NEW YEAR EVE WITH SERAMBI EMAS AT KUALA LUMPUR TOWER

A last minute invitation from Serambi Emas, where my father is the Chairman landed us at the Kuala Lumpur tower for a corporate party to end the year 2013. Serambi Emas is a company principally involved in the trading of gold bars and gold bullion. While Azhar Sulaiman and the battalion from the 3rd infantry/generation awaits the midnight countdown at Bustanu Pahamin with various firework, we had a good dinner dining with a birds eye view of Kuala Lumpur. The plan was to be home before the new year.

Serambi Emas alike most of us, has its own New Year resolution and the KL Tower was chosen in line with its resolution to be at the top above everything else. We must have resolutions every year. Without it, every year will be just another year and a year that is lost, will be gone forever. We cannot turn back time but we can make the best of the future if we carefully plan with a resolution.

(Click on picture to enlarge).

YEAR END ESCAPADE TO DUBAI & ABU DHABI.

If you are granted one wish and only one, what would you pray for? Different people have different wants and need (some does not even know what they want) but my siblings only have one mutual want echoing my parents only dream, which was to have all their children, in laws and grandchildren to always be together throughout as many generations. The same sentiment gave birth to our residence, the Bustanu (meaning: The Gardens of) Pahamin which currently accommodate three generations in more than 2 acres of land living harmoniously in the same compound to an annual oversea trips to further foster the family close relationship. Although we live in the same compound, the daily hectic schedule of each family member forbid us from a daily gathering but the oversea trip became an escapade away from any business, work or whatever appointments, the trip was all about the family.

This year, we went to Dubai. The whole battalion of 22 pax went except for Azhar Sulaiman whom had to stay back alone in Malaysia having accepted a long winding assignment which ran throughout the traveling dates. We were toying a few countries to visit but Dubai came with the voices of the majority. Democracy ran even in family decision making irrespective of gender and age. 

The youngest in the battalion was Mohamad Khaleef Shamsul aged, 6 months old and the oldest.. of course, my dad aged 67 whom also hold the record of 6 children. Rhiza and Melor are both catching up fast with 4 children while Chempaka Emalin Pahamin and Azhar Sulaiman has stopped producing but perhaps, Dr Teratai Edithy Pahamin and Shazrul Shaari may break the record although currently, they only have Shazrai and Shazrhy. Rumours has it, Rose Emini Pahamin and Shamsul Adnan are a potential record breaker.  Me... I am contented with my wonderful Aaraf Armin but given a chance Allah hu alam (Allah knows best), I want at least 4 children. Having a big family is a true blessing.

Our travel agent for this tour was Parlo Tours Sdn Bhd. Our traveling destination was Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We arrived at the airport in a long queue but the 'online checked-in' expedited the whole queue process and seating arrangement (Note: always check-in online before departure).

We took the Emirates. I've downloaded a few movies to watched in the 7 hours of flight journey but slept throughout the flight. Aaraf finished the whole season 3, the Grims. We arrived in Dubai as scheduled and was greeted by a blond tour guide. I peep through the counters, shops and browsed through the airport to see how the local Dubai'ian looks like? Typical Arabs or... but I did not see any Arab looking people. There were a great mix of race varieties. Dubai has a population of about 2 million and the majority are indians. The local which are of Arab descendant comprised of only 10% while the balance population are foreign. For the longest of time, only the 10% locals were allowed to own any property in Dubai. Now, the government has opened up for foreigner to owned properties in Dubai but only at specific location.

BOOTCAMP TRAINING SCHEDULE FOR 2014

We completed our last session for the year 2013 at Alpha, Bravo, Zulu and Dusk platoon at all locations today and tomorrow will be the last session for Charlie platoon. While we close the curtain for 2013 training, we are pleased to display the training Calender for 2014.

For the year 2014, we scheduled our training session with a one week break for the Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. We thought we should give ourselves a break to balik kampung and indulge in feasting twice a year before getting back into shape. We have also pre-scheduled the  quarterly Bootcamp fancy dress party.

The year 2013 was a successful year for many recruits. Some have conquered the peaks of many mountains, have gone deep down into some deep sea/ocean diving and some ran miles in marathons and ultra marathons. We at the Chief's Original Bootcamp is proud of our past recruits as well as our former instructors whom have created a name for themselves in the name of fitness. Many would think we take them as foes and rival but we do not. They all started at and with the COBC. Personally, I feel proud of each and everyone's achievement. Everytime I browsed the facebook status, I smiled when I see our recruit (past and present) participating in various events including the recent cross-fit challenge and Commando Challenge in Singapore. 

