Singapore's Growing Fitness Market - Natalie Dau

I would like to have impact around people living their lives better, but living their lives better for the environment and for the earth as well. So it's really a holistic view rather than just looking internally and thinking, wow, I look great, I feel great, I can fit into those genes, but you know, what are we doing that's impacting everything else on a daily basis too? And just being a better human being.

Fitness fans, welcome back to the Future of Fitness podcast and interview series. This is your host, Eric Malzone, and this is episode number 97. I get to talk to Natalie Dow. And when you talk about the term influencer, uh, she comes to my mind every time. I mean, she's a fitness influencer, and it's not just one of those people who she does have a great Instagram account, um, tons of followers and things like that, but she's doing it in a way that is uh professional, uh positive for the uh fitness and health industries. And yeah, and she's just really good at it. And she's out in Singapore. Uh, she's originally from Australia, she's out in Singapore now. And what she's doing out there and creating a movement behind fitness and being one of the leaders in that is just exciting. Uh, it's just really cool. And she talks about what that market is like and her journey as an entrepreneur uh through fitness and a reebox-sponsored athlete and all the accomplishments she has. And I know at the date of this uh recording for the introduction on November 28th, she's uh she's working on even bigger things, um, possibly bringing the whole life challenge uh out into the Asian markets. And it's just exciting. Uh you can't help but be excited for her and about what she's doing and what the fitness industry looks like on a global scale. So without further ado, uh let's get into it. Oh, one more thing. Yeah, if you are a fitness professional and you are looking to stay up to date with things like this, uh two references for you. The Modern Fit Pro, or sorry, the Modern Fitness Pro closed Facebook group uh on and then uh fitnessprofessional online.com. So that's our content curator uh in 2019. We're gonna make some changes. And specifically if you are uh an online fitness entrepreneur uh or a B2B, you know, consultant, service, something like that within the fitness profession, this is gonna be one of the best references for you and resources for you uh in 2019. So go check them out. It's the Modern Fitness Pro Closed Facebook group. You'll find people like Natalie Dow, uh, and then also the fitnessprofessional online.com, where you can find all my podcasts, uh articles from experts, uh, all kinds of great free material. So go check it out. So, once again, without further ado, episode number 97, Natalie Dow. Enjoy the show. All right, Natalie Dow, welcome to the show.

Thank you.

Yeah, I'm excited to have you. Um, you know, maybe people here in the States or whoever's listening um may not know who you are yet, except for your Gary V episode. But in the in Asia, you're a big deal, right? Um, so uh let's let's talk about that evolution. Give us a little backstory into how you got to be um, you know, in the awesome position you're in now.

Yeah, sure. So, you know, I came to Asia for two years uh with a corporate job. I was, you know, working for global consulting companies. Um almost 15 years later, I'm still here, so I didn't leave. Uh during that time though, I uh you know had an epiphany, epiphany and and a change of career and got into health and fitness. Um, you know, always a passion, always active, I was always competing. Uh, but there were a couple of things that uh were catalysts for for change for me personally. Um and I think you know there's there was so much opportunity that it started snowballing and it hasn't stopped since. So I think I've I've sort of hit the wave at the right time, right place, um, and showed a passion, I guess, in Asia for it, and and people have caught on.

Yeah, awesome. So tell me about that that transition, because where where are you originally from?

So originally from Australia, um, moved up here with uh yeah, a global consulting role in a large company, and then um, you know, would be on and off planes every week, you know, Singapore to the US, you know, uh an 18-hour journey or to London, a 12-hour journey, you know, once or twice a month. Um so always trying to balance work and staying fit and healthy. I'd be the crazy person that would get up at five o'clock before walking into a day of meetings and eat my protein bar as opposed to the chocolate chip cookie. So, you know, that that that was that was always ingrained in me. And uh and I always just helped, you know, helped colleagues out uh at that point. And then I decided to start studying around, you know, being qualified just for my own personal use more than anything, not with the vision of you know going to train people. Um and then started a group uh on Facebook uh to try and help people. I'd help one of my friends lose 60 kilos, um, which is more than what I weigh. Um, and you know, we just wanted to share that story. So started a private group. Uh within a couple of months we were at 5,000 people, as you know, that friends are told friends, and we were just sharing stories, and I sort of thought, wow, this has obviously got a lot of power. Uh, maybe time to you know start a business around it. Um from there, I grew an online media portal, so we're one of the largest in Asia around health and fitness, so publishing articles every day, custom content for governments and for corporates, uh called the Daily Escape. Uh, and that's just to inspire someone to take 10 minutes a day to read something to make them uh then make their life better. Um, so that continues, and then me personally, I got into Spartan racing um on the eve of my 44th birthday, did my first competitive race, um, you know, placed third, didn't was, you know, overall ended up going to two world championships and competing. So I think from there things grew. I was on the radar of different brands after that, you know, winning some some different races, and together it's all just formed this beautiful thing.

