Abnormal

• #51 - Gabe Heck - From Corporate Job to World-Class Athlete

  From burnout to Bangkok, this is the story of Gabe Heck, one of the fastest-rising athletes in the Hyrox world. Known as the Beast of Bangkok, Gabe went from a corporate job in Singapore to living his dream as a full-time coach and elite athlete in Asia.In this episode of Abnormal, Gabe shares how he rebuilt his life after injury, discovered the power of endurance sport, and created a business doing what he loves. From his training philosophy to his mindset around failure and growth, this conversation is packed with lessons for anyone looking to chase their passion, reinvent themselves, or find meaning through challenge.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Gabe Heck: The Beast of Bangkok01:20 Gabe's Journey in Hyrox04:47 Life in Bangkok: The Unexpected Move10:09 Transitioning to Full-Time Coaching14:31 The Decision to Pursue Coaching and Racing16:41 Building a Brand Through Racing20:14 Balancing Competition and Coaching22:41 The Pain of Hyrox: A Unique Challenge25:53 Understanding Variables in Hyrox Racing27:29 Optimizing Training for Hyrox30:39 Building an Aerobic Base: The Long Game32:01 The Role of Genetics in Athletic Performance34:58 Age and Experience in Hyrox Competitions39:04 Balancing Strength and Endurance Training41:12 Mental Health and Overtraining in Sports45:58 Finding Personal Motivation in Athletic Endeavors50:50 The Joy of Coaching and Client Success56:07 Lessons Learned from Personal Struggles01:01:06 Creating Urgency and Taking Action in LifeFollow Gabe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabeheck/

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• #50 - Benny Cee - Resilience, Mindset & Building the Life You Want

  Ben Cullen, aka Benny Cee, is a DJ, producer, entrepreneur, and MC whose energy seems limitless. But his journey hasn’t been easy. From arriving in Hong Kong with nothing, struggling to pay rent, and even eating bananas for dinner because he couldn’t afford food, to now DJing in Ibiza, MCing for global Hyrox events, and running successful businesses, Ben’s story is one of resilience, positivity, and relentless drive.In this episode of Abnormal, Ben shares the highs and lows of building a brand, the “back against the wall” mentality that shaped him, what it really takes to balance multiple careers, and why he believes in going all in on your dreams. Whether you’re chasing a business, a creative career, or just looking for motivation to push through tough times, this episode will inspire you to keep moving forward.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Benny Cee: The Unstoppable Force02:22 Current Endeavors: Balancing Business and Music04:03 Vision for the Future: Dreams and Aspirations06:39 The Hyrox Experience: Energy and Engagement08:34 Unexpected Opportunities: The Journey to Hyrox10:51 Traveling the World: A Life of Adventure13:11 Contradictions of Lifestyle: Balancing Routine and Freedom16:17 Sacrifices and Investments: The Cost of Ambition18:40 The Role of a Business Coach: Guidance and Growth24:33 Creative Trap Doors: Merging Music and Fitness30:39 Navigating Business Ideas and Personal Aspirations35:15 Building a Personal Brand: The Journey of Benny Cee40:10 The Creative Process Behind Benny Cee's Music42:42 Reflections on Struggles and Growth in Hong Kong49:25 Lessons Learned from Hard Times52:41 The Back Against the Wall Mentality58:54 Legacy: Hard Work and Uplifting OthersFollow Benny on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bennyxcee/

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• #49 - Josh Li - The Secrets To A $100m Exit

