Category: Life

Lucy Liu couldn’t be in a better place right now. For starters, the actress has a new man in her life. No, she isn’t dating a Hollywood hunk or being wooed by some real estate mogul. I’m referring to her adorable baby boy! Last August, Lucy took to Instagram to announce the arrival of her son born via gestational surrogate with the caption: “Introducing the new man in my life, my son Rockwell Liu. In love!” And no wonder, she’s in love. The photo which she uploaded shows baby Rockwell clad in an onesie while smiling oh-so-sweetly at the camera.

Besides that, the crime drama Elementary in which she stars as Sherlock Holmes’ sidekick, Dr Watson is already in its successful fourth season. Despite being met with doubts initially, the series has won over critics and the public alike – amassing a large fan base over the years.

With the onset of motherhood and her successful movie-to-TV transition, it’s safe to say that Lucy’s in a good place in her life right now. But things were not always easy breezy for this petite lady.

‘I had to be a pioneer’

When discussing her career, it is impossible for Lucy to not mention the elephant in the room: stereotypes – after all, she was a regular victim of stereotype casting during her early days as a budding actress trying to make it big in Tinsel town.

“It’s alright if I’m cast as a woman who happens to be Chinese-American or in roles where my race can be acknowledged and wrapped into the plot without turning me into a total stereotype but many of the roles I’ve been given were stereotyped.,” she says. “I wish people wouldn’t see me merely as the Asian girl who beats people up, or the Asian girl with no emotion. People can see actresses like Julia Roberts in a romantic comedy, but not me.”

Despite the odds, Lucy wouldn’t settle for anything less. She fought hard to get herself involved in projects which didn’t pressure her into the ‘stereotype corner’ – Elementary being one of them. When news got out that she had been cast as Dr Watson, many people were enraged with the idea of a woman (and an Asian one at that) portraying such a famous – and traditionally male – role. Thankfully, Lucy wasn’t fazed choosing instead to channel her energy into proving critics wrong.

“If I didn’t try something, I’d still be doing TV ads. It’s not always about pleasing people; sometimes it’s about pleasing yourself. For me, the more individual you make something, the more universal it can be. You need to be a pioneer and that means doing stuff that’s different,” she explains. And we are glad she did – or else, we wouldn’t have been able to enjoy the great on-screen chemistry that she has with her co-star Johnny Lee Miller who plays Sherlock Holmes opposite her Watson.

Lucy the artist

Besides boasting an acting resume dating back to the late 80s, Lucy is also a talented artist. However, her artistic skills were only made known to the public several years ago. “I’ve always had an interested in visual arts. I first started exhibiting my paintings and photographs at art galleries under the pseudonym ‘Yu Ling’ because I didn’t want to draw more attention to myself than there already was,” she confesses.

It was only at her publisher’s encouragement that Lucy began considering the possibility of putting her own name to her work. “My publisher insisted that I use my name; that it was an opportunity to show the world my work and be proud of it. So, I did. It was nerve-wracking initially but I realised that if people were going to criticise me, they were going to do so whether I used my name or not. So, I decided to just go for it.” However, her fears have proved unfounded as her work has received much praise and has been exhibited at prestigious galleries in New York, Munich and Miami.

Better than ever

While many actresses worry about ageing in beauty-obsessed Hollywood, Lucy is more confident than ever these days. For one thing, she’s in fantastic shape – thanks to well-balanced meals and regular exercise. “Pilates and running introduced me to muscles I never knew I had. I now feel longer and leaner,” she gushes. “I also eat healthy. I feel good about my body after exercising, so I don’t want to ruin it with unhealthy food.” “I’m stronger and more accepting of myself than I’ve ever been.”

On a roll

Lucy may be reaching the big 50 in a couple of years but she’s not slowing down in the slightest judging by the recent triumphs in her personal and professional life. In fact, she’s just getting started. “I do things be it acting or drawing because I want to discover who I am. Self-discovery is a life-long journey,” Lucy says. “I want to keep going forward.”

References:

1. Fitness. Available at www.fitnessmagazine.com

2. Hunger TV. Available at www.hungertv.com

3. Interview Magazine. Available at www.interviewmagazine.com

4. XO Jane. Available at www.xojane.com

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Merrill J. Fernando loves tea with a passion. But instead of just catering rich, savoury tea to tea lovers worldwide, he is also dedicated to ensuring that ethics and integrity go into the production of his favourite beverage. 

Born in 1930, hailing from a middle-class background in rural Sri Lanka – then, a British colony known as Ceylon – Merrill found his calling in life early on during his youth. After completing his college education in the 1950s, he moved to Colombo in hopes of becoming a tea tester. The profession of tea testing was dominated and closely guarded by the British expatriates, but Merrill was fortunate enough to be selected among the first batch of Ceylonese to be trained at Mincing Lane, London.

What Merrill observed at Mincing Lance – then dubbed the ‘Mecca of Tea’ – was an industry in which the tea producers in his country were exploited by multinational corporations. Sri Lanka relied heavily on the tea industry to support its economy, but the leaves, painstakingly grown according to traditional Ceylonese process and hand-picked for the finest in taste and quality, were treated as low-value commodity in Europe. Ceylonese producers received only a small fraction of the profits, the lion’s share going to the middlemen, which were the large corporations. This realization shaped Merrill’s perspective, fuelling his determination to address this inequity in the Ceylonese tea trade.  