Yeah, wow, wow. And so when did you I'm curious because you know everybody has a Facebook group now. When when did you start yours? Like what circa was it?

So that would have been four years ago.

Okay.

Yeah, four years ago, and and that one's now evolved and uh into other things, um, and it, you know, change of direction with the business. But it you know, it wasn't wasn't like it was super early on. Um it was just I think you know, right time, right place, and it was sort of dinner party conversations that oh you need to join this, and it started off being very Singapore based.

Yeah.

And then um, you know, there was people all over the world on it.

Yeah, yeah, interesting. So, you know, you've um seems like you're pretty diversified, right? What what do you do? What do you do all day? What is a day life look like?

Oh yeah, I uh and I gave the talk, I know it's crazy. I gave a talk at um uh university this this week to some students, and now so what what you know, tell me what your day looks like exactly that. Um so up at five, going for a run. Uh so you know, this is 7:30 my time. I have been for a run, I'm showered, I'm clean, uh back. I have a nine-year-old daughter, so it's getting her ready for school and set for the day. Then I'm generally off to do another gym session or CrossFit session, whatever it may be. Um and then I am literally back to back uh in meetings. Uh, you know, I've got an app so working on that, working on content for different things, meeting with the brands that I represent. Um, you know, I will do event activations for different brands as well, so they pop up. Um, I work very closely in and and basetall for Sports Singapore. So um things like we have the Grand the F1 Grand Prix in Singapore next week. So I'm you know doing a pit walk and interviews for them around that. So it is really varied, but it doesn't stop. Uh and then you know, everyone thinks social media is easy. You know, that takes a couple of hours a day to plan posts, to you know, write content for it. Um, so it is it is really back to back and you know, throwing being a mother and a wife in there.

Yeah, just sprinkle that on top.

Yeah, yeah.

Oh, that's amazing. So, you know, I'm curious. You know, obviously you're a very hard worker. Um you know, there's I think you know, whenever you see success, there's always uh amount of you know um a high level of of work, right? Dedication, um, perseverance, and then there's also opportunity, right? It's kind of that magical mix. And you know, when you when you came to Asia, what what do you think the opportunities are that you came across um that maybe you wouldn't have found back in Australia or any or the UK or America's like where where do you think it's unique in Asia? Like what's going on over there?

Yeah, I think you know, when I came, um, you know, fitness wasn't a thing, really. There'd be lucky to be two organized runs a year here. Um and I and I sort of didn't even catch on to that fact. It was like I was running, you didn't really see many people running, that was that was it. And then it's just you know been this wave of growth. Um and I think still growing, and and um, you know, I think that opportunity, you know, I would say it's five years behind the US and Australia. So you can see what's happening in up other markets, and then you can see this huge opportunity here, and we're not even talking about China, um, we're just talking about you know, Southeast Asia. So I think the opportunity to educate people, um, you know, I I also think um this part of the world, it's easier to be a big fish in a small pond and and you know make the use of that, but use it for good rather than evil.

Yeah.

Um, you know, so I think there's there's different things that allow you to stand out more easily, from my you know, my personal opinion. And actually, I think you can see the difference that you make immediately rather than um you know just being caught up with uh a thousand other people doing the same thing. I think there's real real chance to make uh an impact immediately.

Yeah, interesting. What how how have you adapted to the culture there? Like what have you noticed just moving there? How's how's that experience been?

Yeah, you know, I think here it's it's uh you know, it's all about family, uh, but it's all revolved around eating. So I think the biggest challenge in Asia is changing people's diets and making them healthier. So eating healthy, you know, everything's imported generally, so it's more expensive. Um, and it's cheap to go and eat local food, which generally is full of oil and fat, lots of white rice. Um, but you can eat that for two dollars, or you can go and buy, you know, an organic banana for two dollars. Yeah, so there's still a mind, uh a big mind shift coming. Um, and the government's trying to make things more affordable. They're doing campaigns around healthy eating, uh, but I think that is gonna take some time just because culturally, you know, getting together and eating and eating late at night, so you know, eating at 10 or 11 o'clock at night is is quite normal.

Huh. What about you personally? How have you adapted to the culture?

Is that um Yeah, you know, I think you, you know, I I moved here and I didn't necessarily have any Asian friends to begin with. Now more you know, majority of my friends are local, locals, whether that be a mix of Asian or Indian or wherever they're from. So I think um I'm I'm very much consider myself almost Singaporean because I'm ingrained in the culture here and um and just in you know, there's so much to be involved in. Um, and it's an easy, an easy culture to be embraced by. Um, you know, everyone's open to everything and and you know, don't pretend to know everything. They're happy to take um advice from people that have learned things from different countries.