When we had our daily team discussion on whatsapp group chat, Corporal Amir reminded us that tomorrow is Li Wern's 1 year anniversary with COBC. He had ACE'd 12 consecutive year without missing a single session. Li Wern had joined the likes of many otais at COBC whom found solace with the COBC community that shared similar passion for fitness and health. 

We have less than 2 weeks to outline our new year resolution. Do not be afraid to have a resolution even if your past resolution always failed unnoticed. Let us make 2014 a year to be reckon with.. at least for our health and fitness. 

BOOTCAMP INSTRUCTORS ON TRIAL

Ok... First, I'll do the 20 grunts for forgetting to announce the winning Reds in the last blog. Yes, the Reds (ie Chief's instructors in Malaysia) too went through the same phase of lifestyle transformation together with their recruits during the Eight Weeks to Wow challenge but since they were by default disqualified from competing for the RM15,000 grand prize, COBC ran our own challenge among the instructors and the four shortlisted for Finals are as follows:

There are 12 instructors at the Chief's Original Bootcamp, Malaysia network with only 1 female instructor. At the Chief's Original Bootcamp Malaysia, we believe in preaching whatever is spoken and in walking the talk. Whatever that is being trained at the bootcamp, our instructors go through the same training and products. To unleashed our recruit's best physique, our instructors too unleashed theirs. Together, we walk in the corridors of hot bods & health.

There will only be 1 winner among the instructors and the winner will get a New Balance Voucher worth RM ehem ehem... 

Instructors that were voted into finals are....

(Click on Picture to enlarge)

BOOTCAMP LOCATION WINNERS

Just when we thought the 8 Weeks Challenge fever has ended and was a little disappointed that there is no local winners for each battalion, COBC again... came out with a big surprise. We always save the best for last. Yes, we are pleased to announced the local winner for Ampang, Bandar Utama, Cyberjaya, Damansara Heights, Subang Jaya and Penang below. The winners will receive RM1,000 worth of New Balance voucher and a month of bootcamp complimentary. 

There were a few factors that was considered in selecting the winner. Foremost is their effort, dedication & commitment to lose weight (according to their instructors) and their super spirit in motivating and preaching their result on facebook. Yes, we acknowledged the power of preaching and walking the talk. Result is certainly the best tools of influence and we want more people to walk in the corridors of head turning hot bods... and superb health. 

In the same spirit and in this season of 8 Weeks Challenge, COBC took a step further in getting all our instructors to walk their talk by participating in the challenge and we will be announcing too the winner among Chief's instructors in Malaysia.

On behalf of COBC team, we are pleased and proud to crown the following winner!! (click on picture to enlarge).

SPRING 2013 EIGHT WEEKS TO WOW CHALLENGE CHAMPIONS

The Eight Weeks to Wow challenge is a twice a year program run by the Original Bootcamp, Australia (also known  as the Chief's Original Bootcamp in Malaysia) for a complete physical transformation through a change in lifestyle change as well as training methodology in as little as 8 weeks.

The event which began on 2nd September 2013 and ended on 27 October 2013 saw hundreds of participants achieving results beyond their expectation and those whom participated had their before and after challenge pictures for open for viewing for the public to vote them into semi-finals. 50 challengers were voted into semi-finals through an online voting and 25 were shortlisted in the finals by all bootcamp licensee in the network. 

The list of 50 semi-finalist is available at HERE. 8 of them were Malaysian. The list of 25 finalist is available at HERE. 3 of them are Malaysian. 

From list of finalists, our Independent Judging Panel (which this year included the Editors of GQ, Men's Fitness and Ultra Fitness Magazines) has finally made the incredibly tough decision to vote for Spring 2013 Overall Champion, Overall Runner-up, Malaysia Champion and Malaysian Runner Up.

Please join us in congratulating our 2013 Spring '8 Week Challenge' Grand Champion Brent Smith (Sydney CBD) & our Overall Runner-Up Reuben Kukolic (Gungahlin)

SPRING 2013 8 WEEKS TO WOW LIST OF FINALISTS

The countdown for the winner of RM15,000 or AUD$5,000 continues with the announcement of 25 Finalists today.  The 25 finalists were shortlisted from the 50 Semi-Finalists through votes by OBC-Australia and COBC Malaysia licensees.

