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Build Confidence Through Fitness, Grooming & Communication
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The Sunday Times Article: Dressed For Success

Posted by: lionel on Sep 04, 2011

Tagged in: appreciation

Many people want to step out and exit the rat race but have not summoned enough courage to do so. I can relate to this and all of the pulling back factors - chief among them strong family objection, the fear of failure and a lack of self-conviction. 

But there will come a point in time when enough is enough. You just have to sack your boss and move on. Staying on would mean continued misery, false promises and a decreasing quality of life. Only upon leaving would one truly become free and fulfill one’s destiny on this planet. 

This was what I experienced myself. And looking back, since stepping out and starting my own business, I’m been extremely blessed to have summoned the courage to leave, pursue my dreams and persevere. 

What the last three plus years have culminated into has been an exciting journey of learning, growth and transformation beyond my wildest imagination.

This year alone, I’ve appeared on Mediacorp TV and today marks the second time I’m being featured in the national papers. What makes the article in today’s The Sunday Times extra special is that it is my first full page spread.

When I was younger, I used to admire the people who would appear in the papers for free – they had to be either politicians, celebrities, criminals or the dead. And then when the years evolved in the new economy, another category was added – entrepreneurs. 

I am proud to say I am an entrepreneur. And I will help you get dressed for success, in the same way I have walked the path myself :)

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PS: Click here to read about me in The Straits Times Life : Collectors Series (20 Aug 2011)

PPS: Click here to read about me in The Straits Times Mind Your Body Fit & Fab: Mr Confident (12 Jan 2012)

PPPS: Click here to read about me in Lianhe Wanbao Health & Wellness: Resistance Tube Exercises (29 Jan 2012)

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The 3 Lessons of Life I Learnt From Gym Workouts

Posted by: lionel on Jul 07, 2011

Tagged in: appreciation

I feel many people have misconceptions about others who work out in the gym. Okay, if you see someone prancing around in front of the mirror and hording it perpetually, that it’s probably because he is vain. But for the majority of us who work out often in the gym, the cold iron weights have certainly not made us a less feeling person. In fact, I would like to share with my readers the three lessons of life that my gym workouts over the years have instilled in me.

Many times in life, we attempt to juggle so many projects and deadlines that something has to give. Thinking back on my days in the corporate world, I cannot help but shake my head each time my boss shot me yet another arrow. Multitasking has become a dirty word in the new world economy. In the name of multitasking, we begin to take on more responsibilities and spread ourselves thin.

The first lesson gym workouts have taught me is the importance of focus. Regardless of free weights; machine weights; cable weights or body weight; keeping a laser-targeted focus in the gym is of paramount importance. Forget about trying to lift the weight while talking to someone else and listening to your iPod. It does not work. 

Instead, focus helps me to maintain full concentration on the lifting, pushing or pulling motion and most importantly, getting the task done. It doesn’t matter whether the weight is heavy or light. All it needs is a slip in concentration to result in injury which is the last thing we need to impede our fitness journey. 

The second lesson gym workouts have taught me is the importance of belief. It is both surprising and sad at the same time that many people lack self-belief. The mind is the one that keeps telling us we cannot do it and this sabotages our progress. 

Using an analogy, the mind is just like the general. Even before the battle is fought, the general tells his soldiers to surrender to the enemy. How we reprogramme our mind is the key to success in overcoming the ‘I cannot lift it’ or ‘it’s too heavy’ mind frick. Only when you believe will the great universe string along and help nudge you in the direction you want to go. 

The final lesson I want to share is the importance of discipline. For most males who have completed national service, we did learn a certain amount of discipline back then while serving the nation. Yet ironically, it was because of an avoidance of pain (in the form of extra guard duties or detention or push-up punishments) that made us conform. 

But gym workouts are totally different. While I cannot dispute the fact that delayed muscle soreness syndrome does kick in a day or two after the completed workout, it’s all about adjusting our bodies to become stronger so to overcome it. Each time we tear our muscle fibres and build new ones, our muscles become stronger.

Till date, clients who signed up for personal training lessons continue to turn up for lessons. Nobody has ever absented or gave excuses not to turn up. In order to sculpt your dream body, the value of discipline cannot be over-exaggerated. Should you choose to give up and stay at home for the next few days instead of reporting to the fitness centre, then you have only yourself to blame if you fall short of attaining your fitness goals. Rome certainly wasn't built in a day. The more consistent you are (keeping to at least two workouts per week), the faster you will see results.

So to sum it all up, there's much more to gym than just pumping iron. Personally, I'm really grateful to all the gym workouts which have helped shape my character :)

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Cozycot Chooses Singapore's 100 Best Loved Beauty Professionals

Posted by: lionel on Jun 24, 2011

Tagged in: appreciation

I received an email from Cozycot, Singapore's leading online beauty portal that I've been selected as one of Singapore's 100 Most Loved Beauty Professionals!

Good news indeed...Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement :)

For all my readers out there, you can click on the image below to read more about the accolade and remember to "like" it.

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PS: Read on by clicking here for the simple but heart-warming Award Ceremony at Cozycot's office. A timely birthday present indeed :)

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Celebrating 60 Organisations Trained And Counting

Posted by: lionel on Apr 26, 2011

Tagged in: appreciation

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Today marks a very important milestone in my life. There is every reason to feel happy and delighted. It's not an easy achievement but I've done it. And for that, I'm giving myself a pat on my shoulders :)

What started off as a bold ambition way back on 09 Apr 2009 when I first launched my website has now turned out to be a fulfilling journey. And it looks set to be even better in the months and years ahead!

With the completion of today's grooming workshop, I officially celebrate having touched the lives of staff/students in 60 organisations/schools & counting...

60 is no mean feat considering that many labelled me as crazy while others proclaimed me courageous when I chose to leave the comforts of a salaried job to pursue what I enjoy my twin loves - namely grooming and health fitness. Fast forward to 26 Apr 2011 and I know every step I took, every breathe I inhaled, every sweat I toiled has been more than worth the effort. I'm truly grateful to the corporations, organisations and educational institutions for believing in me and my programmes. Special mention must go to SIM which engaged me for a dinner talk. For those of you who have been following my blog and witnessed my growth, SIM was the first organisation to extend me the invitation to speak professionally as a speaker.  
 
I enjoy what I do & the next number I'm looking to clock is the magical 100...With everyone's continued love and support, I know I can achieve that too!
 
Cheers,
 
Lionel


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