Yeah, you know, I feel foolish asking this question, but what language do they speak?

Yeah, so let yeah, and it's not a stupid question. I think the movie that's out at the moment, Crazy Rich Asians, which uh, you know, a friend of mine's actually the lead actor in it. Um uh, you know, that's sort of everyone's like, oh, Singapore's not in China now. Um so Singapore is very much, you know, I always joke that it's Asia for beginners. Everyone speaks English. Um, it's clean, it's safe. I mean, I'm running at 5 a.m. in the morning in pitch black, and I'm not even thinking that I'm in danger at any given time. Um, so it really is Asia light or Asia for beginners. Um, but then you go into other countries and you're going to Indonesia, um, and it English won't be a first language. It may be in Jakarta, but not elsewhere, and Thailand, obviously, in Bangkok it's not. So Singapore and probably Kuala Lumpur, you you definitely English is key, Hong Kong, half English, um, and then into China, obviously Mandarin.

Interesting. Yeah. So, you know, my my brain, the logical side of my brain is once like categorize you, right, as like something within the fitness industry, whether it's like an influencer or um, you know, a you know, an expert trainer, um, whatever it is. Like when people ask you what you do, Natalie, what is it that you tell them?

It's a hard, it's a hard question to yeah, to answer. Yeah, a way it's and I still don't have a title, so I welcome anyone to give me a really cool title. Uh yeah, it's um it is a mixture because I think I I do cross a lot of things. So it, you know, I I don't love the term influencer, but it is what it is. Um, you know, I I think of myself as an entrepreneur because I'm running two businesses, so it's always been that first and foremost, I guess. Uh, but then you know, I'm a competitive athlete, I'm a trainer. Um, so yeah, it does it does cross all of those things, which I think is interesting, especially in the fitness industry, as people, you know, if you've as you've got trainers turning into influencers, and then other people who are turning into you know speakers because they've had some success in something. So I think we're seeing a real shift in in roles per se in the industry, and and people are crossing so many dimensions now.

Yeah, yeah, I agree. I mean, it's it's I would say, and this is my own cognitive dissonance, right? I always want to categorize, um, but there you don't have to. I don't know why I do that. Um I would say you're just an entrepreneur. I mean, you have you know, I think that's just blah, that's it. Stop right there because you have a lot of things going on. And I'm curious, you know, um, you know, if I'm someone listening and I'm like, whoa, I want I want Natalie's life, I want to do all those things, I want that variety, I want that level of success, you know. And I'm sure you help you probably get these these phone calls or emails all the time. Where how do you how do you help people in getting started? You know, if if people want to go and start following down a similar path, what do you what do you recommend for them?

Yeah, you know, I think you've got to find the thing that you're most passionate about to start with because that will shine through. Um, and I always say uh, you know, small steps. So don't try and achieve everything in a week. Pick one thing, get good at it, uh, feel comfortable with it, then add in another thing rather than try and you know span everything, and you're not going to make an impact. Um, so be good at one thing, own it, then then start adding smaller things in. I think we all want everything now, and it's you know, with with social media and and the world, everything's instant gratification, but you just you know have to put in the hard work. And and my always my favorite saying is make discipline your best friend. So people love the thought of it, but don't love the stuff that sits on the back. And you know, when they when people even say, Well, what do you eat every day? I'm like, you don't want to know what I eat every day because you don't want to eat that. So you know, it's um I think people's people want that magic pill for everything, but it it is just slow, it's a slow burn and it's a journey. And I think um I always say to people, have patience because it only takes one small thing, and and all of a sudden, you know, you're blowing it out of the water and um and the frustrations go away.

Yeah. Yeah, I I always remind myself that you know, discipline allows for freedom.

Yes.

Simplicity allows for complexity. And that's you know, two things that concepts that guide me all the time. But it's just it takes like if you sit down, like what the fuck is he talking about, right? Uh then you like think about it like the discipline allows you to freedom because you have, you know, um specific things that are set into habits, right? You can no longer now you can start working on a higher level of of thinking, a higher level of activity, higher order. Um, but then you have, you know, simplicity. If you can simplify your systems as much as possible, that allows you for more complexity on top. And I think uh, you know, I'm not too sure where I'm going with this, but that I think it's a really important point that you made for a lot of entrepreneurs is that you know, they try it, they're like, Well, I'll try everything at once and we'll see what happens in the shotgun effect. And uh you gotta go deep, you know, you gotta go deep in a vertical nowadays and really start to understand it and be patient with it because you know, um, last time I checked, and I say this all the time, it's like it still takes nine months to make a baby, and there's certain things that don't go as fast as you want them to go.

Yeah, and that you have no control over either, too. You know, I think that's as much as you want it and you're hustling or whatever you're doing, if uh you know, it if it's not happening, it's not happening. And I also think people think they know what people want, but actually a lot of times it's the two don't don't mesh at all. So um, yeah, there's a you really need to understand your market, and as you said, I think specialize is key too. It's you know, don't go broad, go deep.

