoy the journey because then you're growing with yourself. >> Yeah. >> Because if you don't enjoy it then you're just running through. You're just dragging ass. Right. >> Yeah. >> You have to enjoy the journey. Know your purpose. Know why you're doing it and have fun while you're doing it. So how did you become you know the trainer to celebrities? What was behind that? Tell [laughter and gasps] me. >> So in the commercial gym I had one uh CEO. Um and he he was he was training for 10 years in the same gym. Never had abs 10 years. Um and I always was in competition, out of competition, in competition, out of competition. So half the time I'll be in the toilet taking out my top with my abs. He's like, I saw you three weeks ago with no apps and today you have apps. What are you doing? Yeah, this thing that you do, you know, this is process. And he engaged me and he had engaged me and 10 years no trainer and I got him apps and he was like, "Oh my god, you are so good." He says, "You should be a trainer to the celebrities." And I was like, "How too? I don't have so many celebrity friends. I only know one celebrity guy. It's not going to happen." >> Yeah. >> And again, law of attraction, right? So I call my celebrity guy. So this is when I had my own brand. Um Keegan Kong back there used to be a very good >> you know I didn't know that you trained him because when my son was uh acting >> Yes. >> he's acted with him twice. >> Okay. >> But Kaitlyn was my son was only like 11 or 12 at the time. >> Okay. >> Right. So in one in one scenario he's playing the his I think it was his dad. In another scenario Keegan was playing his older brother. >> Yes. Kean. Yeah. So, Keegan used to come to um Keegan used to come to my bar back in the day, okay? >> And watch AFL, >> okay? >> That's how we knew each other, right? And fast forward, I told him, I say, "Hey, Keegan, you know what? Come and train with me for free. Let me transform you." And he was my first celebrity client. >> Bang. >> And >> you see, by the way, what you said, let me come train you for free because you were putting your money where your mouth is >> and you got skin in the game. Bang. >> Of course. So I had to show him and he was like okay fine I'll come and train with you. And then he came and trained with me and bang we had our first transformation and then after that it just snowball. Paul came in next Rishi Kuma Titus [laughter] everybody else came. >> You know what you got to do to I I've got a a way that you can make more money. >> Oh really? >> Yeah. So if you have a guest you have a guy right? It doesn't have to be a celebrity and he's single and he can't get a girlfriend. So you get him into shape and say, "Listen, I want x amount more for each new girlfriend you get." [laughter] >> I mean that that's crazy, right? Because once you look good, your confident level changes >> 100%. >> And that opens up a lot of door. The way you talk to people and all that. >> Yeah. >> You know, and and I have trained um a lady, she's from Serbia. Um she's super smart. Two PhDs, right? >> Wow. >> Very smart scientist. >> Very nerdy scientist, but very beautiful. And she had no trust in herself because she looked a certain way. >> And a funny story, she was my first bikini client. >> Wow. >> And I transformed her and she was so amazed and the confident that she hold after that. >> She used to walk in the room and like everybody like whoa. >> Yeah. >> And I said, "Do you see what just happened?" And she's like, "Yeah, I know, right?" >> She felt it. >> So, I mean, it's it's so different. People underestimate that, >> you know, the confident that it brings to yourself. I think when because you see the one thing you can't buy is a physique >> of course >> right of course if you got a little bit of money it will help you with your nutrition and your supplements your training but the reality is you got to put the time and the work in true you know what I mean and I think everyone respects that and you know when I work with a lot of CEOs um I would like to think that one of the things they admire about me is that I have a balanced lifestyle and I'm an entrepreneur I run my own business but I still make time to work out you know and it's not easy cuz it comes and goes Of course, right? As you know, right? >> There are good days, there are bad days, and some days that you don't want to do anything. >> But you have to put in the discipline, say, "Hey, no, >> I'm going to do it. This is my one hour." >> Yeah. >> But a lot of high like a lot of top earning CEOs, they do that, too. >> Yeah. >> Cuz that's where they get get balanced. >> That 1 hour is their time. Yeah. >> Because the rest of the day is everybody's time. >> Talk to me a little