Twelve thousand votes were cast to select the semi-finalist via online voting that commenced on Friday, 15 November 2013 and ended on Monday, 18 November2013. Eight Malaysian were voted into the 50 semi-finalists.

This afternoon at 2pm (Malaysia time), Chief Brabon, the founder and Master Trainer of the Chief's Original Bootcamp announced the 25 finalists and we are proud to see three (3) Malaysian were voted into the finals. The three Malaysians are Ramdan Parman, Ken Ann Lim and Kok Chung Loh.

SPRING 2013 "EIGHT WEEKS TO WOW" SEMI FINALISTS

The Original Bootcamp, Australia (known as the Chief's Original Bootcamp in Malaysia (COBC)) announced the list of semi-finalists for the recent 8 Weeks to Wow challenge. The 8 Weeks to Wow or formerly known as the 8 Weeks Challenge commenced on 2 September 2013 and ended on 27 October 2013. The program challenged recruits at the COBC for a complete physical and lifestyle transformation in just 8 weeks.

Those who participated was required to submit their picture before they began the challenge and took a picture again after the challenge which ended on 27 October 2013. Those pictures were made available online for the public to vote on 15 November 2013 and ended on 18 November 2013. When the voting ended, those profile pictures were closed for viewing and the judges assessed the voting before the announcement.

12,000 people cast their votes and those voted into the fifty Semi Finals are as follows...

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH KHAIRULMUZZAMIR MAT KASIM

Khairulmuzzamir Mat Kassim or more fondly known as Corporal (COBC) Amir at the Chief's Original Bootcamp (COBC) fraternity is a born health and sports enthusiast. He graduated with Bachelor of Science with honors in Hotel Management specializing in food studies, hygiene and nutrition. Equipped with a sound knowledge in nutrition, his passion for training brought him further into police training for the rank of inspector at the Royal Malaysia Police.

The combined knowledge for nutrition and the passion for training coupled by his strong positive aptitude made Amir a suitable candidate for COBC instructor. He was head hunted by COBC Licensee and offered to joined the 'Reds' bandwagon where he further trained as a recruit in grey for three months before he was appointed as an instructor on probation at the COBC.

VOTE FOR THE BEST PHYSICAL AND HEALTH TRANSFORMATION

Penang recruit proudly photo-shoot their achievements

The tagline "Ordinary people achieving extra-ordinary result" made a huge impression when many from the Chief's Original Bootcamp (COBC) fraternity that participated in the recent 8 Weeks To Wow (8WTW) challenge stood out completely a different person. The winner of the challenge which draws participants from all over the world will win a grand prize of RM15,000.

There are dozens from Malaysia that participated and the public can vote online until Monday 10am (Malaysia time). To vote, goto https://www.facebook.com/OriginalBootcampHQ and to click on the “VOTE NOW” tab at the top of the page to start voting. 

Your votes do make a different. Please help this deserving people whom had tirelessly commit and dedicated themselves for a life changing transformation. It only take less than 5 minutes to choose the winner and only a few minutes to see a real life physical transformation that is only possible at the COBC.

At COBC, your result is our priority.

There are hundreds of head turning result at the link above but see and read a few of their life changing experience below. Click on picture to enlarge.

PLATOONS VERSUS PLATOONS SEASON 3

Cheerful picture of Adibah Mohamad in cap and spectacles

Platoon versus Platoon Season 3 is scheduled to be held on 18 January 2013 and will be organised in memory of Adibah Mohamad whom was our pioneer recruit that had attended the first battle and came to support us on our second platoon challenge while recovering from her surgery for breast cancer but she passed away shortly after the event. Adibah was our comrade at Bandar Utama Alpha and we are truely saddens by her demise. Adibah was truly an amazing women and a true inspiration to many. Please take a moment to read about Adibah at HERE.

What is the Platoon Versus Platoon? To avoid any confusion, Platoon versus Platoon is actually a Battalion versus Batalion. Traditionally in Australia, it was a platoon competing with another platoon but in Malaysia we merge all platoons at a location (battalion) and goes to war with another location (Battalion). This was organized to determine which platoon is the strongest in a friendly, enjoyable and slightly competitive way. It was also organized to enable recruit to meet with recruits at other locations and thus, broadening the networking of bootcampers. The first battle in Malaysia was organised in 2010 (For more information, read HERE) when COBC was under a different licensee. We took over the license the year after and organized the first battle in 2011 which you can read more at HERE. The second battle took place in 2012 and the details of which is available at HERE.