Yeah, I love that. So, you know, I I know you mentioned that you spend a good amount of time on social media uh every week, you know, building, uh presume building brand and you know, connecting with people and things like that. What's your how's your personal relationship with social media nowadays? I know a lot of people are are starting to get tired, you know. A lot of people in the fitness profession are are tired of um, you know, uh the Instagram model, right? Who's got you know 50 million views but really doesn't know what they're doing. Um and I think it's you know starting to see, I I hate to use the term bubble, um, but maybe, maybe it's there's a bubble if there ever will be. Um people have been talking about it for five years, but you know, having to be uh, you know, a certain, you know, in a public eye, quote unquote on social media, how how do you how do you make, I guess, lack of a better term, peace with that every day that you're letting out a you know, a certain private part of you, um but you know, keeping it professional?

Yeah, I think um, you know, I made the decision maybe about 18 months ago that you know my social media is not private anymore. So, you know, it's it even you know you try and have private settings for a personal Facebook page or something. So, you know, my my thing is I've never posted anything on social media that I'm scared will pop up and come to haunt me. Um, so it's for me, it's it's an open book now. Um, and you know, and I feel privileged that I can impact people's lives through social media. So for me that's great, and also get to work with brands um and have it as part of you know my my job. Um, so I think you know, people dismiss that too, because I think it is a privilege, and you know, not everyone gets to do that. Um but for me, you know, I'm I'm my I was looking at my Instagram the other day thinking it's so not pretty. You know, there's no like the same filters, you know, there's no filters, there's none of this stuff. Half the time my nine-year-old's taking the photographs. So I always almost need to do a behind the scenes of the social media now.

Yeah, that'd be funny.

Um so I uh you know, mine is I just like to keep it real uh for me, and and I decided that you know I would just be consistent around that. I try and even in my messaging, try and just be real. So not every day is a great day, but uh, you know be honest about it and just put some positivity out there as well. You know, it's not for me, you know, I'm 46, I'm not posting booty shots. Um, I'm wanting to engage with people that can. Relate to me, and not everyone can, and that's great, so they'll move on. But the people that I can, I want to keep at least trying to add a bit of value to their day, and whatever that may be. Um, so I you know, I don't know if it's going away. Um, you know, maybe there'll be some different platforms that come in, you know, they you see them come and go. Obviously, uh, you know, the Instagram and Twitters and Facebooks are still dominating. Um, but it'll be it's gonna be an interesting space to watch over the the next couple of years, and interesting how brands measure success around it as well. So, like you said, I think there's people with you know a million followers, but they're not the people that uh they really want to attract or they're really having an influence over.

Yeah. How how do brands measure success on social?

Yeah, I mean, obviously, by you know, from the ones I've worked with, it's by followers, it's by engagement. Sometimes they'll, you know, if there's links, I'll see a tick up in in sales. But I think a lot of them and some that I work with are just about brand building and letting you tell their story out there. So there's no necessarily hard metrics on, oh, you had this many hits or likes on a post. It's more about just you know putting a positive message out there. So they're the brands that I try and try and work with most.

Yeah, wow. So have you ever actively pursued a brand to be a representative or ambassador, or have they kind of found you due to all the efforts you put in?

Yeah, I haven't pursued anyone. They've found me, and so I've been super lucky from that um point of view. Um, you know, I know and talk talking to the brands I work with, you know, they get hundreds of emails and messages a day of people saying, I want to be an ambassador. Um, I sort of think if the right brand is for you, they'll they'll come to you. And if you're doing the right thing, they'll find you. Um and so, you know, I think unless it's it's something that you really want to get noticed or you really think there's an amazing opportunity, then I think go ahead and pitch. But other than that, I think you just keep doing what you're doing and and you'll be in their radar if if you're the right person.

Yeah, interesting. So you you mentioned something earlier too that that grabbed my attention is that you know, with um the evolution of health and fitness in Singapore, that the government's behind it. They're they're getting behind it. What's that like? Because that is not happening over here.

Yeah.

Oh god, no.

Um, yeah, you know, you bus it you go past and there'll be buses with branded with, you know, you know, these are your 300-calorie meals. Um, they do step challenges and actually pay people in cash rewards to take part in these challenges. Um, they're, you know, they put on uh, you know, as part of my sports Singapore thing, there are free, you could do free fitness every single day in Singapore because there would be a free organized activity by the government somewhere. Um most people, you know, it's a small island, but most people live in a uh condo or apartment. Um, and the ones that are uh the public housing all have outdoor gyms in the bottom of them. Uh so you'll see a 70-year-old lady working out down the down the bottom. Um, so it really isn't, and they're not they're not age specific either. So they're trying to get kids moving right through to getting the active ages uh moving too. So it really is, you know, it it really is great.