bit about some of your favorite lifts. Like, you know, historically, have you have you been a bench press, deadlift, squat guy? I I I like I like my shoulder press. Okay. >> Because I think the shoulders uh give a good definition to the arm. >> And you do you're doing uh dumbbells. >> Uh dumbbells. >> Dumbbells. >> Do you do variations like the dumb uh the Arnold press or >> Yes. That's that's definitely the one to go for. Yeah. >> That's one of your favorites. >> Yep. Yep. Yep. Arnold press. >> Yeah. It's funny. We've all got different strengths and weaknesses. Correct. Have you had any major injuries? >> So touchwood in all my training. Zero. >> Wow. >> Zero. >> But that means you were doing it right. I always believe in listening to your body. >> Yeah. >> I am not I don't ego lift. I lift heavy enough. I focus on the lift the form and I make sure that every time I lift always there's a recovery. >> Yeah. >> Listen to your body. I think that's the most important thing. >> You know, you know, years ago and I had a trainer, he's a great guy, Mike, and it's not his fault, but I I told him I want to go heavy today. And uh he said, I I don't think you should go heavy today. And it was like 4:00. He goes, "You, you know, you're you're thinking about work. You want to lift heavy cuz you're angry." >> I said, "Mate, don't be a [ __ ] Let's [ __ ] [laughter] go." Right. >> And famous last words, I dislocated my shoulder. I tore my pec off my bone. >> Wa. >> And uh I think he was I mean he was more traumatized emotionally >> because you know he's a coach. >> It's his watch, right? >> Yeah. And it's 100% my fault. 100% my fault. >> And um I was in so much pain. And then uh the problem is with a lot of the doctors here, they're not used to a lot of sporting injuries. >> Correct. You know what I mean? So they thought it was just my shoulder and it wasn't just my pec. So I had to have my pec reattached. >> Yeah. I had to have a u some a connection from here to the correct the muscle. Yes. >> Yeah. So we had to get that done and then the shoulder was reconstructed. >> Wow. >> Right. And it'll never be the same again. Of course. >> Right. But but uh so that's the the thing is and what I realized is >> so ego lifting who was I ego I was against myself. No one else was in the gym other than me and him. >> You know what I mean? Um but that's that's the thing and I think why why it's important to have a good coach is they'll guide you. Yes. They know where you're at >> 100%. So so when people says, "Oh, we have to always beat the previous record." No. Rubbish. When you come into the gym, I will ask you a simple question. How do you feel today? >> Scale of 1 to 10, how are you? Yeah. >> If you tell me you're a five, we will train like a five. I'm not going to train you like a seven or an eight. I'm not going to risk you getting injured >> cuz your mind's not here. your body is not 100%. >> Yeah. >> Right. And you need to train enough so that you are stimulated. Not to the point where you you can't lift. >> That's not the point. >> Cannot. >> That's not the point. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> So, talk to me about your book. >> Okay. So, that's an interesting one, right? So, okay. Based based on my journey in fitness, I have tried everything to do with weight loss. Every single thing you can name it. >> From the pills, >> okay, >> legal and [clears throat] illegal, >> okay? [laughter] from the injections, um, from the shakes, from the diets, from the creams, from the the things like fat-reeze. I've tried everything. If there's 10 ways of losing fat, I've tried nine except for uh lipos. >> Every other thing you can name it, I've tried it. >> So, I've realized that in the whole fitness aspect, everything works, but your base has to be good, which is your diet and your training. That's the non-negotiable. Everything you can stack upon. You can stack this, stack this, stack this. And if you stack it, it makes your fat loss more efficient. >> Yeah. >> Right. So basically, it helps your journey of fat loss a little bit better. So that's why if you know how to use it effectively at the correct time, it will help you like a juice detox. >> Yeah. >> Do it at the correct time, you lose the weight, it enhances your metabolism. People say juice detox are rubbish. No, I said it works for me, >> right? So, even there there there's a lot of studies shown that it works, but you need to apply at the correct time. So, I did a whole research about it, everything, and I came up with the book. Um, the title is very, what your personal trainer won't tell you about losing fat fast. Why? Because of course, the trader wants to keep you on longer. >> Yeah. >> Right. For me, if you