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Todd and I have been friends since our days at Hong Kong Academy. We first connected through the dragonboat team and shared countless runs in Sai Kung Country Park. 

Over the years, I've watched his health and fitness improve, especially after he committed to B-Fit's Mid-Week Movers, Fun Friday Fitness, and Hyrox Training Prep. 

He even managed to find time to join the Sai Kung Night Runners; an inclusive and free running community in the heart of Sai Kung. Each week, they run approx 8km and stop twice for bootcamp.

All these added sessions have truly elevated his strength, speed, agility, cardiovascular endurance and overall physical and mental well-being. And all he had to do was make a commitment and show up.

This weekend at the Bangkok Hyrox Men's Doubles, we went in with a simple plan: do our best, support each other throughout, break each station down 50/50 and, most importantly, enjoy the journey. We aimed to stay positive, learn from the experience and, of course, smile, because we're fortunate to be able to do this.

Todd and I are now looking for our next doubles competition.

Getting fit is accessible to everyone. Manage your diet, stay active daily and get enough rest. But stepping out of your comfort zone, facing the unknown and pushing through setbacks, now that's what truly sets some apart. 

It’s rare to succeed on the first try, and normal to stumble, get injured, or feel disillusioned. Don't get me wrong, Todd and I experienced our share of bumps along the way, but on race day, everything clicked. Having a teammate means you always have someone in your corner, someone to lift you when you're tired and motivate you to push just a little further.

Fitness doesn't have to be a solo journey. Training with a buddy, joining classes and holding each other accountable makes all the difference.

After completing the HK solo race in July, I’m more motivated than ever to find new opportunities for doubles and team competitions. It’s an energising experience that stays with you long after the finish line.

So, grab that friend, hit the pavement, join a class and remember: we’re better together.

Be Healthy. Be Strong. B-Fit (Together).

Questions:

1. One reason my life is great

2. Someone whose presence make my life sweeter

3. Something I get to do today that i've always wanted to do

4. One beautiful reason to be happy right now

Answers:

1. I get to work with enthusiastic and energetic people all day (whether it's the kids I tutor, the group fitness sessions throughout the week - Tuesday Fitness with the Rugby Lads, Mid-Week Movers, Sai Kung Night Runners, Fun Friday Fitness, Hyrox Prep Saturdays or the part-time training at two different gyms in HK.

2. Kim - she knows how to listen (I mean, really listen, with no judgments, no offer to help fix a problem I'm experiencing). Listening is half the battle to finding my own solution.

3. I got to train with some awesome people today. One group in my MegaStrength class, one in my Hyrox Training Club at H-Kore, one with the TodayFit Mini-Triathlon Urban racers and one with the dragonboat team I coach every Sunday. Wasn't sure I was going to get through all of it to be honest but, I did, and gained a great deal from these interactions.

4. Hmmm, a beautiful reason to be happy, eh? Maybe all of the above. Maybe my dog. Maybe that it's 9pm on a Sunday evening and I don't have the Sunday Blues kicking in as Monday fast approaches.

You know what, it's been a difficult day and a long day. But, all in all, it's been a good day too.

And I'll take that.

This is something that I've been questioning a lot recently.

I have signed up to do 3 Hyrox races in the next 4 months, as well as a mini-triathlon and 4 dragonboat festivals.

That on its own isn't the worrying thing. It's the training, prep and motivation to get out there, even on days when you really don't feel like it.

But, a commitment is a commitment.

There are weeks recently where I haven't given myself a single proper recovery day. I have just bounced (ok, hobbled) from one day to the next; running, swimming, lifting, paddling, cycling. It's been a lot. My body hasn't failed on me yet but I worry that it's going to.

So I have given more significance to rest and recovery days. On these days, you can still get your 10,000 steps in by working up a little sweat and going for an easy walk. You can do a 30 minute stretch or some mindfulness meditation (something I definitely need to work on) but you don't have to go all out every single day.

Too much of anything is bad: caffeine, sugar, sleep, work - you name it, too much of any activity is probably going to have a detrimental effect on your health, be it physical, mental or emotional.

So plan your weeks. Even if you feel great one day and know that you could hit that 10km PB or 1 rep max, give yourself a little grace. Your body and mind will thank you for it in the long run.

I've been a Personal Trainer now for almost a year. Before that, I was a Primary School Teacher for over 20 years.

Even though I have moved into a different career, I've found there to be numerous transferable skills e.g. working with new people, engaging, encouraging and assessing areas of strength and areas for development.

It has been a challenging transition, I'm not gonna lie. Some weeks have been busier than others but I feel like I'm finding my groove now with one-to-one, couples and group training sessions.

The biggest thing I have noticed is that I don't have the Sunday Blues kicking in every week and I sleep a lot better than I used to as an educator.

Also, I love my classes. I love the people I train. I love their energy, their attitude and their willingness to try new things. I also love that they trust me to build a training program that will work for them and are open to 'advancements' and 'modifications' depending on their experience and where they are on their fitness journey.

If you'd like to add anything to our forum, please feel free to do so. I take feedback very well, and if it is of a constructive nature, I promise I won't be offended. I know that it comes from a good place. Instead, I'll do all that I can to make the next session a better experience for you.

When it comes to group sessions, please listen to your body and don't feel that you have to compete with anyone else. This is your journey and I want you to have a positive experience.

All the best. Be healthy. Be strong. B-Fit.

Ben