INTERVIEW: Dr. Roddy Teo's Progressive Journey Into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and CrossFit (MALAYSIA)

I train with a bunch of down to earth mat-mates from all walks of life.  So on the mat, we take care of each other, learn from each other and above all, respect each other. The coach emphasizes that training consistently is much more important than winning in a match. Progress and winning, according to him, is when we attend the training; competition day is just another day (where we pick up the medal or decide to train more).

5. You are also heavily involved in CrossFit training? What aspect of CrossFit makes it your top choice for physical exercise?

CrossFit exercise is the functional training that helps me with my Jiu-Jitsu and overall fitness. I love it that CrossFit focuses on multiple components of fitness in every workout to include cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy. I am also attracted to the way CrossFit workouts are programmed to vary every day.

6. We see that you are taking part in the Reebok CrossFit 2020? How has that experience been so far where training and competing is concerned?

This is the second CrossFit Open that I’ve taken part in. While making the ranks of top-athlete has never even crossed my mind when doing this, it was fun and motivating to challenge the community to participate and complete the workout. What I take out of the experience is the awareness of areas to improve and friendship. Somehow being competitive with each other builds stronger friendships.

7. You also compete in marathons (wow! Is there anything you don’t do?!?!) What would you say has been your best race to date? 

I’ve not done a proper marathon yet, perhaps sometime in the near future I would have the courage to conquer it. I am a medal-whore so I take part even in virtual runs, as long as there are medals involved :)

8. For our readers who are unfamiliar with the term, what is a Spartan Race? And what is the experience like taking part in one.

For me, Spartan Race is the marriage between CrossFit and cross-country trail running. It challenges the endurance of the mind more than anything, because once the race starts, the only way out is to finish the trail, attempt the obstacles and have fun while doing it. For first timers, enroll in a group and help each other out to complete the race. Expect to get dirty and muddy, and in my experience, the muddier it gets, the more fun it becomes!

9. What is your favorite quote?

My first tattoo reads: BIS VINCIT QUI SE VINCIT, which means "He who conquers himself is twice victorious."

10. What’s your favorite music to listen to when you are training?

I love Club Remix genre for CrossFit and running. It takes my mind off the perceived suffering mid-workout and focused on completing instead.

11. What makes you Addicted To Progress? 

The end point, from where I started my fitness journey, seems far and almost mythical. I was a 125kg obese person with diabetes and hypertension, and I never thought that I’d be good at anything. So every little achievement needs to be celebrated and every little improvement counts. Progress, it turns out to be, is very addictive indeed.

12. What’s next for Roddy in 2020?

My checkbox for 2020 is 1 Crossfit comp, 2 Jiu-Jitsu comps and 3 Spartan races. I aspire to motivate and inspire others towards fitness and health seeking behaviours, celebrate every progress we make, be it in fitness, work or relationship; because wholesome is awesome!

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