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He is popularly known as Nigeria’s #1 Fitness Expert. A martial artist certified by the World Instructor Training Schools (W.I.T.S) with a black belt in four different styles, Tony Ekaidem also has a degree in Human Anatomy and is known on Twitter as the body alchemist. He talks to Connect Nigeria about The Body Alchemist brand.

CN: What makes you tick? What is your most unique feature? TE: My drive for excellence and to be the best at what I do in the industry. I’m very result oriented. I’m a huge promoter of self improvement.

CN: What are your qualifications? TE: I am a certified instructor from World Instructor Training Schools (W.I.T.S.) in the USA, Maryland. I’m a graduate of Human Anatomy from the University of Calabar, finished in ’98. I’m a certified Martial Artist and a black belt holder in four different styles. I’m also the chief instructor of the Nigerian Taekwondo Black Belt College (NTBBC) since 2008 till date and a licensed 5th degree black belt from the collegiate.

CN: What would you consider your greatest achievements? TE: I was inducted to the Taekwondo Hall of Fame in 2011, August 25, and I am the first recipient of ‘Instructor per Excellence’ award. I am a mentor on the Mara Mentor platform and the trainer of the first ever female national coach of the Cameroonian Taekwondo Federation. I led the Cameroonian team to their best result till date in Central African Taekwondo tournament in 2001. I was performing as national coach to the team.

CN: What inspired the name of your company? TE: The science behind Medieval Alchemy was a huge influence in choosing my company name. Alchemy was a complex process of changing ordinary, worthless objects, usually lead, into gold. My process is like medieval alchemy. We apply several unique systems medically and backed by sport science to change a body from something ordinary, into something extra ordinary; just like gold.

CN: What is your ideal workout schedule for the business person, the student or the working professional? TE: It’s universally agreed that morning hours are best between 5am and 8am which is subject to change depending on one’s lifestyle.

CN: Who are your two most influential role models? TE: My mentors, Engr George Ashiru and Lanre Olushola.

CN: What is the boot camp about? TE: The afterburn Boot camp is an experience, a journey into self improvement physically and mentally. It goes beyond losing weight and getting fit! We bring a more holistic approach to wellness and fitness. Our goal has always been to improve on what is presented to us.

CN: What services do you offer? What problems are you solving? TE: We have several products on fitness and lifestyle which are: • Public speaking • Bootcamp, yoga • Martial arts training • Zen class • Personal training • Nutritional advice

We’re also security consultants on fitness and self defense training for corporate organizations.

CN: What part of your job excites you? What part of your job do you hate but have to do to fulfil your dreams? TE: I’m happiest when my clients see the full results of their hard work. I always hate it when a client loses faith and ditches the program. I am always working on the nationwide expansion and growth of The Body Alchemist brand, I made it my passion.

CN: What is the best career decision you ever made? TE: Taking my passion serious and taking an Entrepreneur Development Centre program.

CN: Who is your favourite Nigerian designer? TE: Design by OUCH

CN: What is your favorite Nigerian food? TE: Afang soup and fufu.

CN: What place in Nigeria would you like to visit for a 2-week vacation that you have never visited? TE: Yankari Game reserve

CN: What is your success strategy for keeping fit without dieting? TE: Always workout and burn more calories than you’re eating.

CN: What is your opinion on dieting using pills as opposed to exercising and keeping fit? TE: Dieting is an important part of keeping fit for the serious enthusiast but pills for losing weight you can do without.

Click here to contact The Body Alchemist directly