follow my program, I tell my clients, you can lose up to five to six kg in a month. My myself personally, I lost 10 kg in a month. >> That's a lot, man. >> Yes. Using the way that the stacking way, I lost 10 kg in a month. >> Wow. >> Yeah. So, it's not easy. I'm I'm telling you, you have to put in the work, but if you stack it correctly, you can see the results. >> Amazing. >> Yeah. So, I'm I'm opening up the secrets where the taboo subjects >> of the whole industry and I'm letting people know this is what is out there, how people are using it. Don't abuse it. What can you do? What's the the danger level? What's the safe level? What's the layman level? What's the advanced level of using the fat loss? >> What's the science behind it? >> Yes. What's the science behind it? How you use it? Well, >> what was the process like writing a book? Like where'd you begin? And how does it look like? >> So, okay. So, writing a book, it's you have words in your head [laughter] a lot. >> Yeah. >> Okay. You just have to pen them down, type them down, write them down. But I think with chat GP, it helps so much now with the whole chat GPT process. It helps you to put the words put it properly give it more depth and that's how it is is you have to I always wanted to write the book because I have so much knowledge about all this >> right >> and I applied to my clients but how about people who don't have the capacity to come and go and um engage a personal trainer >> but they still want to get it >> right so that's why I thought okay why not write a book give them an idea of what is available and in my book there's a there's a one-mon program which I already catered. Chop it up. Yes. And with a nutrition plan, >> you know, you know, I wanted to talk about this cuz you're going to completely get this. Um, and I said this to my wife once cuz I posted something on Instagram and she said, you know, I was working out and she didn't like it. >> Tell me about it. >> She go she goes, "It's cringey." And I and it pissed me off. I said, "Why?" And uh, she said, "You're you're kind of you're showing off." I said, "Let me ask you a question. If you're a painter, right, or an artist, you put your painting up or you're a ballet dancer and you show something. Are you showing off? In my business, I can't Well, I can, but I don't I'm not going to show off if I just closed a big deal. >> Of course. >> Right. >> But sports is who I am. It's at the core of who I am. I'm an athlete. I'm a fighter. >> And I'm trying to share in my own little way of course my message with other people. It's a very positive message. >> It's inspiring, >> right? And you know, and that's why I'm drawn to other people that are similar to that because there's nothing but positivity. There's no negativity, of course. >> And and uh so I said, you know, I'm not I'm you know, I love my wife. I respect her dearly. But I said, I don't care what you think, you know, because this is who I am. And I quoted, there's a line from Rocky, too. Yes. Where he says to Adrian, I never ask you to stop being a woman. Don't ask me to stop being a man. Right? Because the thing for me is like it's part of my identity, of course. >> And what I struggle with, I I talked to a lot of young men. I I always say, look, and I look my I've got three kids. There is an artist, an actor, musician, you know, an athlete in all of us, >> of course. >> Um, and I, you know, my my 16-year-old daughter is an amazing athlete. Uh, but what I do think for in particular for young men is that sense of identity, being a good sportsman, trying, pushing yourself, because we're not meant to be sat at the desk, >> you know, 12 hours a day. Yep. >> No, you know, if it was any other time, we'd be out in the farm. We'd be hunting. We'd be killing things. You know what I mean? We'd be moving. There's no movement. And I keep saying to guys, young guys, I would challenge my guys. I said, "Listen, what did you do in the army?" So I It was one camera is an 855 guy. >> And so I said, "It's a pretty good time." So I said, "Why don't this was a year ago?" I said, "I bet you $1,000. You can't get 10 minutes. Get back to 10 minutes." And I and I actually said to him, "It's not a, you know, I don't want you to do it for the money, >> right? That's a bonus." But I want you to do it because I want you to remind yourself what it's like to train again to accomplish something in the gym or on the track, it translates into business. >> It's the mindset. >> It's the mindset and you believe you believe and then you you can talk to someone about it and then other people realize, wow, you know, this guy is going to deliver for me >> and you can inspire people the same way. >> 100%. that that that was the