In 1988, Merrill founded his own tea company, Dilmah. The name was derived by combining the names of his two sons, Dilhan and Malik. He pioneered the concept of single-origin tea, going against the grain in a market of multi-origin blends. Dilmah became the first producer-owned tea brand, where leaves were picked, packed and shipped by the growers themselves. This practice allowed him to pay his workers fairer wages, as well as ensuring that his clients would savour high quality garden-fresh tea.

His vision of fair and ethical trade was not without obstacles, though. Over the last decade, Merrill’s comparatively tiny family business was pitted against big traders that had been monopolising the industry. Furthermore, in a market filled with multi-origin tea blends, his peers and government regulators had a hard time sharing his belief that tea could be produced directly from crops to consumer.      

Nevertheless, Merrill stood by his passionate commitment to authentic, exquisite quality and above all, ethically produced tea. Over the decades, Dilmah has grown into one of the world’s leading tea brands, available in over 100 countries. Never forgetting his roots, Merill founded the MJF Charitable Foundation. Revenue from sales of Dilmah tea is used to finance the foundation’s activities.

“In many aspects, the MJF story is the antithesis of globalisation,” wrote Paul Harris in LMD Magazine, Sri Lanka’s leading business magazine. “It is the tale of success for the small family unit working hard to overcome the power of the multinationals. It is a tale of values overcoming the sometimes amoral mechanisations of much bigger and more powerful players.” 

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Dato’ Dr Arunan Selvaraj is a man of many talents and distinguished accomplishments. A lawyer, he is the founding and managing partner of Messrs Rusmah Arunan and Associates. He has also established himself as a proponent and advocate for physical and mental wellness. A popular speaker as well as author, he is well known as a “straight A” man among his peers.

The straight ‘A’s

• A is for ‘attorney’. Dato’ Dr. Arunan Selvaraj is a practising lawyer and he holds a Doctorate in Family Law. He was admitted to the Malaysian Bar in 1992.
• A is also for ‘author’. His years of practice in family law had motivated him to author and publish his first book “Saving Your Marriage”. All proceeds go to National Cancer Society of Malaysia and The Malaysian Association for the Blind.
• A is for ‘adventurer’ as well. From climbing mountains to seeing the world, he is always seeking new experiences to savour.
• A is for ‘advocate’. Dato’ Arunan also actively participates and promotes the campaigns of various non-profit organisations in this country.
• And finally, A is for ‘attitude’. He has an upbeat, positive way of looking at life and love, which he hopes to share with the world.

Growing up, a life of love

“One of the many principles I tightly hold on to in life is doing good,” the KL native tells us. “I attribute this to my parents, who instilled in me that our actions are the most important testimony of our beliefs and values.”

He recalls how, when he was 7, a hawker stall owner gave him the wrong change. Having received change for RM50 when he only gave the man RM10, he was overjoyed and proudly offered to split the extra money with his father. 

“My father told me in a harsh tone to apologise to the owner and return the money,” he reminisces. “Once his anger had settled, he explained to me why taking that extra bit of money was not right, and that the money rightfully belonged to the owner. To help me understand better, he explained how I was depriving the owner, and possibly his family of their needs. Since then, I have always lived by this lesson.”

Living in harmony

Dato’ Arunan grew up in the Ampang Jaya neighbourhood. “The neighbourhood I grew up in, as well as the schools I attended comprised of a society with a fair mix of Chinese, Indian and Malays,” he tells me. “We never heard about race being mentioned, at all.”

He still remembers his neighbour back in those days, Idris. “Idris’s mother would feed him and his 3 siblings, as well as my sister and me by hand from the same big bowl of rice, while we wait for the school bus to come and take us to school in the afternoon,” he says.

Life with other children of all races and religions taught him the value of diversity in cultures, lifestyles as well as opinions. Dato’ Arunan says that, as Malaysians, it is essential that we look beyond skin colour and religion.

Stand up when life knocks you down

During the economic slowdown, Dato’ Arunan’s legal education fees in the United Kingdom became a burden for his family to shoulder. “I needed to support myself,” he says, “I took on a few hard-labour part-time jobs that paid well.”

Taking on those part-time jobs was a great growing-up experience. “My co-workers, who were big, well-built men were surprised to see a law student in their midst but they took me under their wing. I didn’t know the basics like needing to wear gloves, and had blistered, bleeding hands on the first day until they noticed and advised me. It was a very tough time, but I kept myself going by focusing on the goal – to complete my degree and graduate.”

Dato’ Arunan felt that such experiences molded him, taught him important life lessons that he would hold on to for the rest of his life. “While pursuing a goal, setbacks usually occur. It is important to motivate ourselves by focusing on the goal. Remind ourselves that the outcome of these setbacks will be good, and we will be motivated to keep trying,” he says.