  Josh Li went from working as a personal trainer in London to building two fast-growing businesses across Asia, the Middle East, and now the U.S. — Nutrition Kitchen and OnePT.In this episode, Josh opens up about the risks he took, the lessons learned from building companies with almost no starting capital, and the brutal reality of entrepreneurship when your back is against the wall. From surviving the war-driven food price surge of 2022 to managing over 90 trainers worldwide, Josh shares the sacrifices, grit, and vision it takes to grow an international business without outside funding.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Josh Li and His Journey02:53 The Birth of Nutrition Kitchen05:52 The Evolution of OnePT09:01 Facing Challenges and Learning from Setbacks11:56 Navigating Business Growth and Capital Decisions15:11 Customer Experience and Product Improvement17:53 Building a Strong Team and Identifying Talent20:56 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs23:59 Future Aspirations and Business Vision31:33 Pushing Boundaries and Long-Term Goals32:25 Entering the US Market: Strategies for Success35:17 Finding the Right Trainers: Quality Over Experience37:44 Maintaining Standards Across Global Expansion40:23 Encouraging Employee Growth and Independence41:18 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship43:13 Growth Targets: The Road to 20+ Gyms46:02 The Hectic Life of a Founder49:03 The Importance of Routine and Self-Care50:28 The Role of Mentorship in Business Growth54:04 Surrounding Yourself with Like-Minded Individuals58:52 Legacy: Building a Positive Company Culture01:00:17 Taking Action: The Key to Abnormal AchievementsCheck out OnePT: https://onepersonaltraininghk.com/Check out Nutrition Kitchen: https://nutritionkitchenhk.com/

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• #48 - Marc Hofmann - From Intern to Entrepreneur: What It Really Takes to Succeed in Hospitality

  Marc Hofmann’s story is one of passion, persistence, and creating meaning through hospitality. Arriving in Hong Kong a decade ago with little experience, Marc started as an intern at Black Sheep Restaurants — cutting bread and learning the ropes. Ten years later, he’s the Managing Director and co-creator of Jean-Pierre, one of Hong Kong’s most exciting new restaurants.In this episode, Marc shares the journey from intern to restaurateur, the sacrifices behind the glamour of dining, and the deeply personal story of naming Jean-Pierre after his father. We talk about French and Hong Kong dining cultures, the pressures of running restaurants in one of the most competitive markets in the world, and what it really takes to build a team and a concept that lasts.This is a conversation about food, culture, resilience, and why hospitality is as much about people and stories as it is about plates and menus.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Black Sheep Restaurants and Mark Hofmann03:04 Mark's Journey with Black Sheep Restaurants06:13 The Birth of Jean-Pierre08:54 The Personal Touch Behind Jean-Pierre11:50 Creating the Atmosphere and Culture at Jean-Pierre15:02 Business Insights and Early Success of Jean-Pierre17:57 Challenges and Sacrifices in the Restaurant Industry21:12 Feedback and Growth in Hospitality31:20 Navigating Feedback in the Restaurant Industry33:03 Cultural Influences on Dining Experiences37:00 The Importance of Family and Heritage in Culinary Arts39:07 Building a Restaurant with Heart and Team Spirit43:11 Lessons Learned from Challenges in the Hospitality Sector46:56 Embracing Creativity and Innovation in Restaurant Concepts51:03 The Value of Consistency in Dining Experiences55:08 Reflections on Legacy and Personal Growth57:10 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

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• #47 - Nic White - The Brutal Truth About Life as a Professional Athlete

  Nic White has lived the highs and lows of professional rugby. The Wallabies scrum-half with over 70 Test caps has played all over the world, won trophies in Europe, and helped Australia to famous victories — including beating the British & Irish Lions and breaking South Africa’s 62-year Ellis Park hoodoo.In this episode, Nic opens up about announcing his retirement only to be called back days later, the pressure of representing Australia during tough times, and the lessons he’s learned from both success and failure. He shares candid stories about the realities of professional sport, the importance of family, the transition athletes face after retirement, and what resilience really looks like on and off the field.Whether you’re a rugby fan or just someone chasing your own “abnormal” goals, this conversation is packed with honesty, inspiration, and life lessons.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Nic White00:58 Reflections on Retirement03:58 The Emotional Farewell09:18 The Pressure of Performance14:28 Navigating Team Dynamics18:20 The Low Points of 202321:54 Finding Balance in Life27:01 Future Plans Beyond Rugby32:21 The Excitement of Coaching34:20 The Reality of Parenting and Coaching36:41 Transitioning from Player to Coach39:52 Team Dynamics and Personal Growth42:37 Traits of Top Performers45:54 The Difference Between Great and World-Class Players49:47 Lessons from a High-Performance Career52:39 Mindset Shifts in Performance56:08 Feedback and Communication in High-Pressure Environments01:02:01 Balancing Process and Results01:05:53 Advice for Achieving Abnormal Goals

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