BEATING THE ODDS AND THE BIG 'C'

(THE STAR, 18 NOVEMBER 2012) 

KUALA LUMPUR: Being diagnosed with bone marrow cancer with only three years to live was not the end for businessman Armin Baniaz Pahamin, 38, but the beginning of a new experience in life.
Armin, who was diagnosed at the age of 15, is today the owner of the Chief Original Bootcamp (COBC) programme, which promotes a healthy lifestyle.
“I was given three years to live by doctors and my parents were devastated to hear the news.
“I refused to give up and instead joined fitness programmes and stayed healthy despite my condition,” he said yesterday.
While spending time in the gym, cycling and mountain climbing, Armin realised that he needed something more to stay motivated.
This led him to becoming a recruit of COBC in 2010 and he bought over the business a year later with his partner and fellow cancer survivor Dr Malek Aziz.
COBC is a military-style fitness programme designed by Jim (aka Chief) and Emily Brabon in Aus-tralia.
“I want to share my experiences, especially with youth, and show them that anything is possible if you put your mind to it,” he said.
Over 5,000 people have signed up for seven COBC camps in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
“I am proud that three of my recruits were voted finalists in the International 8 Week Challenge 2012 held here recently,” he said.
The public can also participate in COBC's Free Try-Out (FTO) Day at Ampang, Bandar Utama, Cyberjaya, Damansara Heights, Subang Jaya USJ1, Shah Alam and Penang.
For more information go to www.arminbaniaz.com. To enrol with the program, click register at HERE. The original article is available for viewing at HERE.  

BEATING THE ODDS AND THE BIG 'C'

The Star Online TV has the story...



The original clip is available at here.
 
Akin of a teenager experimenting the varieties of life to stay healthy. we did more than ten 42.2km Marathons (and more than seventy 10kms, 21km 30km etc), Cycling, Swimming and the Gym Group-X and Les Mills classes in particular RPM, Body Pump, Pilates, Yoga but could not  maintain the consistency in training momentum until I was enrolled at the Chief's Original Bootcamp. I was a recruit for a complete 1 year before we (Dr Malek Aziz and me) took over the franchise.

TRUEFITNESS GYM OVERSLEPT?

17 November 2012, Desa Sri Hartamas. Members at the Truefitness Club was furious when the morning gym-goer arrived at the club at 8am to discover the gym was locked and was not open. Many of the early riser waited but some had left in frustration. One of the club member that did not want to be named said, one of the staff at the gym called the management at 8am and was assured the person-in-charge would arrived in less than 5minutes to open the club.

When I arrived an hour later at 9am, after the supposedly opening time at 8am (for weekends), the gym was still locked and many had left.

ITS FREE TRY OUT!! ...AT THE CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP, MALAYSIA!!

Its free!! Its a Try-Out!!! That is why its called a Free Try-Out (FTO) Day at the world longest running transformation program; the Chief's Original Bootcamp FTO is available at Ampang, Bandar Utama, Cyberjaya, Damansara Heights, Subang Jaya USJ1, Shah Alam and Penang!!! 7 Locations!!!! The biggest Bootcamp Network in Malaysia!!

Experience for yourself why the Chief's Original Bootcamp program is the best!! The program is scientifically researched, customized and designed to reap the best result in the shortest time!!! Warning.. This program is not for everyone but only tailored for those that wants a transformation!!  be it in losing weight/FAT, fitness, physical body or in health.

The free-try-out on 16 November and 17 November is as follows (click on picture to enlarge):

THE GRAND CHAMPION FOR 2012 8 WEEK BODY TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE

The 2012 Original Bootcamp, Australia and Chief's Original Bootcamp Malaysia Grand Champion has been announced!! But before that, let us review the schedule of event that recently took place.