The measure of a man

Dato’ Arunan eventually embarked on his career as a lawyer. In the early days, he witnessed many of his clients facing marital problems. As someone who tends to relate to and connect with people, he found himself into marriage counseling.

Dato’ Arunan once helped a mother gain custody of her 2-year old girl after her divorce. The mother eventually found a man who would marry her, as long as she abandoned the girl. She came to Dato’ Arunan to have the custody order modified to grant custody to her former in-laws (whom her daughter had never met), but he refused to represent her.

“I tried my best to counsel her and convinced her to change her decision. I reminded her that she would have to live with a guilty conscience, and that if the man truly loved her, he would love her unconditionally,” he says.

There was a happy ending to the story. The mother visited Dato’ Arunan a few years later with her daughter to do a sales and purchase agreement. She had taken his advice to heart and kept her daughter with her, a decision that she made as a result of his advice to her.

To his surprise, the daughter, now eight, broke down in tears and kissed his hand, thanking him for his advice to her mother. Until that moment, Dato’ Arunan never realised how words could leave such a deep impact on one’s life.

Another opportunity to make a difference arrived soon after. Dato’ Arunan frequently gave talks on various topics, and on that particular day, he was to give a talk on wealth management and financial intelligence. He recalls, “When I entered the hall and scanned the participants, the majority of the crowd looked worryingly overweight and unhealthy. I decided to make a change on the spot.”

He asked the audience why they were directing so much of their lives to gathering wealth, when they neglected their well-being and faced the risk of not living long enough to enjoy the wealth.

“My talk that day also went into extra time on physical and mental health. I managed to transform the lifestyles of many that day, as it sparked the realization that true wealth is good health, and not just material riches. Many of the attendees of that talk wrote to me later on, thanking me for inspiring them to lead healthier lives, and they continue to be in touch with me.”

His epiphany was crystal clear. Dato’ Arunan was a busy man, but at the same time, he managed to find time to be a devoted family man as well as to indulge in his personal interests, all the while staying fit and maintaining a healthy outlook about life. If he could do this, so could others. Thus, he found another calling: to share his philosophy on both physical and mental wellness, and this motivated him to embark on his second book.

Keep learning and stay positive

Dato’ Arunan enjoys reading autobiographies of strong and successful personalities, as well as self-help books. “I think it’s important to read self-help books with a clear and positive mindset, as it influences how you apply the lessons taught into your daily lives and you can get the most out of it.”

He also makes it a point to surround himself with positive people. “This is an often overlooked, but important step to better mental wellness,” he tells me. “Negative people only demoralise you, and sometimes, they get to you without you realising it. You should detoxify yourself from such people – be with people who understand, support and motivate you, even if they don’t always agree with you all the time!”

Also, he adds that good health is essential. “A vast number of us only think of health in the physical aspect. In doing so, we overlook our mental health. Truth is, it is vital to strike a balance between both.”

Dato’ Arunan’s tips for stress management

• Avoid directing inordinate chunks of time to your work – draw a line between work and play.
• Treat challenges as opportunities for personal growth and development.
• Always be the master of your emotions – manage your anger, control your sadness. Make it a point to de-stress and clear your turbulent mind.
• Have a positive view of yourself to develop your self-esteem.
• Establish and maintain healthy relationships. Even with the development of modern technology, do not neglect good communication and real conversations with our friends and family.

His other philosophies

Be generous in sharing positivity with other people.

Dato’ Arunan frequently gives talks on physical and mental wellness, as well as on relationships and families. He can be frequently seen on TV as well.

He also authored Saving Your Marriage (ISBN 978-967-416-021-0, published by TrueWealth), as an inspiration for married people as well as those who are considering marriage or having a relationship. Another book is about to be released.

Volunteer – it keeps us grounded and allows us to give back to the less fortunate.

Dato’ Arunan has worked closely with various non-governmental organisations such as the National Cancer Council (MAKNA), National Cancer Society of Malaysia and All Women’s Action Society (AWAM). One significant project he organised was project ‘Movember: The Ultimate Shave-off’ in 2015, raising over RM200,000. The project also launched a music video entitled “You Gotta Live!”, which featured many of our local artists to raise awareness regarding prostate and testicular cancer.

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“We always aim to deliver our diners the best possible all-in-one Ramadan experience and this year is no different,” said Angeline Lue as she welcomed us, along with others members of the media to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (also known simply as the Centre) for a sampling of its Kampung in the City Buka Puasa menu. When the Centre’s Director of Sales & Marketing makes a promise like such, you know you are in for a gastronomic treat! And a real treat we had – if the extensive spread of traditional kampung classics and contemporary buka puasa fare laid before us was anything to go by.

A marriage of the old & new

The Centre’s Executive Chef, Richmond Lim proudly informed us that although this year’s Ramadan feast features the same theme as the past couple of years (Kampung in the City), his award-winning 51-member culinary team decided to spice things up with the addition of a host of new kampung favourites such as sawang telur (rice noodles topped with crispy eggs and served with curry), lepat ikan kukus dengan daun kunyit (Malay-style fish terrine wrapped in turmeric leaves), rendang ayam kampung Seri Menanti (traditional chicken curry with green chili), trawangan gado-gado bersama makanan laut goreng rangup (vegetable salad accompanied by a tangy-peanut sauce and deep-fried seafood) and masak lemak tempoyak asam belimbing ikan patin (river fish braised in turmeric fermented-durian coconut cream sauce), just to name a few. Is your mouth already watering? Wait, there’s more.