exact thing because going into the fitness regime, I was actually a bit overweight, right? And the only way I could do it was to prove to myself that I could do it before even wanting to coach other people. >> Yeah. >> If I cannot show people that I can get a six-pack, how am I going to convince people that they're going to get it too? >> Yeah. >> And I had to become unfit in order to become fit >> to tell people, hey, this is my journey. >> I love it. >> All you have to do it just do a little bit at a time. >> Yeah. And that's why I went on to the whole course of like learning every single way of losing fat. Why? Because there's so many things on the internet. Everybody tells you something. But if you don't try, you don't know. >> True. >> Right. So that's why you have to take charge of yourself. >> You know, you know, um, so my son, he's uh 18 now. He's in NS. So he's 61. So it dwarfs me, >> you know, like he's 186, I'm 168, right? And uh he was not he he never thought he was a good sports person. >> Okay. >> Right. And then during COVID uh I I got a coach. Do you know Prit? >> Yes. Boxing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. He just won yesterday. >> Just won yesterday. >> Yes. Oh my god. >> So So I was looking online and I felt you know there were a few people online but I felt he was probably one of the most talented boxers in Singapore >> and he hadn't turned pro yet but I thought you know he's at that age where I think he and my son will connect >> cuz Kaden was probably 13 14. And the reality is kids don't listen to their parents. So I reached out to him and I invited him. And I said, "Can you please come to my house, you know, 3, four, five times a week, you know, and um and I said to Kaden, "Look, this is a gift. I want you to understand what you're capable of doing and just enjoy. There's no pressure." And they work together for many years and it's it's it's a phenomenal because when you you know, I look at my son now, his physique is ridiculous, and he just he's selfdisciplined. He's motivated. But the other day, >> purpose. He had a purpose. >> He had a purpose. You know what's funny, though? So, he was uh doing some push-ups and I said, "Son, you're not 100 yet. I can't consider you a serious athlete. Continue to do 100." And um the only thing is I don't know, my wife thinks I got this wrong because when I was his age, I could do, and you'll know how difficult this is, and I've only met one other guy that could do it. I could do five sets of 100 push-ups with a minute in between each set. >> Wow. >> Right. My nipples were sore after that. [laughter] >> Right. Um, and I trained because one of my best friends was a gymnast and and those guys are on another level in terms of calisthetics. So I just said to him and he was he got to he got a 94 I think it was. So I said, "Why don't you try five sets of 50 >> with a minute in between? Try and do different things." >> And within two weeks he got there. >> He got to 100 for the first time. This was recently. And he's bigger and heavier now. And then I said, "You see?" And he goes, "Dad, it wasn't your it wasn't what you said. I was on the way to getting to 100." I [laughter] said maybe but maybe that little bit of advice the restructuring of your training would >> subconsciously would have like yeah >> yeah do you know what I mean but it's but it's a wonderful journey when you see your friends and for you your clients >> you know >> I mean I think I think now especially now in these times where social media is so prevalent I think the kids the younger generation need to get a good direction >> and I I I am so you did a great move you know putting your son into boxing because it teaches him a lot of discipline >> big time >> you know a lot of discipline a lot of motiv motivation, direction. >> I think that's what the younger generation needs. >> Well, you know, like you, you know, he's made quite a lot of friends through the boxing community. Some of them have been opponents. And I said, look, at this moment, you might think this guy is your enemy or your opponent, which he is. But I said, I tell you what, you have more in common with that young man than nearly anyone you'll ever meet. >> You guys are getting up 4 or 5:00 in the morning. You're you're pursuing the same dreams. And I said to him, "Let me tell you, if we went to war tomorrow, you would want that person next to you." >> And I just said, so I said, "Win, lose a draw." You know, I always reach out to these guys, whether or not his opponents or his friends, I always message them, say, "Look, well done. Keep your head up if it was if it was a loss, right? You do better next time or or if it's a victory, you celebrate with them." But