Singapore #Fitspo of the Week: Samuel Lim
Strong is the new sexy and fitness is the new party. With society leaning towards health and fitness, Yahoo’s #Fitspo of the Week series is dedicated to all inspirational men and women in Singapore leading active lifestyles. Know of any who deserve to be featured? Hit me up on CherylTay.sg and on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram (cheryltaysg).
Name: Samuel Lim (IG: @thatunclesam)
Age: Turning 34
Occupation: Head coach and owner of CrossFit Fire City
Status: Married
Height: 170cm
Weight: 70kg
Diet: No specific dietary programme, but often forgets to eat lunch; generally avoids processed and foods of low nutritional value
Training: CrossFit 5 days a week, 2 hours each time.
What kind of sports did you do as a kid?
I was an active kid, but I never took myself seriously as a competitive athlete. Growing up, I spent most of my after school hours attempting Parkour in the playground or playing catching under the HDB block. I was in the school team for badminton and tried my hand in many other sports such as basketball, track sprints and cross country. As I got older, I took part in many endurance races in my 20s.
When and how did you learn of CrossFit?
I was introduced to CrossFit training in 2007 by a member training in the gym I was working at. She shared the website and that was my first step into an amazing adventure.
What made you go and try it for the first time?
The CrossFit WODs (workouts of the day) are posted on the website, so I decided to give one of it a try one day and I got hooked since. In addition, the online community is welcoming, supportive and generous with information.
The first WOD I tried was unforgettable because it was hard, but I had so much fun learning to move better and improving myself.
What is it about CrossFit that you like so much?
The people. The sense of community in and outside of our training facility is invaluable.
I have regularly competed in the annual CrossFit Games Open and I was 26th in Asia in 2012, making it as an Asia Regional Games qualifier. In 2014 I was an Asia regional team qualifier.
I’ve also taken part in other competitions such as the Beast of Southeast 2014 where our team came in second. I also organised Sin City Invitationals, a local CrossFit competition, for two years in 2013 and 2014.
What are some of the valuable life lessons you have learnt through CrossFit?
In operating Fire City, I’ve learnt that money is not a measure of the value of your vision and efforts in providing your service. In training, my greatest achievements are the ones attained by the people around me. In life, CrossFit has taught me to smile when facing a challenge because it is easier than wearing a frown.
CrossFit has helped me to develop as a person by teaching me that strength is not measured by weight. It is the invisible force that encourages one another to be better.
What are your thoughts on the Singapore CrossFit scene and how do you hope to contribute and see it improve?
The awareness for the principle of training has grown in folds over the years. I hope to continue to be a part of educating purposeful training to more people.
What misconceptions about CrossFit are there and how do you hope to correct?
The common misconceptions are about intensity, injury and complicated routines. Those aren’t true. We welcome everyone to attend trial sessions and experience the coaching, community and classes.
Are you satisfied with your body now?
Yes! I never had an issue with physical appearances. Fitness begets wellness, and wellness begets a healthy looking body!
What kind of comments do you get about your body?
I get people asking about my abs and muscle tone.
What are some misconceptions of fitness in today's society?
Fitness is defined differently by athletes of different sports. For example, a runner may define fitness as endurance; a weightlifter may define fitness as strength and a yogi may define fitness as stability and mobility. A misconception will probably happen only when the end goal is not aligned with the programme.
Why should people make an effort to lead an active lifestyle?
An active lifestyle leads to a healthier body and a healthy body leads to happier living!