Aside from the buffet spread, diners can look forward to the ‘Chef Action Stations’ where local culinary delights such as Penang char kuey teow, Hainanese chicken rice, wonton noodle soup, mee goreng mamak and seafood asam lemak Siam (seafood cooked in sweet and sour coconut soup), and a selection of steamed, deep-fried and grilled bubu ikan will be available. Speaking of grilled food, all satay fans out there can rejoice as you can treat yourselves to the most succulent chicken and beef satay complete with ketupat, lemang, nasi impit, rendang tok and bubur lambuk (rice porridge).  

Flair of the foreign

For foodies who are looking for something a tad more exotic, you will be pleased to know that the buka puasa menu also boasts international choices including roasted fish Tikka, a variety of Italian pasta made a la minute to your liking, Pad Thai (rice noodles stir-fried with egg, bean sprouts, chicken and seafood), Pita Kebab Arab Daging Cincang (Arabic-style minced beef kebab on pita bread), and Mediterranean hickory-smoked lamb served with mint sauce and black pepper.

A sweet finish

No traditional Ramadan feast is complete without desserts – and boy, does the Centre serve up a fine array of sumptuous sweet treats! From everyone’s beloved Air Batu Campur (ABC) served with condiments and ice cream to serawa durian pulut lemak (durian porridge) to local kuih and dates, the dessert lover in you will be torn for choice!

Want to break fast at the Centre? These are the details you need to know:

• The Centre’s private Kampung in the City banquets are available every day throughout the Ramadan month, while the public buka puasa is only available from 13 June to 1 July 2016.
• For reservations, you can contact Abby at +603 2333 2866 or June at +603 2333 2877.
• The public buka puasa is priced at RM115 nett per person and is limited to 250 pax per evening.
• Private buka puasa banquets are for 100 pax and above and offers 2 menu choices; prices range from RM115 nett per person for the Ramadan Al-Mubarak menu to RM157.41 nett per person for the Ramadan Al-Kareem menu.

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If you have been pondering over these questions for a while now, ponder no more.  This June, HealthToday speaks to the two individuals who are more than capable of answering your burning questions: Malaysia’s very own Ultraman Kannan Murugasan and rising marathon star Edan Syah!

So, read on to find out what first motivated these men to foray into the world of sports, what keeps them going as the going gets tough, what their fitness regimens comprise, what tips they have for budding athletes and more.

Go the distance

“Results don’t come by merely dreaming about them. Dreams come true when you start working towards them.” – Edan Syah. 

American sprinter and three-time Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph once said, “The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” But long before her many gold medals and world records, she was a child with polio who had to wear a brace on her left leg just so she could walk. Yet, because she had a dream and was unflinchingly determined to realise it, the Tennessee native underwent years of grueling physical therapy and successfully overcame her disabilities to become who she is today.

If there’s one lesson we can take away from Wilma’s story, it is that we should always be daring enough to push our limits and not allow circumstances to dictate our future. We can never know what we are truly capable of unless we test our boundaries. This also rings true for Malaysia’s very own rising marathon star Edan Syah.

Putting dreams into action

If you were to go back in time and tell Edan’s teenage self that he would one day grow up to become a marathoner (and a successful one at that), he might have laughed in disbelief. “I wasn’t into sports during my schooling days. I only picked up running in my early 20s,” he says when asked if running was something he had always been passionate about. He may be a ‘latecomer’ (or so he calls himself) but he has shown tremendous talent and improvement ever since he started marathoning.

While talent may play a role in his success, he is a firm believer in hard work. “Results don’t come by merely dreaming about them. Every dream can be realised, but only when you start working towards it. I live each day purposefully and that’s what drives me to do my best. Running has taught me discipline, consistency and the importance of routine in my life. Discipline is very crucial as I have stick to my workout routine, no matter how grueling it is,” he enthuses.

Discussing his fitness routine in detail, he says, “I train for 6 days, covering a mileage of 120 km a week. There are days when I do 2 sessions – instead of only 1 – in order to achieve the required mileage. My life pretty much revolves around my training sessions. As for food, I eat well so I can train well. We are what we eat, after all. But when I’m not training for competitions, I eat almost everything!”

For the love of running

You may wonder, ‘Why running of all things?’ Edan explains, “I chose running because it is an individual sport where you compete with no one else but yourself. I’ve always desired to challenge myself to see just how far I can go. I’m thrilled to say that my hard work has paid off. I currently hold the fastest full marathon record in Malaysia!”

Despite his passion for the sport, there was a time when he considered walking away from it all. About that dark period of his life, he says, “I almost gave up after completing the Medibank Melbourne Marathon 2015. That was my 3rd major marathon which I completed in 2 hours and 4 minutes. Although I had dedicated nearly a year to training and had invested lots of resources in the race, I just couldn’t improve on my previous best time. I felt so disheartened that I faced the dilemma of continuing to pursue running or quitting.”