why I think that it's so important for these young men really to have a sense of who they are, >> of course. >> Do you know what I mean? And >> identity. It's all about identity, finding who you are because very very murky territory is being young. >> Yeah. >> Easily to be influenced. >> Yeah. And going in the wrong direction. >> Yeah. Easy. It's so easy, right? >> Yeah. >> So I think you have to give them purpose. >> So tell me about your boxing journey and how this how did this come about. >> Okay. So Okay. So I being a coach, I always try different things. I've been in a male pageant Mr. World Singapore. Um I do bodybuilding, right? And now I I used to do a bit of Muay Thai, right? So now I go into boxing. Boxing is a whole new world for me. Um because it requires a lot of footwork. Muay Thai footwork. Yes. But not too much. Right. So it is is really about me challenging myself to to try something new. Always. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So for me it's always about putting myself in the deep end of the pool. It's not about winning or losing. It's about learning. >> Yeah. >> Because if I can walk that journey and I have friends who are all boxers and all that, I understand what they're going through. So I can be a better effective more coach, you know, to understand myself more and put myself in a deep end. And it's not about about being a boxer or whatever. It's just understanding the sport in a different level and having respect for the sport. >> I love it. >> Yeah. So >> So did you did you say this is what you wanted to do or someone presented the idea to do the the white one boxing? >> Um so the ring the owner of the ring zul kind of asked me to compete last year and last year I was already booked up for a male pageant. So I couldn't do it last year. So I said, "Hey, okay, I will fight just and you have to train for this, right?" And I have to dedicate time for training. And >> how long how long has the window been for you for training? >> So I agreed on it in June. >> Okay. >> Right. So there's a good time. >> It's on the 20th of November. >> Yes. It's on the 20th of November at Marquee. >> Okay. >> So crazy. Tickets are all out already. Ready already. >> And And um what weight are you fighting at? >> So I'm fighting at 75. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Yeah. And so do you have to cut weight or not? Really? >> I'm kind of like 76 now. Water weight. >> No, no, nothing. Nothing. >> No. No cut. >> One of one of the things that a lot of people aren't aware of, most of the injuries and the deaths in boxing happen around this weight and below. And I always try and educate people to say, so what it is is when you dehydrate the body, it takes 24 hours for the body to rehydrate, but it takes a solid 48 hours or more for the brain to rehydrate. >> Yes. >> Um, but I was looking at some of your moves, man. You're looking very fluid already. [laughter] >> I mean I it's all about technique, right? Boxing it boils down to technique. >> You have to repeat the same move. >> Yeah. >> A thousand times. >> Yeah. >> And that's what gets better. >> So there's this famous saying from Bruce, fear the man who does the thousand move one time. >> Yeah. >> Right. >> Yeah. Thousand times. Yes. >> 100%. So tell us about can you tell us a little bit about the the leadup to it? MTV the whole the whole walk out. >> Yeah. So um basically I'm working with a rapper. So, because this is my first official fight, >> I wanted it to be big. I wanted it to be big and impressionable, right? I I want it to be, hey, look at me. I'm out there. Win or lose doesn't matter. It's the journey. >> To me, it's the journey, >> right? So, the journey going into it, I want it to be memorable. I want it to be something that it's my journey, right? It's not about anybody else. It's about me. >> It's about how I prepared, about how I went through. So, the best way was to create an MTV around it, right? You see all the the fighters have their own MTV. I said, "Why don't do your own? You're your own star in your own show." Right. >> 100% man. >> So why not, right? So I'm working with Lee Rocker, a rapper in Singapore. And I said, "Hey, bro." And we've been friends for a long time already. And he raps really good. So I said, "Hey, bro. >> I'm fighting. Would you do me the honor of rapping a song for me?" >> Yeah. >> Let's do it. Let's make it big. Let's make it interesting. And it's like, "All right, EJ, let's go." >> Yeah. >> So we on board of it. So, we did the flaming for the MTV and that's my walk out song. >> Love it. >> So, we'll be playing it at Marquee. As I'm walking out, he'll be wrapping in the center of the ring. >> Have you got your That's beautiful. Have you