Our Sidekick community is made up of people from all walks of life. Their backgrounds, their passions and their stories are part of what makes them so good at what they do. Justin is originally from Malaysia where he owns his own personal training studio. He was a junior badminton athlete and loves to stay active! See why he loves what he does here.
Where were you working before you started Sidekicking?
I’m from Malaysia and I have been working as a personal trainer in Malaysia for almost 7 years. I also own a personal training studio in Melaka, Malaysia.
Tell us something unique about yourself
I used to be a junior badminton athlete for almost 8 years back in Malaysia. All my life I have loved sports & fitness. I play football, triathlon, table tennis, squash, yoga, volleyball & handball and now I have discovered Crossfit.
I love reading books that may help me earn more money & I love movies with sad endings!
What was your first Sidekicking gig?
It was so long ago! I believe it was Melbourne Cup day!
Coolest thing you’ve done at Sidekicker?
Pouring beer and managing a bar! Malaysia (where I am from) is a Muslim country so it’s expensive and inconvenient to buy beer in Malaysia. Therefore my body is not used to alcohol and it causes a reaction including rashes and a rise in heart rate. In my life, I have had no more than 10 alcoholic beverages.
However, I find it exciting to learn to make new drinks behind the bar that I would not have been able to do without Sidekicker. I really appreciate all of those I have worked with at Sidekicker who have taught me everything from pouring a beer to managing a bar.
Now if someone asks me which beer is the best, I can at least recommend something by collecting information from fellow Sidekickers although I’ve never tasted it before.
What was your first job?
My first job was a physical education teacher
What do you hope to do in the future?
I plan to go back to Malaysia & expand my business.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Bus driver & rubbish collector. I don’t know why – I wrote this in Primary School when I was asked. My parents & chinese teacher were not super happy with that answer!
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who wants to be a Sidekick?
Ask many questions, make friends & work hard!
Why do you love what you do?
One of the reasons I came to Australia was to learn different styles of management and meet more people. Sidekicker has given me opportunities to do both of those things and I am truly grateful for that. I have made some great Sidekick friends and have had the chance to work under a dozen or more managers and learn the way they manage. I hope I can take what I have learnt and be a better employer in the future!