Fortunately, he didn’t. He credits his sponsors and friends for rallying behind him through thick and thin. “I’m grateful for their support and how they always believe in me. This motivates me to work harder and to make them proud.”

Are marathons for everybody?

“Running a marathon is one of the most challenging yet fulfilling accomplishments one can have. It opens up your mind and breaks the boundaries that you’ve set,” Edan emphasises.
“If you plan to do a marathon, be ready to set aside time to train; make that decision even before you sign up for a marathon. I suggest that you train for a period of 24 weeks.”

“Also, you need to personalise your training programme so there can be a consistency in your progress. Not forgetting your sports gear; having the right gear can increase your running efficiency. Start with a running top, pants and shoes. Never buy shoes just because they are on sale. And most importantly, don’t sign up for a race just because your friends are doing it!”

The road less taken

If you aren’t willing to risk the unusual, you’ll have to settle for the ordinary” – Anonymous

It’s funny how life may sometimes turn out very differently from how we envisioned it. Take personal fitness trainer Kannan Murugasan for instance. “I was never into sports growing up even though I have always entertained the idea of participating in triathlons,” he recounts when asked if he had already planned to enter the world of fitness from a young age.

Instead of fitness, the Penangite initially had plans to pursue electromechanical engineering. However, all that changed when he took some time off after completing his electrochemical engineering diploma. “I decided to try out for the Desaru Half Ironman triathlon in 2000. The first-time triathlete was so adamant to realise his childhood dream that he trained his hardest – reading up on triathlons, purchasing a steel Raleigh racing bike and even taking up a personal fitness trainer course.”

Needless to say, Kannan succeeded in making his dream come true. “The feeling I experienced when crossing the finish line was indescribable. No words could adequately describe all the pain and joy that I went through to get where I was,” he recalls proudly of that momentous day. But that day wasn’t special merely because he fulfilled a childhood dream but also because it marked a turning point in his life. “I asked myself if engineering was really something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.  That was when I made the decision to become a personal fitness instructor and to compete in major races all over the world.”

A real-life superhero

To date, Kannan has completed as many as 10 Ironman races including the prestigious Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, apart from other races of a smaller scale. But that’s not all.

Aside from his stellar success with the Ironman triathlons, he is also Malaysia’s first and only Ultraman – and no, we aren’t referring to the monster-fighting Japanese superhero. Kannan explains, “Ultraman is an ultra triathlon whereby one swims 10 km, cycles 420 km and runs 84 km in a total of 3 days. If I were to break it down, Day 1 consists of swimming 10 km and cycling 145 km; Day 2 involves 275 km of cycling and Day 3 is made up of running 84 km. Each day has a cut-off time of 12 hours.” Comparing it to Ironman, he explains, “Ironman, on the other hand is a combination of 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling and 42 km running with a cut-off time of 17 hours.”

On becoming Ultraman

So, what does it take to be an Ultraman? “Well, the Ultraman triathlon is a mental game. Anyone can swim, cycle and run but without a strong mental state, many end up breaking down. This is why it’s vital for participants to have the passion and determination to push themselves beyond their limits. Sacrifice and discipline are a must.”

Giving us some insight into his own training regime, he says, “Each time I prepare for an Ultraman race, I have to sacrifice 6 months of freedom. I have to adhere to a strict diet regime. I’ll eat oats, pasta, cereal, mixed fruits and nuts. I usually consume small portions throughout the day and cut down on oily food, which means no nasi lemak, roti canai or char koay teow!  I also have to sleep at a certain time and of course, train every single day.”

“On weekdays, I spend at least 1-3 hours swimming or cycling or running daily while I do outdoor cycling for 3-6 hours every Sunday,” he elaborates. “Also, I don’t train with a group because I follow a specific heart rate range. Hence, I train alone on a bike for hours. I love training so I don’t mind doing it alone.”

Are triathlons for everybody?

Listening to Kannan describe his rigorous workout routine can be daunting in itself so it begets the question: are triathlons for every Tom, Dick and Harry? “As long as you can run, swim and cycle, you can do triathlons. But as I mentioned earlier, you must be prepared to work hard!”

He offers some tips to aspiring triathletes. “You can start with a short Olympic distance which comprises a 1.5 km swim, 40 km cycling and 10 km run. Additionally, you can try out sprint triathlons. Long-distance triathlons such as the Half Ironman, Ironman and Ultraman require extensive physical training and of course, a great deal of mental conditioning so you might want to avoid those when starting out.”

A fitness philosophy by which he abides is a twist on the old adage ‘No pain, no gain’. “My philosophy is ‘No pain, no injury’! If you haven’t been properly trained, please don’t say ‘no pain, no gain’ because you’re only looking for trouble. Pain doesn’t necessarily mean you’re exercising right. If your body’s hurting, you most likely have injured yourself somewhere. So, always listen to your body.”