Yeah. Is that so what's the driver behind that? Is it like have they studied the bottom line on healthcare costs? Is it, you know, what it what's the driver behind that?

Yeah, I think, you know, always that aging population. Um they understand that here it's very academic focused for especially for students. So they're trying to get people moving from a younger age. Um, and then, you know, you'll I would never see anyone out running, and now I'm seeing all age groups out during the day. And I think just that whole, you know, active, active lifestyle and get people moving, you know, there was the the study that came out um recently saying we've actually, you know, from 2001 till now, the world is not any better from a fitness point of view, right? One in four. And yeah, it's it's uh it's crazy. And Western countries aren't, you know, are going backwards, and it doesn't matter if you have money because actually you're going backwards and doing less as well. So I think they're just trying to combat that. And and again, with the government's initiatives, it's it's not change your life in a day, it's just slow steps and opening up opportunities to people to go and and try, even if it's go and do a Zumba class. Um, it's just to get, you know, something is better than nothing.

Yeah. And are they is the government subsidizing fitness professionals or organizations uh to help?

Uh you know, you can be you can be an accredited government fitness professional and they'll pay you to do those classes. They do subsidize study. So if you're wanting to go and study to be a PT, um, I think it's about 50% of your fees you can apply to have uh refunded back to you. Wow. So they yeah, and then there's some great, you know, there's government gyms which are phenomenal, and it's about two dollars to go and visit one of those gyms and work out in it.

Yeah, and that's two dollars, and that's in and Singapore's a wealthy country.

Yes, yeah, so it's not a a huge thing. And even children's programs, you know, my daughter participates in the government basketball program, and and that's you know, ridiculously cheap, but some great uh some great coaches, and they bring out the junior MBA program and things, so there's it's really exciting.

Yeah, I mean that must be so encouraging, you know. I feel um, you know, here in the States that fitness professionals are struggling um most of the time, and you know, all the money goes to what we call health care, but it's really crisis care, right? We're just waiting until something bad happens and then dealing. Um I just got I can't I I must it must feel good to be part of that movement in that country.

Yeah, and I think because they're a because Singapore's a younger country, um, it has the opportunity to make real change. And you know, it's not 300 million people, it's six million people. So you can, you know, again, big fish, small pond, you can make a change and and people will follow, which is great, and there's no um no real history, you know, around healthcare and things that that uh need to be changed. Politically, it's different here. Um so it's it's much easier to get things through.

Yeah. Yeah. How is it different politically? And I don't want to get too much into politics, but I'm just curious.

Yeah, you know, it's it's again, it's a democratic society, uh, but the same party has been in since Singapore's independence. Um so you know, they've they've been amazing and shaped what Singapore is today and made it very different than Asian other Asian countries with the safety elements, you know, you know, obviously, you know, we had Trump and Kim Jong here, and you know, it's it attracts um, you know, it's a Switzerland of Asia, really. So I think, you know, that that's uh that's the best way to describe it. So, you know, from a government point of view, it's it works and crime is literally non-existent. Um, and there's a zero tolerance policy for anything around you know, any any drugs or anything, and also anything around racism, too. So zero tolerance. Everyone lives in harmony, and and even from uh um you know, having your public holidays, it's two per religion here. So you celebrate everyone's religion.

Wow. And do you feel that um all the initiatives with fitness and health and and nutrition is it is it making an impact? Is it noticeable?

Yeah, it is. I think people are definitely more self-aware around it, they're not so scared to participate in activities now. So, you know, there was a um a half marathon and a 10k run last weekend, uh, and they had 18,000 people participate.

Wow.

Um yeah, so people are even if they're walking, people are just wanting to be involved and part of the community, and and now that's something they just do on weekends, which is great.

Yeah, you know, if I'm if I'm Suzy Fit Pro and I'm listening to this, I'm like, I want to go to Singapore. Yeah. I want to be part of that, right? What uh, you know, if somebody wants to go. It's fine. Yeah, I was gonna say, yeah. No, no, it's awful over here. Don't come here. Yeah, same thing I tell people about Montana. I'm like, it's terrifying, it's too cold, you won't like it. Uh if uh if if people want to, you know, go over there, is is it easy to to immigrate there and and and get involved in in the fitness community there, or is it or is there barriers to that?

It there's barriers. There's definitely barriers, I think, now with any country getting work visas and things, so the government has certainly tightened up because it's all about giving Singaporeans jobs first before uh anyone from overseas. It doesn't mean it's not uh possible, it's just it's just harder than it used to be. Yeah, um, yeah. But there's you know, I think there's opportunities to go with the larger fitness um uh organizations here, whether they're they be more global gyms or different things, um, you know, always opportunities around that. But as uh someone who wants to come and just set up and be a PT or whatever, then they would probably find it a little bit more difficult.