For 3rd consecutive year, Chief Brabon & Gunny Brabon had launched at the Original Bootcamp Head Office, the 8 Week Challenge for the year 2012. The 8 Week Challenge was first introduced in 2010, the year when Dr Malek Aziz and Armin Baniaz Pahamin first took up the license. Infact, it was launched only within a few months since COBC Malaysia' was first established in Bandar Utama. What is the 8 Week Challenge? For more information, click HERE. In short, it is an 8 week program that comprised of a 3x1-hour a week training at the Chief's Original Bootcamp (for 8 consecutive weeks), a set of home workout as daily homework and a set of diet meals to cook and eat daily for the whole 8 weeks - to unleashed your best physical being.

The result was portrayed at HERE.. See for yourself what these great people have achieved in a short span of 8 weeks.

After 8 weeks, everybody was already a grand winner having achieved their desired dream physical outlook and that is all that matters although a public voting was opened for the public to judge and assess the transformation of each Challengers. There were more than a total of 5000 votes for the semi-finals and we broke history when 12 Malaysians were voted into semi finals! Last year only Kym Wishnowski from Damansara Heights Zulu that was voted. This year, there were 2 recruits from Ampang Alpha platoon namely Han Lian and James Lee, 2 recruits from Damansara Heights namely Maslina Ahmad Ismail and Affiq Zakie. 3 recruits from Bandar Utama namely Umesh Narasimhaiah, Rienna Choo and Afiza Abdul Halin. 4 recruits from Penang with Simon Koay Qing Jie, Kwei Yee Wong, Ang Shi Qun and Abdul Azizam and 1 recruit from Subang Jaya USJ1 namely Marie Josephe How. Every recruit went on a wild voting campaign spree to canvass votes for themselves and so did I. I wrote and viral circulated almost 40 blogs in merely 2 days... but this time, I had a co-blogger Sarge Boon who is now a co-author of Stay Tune blog to get everyone motivated and aspired.

With the 85 Semi-finalist, the franchisees and licensees in Australia shortlisted via voting for 20 finalist but the results were so outstanding that the voters had difficulty to select only 20. They voted for 25 finalists instead. COBC Malaysia broke another history when 3 recruits from Malaysia was voted as Finalists!!! There were Rienna Choo, Umesh Narasimhaiah and Abdul Azizam.

THE 8 WEEK CHALLENGE FINALISTS LIST IS OUT!!

RECORD BROKEN!! The Chief's Original Bootcamp Malaysia broke history when three (3) of its contestants were voted into Australia 8 Week Challenge Finals!!! For more information on the 8 Week Challenge, click HERE. For more information on Chief's Original Bootcamp, click HERE.

From the 85 Semi-Finalist, shortlisting of the top 15 were pretty straight forward, it was only when Head Office were down to choosing the final 5 that things got a little tougher as the points spread was pretty wide. In the end the team settled on 25 Finalists (See below in Alphabetical order by first name). Three challengers from Malaysia made it to the Finals breaking Chief's Original Bootcamp/Original Bootcamp Australia history!! Never did any challengers from Malaysia that made it to the final. The three were Rienna Choo, Abdul Azizam and Umesh Narasimhaiah.

 
Abdul Azizam 
Alex Connor 
Alyssa Grabb 
Angela Winter 
Brad McLean 
Brent Smith 
Cassy  Cameron
Daniel Poonoosamy 
Daniel Ringrose 
Hollie Henshaw 
Ian Zammit 
James Henville 
Kinson Cheung 
Liam Kelly 
Marta Chylewska 
Matt Hollier 
Michael Di Guglielmo 
Milan Medved 
Rebecca Parker 
Rienna Choo 
Robert Menezes-Baker 
Scott Clarke 
Shane Beetson 
Umesh Narasimhaiah 
Xeniya Alpatova

8 WEEK CHALLENGE SEMI-FINALISTS!! CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP, MALAYSIA!!

Public Voting for 2012 Chief's Original Bootcamp 8 WEEK CHALLENGE Semi-Finalist was closed last night and the system extracted out those with the most number of voting points received. For more information on the 8 Week Challenge, click HERE. For more information on Chief's Original Bootcamp, click HERE. Those that made it a step closer to being voted into Finals are listed below. This year, 12 recruits from COBC Malaysia was voted into Semi-Finals compared to only 1 from Malaysia and we are very proud of them. Last year, only Kym Wishnowski from COBC Malaysia that was voted into Semi-Finals. On behalf of COBC team and the winners, thank you all for the votes.