Kannan concludes, “Doing a triathlon is definitely no stroll in the park. Having said that, don’t fret. Anything is possible with proper training and guidance.” Well, if there is anyone you should believe, it has got to be our very own Ultraman. So, if you’ve been tinkering with the idea of doing a triathlon, why not give it a shot? You might end up surprising yourself!

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When we met up with Atilia Haron recently, the first thing that popped into our minds was just how fit she looked – undoubtedly the result of a fit and healthy lifestyle. Addressing her svelte figure, the Malaysian beauty admits candidly, “I wasn’t always fit, you know. I used to be underweight and had the misconception that if I were to exercise, I would lose even more weight. Hence, exercise wasn’t my thing.”

However, Atilia who is also a contemporary songwriter and singer reconsidered her decision when she caught herself wheezing and feeling breathless each time she walked from one side of the stage to the other during her musical performances. Additionally, she had trouble sleeping well. “It then struck me that as thin as I was, I was unhealthy. I realised that I had to get serious about my health,” she says.

Did she immediately sign up for a gym membership or something along those lines then? “Not really,” she confesses. “Many of my friends were hitting the gym, swimming, playing tennis or climbing rocks. I wanted to be do all those things but I couldn’t rock-climb due to my palms sweating easily; I wanted to swim every day but my hair turns frizzy when I spend too much underwater; I thought of tennis but playing in the heat of the sun wasn’t very appealing. It was rather frustrating because I couldn’t find a form of exercise which was right for me.” However, her frustrations soon came to an end when she discovered the workout which would later change her life, not just physically but professionally: yoga.

“Love at first inhale”

You have heard of the saying ‘Love at first sight’ but Atilia begs to differ. “When I discovered yoga, I immediately fell in love. It had a calming effect on me; it was a workout that I actually enjoyed. It was love at first inhale!” she gushes.  But instead of following in the vein of the ‘First love doesn’t last’ cliche, her passion for yoga only grew stronger.

“I loved it so much that I decided to take it seriously,” she says. So serious was she that she signed up for 200 hours (roughly a month) of yoga training in Koh Samui, Thailand. The training itself was not easy to begin with but it was made tougher as it took place during the fasting month. But Atilia was not fazed. “It was a wonderful experience. I was even asked by my instructor to teach my group on the final day of training. It was an honour because I feel teaching is something sacred.”

When passion becomes profession

Upon returning to Malaysia, Atilia (now a certified yoga instructor) kept busy. “When I got back, I rounded up some friends for yoga classes at my house. What initially was a ‘yoga get-together’ with 2 friends evolved into a 10-person session. It was during these sessions that I began having a niggling voice in my head, telling me that I should open my own yoga studio,” she recounts.

Following her dream, she opened her first yoga studio, YogaOneThatIWant in Damansara Perdana in 2014. When asked about the unique name she bestowed upon her studio, she explains, “It was inspired by the Grease musical. There’s a song called You Are The One That I Want. I chose it because it sounds fun. I don’t want people to feel that yoga is something serious. The key is to get people onto mats and have fun.” She describes her studio as ‘an extension of the living room which used to host my yoga sessions with my friends. It feels like home; a cosy studio offering yoga classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike.’ Not one to rest on her laurels, she soon expanded her business to 6 more branches over a span of 2 years! Not bad at all for an entrepreneurship which had its humble beginnings in a living room, huh?

Impacting lives

Although people have to pay a fee for classes at her studios, Atilia and her group of yoga practitioners conduct free yoga sessions every Saturday morning at 3 different locations – KLCC Park, Bandar Utama’s Central Park and Shah Alam’s Taman Tasik. “YogaOneThatIWant may be a business but I made a promise to do my part in making yoga accessible to those who would like to give it a shot.” So far, the turnout has been good. “We see an average of 200 people attending our sessions. I’m always excited to see new faces among the regulars!”

Flying high

With her yoga business venture doing well, one would not blame Atilia for loosening up and taking a break from things. But don’t let this petite lady fool you. She may be petite but her plans for the future are far from small. “I recently finished producing Konsert Malam Nada Biru at Istana Budaya which featured 8 Malaysian singers including myself, my mother (Salamiah Hassan), Adibah Noor, Dina Nadzir and Malaysian Idol winner Jaclyn Victor. I’m now working on my 3rd album and I’ll be launching my next single very soon so please look forward to it!”

References:

Malay Mail Online. Available at www.themalaymailonline.com

New Straits Times Online. Available at www.nst.com.my

PurelyB. Available at www.purelyb.com

The Star Online. Available at www.thestar.com.my

YogaOneThatIWant. Available at www.yogaonethatiwant.com

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Blessed with exotic looks a result of her mixed parentage of a British father and Nepali mother, along with a cosmopolitan upbringing (her childhood was spent alternating between Malaysia and the UK), Tania Hodges always has had the best of both worlds. With the support of her parents, especially her mother who is a former model, she began modelling for a children’s clothing lines at a very young age. The road to a successful modelling career seemed set for Tania, but her journey was not without hurdles.

Early trauma

When she was 12, about a year after the onset of puberty, Tania began experiencing abnormalities with her body. Firstly, she began noticing a regular presence of foul-smelling vaginal discharge. This was followed by recurrent episodes of urinary tract infections (UTI) a year later.