Yeah, yeah, interesting. So let's get back to you. Um you had we had talked before this recording about you know your your ability now to to make a grander impact, right? Doing more. What does that look like to you? You know, what what is where do you see, for lack of better way to ask this question, where do you see yourself in like five years? How do you see the impact increasing?

Yeah, you know, I think you you know, I think of myself as a storyteller as well. So I get to tell my story and and it's through generally a fitness platform, but then it doesn't have to be limited to just telling stories around eating right or you know um exercising. I think there's you know still a huge change to be made around mental wellness and people understanding why they're not valuing their health uh or prioritizing it. So I think for me, you know, I would like to delve more deeply into helping people unblock that. Um, and then you know, I've just uh come on board with a group, uh a resort group called Cineva, and they're one of the leaders in um, you know, I I guess luxury, but in a leading the way from an environmental point of view. So um, you know, I I would like to have impact around people living their lives better, but living their lives better for the environment and for the earth as well. So it's really a holistic view rather than just looking internally and thinking, wow, I look great, I feel great, I can fit into those genes, but you know, what are we doing that's impacting everything else on a daily basis too? And just being a better human being. So I think there's still, you know, the next five years, I'm hoping we'll see that move to the forefront a lot more too.

Yeah. Well, it's you know, the mine is a really interesting thing. You know, there's so many points in my life where people probably would have looked at my life and be like, dude, he's got it made. You know, like he's got, you know, successful gym in Santa Barbara, California. And now he's a digital nomad. But I can tell you, just you know, I wake up many mornings stressed and anxiety and anxious about nothing. And uh, you know, I know I'm not alone, just not too many people talk about it. And you know, that's I think where you can truly make um a huge impact with people because you know, people think if they lose those 20 pounds to get into those genes that everything in their life will improve. But if you're if your head, if you don't have your attic clean, you know, there there's a lot of things that that will take you away from from what you thought would be happiness.

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, it's I think some of the thinnest, fittest looking people are the most unhappiest in the world.

Yeah.

You know, you know, I think um yeah, mental you if you haven't got this right, nothing else in your life is right. And I think even if you're a parent, then you know it's you need to have that right to be able to educate your children better and and um help them understand what's important. So I think where everyone talks about mindfulness, and I think it's such an overused term. Um yeah, so it it really is just almost getting back to basics around the the mental side of things and understanding what works for you and knowing that everyone is going through something similar too. So, you know, when people say, Oh, you're you know, you're lucky that you can just get up and go and you're you know doing this, it's like, no, I struggle with it every day. You know, it's it's you it's it's real, right? You know, everyone is struggling. Um, my brother, uh, I remember he told me the story, so he's you know, been to Kona a couple of times, done the World Iron Man, and I said to him, My God, you know, you are amazing that you can just stay focused for that long and compete at that level. Um, and he's like, Oh no, he said, I've seen the best in the world get off their bike and throw it on the side of the road in the middle of a race. You know, he said, everyone is hitting those lows, and I guess it's helping people understand when they hit a low and how to get out of it faster, and just tips and tools to to get through your day. Yeah.

Yeah, you know what's interesting in the noticings I've had in the last year is that you know, um the levels of depression, anxiety within this country, especially within entrepreneurs, is extremely high, you know, and so many times and social media is just this this thing that you know it's got its good and it's bad, but everyone wants to portray the best part of themselves, that they're successful. And I've told you I've interviewed a lot of people uh in this industry, and a lot of times when the mic is turned off and the recording's done, you start having conversations, you're like, dude, I'm struggling, right? Like I I don't know, I'm you know, I'm depressed, I'm I'm maybe people just like to dump these things with me because I can listen, but um what you see is is most of the time not what's actually going on. And that's that's a big thing. And I think what a lot of people do is they turn towards the easy fix, they call a therapist or they call a doctor who writes the the prescription. Um but what we really need is is people to learn self-therapy, you know, whether that that be exercise, whether that be a simple walk outside, or you know, people meditation is very hot, obviously it's a big thing right now. Um, but I think it's not necessarily the answer for most people. You know, meditation may be a trail run, it may be you know walking with your dog. It could be something so simple. Um, but self-therapy, I think, is is where we can really make an impact is teaching people, hey, it's okay not to be okay, but here's how you can make yourself better.

100%. And yeah, that's you know, and when you talk, I mean, I'm terrible at meditating. Um just like I'm terrible at doing yoga, because I'm you know, I I need to go, I can do something else, I can do something else. But you're exactly right for me. My my running is my meditation every day. I don't run with music, I'm present, I'm in the moment. Um, when I was speaking to these students uh the other day, one of them said, you know, we're stressed, what should we be doing? And I said exactly what you just said go for a walk, just clear your head, everything is better after a walk if you're not into meditating or go for a run or find what that is because sometimes you just need to physically let it out as well. Um, you know, worst case, take five deep breaths and hold it in and let it go. So I think, you know, exactly. It's like we've we've got this gift that we can just go out the door and walk, and that that can just put things. I think people have lost perspective a lot of time and just need to to bring it back in.