The winning platoon will have its platoon's name inscribed on the trophy. The first year saw Damansara Heights Highlanders as the Champion. Second year, Bandar Utama Spartans took the baton and was crowned as the Champion.

For the battle, all platoons at a location is merged as follows:

a) The merger of BU Alpha, BU Bravo and BU Dusk platoons as Bandar Utama Spartans.
b) The merger of DH Zulu and DH Charlie as Damansara Heights Highlanders. 
c) The merger of USJ1 Charlie and USJ1 Dusk as the Subang jaya Legends. 
d) The merger of Penang Alpha, Charlie and Zulu as one batallion.
d) Ampang
e) Cyberjaya 

COBC 3RD YEAR 'HALLOWEEN' ANNIVERSARY PARTY

When it is time to workout, we trained!! When it is time to work, we worked!! When it is time to run, we run!!! When it is time to sleep, we sleep!! When it is time to party... We party like there is no tomorrow!! If there is one trait that is common with recruits at the Chief's Original Bootcamp, we all learn to live life to the fullest.

The theme for the party was Halloween!! In conjunction with the party theme and as a countdown to the anniversary gatherings, we launched our 'training in theme' at all platoon to further excite the already hype program. The training in theme too would loosen up any barriers or walls between recruits in the spirit of camaraderie and of course, it would break the monotony of working out routine.
 
While the first Anniversary party theme was Superheroes that was attended by Superman, Batman, Ironman, Catwomen, Supergirl, Gorgeous girl yada yada... (See HERE for pictures) and the second Anniversary was Uniform and all the Generals, Hitler, Nurses, french maids and various fantasy-came-into-life dress wear (See HERE for pictures); the 3rd year anniversary theme was Halloween!! We figured, it was time for recruit to over-powered and be more scary than the instructors and we were right!! The instructors were so mild as compared to the scary recruits (good thing, they did not bully the instructors).

The Chief's Original Bootcamp celebrated its 3rd year anniversary at the Bravo Italiano Restaurant and Bistro in Damansara Perdana yesterday. I admit, it can be challenging recognizing recruits without their Grey training tee but to recognise them all looking sexily frightening was errr.. horrifying!

BRAVO ITALIANO RESTAURANT AND BISTRO AT DAMANSARA PERDANA

I passed by this restaurant almost everyday since it was open less than a year ago but we never stop by and dine until one day when we were exhausted of places to dine. We decided to give it a try. The restaurant is located at Damansara perdana and if you are coming from LDP or Penchala Link into Damansara Perdana, you can see the restaurant on the left hand side at the first traffic light.

The full address is at C-G-3A, Ritze Perdana 2,

Jalan PJU 8/1 Damansara Perdana,

Petaling Jaya, selangor

The restaurant has a good ambiance and relatively fast service with friendly and all smiley waiter and waitresses which is important to me. What is more important, the food taste better than the photos displayed. The price...? very reasonable!!

My favourite and a must have at every visit, is the mushroom soup!! Yes!! This is a must have before any meal. It only cost RM9.00 per big bowl. Secondly, the ceaser salad!! The portion, the salad dressing, cheese and beef bacon was literally a perfect salad to have.

I have been to the restaurant abit too frequent that I had most of the main menu including the kambing golek (yes, they roast lamb fresh on certain evenings). All the main menu especially the lasagna and the wide choices of spaghetti are all reasonably priced and are tasty.

Naturally, I brought along the core team member at the Chief's Original Bootcamp and this place was chosen as the next venue for the COBC Anniversary and party which will be held tomorrow, 10 November 2013 at 6pm.

If you need direction to the restaurant, click on google map below.

 

ZOMBIES AT DH ZULUS

Counting down closer to the Chief's Original Bootcamp 3rd year Anniversary celebration which will be held on 10 November 2013 at the Bravo Italianese in Damansara Perdana, we launched the inaugural training in the same Halloween theme at all platoon. Why Halloween theme? Well, why not? We have done more than 30 themes throughout COBC parties and dressing up in scary outfit seemed to be a good choice.  It was amazing to see the creativity and sportsmanship in COBC recruit whom attended the session and trained in fear.. I mean in style.

We had previously blogged the training in theme at other platoon namely for Bandar Utama Alpha, Bandar Utama Dusk, Ampang Dusk, Subang Jaya USJ1 and Cyberjaya Dusk (click on name to view).