got your your colors for your shorts mapped out? >> All done. >> Knowing you, you you've got something tasty. Yeah. Did you design it yourself or >> um actually it's um so I did a fight cam in um Thailand Krabby. Okay. And the owners of the the the fight cam, they also own a store and they have this particular brand called Wicked Ones. Okay. >> Which is really cool. So I got merchandise of them. >> So who are your some of your favorite boxers that you admire watching? >> I mean again I like the prince Nasimali. >> Yeah. >> Fluid, really cocky, really good. I mean of course >> he was growing up in the UK, man. He was I can't tell how big he was. >> Yeah. He was like the guy could move, man. >> Now going into the sport understanding how it is. It's crazy his timing, his moves. >> You know what's funny? They two of his sons are fighting and they said, "No, do you think your sons could be as good as you?" And then he started laughing. He goes, "Come on, man. There's only one of me." I [laughter] mean, and he he wasn't lying, man. I mean, he wasn't lying. >> It's crazy. He's looking looking at the sport, learning and going through the process and understanding what he You must be really on point. >> Yeah. >> You must know the timing. You must be able to be so confidence of your move to be able to move like that. >> That's not easy, man. That's a lot of mental coordination. That's a lot happening in that circumstance where the pressure's on you. >> Yeah. >> Oh, that's next level, man. That's next level. >> It's, you know, it's a shame. I I still love hearing him talk, but it's a shame that he's he's just balloon. You put so much weight on, you stop working out. You know, >> that's where you go into that that whole mental state of depression. >> Yeah. Because I believe this is what goes on in athlete. Once you've been there, you were there and then you're no longer there, you go into a mental depression of >> back in the day I was. >> Yeah. >> And that keeps on playing in your mind. >> Yeah. >> And you never feel there again unless you do a debut again. >> You see the thing is like I always say this, if if you've got good health, you have 100 problems, but if you've got bad health, you've only got one problem and it takes over everything. >> So Naz, who else other than Naz? Um, of course the Mike Tyson, iron Mike Tyson. I mean, that guy is a tank. >> Yeah. >> I always look at skill and and and and execution. These are two things that I always look at. >> Who has the best skill and someone who has best execution? And Mike Tyson has the best execution. His body is the way he moves and the power behind it. >> So exciting, right? >> Yeah. It's like, >> yeah, he's he's my favorite fighter of all time. >> Yeah. He's like the power behind it. So for me being a coach is always getting the best training to become the best power athlete. Yeah. >> Like in all circumstance, right? To be able to move fast and yet to deliver that punch. >> Yeah. >> And you see the combination. Oh, it's crazy, man. >> And who is some of your favorite bodybuilders? You've mentioned Buddha, but who else? >> Uh Buddha Libé. Um I like Terry. >> Yeah. >> I like recent one Ali. He's really good. Really aesthetic. Not too huge, really beautiful. Um >> Terry is a funny one because he was on this is a good example of someone that was about to hang up hang up his shorts and then he now he's won three in a row. You know what I mean? >> Ryan Terry's I I mean for me his abs and his the seratus muscles on another level man you know you >> I think I think the best so far for me I feel would be [ __ ] in [clears throat] terms of like classic physique. >> Oh my god. I think that guy looking at his journey and he jour he he documents all his journey. He's a like real like he doesn't talk too much. He just gets on the ground. He's a real family man. He suffers >> like you see his processes. There's days that he goes into depression. >> Yeah. >> The whole world only see him win. >> Yeah. >> Right. Nobody understands his journey. >> Yeah. >> There are days that he wake up and he breaks down. You know, you know what I love about him is in his interviews recently, he's so articulate and the way he explains everything, right? We can all identify and relate to it, but you're right. He's got a but I I feel he's got a grainy old school physique. That's why I love that physique. >> Super aesthetic, super beautiful. >> He's got a mass though, but it's >> correct. It's easy on the eye. It doesn't look >> in proportionate at all. It looks perfect. Like really good. Really good. Well, that's the other thing with a lot of personal trainers, no slight on them, a lot of them are ex bodybuilders, but haven't tried other sports. Like I