THE LOCAL WINNERS FOR 2012 CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP 8 WEEK CHALLENGE

There is ONLY 1 day left for the Challengers with the best physical transformation to be voted into the Chief's Original Bootcamp (COBC) 2012 8-Week Challenge Semi-Finals. For more information on COBC, click HERE and to read more on the 8 Week Challenge 2012, click HERE.

Public voting for the Semi-Finalist will end at midnight tomorrow (Australia time), Sunday 4th November 2012. On 5th November the voted semi-finalists will be announced to all Franchisee whom will then cast their votes for the finalist (latest by 9am (Australia time)!!!

On 6th November, the judging panel will choose the Grand Champion & Runners-up and prizes will be awarded on 8th/9th November 2012.

Today, on behalf of Chief Brabon, Gunny Brabon, Dr Malek Aziz and all franchisees, I am pleased to announce the Local Winners for 2012. We apologized for the delay in the announcement.. The suspense and the waiting added the thrill to the announcement!!! If you look at every pre- & post 8WC pictures, every Challengers are already a Winner!! Their transformation was everybody's dream come true.  There were 5 locations (also known as Battalion) being contested in Malaysia, namely Ampang, Bandar Utama, Damansara Heights, Subang Jaya USJ1 and Penang. Each of the Local Winners will get RM1,000 New Balance Vouchers.

The winners for the local Champions are as follows:

CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP LIST OF THOSE TO VOTE INTO SEMI-FINALS

(CLICK ON BANNER TO VOTE!!)

31st October 2012 - Voting for the Chief's Original Bootcamp Location Champion & Overall Malaysia Champion!! There are 4 Locations that is being contested namely AMPANG, BANDAR UTAMA, SUBANG JAYA and PENANG!! What is the Chief's Original Bootcamp? Click HERE to know more!! What is the 8 Week Challenge is all about? Click HERE to read & know more about it. 

The voting for Location Champions and Malaysia Champion is by partnered-franchisee (from Australia), Chief Brabon and Gunny Brabon. This is to avoid any favoritism and popularity advantage towards any recruit. Their decisions are final and cannot be contested!

1 November 2012 - The Local Champions and Malaysia Champions will be announced!! (START PRAYING!!!)

 

1 November 2012 to 4 November 2012!!- voting online began!! VOTE!! VOTE!! VOTE!! Vote for Malaysia to go to CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP/ ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP, AUSTRALIA SEMI-FINALS and let them compete for the best physical and fitness transformation against the Australian. Note: It is best to synchronized your votes for the a few challengers that can win against the best in Australia rather than to split votes for too many challengers.

For a quick review, our Malaysian Challengers that have submitted their profile measurement and pictures to this blog are as follows (FIND THEM ON THE VOTING SITE!!!). Voting site will only be open from 12am- 1 November 2012 (I think Australia time) to 11:59pm - 4 November 2012 (Australia Time). To vote: click HERE ..

These challengers have been on a mission to transform their physiques with the Chief Original Bootcamp for 8 consecutive weeks!! and if you think they look hawt and great now, see their BEFORE picture and their measurement. You will be amazed!! Click on the challenger's name BELOW to see their pre-measurements:

VOTE FOR ABDUL AZLIZAM FOR COBC 8WC SEMI-FINALIST

Amazing transformation in just 8 Weeks at the Chief's Original Bootcamp!!!

Vote for Malaysia to Semi-Finals. Semi Finalist are selected purely on public voting. Voting will only be open on 1st November and close on 4th November - to vote, go to ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP, AUSTRALIA FACEBOOK page at HERE. (NOTE: The voting-site will be open and close ONLY on the specified date).


What are the prizes?