Although her condition was eventually treated with medication, the procedures left Tania emotionally scarred. “I was subjected to a pap smear test and a rectal examination before the age of 14. I was very young, uninformed, and of course, sexually inactive so Ididn’t know anything about being sex. Because I was so young and uninformed, I thought the experience was very uncomfortable and I felt traumatized,” she recalled.  

In her late teens, her menstrual cycles became irregular so much so that she had to be put on hormone contraceptives which helped regulate her period to prevent severe blood loss. “From the time I was 16,  my period would either last for two to three months, or I would have none for a long time,” said Tania. Fortunately, her health issues subsided by the time she reached adulthood. She began actively competing in beauty pageants and modelling professionally at 18, even dabbling in acting for a while.

Modelling hiatus

Tania’s health troubles returned in her early 20s when one day, he experienced a sudden excruciating pain in the lower right of her pelvic region, which persisted and even became worse as time went by. “I couldn’t take the steps or wear stiletto heels like how I used to anymore. Then, I started feeling nauseous,” she said.        

Reluctantly, Tania went to a doctor who recommended that she saw a gynaecologist. Given her fear of past experiences repeating, she stood her ground this time. “I insisted that my general practitioner put it down in writing that I did not want any more invasive examination procedures,” said Tania. Her wishes were respected, and from a transabdominal ultrasound, she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). With the diagnosis, Tania was put on hormone contraceptives once again, after having been off the pills for a few years.

Around the same time, she began gaining weight rapidly, going from 45kg to 73kg for her 164.5cm frame. On top of that, other symptoms from the hormonal changes began to appear. “I became very pudgy, had severe acne and I was getting noticeably hairier. A casting director, with whom I have worked as a bridal model since I was 18, took me aside and pointed out that I was getting too big to be booked for jobs. Soon, I had to quit modelling because it took too much makeup to cover up my skin flaws,” Tania remembered.     

With her modelling career suspended, Tania tried every means available to get her weight under control. “I tried exercising, protein diets, starvation, weight loss pills and formulas, even taking diuretics – all of which only made matters worse. I also developed digestive issues so I couldn’t keep food down. I was throwing up and having diarrhoea frequently, but still gaining weight. I was close to weighing 95 kg,” she said.      

Regaining control through self-education

After exhausting all her options, and consulting several doctors whose advice did not produce the results she was hoping for, Tania was at her wits’ end. Knowing that she needed a better understanding of what her body was going through, Tania started diligently educating herself on her condition. “I started reading a lot, reaching out to others online and joining health groups on social media to stay informed. Through my own research, I realise I was actually having severe hormonal imbalance, and it was reflected through my metabolism,” she said.

Tania’s online activities led her to come into contact with a charitable doctor from Germany who sympathized with her plight, and offered her free consultation. “I told him about my problems, starting from the beginning including my fear of intrusive pelvic examinations. He patiently educated me on the various treatment options I had that were not considered before, and making sure I was aware of the pros and cons. He then informed me about tests and medications that I should request the next time I go for a check up, while also assuring me that intrusive procedures will be kept as the final resort. For once, I felt in control of my body,” she recalled. “When I consulted him regarding the result of my blood work and hormone levels, I found out my pelvic pains were due to endiometriosis,” Tania added.

The doctor also advised Tania on proper dieting and exercise regimes, which she followed meticulously. Three months later, she went for a transabdominal scan and found out that her ovaries and lymph nodes were clear of cysts and abnormalities. Furthermore, she lost approximately 20 kg and noticed significant improvements in her energy levels. It did not take long for Tania to be back in stilettos and booked her first modelling assignment, after five years of absence. 

Making a comeback

Tania no longer requires the services of the doctor who helped turn her life around, but she continues to follow the diet plan he gave her, which led to her losing more weight. “PCOS and endiometriosis can lead to diabetes. So, I maintain a balanced diet of protein and complex carbohydrates, while trying to cut out simple carbs, trans and saturated fats as much as possible. I do have cheat days, but I try to minimize that. I also go on 30-minute brisk walks, at least three times a day and am mindful of choosing beauty products that are appropriate for my sensitive skin,” Tania described her personal care regime.

After two years of keeping her health and weight in check, Tania decided to further her modelling career by enrolling at the Amber Chia Academy in 2015. “I was the biggest person in my batch, and the pain would come back occasionally because of my retroverted (tipped backwards) uterus, which could be hereditary or a result of having PCOS. Nevertheless, the training I received at the modelling school has boosted my confidence and revived my career,” said Tania..

Tania made her comeback in the beauty pageant scene, with her latest achievement being crowned Miss EuroAsia International 2016/17. “The pageant is relatively new, and unlike some beauty pageants it looks beyond, age, ethnicity and stature, with the purpose of celebrating womanhood in all its diverse forms,” she explained.

With her future looking optimistic, Tania hopes to become an English language teacher, in addition to modelling. She found a love for teaching when she tutored students in between modelling jobs. “I want girls to know that whatever health condition you may have battled in the past, do not let it hold you back from pursuing your dreams, because it does not make you any less of a woman. For example, my dietary requirements don’t allow me the freedom to feast, but I don’t have to live in misery. Get out there and do it, and if you can, inspire others to follow suit,” Tania concluded.  

