For Patty Lee training hard and working hard is what drove her to set up her business. A rigid schedule, training and diet is what keeps her focused. Patty can now share trainers and a stable routine for other travellers around the world through her venture, World Trainer.
What’s your story?
It all started from a need.
When I was in my former position, I had to travel frequently. With my stressful job, training was really an outlet for me. I train often with my personal trainer to not only keep fit and work my body, but to de-stress and improve concentration. Training helps me focus. Plus, my trainer and I worked hard to help me lose fat and build muscle and I always felt I was on track and seeing results, until I travelled.
Things fall apart when I travelled. First of all, my schedule was hectic. I was pretty much back-to-back all day, starting from early in the morning to after dinner. Second, I didn’t get to choose my diet and there were lunches and dinners with colleagues and customers almost every day. Also, I missed my trainer. The fact that I didn’t get to train and maintain my routine made me frustrated and unpleasant for others to be around. Honestly, I felt like crap. So, I started looking for trainers to train me in the cities I travelled to. What I found was that it was not an easy task.
The industry is highly unregulated so you never know if the trainer you find is any good. Even if I found a good trainer, I ended up spending a lot of time emailing back and forth with the trainer to set up appointments and share my details. The trainer didn’t know me so he or she had to assess my ability and fitness level. The assessment usually took too much of the precious hour I had for training and in the end, I got a workout that was half done and the frustration remained.
I know there are many people who train hard and work hard. They deserve to be looked after and travel shouldn’t get in the way of building a better you. This is why I started World Trainer.
I built World Trainer specifically targeting travellers who train and quality training is what World Trainer promises. This is why we only partner with elite, certified trainers around the world. The system, www.worldtrainer.fitness, is built to provide travellers with an optimal training experience. It not only matches you to the right trainer, it allows trainers to assess their clients before they meet. It also provides a platform for routine sharing and tracking, so trainers can continue to help their clients reach their fitness goals no matter where they go.
I left my former job where I worked for more than a decade, to dedicate myself to building WorldTrainer for travellers.
What excites you most about your industry?
It’s an industry that combines art, science, and craft. Training is not only about building a strong body. More importantly it’s about building a strong mind and character. And there is nothing else in this world that guarantees results as long as you put in the effort. Training does.
What’s your connection to Asia?
My parents are from Hong Kong and Taiwan. I was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Toronto. I’ve been working in Asia since 2004. I still remember the day I moved to Shanghai without a job and stayed in a motel whilst seeking employment. It was a big leap for me back then and it’s a big leap for me now. I feel just as passionate about the choice I made now as I did 11 years ago.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Asia in general is great for business. The region is full of opportunities and things actually happen here. It’s full of action, not just talk.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
Follow your heart.
Who inspires you?
People who speak from the heart, want to make a difference in the world and touch and inspire the people around them.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
An entrepreneur is like a watch maker. I spend every day searching and putting the right gears together so the watch can run in precision and in a sustainable fashion.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would have indulged more in creative things and would have started training at a much younger age.
How do you unwind?
I train and I play music.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Anywhere with clear blue ocean, the sun and privacy.
Everyone in business should read this book:
22 immutable laws of marketing and Legacy
Shameless plug for your business:
We are currently giving an introductory offer for the first 50 foundation members. Think of us as your personalised global gym where you can get your training wherever you go and just the way you like it. We will build a dream team around you to help you reach your fitness goals. Visit us at www.worldtrainer.fitness
How can people connect with you?
[email protected]
LinkedIn
Follow our WorldTrainer Facebook page
Twitter handle?
@WorldTrainerFit
—
This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
Take the ‘Key Person of Influence’ scorecard <http://www.keypersonofinfluence.com/scorecard/>
Connect with Callum here:
twitter.com/laingcallum
linkedin.com/in/callumlaing
Get his free ‘Asia Snapshot’ report from www.callumlaing.com