To add up to the excitement, there will be consolation prize for the best dressed platoon. Guess who will be the winner? 

CHARMING HANTUS AT COBC CYBERJAYA

Cyberjaya platoon is one of the best training ground with complete facility which includes clean toilets and shower area. When COBC announced the theme for training as Halloween,  this was probably the only platoon with the whole recruit looking sweet and charming instead of horror and frightening. Well.. who says hantus needed to be scary.

CITIBANK AT COBC

The Chief's Original Bootcamp had the privilege to train 200 Citibank officers in a 90 minutes bootcamp challenge which took place at the Damansara Heights Community Centre on 7 November 2013. The event was honored by the presence of its Chief Executive Officer, Sanjeev Nanavati in a prize giving ceremony for the champion of the challenge. Sanjeev whom was appointed as the CEO in 2007 believes the success of Citibank falls in a strong team and this was proven with the challenge held today. The participants that was divided into 50 teams of 4 pax displayed a strong spirit of team work and was endlessly inspiring their team mate to win. When their teammate fallback, they motivate and supported them to never give up.

After a few challenges, when there is only one champion, all of them congratulated each other in a good sportsmanship spirit.

The Chief's Original Bootcamp would like to thank Citibank and the organiser for the opportunity to host the Bootcamp Challenge 2013. Below are some snapshots at the inaugural event before the sunset when its too dark for photoshoot.

AMPANG DUSK EXHILARATING TRAINING THEME

It is amazing how sporting, fun and creative recruits at the Chief's Original Bootcamp (COBC) can be. It is equally awesome to see the effort made by instructors to make sure their recruits are having a stupendous moment working out and achieving the desired result.

If there was an award to be given for the scariest instructors at all platoon in conjunction with the training theme, then I am sure it will go to Corporal Azmir and Lance Corporal Lian at the Ampang Dusk Platoon.

To foster the training theme, Corporal Azmir did not just dressed-up according to theme but he issued out various war cries to all recruits in his platoon. He also prepared Halloween Props and brought along treats to get the energy flowing.

SCARY WORKOUT AT BANDAR UTAMA DUSK!!

What do you think will happen when the Chief's Original Bootcamp announced the workout theme to be a Halloween?!! Yes... it's true... all Hell breaks loose!! It does not matter whether it is a small platoon or a big one but the spirit of camaraderie brought out the err.. ugliest side of everyone. Everyone is so full of energy and needless to say... fun, exciting and creative!! Working out can never be more fun with these breed of bootcamp recruit.

Bandar Utama Dusk seemed to be the most dramatic. While there were a mixture of various hantu-mix from pontianaks to modern toyol, at BU Dusk, there seemed to be a family of the same breed of hantu!! and there were also some exciting pose ala theatre!!

NIGHTMARE WORKOUT AT SUBANG JAYA

Well, it was not literally a nightmare but when the Chief's Original Bootcamp announced a Halloween as a workout theme for all platoons in Malaysia, we discovered there is the ugly side of everyone. Bandar Utama Alpha was the first platoon of the day that started the ball rolling with a few Pontianaks spotted at Bandar Utama Community Centre. In Subang Jaya USJ1 base camp, the resident had their nightmares when its neighbourhood experience the presence of an indescribable scene.

The platoon went on without their hardcore Marie How, Andy Wong, Fadzlie and Mee Leng whom were on vacation but rumor has it, Sylvia Quah became the mastermind who brought out the dark side of everyone. Even without being in Malaysia, Marie How send in 3 bootcamp-virgin recruits namely Everista, Tey Bee Ting and Lee Cindy to be slaughtered the platoon. I dont want to imagine their first day in hantu-theme but Iskandar was immediately excited... "Fresh Blood!!". Fadzlie whom was prepared to be a Freddy Kruger could not make it and Catherine Kok whom was all ready, could not decide what to be?!. All went well although some of the hantus were more adorable than scary.

FRIGHTENING MORNING WORKOUT AT CHIEF'S OBC BANDAR UTAMA ALPHA.. its not a prank, its working out at COBC

When it was announced the the unprecedented Halloween workout at the Chief's Original Bootcamp, we had no expectation how scary it can be until we arrived at the Bandar Utama Alpha base camp... I was shocked to see... err myself!! I woke up a... hantu!!! and I never knew I can be that ugly!!

But it was even more scary to see a Pontianak at 5am on a football field!!! Eeekk..

Not one but two!!