Tania is an advocate for women’s health, positive body image and anti-sexual harassment. For more information, visit her LinkedIn PCOS support group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3183311

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Effervescent, bubbly, vivacious – these are some of the words that instantly come to mind when you meet Azura Zainal. She may stand at a mere 163 cm but don’t let her petite frame fool you; this lady is a real powerhouse!

We say this not just because of her ability to talk a mile a minute (told you she was bubbly!) but also because of her zeal for life which is evident by the ever-growing number of feathers in her cap. And what remarkable feathers her proverbial cap boasts! Over the years, this Malaysian sweetheart has established herself as not only a successful television host and radio announcer but also an actress, entrepreneur and a published author.

Written in the stars

Seeing Azura now in all her zestfulness, it is only natural for one to assume that she always has been like this but the 35-year-old begs to differ. “I was a very shy kid. I never imagined that I would end up on TV one day!” she says candidly.

How did she make her foray into the entertainment business then? “I did dabble in TV for bit, doing commercials here and there. But it never crossed my mind that I’d make a career out of it. Growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer. Even my late mother always said that I would make a great lawyer,” she divulges.

But it seemed that fate had other plans in store for her. She recalls, “While I was waiting for my SPM results, I got a call from my mother asking me to attend a casting. I initially thought it was for yet another commercial but it was actually for an audition for a hosting position for Disney Buzz, which at that point was a new flagship show for Disney Channel Asia!” And as they say, the rest is history. “There were thousands of people who wanted the job. But I just went ahead and gave my best. Within a day of my audition, I was informed that I had gotten the job! I guess I was destined to do what I do now.”

The multi-talented Azura

Of her hosting days at Disney Buzz, Azura only has lovely things to say. “It was there that I developed my skills in TV hosting and emceeing. It was also there that I met lots of great people. If I could go back in time, I’d tell my younger self to keep in touch with all the friends I made throughout my years of working at Disney Channel Asia. I still do keep in contact with some of them but I wish I had stayed in touch with the rest.”

Since leaving Disney Channel Asia (or as she calls it, ‘The Mouse’), Azura has moved on to various kinds of entertainment work. “I’m currently hosting my travel show, X-plorasi which airs every Saturday at 2pm and every Monday at 11pm at TV1. It’s my longest running travel show; I’ve been hosting it for more than 10 years!” she says proudly. TV work aside, you would have heard her chirpy voice on the radio – RED FM to be exact. “I had the opportunity to be a radio announcer for 3 years at RED FM,” she recounts.

When she isn’t busy with hosting and radio work, you might find her emceeing at product launches and corporate events or performing on Broadway (yes, you read that right – Broadway. Cool, huh?). Elaborating on her acting career, she says, “I was one of the main actors for Broadway: Dreamgirls the Musical at Istana Budaya. Also, I’ll be premiering my first Malay feature film ever so do look out for it!”

Diversity is key

With so much on her plate, you would think Azura does not have time for any more professional ventures. You could not be more wrong. “In the entertainment industry, people tend to have a shelf-life. You can’t expect to always be on the air. I need to be ready for that when it happens. I’m still very involved in the entertainment world but it’s important to diversify,” she says. Wise words, indeed.

An example of this ‘diversity’ comes in the form of Gcabxi (M) Sdn Bhd, a collaboration with her older sister. “This company focuses on the general motor insurance system and helps Malaysians make passive income just by renewing their car insurance with us annually. You can find out more at www.gcabxi.com.”

Another business in which she is involved is Caboco Fit Studio, which she owns with her Brazilian husband. “My husband is a martial arts and fitness instructor so he teaches Capoeira, Brazilian Jujitsu and his own creation which goes by the name ‘Fit Combat’. For those who aren’t interested in martial arts, we also offer dance classes like Zumba.”

In a good place

For someone with a career spanning decades, we wonder what Azura’s most notable achievements are. She says, “I’m proud of many things I’ve done but there are several which stand out. I wrote a book called Azura Zainal’s Guide to TV and Radio Hosting which was published by MPH. I was also nominated for Best Light Entertainment Presenter/ Performer at the Asian Television Awards. So, that was cool.”

Allowing us a glimpse into her personal life, she adds, “My family and I usually organize barbeques at one of our homes; some will offer to cook dinner. We will play Pictionary or scrabble after the meal. We are also fans of outdoor activities but it depends on everyone’s availability. My family may be very big but we’re tight-knit. We always have a blast.”

It’s not hard to see that Azura is in a good place right now. She seems to have it all – an impressive resume, a successful career, great family and friends – and she is no doubt thankful for all of that. But don’t expect her to rest on her laurels anytime soon. Like she says, “I’m the kind of person who just can’t sit still. I’ll always find something to do to keep myself busy.” Told you she was zestful!

References:

BFM. Available at www.bfm.my

Business Circle. Available at www.businesscircle.com.my

The Star Online. Available at www.thestar.com.my

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