remember saying to to Mike, um my old trainer who's still a dear friend of mine, I said he goes, "Did you get your cardio in today?" And I said, "Yeah, I just cycle booked in my nature reserve." And he goes, "That's not cardio." And I said, "What do you mean?" It's [ __ ] hard work, bro. And he goes, "It's not cardio." I said, "Mate, I'm going to take you out with me. You're going to die doing that thing, right? It's different." Um, but talk about walking because I, by the way, I think walking is very underrated, okay? >> A lot of people don't do it. >> So, walking is your bare minimum. Okay? Walking is your bare minimum. It gets you out. It moves. It's it's a movement pattern, right? And it's the basic for like coordination, timing, and and it's easy. And heart rate. >> Yeah. >> All about your heart rate. If you can manage your heart rate because we are always sedentary. So, heart rate is always like that. So if you can put your heart rate at a certain level and keep it there, your body is already moving. Yeah. >> And I think walking is a great way to for people who have injuries or who just want to start. >> Yeah. >> Just walk. Simple. >> And you know the thing about walking that I love about it is there's no real recovery time, right? Unless you're doing a 20k walk or something. You come out, you feel good. And I say to my married friends, I say it's a it's a great way to have a free date, cheap date, right? And then if you upset the wife too much, you can run off. You know what I mean? Sorry, I need to go for my walk. I come back later. [laughter] >> Now, tell us about this this dating show that you've been on. >> Okay. So, >> and how did you decide to do this? Was it your way purely of going on a few hot dates or what what happened? [laughter] >> So, um this happened um right after Mr. Wool. Um they kind of reached out to a couple of people. I received an email um saying, "Hey, EJ." Um so, it's on Instagram and they say, "Hey, EJ, would you like to be part of a reality TV show?" And I'm like, "Okay." He said, "Oh, it's a dating show. Uh, that's all we can say for now." I said, "Okay." I said, "Is this a scam?" [laughter] Really? He said, "No, EJ, we'll get someone to be in touch, blah, blah, blah. Then send us your email." They dropped me an email and it was legit. Went through the paragraph. They said, "Okay, good. If you're all good, let's run through a Zoom call and let's get started." I was like, "Oh, okay." And then we start the process. there was a process for you to get um you have to do a couple of stuff to get selected and then when they selected so at that point of time um I was actually in a relationship >> okay >> and when I got the call right >> really >> early days early days early days okay and I was like so I run by my partner I said hey guess what I got selected you comfortable cuz it's going to be for television I don't know you okay you comfortable and she was like no >> what what do you expect hered to say man >> no I mean she could be like hey it's for your career here. You know, I don't mind as long as you don't do too much on television, I'm okay. [laughter] I mean, I was expecting that. >> You're not you're an optimist, man. >> I hope for [laughter] the best, right? So, I was like, "Okay." And she's like, "No, if you're going to end up being on the show, I don't think we can be together." >> Yeah. >> So, I kind of did the whole process through, then I told the producer, I said, "Hey, you know what? I'm seeing someone I don't think is right. Um, I have to give it a miss." And they were like, "Oh, EJ, we would really like you to be on the show." I said, "Hey, I I don't know. you know, I don't think it's comfortable. Let me sit on it. I sat on it for a bit and then after that, um, that happened in November. And then after that, um, in January, February, we broke up. >> So, I was like, hey, you know what? Let me just call the producer and say, I'm available. If it's open, it's open. If it's meant to be, meant to be. And I called the producer, say, hey, you know what? I'm available. What do you think? He says, "Oh, EJ, we already casted the people, but let me see what I can do." And then two days later, he called me and say, "EJ, you're on the show. We got you in." >> Wow. >> I was like, "Wow, I got on the show." I was like, "Okay, great." And then we filmed in uh April. >> Okay. Is it out now? >> It's already out. >> That's right. Cuz that's why Isaac saw it as you seen it. >> Correct. Correct. So, it's already out. It's done. The seasons are done. Yeah. >> Did How did you find the whole experience? Um it's very weird trying to trying to get to know someone to fall in love with someone with a camera right in your face. >> Yeah. It's got to