Grand Champion - RM15,000 Cash
1st Runner up - RM3,000 New Balance Vouchers
Malaysia Champion - RM3,000 New Balance Vouchers + 1 pair of Vibram Spyridon/Seeya
Malaysia 1st runner-up - 1 Pair Vibram Spyridon/Seeya
Local Champions (eg. Bandar Utama, Subang Jaya etc)  - RM1,000 New Balance Vouchers

Note: All local Champion is by default, voted into Semi-Finals.

Vote for 

ABDUL AZLIZAM

COBC NOVEMBER SCHEDULE!! SHAH ALAM IS BACK!!!

24 hours countdown to November intake!! November intake starts on 29 October for Ampang, Bandar Utama, Penang and 30th October for Cyberjaya, Damansara Heights, Subang Jaya USJ1 and Penang (See training Schedule below).

Yes, due to popular demand, Shah Alam is back with Shah Alam Zulu only. For existing recruit whom registered for November intake between 20 October to 29 October 2012 (except for Groupon), you will receive a free 1 hour essential oil massage at the Yellow Spa in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (to redeem, please email to admin@bootcampmalaysia.com). For all recruits, you only need to pay RM50 for 1 hour essential oil massage. For more information, click HERE.

For Groupon RM49, Military Corps 12 sessions introductory offer for first timer, you have less than 24 hours to buy the voucher. To buy click GROUPON. For past recruits and those that have not register, please do so quick!!

Please note that Cyberjaya Charlie & Echo session is merged into 0600 to 0700 on Tuesday Thursday and Saturday and USJ1 Charlie and Echo is merged to Charlie at 0530 to 0630 to avoid heavy morning traffic!!

VOTE FOR OCTOBER 2012 SPIRIT OF BOOTCAMP!!

It is time to vote again for the Spirit of Bootcamp!!! What is the Spirit of Bootcamp? The Spirit of Bootcamp (SOB) is awarded to somebody in your platoon that does not just inspire you, but motivates you to push yourself that little bit harder, somebody that makes your sessions more enjoyable and someone that is aspiring to you. It doesn’t even have to be somebody you know. It can be somebody that you have never spoken too, but you noticed him/her as encouraging, humorous and/or helpful.

You determine who motivate you the most.. and you award them with the "The Spirit of Bootcamp" by voting online for him/her. This is our culture, this is the Spirit of Bootcamp!! CONGRATULATION to all that was voted into the oldest 20 years old military program network.

Below are all those that was voted as the Spirit of Bootcamp since the Chief's Original Bootcamp first started in June 2010.. Guess who were the most  frequently voted SOB?

To vote, click MEMBERS at HERE.

FROM A CORPORAL TO A SERGEANT!! CONGRATULATION WAN HAZRIQ ABDULLAH

There is nothing that can make us even more proud than to promote our instructor and that is exactly how we felt when we announced the promotion of Corporal (COBC) Wan to Sarge (COBC) Wan this morning in COBC Instructors Whatsapp group chat. Of course, that was within our internal announcement and here we are, announcing it to the world. Sarge Wan whom was promoted as a Corporal (from Lance Corporal) in June 2011,  has satisfied the minimum 1,000 work-hours commanding platoons and sections in his tenure with the Chief Original Bootcamp. Yes, practice does make perfections. Sarge Wan have also met the benchmark of a Sarge accredited by the Original Bootcamp co-founders and the person behind COBC program, Chief Brabon & Gunny Brabon during the duo's recent visit to Malaysia. Get up close with Sarge Wan at HERE.

When Sarge Wan first came on board in January 2010, he was put in grey for the longest of time, 4 months to be exact!! ...before the team finally allowed him to wear the prestigious Red Tee. Being in grey tee as a recruit at the COBC is as important as putting on the Red tee because an instructor has to feel what the recruits are feeling to be able to reach out to them. An instructor must be able to reach out to every recruit in a group and the experience of being in grey tee, would allow him to relate to the intensity threshold of a recruit. Being in Grey too, would enable an instructor to adapt the COBC culture better. This culture is what COBC is all about.

AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURER "GULUNG TIKAR"

FACTS: Although PROTON is now under private entity but it is still a national car and is still driven as a national project and is a major source of income to our Country. With the opposition and the public pressing against national cars and crying for the liberalization in car pricing PROTON may follow Ford's footstep soon and leave thousands unemployed.

Read more at HERE or read locally at the Star Online News at HERE.

With direct employment and its dependents of more than 100,000 people, there is no other way but for our National Cars to be on an upswing. If we do not support our national car, nobody will!!

COMPETITION ACT 2010 AND ITS IMPACT TO PROTON

The Competition Act 2010 was passed by Parliament in April 2010 and was enforced since January 2012 by the Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) which is an independent body established under the Competition Commission Act 2010. It's main role is to protect the competitive process for the benefit of businesses, consumers and the economy as well as to give foreign investors more confidence in the country's business practices. The Act governs all firms, including government-linked companies (GLCs) in all industry. We lauded the implementation but there are various issues that requires clarification.

What are the impact of the Competition Act to the automotive industry's current operation? Please note that this is my own interpretation of the act and the Guidelines issed pursuant to the implementation of the Act. We are seeking clarification from the Competition Commission on many grey areas. 

Among the key breaches of common practice in the automotive industry.

1. Car dealers are being forced to use Motor Insurance for its customer from Banks' subsidiary General Insurance company as a condition for the dealers to utilize the bank's facility granted to them. Although Bank has denied but in practice, car dealers are still being forced to use bank's own general insurance arm.

2. Interest Rate for Proton cars are fix akin of a concerted effort by all Banks which is higher than other automotive range (Para 2.5, Guidelines on Chapter 1 of the Competition Act 2010).

3. Although the Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia) had lifted the ceiling imposed for the dealer's Handling fees for already more than a year but all Banks akin of a concerted practice are still limiting Dealer's handling fee to a maximum RM600 (Para 2.5, Guidelines on Chapter 1 of the Competition Act 2010).

COBC CO-POWERED THE MALAKOFF RUN, DUATHLON SERIES, POWERMAN AND INTERSTATE CYCLING

The Chief's Original Bootcamp, Malaysia will be the co-sponsor for all Malakoff Series 2013 from the runs, dualthon series to the intestate fellowship rides and as well as the leftovers of 2012 at the forthcoming Malakoff events as follows:

1) Malakoff Kuala Lumpur run 2012 to be held at Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country on 16th December 2012.

2) The Powerman Dualthon on 4 November 2012

3) Malakoff Interstate Fellowship Ride on 31 December 2012.

We are proud to be a co-sponsored to all Malakoff's event. Being a Powerman finisher once, I am looking forward a start and re-joined the Cycling community. To all bootcampers, whether you are training for a run or cycling or both, you want to train hard with the Chief's Original Bootcamp.

FREE GOODIE WHEN YOU REGISTER AT THE CHIEF'S ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP NOVEMBER INTAKE!! QUICK!!

What would complete a good workout? Sleep...? Eat...? err.... NO!!! 

What would be good is an hour of tender, loving and luxurious full body massage worth RM98.00 for FREE at the YELLOW SPA, Plaza TTDI, Taman Tun Dr Ismail!! Yes.. That is exactly what you get when you register for your November session between from 20th to 26th October 2012!! Beside the free 1 hour body massage, if you are a COBC recruit, you just need to go to the spa in your Grey Tee and you get the same massage for only RM50.00. The same massage is priced for others/outside at RM98.00. COBC give you the best value for your money.

What else would you get? You will get the early bird promotion and pay only RM249 from the usual RM299. If you are a first time registered, you will also get the most wanted, COBC Grey Tee!!

SNAPSHOTS AT THE NEW BALANCE GOOD FORM RUNNING WORKSHOP WITH CHIEF BRABON & GUNNY BRABON

The inaugural New Balance Good Form Running Workshop with Chief Brabon and Gunny Brabon in Malaysia was held on 13 October 2012 at the Chief's Original Bootcamp Damansara Heights basecamp which was located at HERE. For more information, click HERE.

