DATUK JAKE ABDULLAH
Best known for his stewardship of the Astro Radio Group, mixing tracks on-air as the Jakeman, and being an uncommon business leader, Datuk Jake has never shied from challenges. Not one to imitate others ‒ even his heroes ‒ he’s instead been a proponent of inculcating the timeless principles and lessons of other iconic leaders. But another side to him that may not be immediately apparent, is his passion to be a mentor in the spheres of both work and play. And by play, we mean his focus on health and well-bring as an inseparable part of his being. Here’s a sneak peak at the evolution of his fitness journey thus far.
What are you fitness goals now, and how have they changed over the years?
I am 56 this year and from being just a gym rat focused on lifting weights, I have sensibly added daily cardiovascular activities that help keep my heart healthy, as well as keep me lean. Honestly, I hated cardio ‒ all types of cardio ‒ but I have been running every day on Technogym’s MyRun, which makes cardio easily accessible and fun, in the morning and hitting the weights in the evening.
I have been reading a lot and took time to get my ISSA certification (including PT and nutritionist) and this has helped me work out a holistic plan for myself. The key is sustainability as I want to be mobile until I turn a 100 years old!
Who’s your greatest fitness icon / inspiration and why?
I have many (2 have passed on in the last couple years ‒ Charles Poliquin, and more recently, John Meadows). I love Arnold Schwarzenegger’s philosophy on life but now I am such a David Goggins fan. He is an exnavy SEAL who has done numerous ultra-marathons and did hell week 3 times in the Navy ‒ showing his amazing mental strength and nononsense approach to fitness. When I feel like I’m making excuses, I turn to Goggins.
What’s the hardest / most grueling routine you’ve put yourself through?
I did a marathon as a teenager but some injuries in my later years prevented me from running much until lately. But I guess the most grueling workout that I’m doing these days would be training legs with competitive bodybuilders, Kumareswarren Ramasamy, who owns Bodyfactory, and Mike Mahen, a 4-time Mr. World champion. You squat till you throw up... literally.
What are the basics of good nutrition?
All diets work. In essence, there is the energy balance theory where you need to be in a deficit to lose fat. New science has emerged on insulin sensitivity and the need to control it as well. I’ll do a little intermittent fasting ‒ usually three times a week. But if you ask me, just make your diet a sustainable one. Stay away from processed food as they are stripped of micronutrients and spike your insulin levels, making you store fat. I’ll usually eat clean 6 days a week and on Sundays, I have an awesome breakfast of whatever I want!
What uno hodox fitness advice can you give us?
Lift weights and then do some cardio. Lifting weights keep your muscles active, and the more muscle you have, the less body fat you have. Also, although I say do cardio, do not be obsessed with it and do super long cardio sessions as our body becomes very efficient and you will realize the same intensity and distance will burn increasingly less calories. It’s important to mix it up.
What words would you use to motivate people who has never entered a gym in their life?
Start with 5 minutes, then 10, and so on. Start by replacing one meal with a salad, then as you see improvement, make further incremental changes. You cannot undo years of neglect in a week ‒ no matter what your Insta fitness influencer tells you. One step at a time and be consistent. I guarantee you that it will happen.