Bodybuilder Eugene Teo Transitions to Mindful Movement for Health

Eugene Teo, a former competitive bodybuilder, has shifted his focus from extreme muscle building to a more balanced and mindful approach to fitness. At 34, Teo, who resides on the Gold Coast, Australia, reflects on his decade-long journey that began when he started lifting weights at the age of 13, driven by a desire for validation and confidence.

Teo dedicated his teenage years to bodybuilding, training intensively from the age of 16 to 24. During this period, he often spent up to four hours a day lifting weights, striving for a physique that epitomized the ideals of the bodybuilding community. He describes his obsession with the need for extreme thinness in his skin, particularly around his stomach and glutes, stating, “If you grab your eyelid and feel that skin, that’s the skin thinness you want on your bum and abs.” This fixation led him to follow unsafe practices, including severe dehydration before competitions and an extreme diet of “clean” foods such as sweet potatoes, brown rice, and boiled chicken.

His rigid approach to nutrition and training came at a personal cost. Teo avoided social gatherings that involved food, even skipping his own birthday celebrations. He carried scales to family dinners to ensure he adhered to his strict diet, creating an unhealthy relationship with food. “There were a lot of dysmorphic associations around food,” he explains, reflecting on how his body became a project that consumed his life and strained personal relationships.

Despite achieving a muscular physique, Teo experienced physical limitations that prompted a reevaluation of his priorities. He recalls, “I could lift a lot of weight. I looked exceptional, but I was out of breath from simple tasks.” Everyday activities like walking across the gym caused lower back pain, and even tying his shoes became a challenge. The realization that his body was not functioning as it should led him to seek a change.

Shifting Focus to Mobility and Functionality

Teo began altering his training regimen, moving away from the singular goal of muscle size. He incorporated activities aimed at improving mobility, power, and cardiovascular endurance, including running, stretching, and cycling. This transition also involved a significant shift in mindset. Teo started questioning whether his previous extreme approach was bringing him happiness. “This is now an obsessive trait in my personality, and it’s not bringing me joy,” he recognized.

A decade later, Teo emphasizes the importance of relationships and personal well-being over physical appearance. He no longer adheres to a daily workout routine and adopts a more relaxed approach to his diet. “If I’m out with my daughter and she wants an ice cream, I’ll have one with her,” he shares, illustrating his newfound balance.

Physically, Teo’s body has changed significantly since he began this journey. He has lost approximately 15 kg of muscle mass but reports that his overall performance and well-being have improved dramatically. “It’s definitely smaller,” he acknowledges, yet he feels more athletic and capable around his daughter. He can now jump twice as high as before and run 5 km in 22 minutes, a stark contrast to the 40 minutes it took him to complete his first 5 km run during his competitive days.

Reflecting on his transformation, Teo states, “Ten years ago, my body was capable of turning heads on the street. That was fun – but it was the only thing it was capable of.” Today, he takes pride in a body built for function rather than mere aesthetics. Eugene Teo continues to share his journey and insights as a fitness coach on his YouTube channel, @coacheugeneteo, and as the founder of the fitness app Ganbaru Method. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of balance in fitness and the pursuit of well-being over societal expectations.