A nominal fee of RM30 for COBC-recruits and RM50 non-recruit were charged and the session was divided into 2 full groups. Chief Brabon & Gunny Brabon are both New Balance Good Form Running ambassadors and also the product ambassadors for Body Science Compression Athlete.  Many would thought that running is as simple as putting on a shoe and run which I am a living evidence of this subject. Many years thereafter, I had to temporarily retire from running due to various injuries; the worst was the knee injury. To avoid injury, we must learn the right technique, be it in the running form or cadence and equally but most frequently neglected, is in the breathing techniques.

Chief gave us an insight into the correct proper running form and technique so we can avoid any long term pain and injury. However, a word of reminder, techniques learned must be practice and only then would you see result. So, do train smart....

Below are some thousand uncensored snapshot taken at the running workshop. Click on picture to enlarge.

PROTON EDAR PUTRAJAYA IS AT ALAMANDA SHOPPING MALL FROM 17 OCTOBER TO 22 OCTOBER 2012!! Hurry!!

PROTON EDAR Putrajaya is located at No. 1, Jalan Diplomatic 2/2, Precint 15, 62050, Putrajaya. Tel: 03-8881 1013 Fax: 038890 2013 and due to the slow market demand, we are out to reach out to the potential car buyer by having a promotion at Alamanda Putrajaya Shopping Mall from 17 October to 22 October 2012!!

There are alot of promotions, discounts and overtrade being offer during this period. To know more, please visit our showroom or the promotion venue at Alamanda Mall.

Where is Alamanda Putrajaya Shopping Mall? Alamanda Putrajaya Shopping Centre is located at Jalan Alamanda, Precinct 1 (Presint 1), 62000 Putrajaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia. It is less than 5km away from our Showroom To get direction, click the map below:

Point A in the map is the location for Proton Edar Putrajaya showroom and Point B is the Alamanda Putrajaya Shopping Mall.

IN JUST 4 WEEKS!! SABON TOT (NICKNAME)

We usually get the best mojo in our workout when we see our fellow comrade's jaw dropping result!! When we see someone that we know are looking ripped and toned and is walking around like a model, we will start to put more effort in our training... If he can do this, so can I sort of speak... I would also get all excited and motivated when a fellow recruit emailed or approached and told me that he/she really never thought he/she could be this slim/small/toned. Once, it was only a dream. I can so relate to this sort of statement because since childhood too (especially with my medical history), I can never imagine I can run 10km distance but now I have done more than 10 full marathons. So when recruits share with me their fitness and health success stories, I can really understand them. COBC is where ordinary people (or sub-ordinary with medical history like me) achieved extra-ordinary result. The success stories of each and every recruits are really heartfelt.

When I read on facebook and read how addicted recruits were with COBC program, I can also relate to it!! All of us, the core-team admin at COBC Malaysia Dr Malek Aziz, Farhanah Bamadhaj, Nawal Aini Zulkifli and me, were just recruits and were really addicted to the Original Bootcamp program under a different franchisee for a full 1 year. We were so addicted and in love with the program that we ended up taking over the license. Why the addiction and why the heartfelt emotion? Well.. It is hard to explain until you have tried it yourself. To have a sneak preview and experience what COBC is all about, register for a Free Free Try Out Session at HERE for this coming Friday and Saturday. COBC community is just so supportive and positive and you can never hear anyone demoralizing another comrade... except from those non-bootcampers.

I have known Sabon (not the real name) for quite awhile now. She is a strong loyal supporter of COBC. To be honest, I never did see her as fat, big or gigantic because her cheerful, happy and love to laugh personality supersedes her err.. size but when Sabon showed me her before-joining-COBC picture... My eye almost popped out. That was her ->

The single and available charming lady will now knock any man off his chair. Sabon's transformation is really amazing.  Below are pictures of Sabon before she participated in the 8 week challenge. What is the 8 Week Challenge? 6 weeks ago, Chief Brabon and Gunny Brabon threw a challenge for their recruits in Malaysia and Australia to achieve their dream body in just 8 weeks FOR JUST AUD29.90!!! For more information, click HERE.