Singapore #Fitspo of the Week: Jean Chia

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: Jean Chia Gek Lan (IG: @xjljean)
Age: 32
Height: 164cm
Weight: 53kg
Occupation: Sports Trainer
Status: Attached
Diet: Eats freely but in moderation, but during competition prep she will eat six small meals a day of 50-60% protein, 20-30% carbs and 10-20% healthy fats
Training: Netball, basketball and beach games three times a week, HIIT three times a week, weights training twice a week

You are a very active person. What sports do you play?
I started playing netball since I was 10 and went on to train and play for Singapore Age-Group. I was also involved in basketball, beach handball, volleyball, softball, touch rugby, cross-country, track and field and Chinese dance. In short, I love sports especially team sports and ball games.

Currently, I play netball for Singapore Recreation Club. We won the Division 2 Open League last year and will be competing in Division 1 League this year. I am also playing basketball for my company in the Women’s Open League.

Besides that, I take part in sports events regularly such as Vertical Marathon (came in Top 4 for all the events I have taken part in), Spartan Race, Beach Netball, Street Netball, Street Basketball (3-on-3), Captain's Ball and many others. In 2014 I started participating in fitness model competitions too.

When did you start going to the gym?
I started going to the gym to strengthen since I was 18 as part of the national training programme for netball. Back then lifting weights was purely for strengthening and injury prevention. I got hooked on lifting weights when I started taking part in fitness model competitions and realised the importance of weights training for toning of muscles and also to increase muscle strength and endurance for the sports I am actively involved in.

Why did you decide to take part in fitness model competitions?
It was a BIG decision for me - to step out of my comfort zone and try out something totally different from what I would normally do. I have always loved team sports where we win and lose as a team, lift each other up and complement each other on court.

In 2014, I took part in Fitter U - The Search for True Strength, an event ran by NTUC Club U Sports and LiveFitter where competitors had to share about their goals in life, their fitness journeys and go through a series of tests. I was really surprised to come in first place amongst 200 over contestants. It was a humbling journey where I met many inspiring people and learnt about their stories.

I still remembered one of them in particular, who has hearing-impaired but he never gave up in trying to be a better self and continued to pursue doing sports. It was then that I re-discovered a new platform - physique and fitness model competitions where I can train to be a better self, to be a stronger ME and to go on the stage to present the best ME. My aim is to inspire others like me who may lack the confidence in themselves, who may never think of going on the stage before because of inferiority, who think that I am not good enough but realise that I can love myself and be proud of who I am too.

When was your first competition?
My first sports model competition I took part in was organised by Bodybuilding Singapore in September 2014 and I placed fourth. I thought I was toned but after the competition, I realised how far behind I was from the rest. In 2015, I took part in the Singapore Bodybuilding Nationals where I placed third in the Bikini category. I went on to compete in National Amateur Body-Builders' Association competitions where I came in second for both Sports and Bikini categories.

I took another plunge and challenged myself to compete in the Fit Bikini Model Extravaganza where I flew to Gold Coast and competed against 18 other beautiful Australians. Through the competition held in Gold Coast, my hard work was recognised by some of the major sponsors and I was given product endorsements. I am very grateful to be appointed as the ambassador for the Muscle Hunk and Fit Bikini Model Extravaganza Asia held in Singapore too.

How do you feel wearing a bikini in front of such a large audience?
I felt intimidated during my first competition. To make it worse, we need to wear five-inch heels to walk and pose. I have always been a singlet, shorts and sports shoes lady and thus to wear a bikini with five-inch heels in front of a large audience… I thought I must have been insane.

It was after consulting Dana Carmont, a former competitor that I got better and stronger in my walk. I have learnt to be proud of the body I have, to go on the stage and impress the audience. I am not there to win the hearts of the judges but to wow the audience with my hard work.

Why do you like competing in sports?
Competing brings me the feeling of thrill, excitement and a sense of satisfaction when you hit a certain mark beyond what you think you could. In competition, you not only bring out the best in you, you also help to bring out the best of others. Your teammates cover each other’s weaknesses and magnify each other’s strengths. I love the adrenaline rush, the feeling I get when I go on court to compete and play a good game, the "I nailed the walk" feeling when I am on stage and embracing the loss when I failed so that I can become better, faster and stronger.

What are the challenges when preparing for such competitions?
Because I am constantly participating in various sports and events, it is hard to prepare my body for some competitions. For example, most of my sports require me to take in more carbs for energy and endurance but when I go for stage competition, I need to take less carbs and thus, there is always a need for balance and to know when to take what and when not to.

I also need to strike a balance between muscularity and functionality as agility is required for my sports. Most of my competitions fall on weekend and thus during the week, I need to work, go for training and also do coaching. Time management and meal preparation are two main keys during competition phase. Luckily, I have my lovely mum who prepares most of my meals and a supportive and amazing boyfriend who loves me the way I am.

Are you satisfied with your body now and why?
I am happy with who I am right now. #BeYOU! There are days where I will look better, there are days where I will be high in body fat but so long as I lead a healthy lifestyle that I enjoy and feel good about, no one is going to make me feel lousy about my body. You got to learn to accept yourself and love your body before anyone else can.

What kind of comments do you get about your body?
I have received extreme comments. I have people telling me that I am too skinny, chubby, too muscular, I have legs that look like tree trunks, thunder legs, toned shoulder, nice back, sexy abs, not proportional, too short, not good enough, not hot enough etc. It comes to a point that I don't even know who is speaking the truth. But seriously, you can never please everyone and don't even bother to try because those who love and know you, will accept and love you - just the way you are!

Did you ever not feel confident about your body before?
From primary school when I was underweight to university days when I was at acceptable weight, I was never confident about my body. I always felt that I was not good enough and that maybe I just don't deserve to be loved. I came from an abusive family, never seemed to be good enough for anything, was horrible in handling relationships and was mocked by others many times.

It was through playing sports that I found myself and I used sports to hide my fears from others. I am glad that I can share my story with others and help others to know that they are not alone. Everyone deserves to be loved and it starts from loving yourself.

Why should people make an effort to lead an active lifestyle?
You are the sculptor to your body. Lead a life that you will feel good in and you can be thankful for when you are old. Most importantly, you feel good when you live healthily and happily. Living an active lifestyle also fosters positive relationships, allows you to meet many like-minded friends who will make your day better. Carpe Diem - seize the moment, start TODAY!