A decade ago, Eugene Teo was consumed by the pursuit of a muscular physique, training for hours on end and meticulously controlling his diet. But his single-minded focus on bodybuilding came at a cost, as he sacrificed his overall health and well-being in the process.
Teo, now 34 and living on the Gold Coast in Australia, began lifting weights at the age of 13, driven by a desire for validation and confidence. “Bodybuilding for me was the ultimate expression of that,” he says. From the ages of 16 to 24, he dedicated himself to training and competing, sometimes lifting weights for up to four hours a day, all in the pursuit of the “ideal” body – one with skin as thin as an eyelid.
However, this obsession took a toll, both physically and mentally. Teo would dangerously dehydrate his body before competitions, following unsafe protocols shared by bodybuilding gurus. His diet consisted of a limited selection of “clean” foods, and he would even skip his own birthday to avoid eating off-plan. “There were a lot of dysmorphic associations around food,” he admits.
The relentless focus on his physique left Teo feeling alienated, with little room for flexibility or fun. “I lost friendships. I lost partners,” he says. Even at his most muscular, he could only see flaws in his appearance, constantly scrutinizing his body.
But a gradual realization dawned on Teo – his extreme mindset was not bringing him happiness. “I could lift a lot of weight. I looked exceptional,” he says. “But I was out of breath from simple tasks.” Walking across the gym with clients gave him lower back pain, and even tying his shoes required him to brace himself.
Teo decided to make a change, shifting his focus from pure muscle size to a more holistic approach that prioritized mobility, power, and cardiovascular endurance. He incorporated running, stretching, jumping, and cycling into his routine, and began to question whether his extreme mindset was truly serving him.
A decade later, Teo’s priorities have shifted dramatically. His body has changed, with a loss of around 15kg of muscle, but he says the difference is “night and day better.” He can move more freely, jump higher, and run 5km in just 22 minutes – a far cry from the 40-minute struggles he faced during his bodybuilding days.
Now, Teo’s focus is on his relationships and his work as a YouTube fitness coach and app developer. He no longer works out every day and is more relaxed about his diet, allowing himself to indulge in the occasional treat with his daughter. “If I’m out with my daughter and she wants an ice-cream, I’ll have one with her,” he says.
Teo’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that true fitness goes beyond physical appearance. By embracing a more mindful approach to movement and well-being, he has found a path to a healthier, happier life.