Yeah, yeah, I agree. Um so you're you're developing an app, or you have developed an app, right? Talk talk to us about that process because I think it's it's a big frontier. Um, you're obviously an early adopter in there. Um but I'm curious about that process and and how you're building it. What's you know, what's the day-to-day, what'd it take to get started, all of that.

Yeah, so it, you know, I I had some online programs, um, tested them out, they did well, so I decided that I would uh you know bite the bullet and build another fitness app. Because there's not enough out there. Um so you know, and and it's not, you know, it, you know, they're they are what they are, I think, and and um my whole thing is people will either relate to me with the app or they won't. And I I'm a true believer in, you know, people are using your app because they like you or they relate to you, not generally because the workout is at that is completely different from someone else, which they're you know, they're not there. It's only so many exercises you can do. Um, so yeah, I thought it would, you know, take two, three months. Uh, it was a six-month process, really. Um, and you know, filming exercises, you know, I would put programs together, I would have a team of sports scientists that would over would check them with me as well because just as a sanity check and work with nutritionists as well around some of the the eating tips that I put in. Um, and I think I launched and it was like 80% is good enough, just get it out there. This is what I think people want. Um, and it's we talked about going deep. It's always hard because you think, oh, I want to include that on the app, and I want to include that, and I could add value by this. Generally, people are downloading apps for single-use things, right? So I'm now stripping some stuff out back out of there, putting some more community-focused things in because I think that's my strength. I'm good at building communities, um, and so I'm I'm in the midst of you know, just revamping it slightly and adding more programs. You know, I'm a big believer in giving people free content. Uh, most of the apps you download them, but you can't even have a look at what one of the programs looks like without having to pay something. So for me, it's it's uploading regular content that's you know a 15-minute workout someone can do. Um, and then I've included also, you know, stuff you can do with your kids on there. Because you know, parents go and exercise, kids go off to sport or not. So just be in your lounge room and and here's some here's a quick eight-minute thing you can do with your child and have a bit of fun and build a shared experience with your with your child.

Yeah, awesome. So if people, if people what's what's your app called?

Rockstar Fit.

Yeah, awesome. Um if people you know download your app, what can they expect? What's the experience that they they get?

Yeah, so you know, it's got all this the standard things. You've you know put in your details, you can put in your measurements, you can track everything that you do. Um at the moment, you'll see a news feed that's just linking you to interesting articles or recipes or different things, but you'll immediately see all the free programs. So uh maybe to my detriment that I'm not trying to sell you as soon as you hit the app, but you'll see, you know, a free uh my I call it no excuses workout because everyone says I don't have time. Well, here's one you can do literally, you know, next to your bed or in the lounge room or wherever. Um, you'll see another 10-minute one, you'll see a kid's one, and then you'll see some of the paid ones, which are everything from one you can take when you travel and do in your hotel room right through to 28-day programs. Um, and I'm also, you know, as a 46-year-old, I think there's a huge gap in the market around uh fitness for over 40s. Um, so on my app I've done a special, special 28-day program called the 40s project, which is aimed for people over 40 that um may want to get moving again or or are active and want to push themselves. So every there's every program I have has two different levels. So there's sort of a beginner's level and a more advanced level.

Yeah, how interesting. Yeah, and the 40 plus is, you know, I'm in that demographic. And uh ever since I hit 40, my view on fitness has changed drastically. I mean, I was a hardcore CrossFitter for you know seven. Years and everything hurt. You know, my joke is always that I've only had one injury, it just keeps moving around. And uh yeah, that was my life. And now I've I've cut it down way, way big time. I've cut down volume, I've cut down a lot of these things, and I found that minimum effective dose is now my mantra. You know, what what what can I do? You know, besides the therapeutic stuff like trail running and all that. Um, but what can I do minimally that will allow me to get the results I want and maintain without pain and and do a lot of things? It's just interesting how that it's happened right at 40, Nile. I don't know what it was. It just shifted. It was just like this hardcore shift. Uh I don't know if I'm the only one.

Right for your eyesight, we'll be next. Do you still do CrossFit now?

Uh I don't because I don't um I travel so much. You know, I'm I'm moving around all the time. So I don't um if I found a good CrossFit gym in the areas that I'm I'm living in, but most of the time I'm pretty isolated uh in areas by choice. Um, you know, parts of Montana, um, you know, islands off of Vancouver, you know, places where we live. Uh so I just enjoy doing my own thing now. I do what I do because I coach it for so long, I know what I'm doing. So I'll go in and I'll do some cleans and uh, but I won't do them to failure. You know, I don't do that anymore. Uh I stay, you know, nothing less uh than three reps in any sets. Um so it's just shifted, you know.