be very strange. >> Yeah. So it's like um it's not scripted so everything is real. You say what you want to say you how you want to feel. Um and Yeah. So so for me I I was just in for the experience. I was really genuinely wanting to get to know that person. >> Yeah. >> And Sarah, her name is Sarah. wanting to know Sarah and to see how it feels and Yeah. >> And she's from Texas. >> Yes. She's from Texas, USA. >> Wow. >> Yeah. >> You know what? It's funny because now, you know, I'm 48. You're 45, right? >> Yep. >> And I talked to these young guys that have never been on a date unless it's facilitated through an app, which is very difficult for me to get my head around. I was talking to my son. I said, "Would you go on an app?" He's 18. He goes, "Dad, I don't I don't need to be on any apps." [laughter] >> Lucky. Lucky. I I said I love I love the confidence. You know what I mean? >> That's awesome. You don't need apps. >> Oh, it's crazy. And then what about any projects you're working on now? So, you've got the major fight on the 20th. >> Yes. >> Right. So, you want to you know, we need to come out and support you. >> Of course, definitely. Tickets are already available. Beautiful. >> If you go on to my Instagram, you'll see the link there. >> You can just click get the tickets. >> Okay. And uh any other projects? The book. >> Yeah. >> So, when tell tell us about that. So the book um basically it's a insight on what you need to do and if >> it's available >> it's available already. Pre-sales are already out now. >> Okay. >> Um you can get it and yeah so the launch the official launch is the end of uh November. Okay. >> The books are already out. >> Okay. >> So pre-sales you get um a whole bunch of goodies with it. The link is also on my Instagram and go check it out. >> Wonderful. >> Yep. you know, you're a renaissance man because if you think about it, you've gone from the FnB industry, turned your life around through fitness, >> you know, it's an exciting journey. >> I think we always have to try to look at what resonates with us, right? And try to be better every step of the way. Yeah. >> And along the way, as you are trying to get better, >> lift people up. I think that's the most important thing. >> Yeah. >> Try to lift people up. try to share your knowledge and try to live the world better more better than where you found it in. >> Yeah. I always I always say a rising tide raises all ships. >> Yeah. I think that's very important. Very important. >> And I think I think the the one thing that I feel that is I I can't explain this enough know like during during co I had 10 ladies some of them were my relatives um that reached out to me and saying you know can you help me lose some weight? I said I'm not a coach. I don't do this. And uh and I I did help them and it was very meaningful. So I can only imagine cuz I did help them lose some weight and I I helped 10 women lose 231 lbs of collective weight. >> Wow. >> Yeah. Over about a 6-month period. And I remember you know one of the ladies actually was she was very heavy. She was over 200 lb. >> Okay. >> And I said look you know you you should do this professionally. Go and see someone. they didn't want to do it and I don't think they had the money or didn't want to invest and I told my mom at the time goes why are you doing this I said if I can help people you know what I mean so I would imagine for you when you see people it's very meaningful cuz you you see these transformations >> it's easy for someone to come to me and tell me say hey you know what I want apps >> that's a byproduct of everything >> right for me the clients that really really um the highlight like in my career the clients are people who have health issues that I have to reverse. >> Yeah. >> These are people that I really people who go through depression. >> Yeah. >> Like really bad depression, suicidal, and I I help them. You know, these are people that these are the the the clients that I always resonate because I was the make or break in their life. >> Yeah. >> Right. Abs come on. If you work hard enough, you get abs. >> But these are the things that you change people life and they will forever remember you. >> Yeah. >> And these are the things that you have the connection with them. >> Yeah. And that's that's what I feel that makes my job more meaningful every time. >> Beautiful. EJ, listen, thank you so much. It's been a pleasure to back your journey, man. >> Here, man. Great, great, great. >> I appreciate it. Good luck for the fight. >> Yep. Hey, let's go, man. Let's go. >> 100%. Let's go. [laughter] Thank you, brother. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Cheers. [music]

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