It's yeah, I yeah, and I totally you know, I I to my own detriment is still, you know, competitive against myself and everyone else, but I I do know my limits like you, and and I always joke that I'm the queen of every scaled CrossFit workout. I'm a smash scaled workout and I don't have to lift the heaviest in the gym. I have no ego when it comes to how heavy I'm lifting. So I think it is its maintenance because I want to be able to run tomorrow after this CrossFit session. I don't want to be feeling sore or injured my shoulder or whatever it may be. So I think like you, I'm at peace with just owning what I'm doing and not not really caring what you know what someone next to me is doing.

Yeah, yeah, I agree. I think it's uh maybe my ego has gone a little more tame. Yes. Could that be it? Uh I think my values are shifted more towards, you know, or my priorities are shifted towards enjoyment of life versus hitting a number that's completely arbitrary. That means nothing to anybody but me, you know. Yeah. Um, so yeah, it's interesting.

And I think that's you know, interesting you bringing that up because I do think there will be a shift in fitness away from the just the hardcore Hinning. Um, you know, I think that it has to become more balanced. Um, there has to be more, you know, mobility, but but at the moment, you know, mobility or calisthenics or those things are almost um unachievable or too daunting for a lot of people. So I think um, yeah, I think things like that need to become more mainstream and then more people will do them, and then it's an accepted thing that maybe you do go and do 20 minutes of HIP, but part of your workout is 20 minutes of mobility afterwards.

Yeah, yeah, that would be I freaking hate mobility. It's the best thing for me, right? You know, it's the interesting thing too is some of the healthiest populations in the world don't have gyms. Yeah. Like just that that's that thought staggers me all the time. I'm like, well, you know, do I need a gym? You know, some of these places, like, you know, and that's the separation between fitness and health. Like, well, what's the difference? Um, you know, what are we really striving for? What's the end goal? And uh most of the time it's just we want to look good, you know, half naked. And that's that's yeah, absolutely. Let's be honest.

Let's be honest. Let's see what it is. Absolutely. Well, yeah.

Yeah. Oh, interesting. So um Natalie, if if there's so many ways to find you online, you know, where where where do you want to send most of the the traffic? Where do you want to send people when they want to?

Yeah, so all of my social media handles uh uh rock star arms. Um you want to explain that really quick? Yeah, you know, and I really wish I could change it now. Um, yeah, so that was it was a joke because everyone would say, Oh, I really want your arms. Um, how do I get them? And you know, not knowing that um my following would grow so rapidly and things, and I'm like, Yeah, just take the Mickey and I'll call it call myself Rockstar Arms on Instagram, and yeah, then it sort of kept going, so I can't I can't sort of change it back now. Uh but Facebook and Instagram don't like it when you're trying to get verified or anything because it's not a real name. And then so all of my social media, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Rockstar Arms, and Facebook as well. Um, and then you know, I have uh people can search Rockstar Fit for my app on Google and Apple. Um, and then my website is Natalie Dow.com or anything else.

Awesome. Well, Natalie, thank you. Uh well, first of all, congratulations on all your success. And uh, I'm sure you know it sounds like you are now leveraging it to really make a bigger impact in a in a very responsible way. Um, so I appreciate you know what you're doing. And I appreciate you coming on, just sharing some insights and teaching us a little bit about the Asian market and Singapore. And uh, it's been really interesting. You're doing cool stuff.

All right, thank you. I've had a lot of fun.

Good, good. Ladies and gentlemen, Natalie Dow. Thanks. Hey FitnessFans, don't leave yet. It's your host, Eric Malzone, and I have a quick favor to ask. Actually, three favors. So, number one, if you're a fan of our show, I ask you to do something that takes under three minutes. Go to iTunes, please, and subscribe to our show. Please, please, please. It means so much to us. It's so important. And then give us a favorable review. We would really, really appreciate it. And uh, I can't tell you how much it means and helps us out. So I know it takes two minutes of your day, and uh it means a lot to us. So please do that. Number two, go to our YouTube channel, our Fitness Marketing Alliance, and uh please subscribe to our YouTube channel there. Number three, if you like this episode or any of the episodes that we've released, share it on social. That's huge, that's a big deal for us. And when we put a lot of work into these episodes, uh trying to give you great actionable content uh for the fitness industry. So that would mean a lot. And that's it. So we have some big plans coming up for this show. I'll be talking about that in the next couple episodes. But thank you so much for listening. It means so much. And uh, if you have any questions, please reach out to me. I'd love to hear from everybody. Eric, E R I C at Fitness MarketingAliance.com