Built Online - Episode 93: How Entrepreneurs Can Prioritize Fitness & Boost Business Success with Anthony Ng Monica

Release Date: March 24, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Built Online, host Cody McGuffey sits down with Anthony Ng Monica, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Daily Body Coach (DBC). The conversation delves into the pivotal role of fitness in enhancing business performance, the common pitfalls entrepreneurs face in maintaining their health, and actionable strategies to integrate fitness seamlessly into a demanding entrepreneurial lifestyle.

Anthony Ng’s Entrepreneurial Journey

Anthony Ng introduces himself as an entrepreneur passionate about building businesses from the ground up. With a background in running a SaaS company and over a decade of experience in various entrepreneurial ventures, Anthony emphasizes his intrinsic drive to create and operate businesses.

Anthony Ng [02:19]: "I consider myself like an operator as well."

His journey began in his early twenties, balancing IT support roles while attending university in London. Anthony's initial foray into entrepreneurship was driven by a desire to simplify consumer decisions, leading him to create solutions that bundled high-margin products for e-commerce retailers.

The Intersection of Fitness and Business Success

A significant portion of the discussion centers on how physical fitness directly impacts business performance. Anthony shares his personal experience of neglecting fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to decreased energy levels, increased stress, and diminished confidence—all factors that adversely affected his business operations.

Anthony Ng [03:53]: "Imagine you're feeling like 5 out of 10. You're bringing your 5 out of 10 version to everything that you do. So how can you expect to make the best, optimal decisions if you're just 5 out of 10 version of yourself?"

Cody concurs, highlighting how physical well-being can amplify business success by enhancing energy, focus, and overall productivity.

Challenges Entrepreneurs Face in Maintaining Fitness

Entrepreneurs often grapple with time constraints, high stress levels, and erratic schedules, making it challenging to prioritize fitness. Anthony identifies the lack of accountability and the influx of distracting obligations (like client meetings, business travel, and social commitments) as primary barriers.

Anthony Ng [05:45]: "So, you need the accountability to balance that out."

He underscores the importance of systems over plans, advocating for adaptable routines that accommodate the fluid nature of entrepreneurial life. This approach ensures that fitness remains a consistent part of daily life, regardless of external disruptions.

Debunking Nutrition and Fitness Myths

A key segment of the episode addresses common misconceptions about nutrition and exercise, particularly the overemphasis on restrictive diets such as cutting out carbohydrates entirely.

Anthony Ng [06:54]: "It's much easier to actually have a six pack than it is to be a millionaire for sure."

Both Anthony and Cody share their experiences with extreme dietary measures, discussing how such approaches are unsustainable and often lead to burnout and unhealthy binging behaviors.

Anthony highlights that 80% of fitness results stem from nutrition, while only 20% come from exercise. He stresses the need for a balanced approach, emphasizing that sustainable changes are more effective than drastic restrictions.

Anthony Ng [07:36]: "A lot of people index a lot heavier onto, like training, for example. So, like, I think that's an imbalance."

Building a Supportive Environment

The conversation shifts to the importance of a supportive environment in maintaining fitness goals. Anthony explains how involving family and friends in nutritional consultations can create a conducive atmosphere for healthy habits.

Anthony Ng [24:07]: "I think it's also involving them in the consultation that we have with our nutritionists... understanding what menu selection choices you should be making."

Cody shares his own experience of having a supportive spouse, Christina, who aids in his fitness journey, illustrating how mutual support systems can significantly enhance adherence to health plans.

Daily Body Coach (DBC): A Unique Approach to Fitness

Anthony Ng elaborates on his venture, Daily Body Coach, a premium online coaching service tailored specifically for entrepreneurs and executives. DBC offers:

1. Customized Training Plans: Adaptable to clients' schedules and locations, ensuring workouts are feasible even during travel or busy workdays.
2. Personalized Nutrition Guidance: Clients send photographs of their meals to nutritionists who provide tailored advice, fostering accountability and informed dietary choices.
3. Concierge Services: Handling logistics such as meal planning for restaurants or providing gym recommendations during travel, minimizing decision fatigue.

Anthony Ng [60:43]: "We're a premium online coaching service to help entrepreneurs get into the best physical shape and perform their best."

This holistic approach ensures that fitness becomes an integrated and sustainable aspect of entrepreneurs' lives, rather than an afterthought.

Practical Tips for Entrepreneurs

When asked for practical fitness and nutrition tips, Anthony provides actionable advice:

1. Integrate Fitness into Daily Routines:

   • Habit Stacking: Combine fitness activities with existing habits, such as walking while participating in meetings.
   • Utilize Technology: Employ tools like walking treadmills to incorporate movement into sedentary work environments.

2. Simplify Nutrition Choices:

   • Plan Ahead: Identify and approve healthy meal options in advance, especially when relying on services like Uber Eats.
   • Stay Hydrated: Keep water accessible and track intake based on individual needs.

3. Focus on Consistency Over Perfection:

   • Avoid Extreme Measures: Instead of drastic diet cuts, adopt balanced eating habits that can be maintained long-term.
   • Accountability Systems: Use services or partner with others to stay motivated and on track.

Anthony Ng [19:20]: "Good consistently over time equals great results."

Advice and Lessons Learned

During the Rapid Fire segment, Anthony shares his insights:

• Favorite Business Book: Pitch Anything – for its transformative approach to sales and capital raising.
• Worst Business Advice Received: The necessity of having co-founders. Anthony emphasizes that while partnerships can be beneficial, they are not mandatory and can sometimes lead to complications like equity splits and interpersonal conflicts.

Anthony Ng [81:46]: "That you need co-founders... doesn't mean that you actually do."

He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to identify and leverage their unique strengths and to focus on excellence in specific areas rather than spreading themselves too thin across multiple marketing channels or business strategies.

Key Takeaways

1. Fitness Enhances Business Performance: Maintaining physical health boosts energy, reduces stress, and improves decision-making capabilities, all of which are crucial for entrepreneurial success.

2. Sustainable Habits Over Extreme Measures: Consistent, manageable fitness and nutrition routines are more effective and sustainable than drastic, short-term changes.

3. Support Systems are Crucial: Involving family, friends, and utilizing accountability tools or services like DBC can significantly aid in maintaining health goals amidst entrepreneurial pressures.

4. Leverage Unique Strengths: Entrepreneurs should identify their competitive advantages and focus on areas where they can excel, rather than conforming to generic business advice.

5. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Embracing a growth mindset through continuous education via books, podcasts, and practical experience fosters both personal and business development.

Conclusion

Episode 93 of Built Online offers a compelling exploration of the symbiotic relationship between fitness and business success. Anthony Ng Monica provides valuable insights drawn from his entrepreneurial journey, underscoring the importance of prioritizing health to unlock peak performance in the business realm. The episode serves as an inspiring guide for entrepreneurs seeking to harmonize their personal well-being with their professional ambitions.

Connect with Anthony Ng Monica:

• Website: DailyBodyCoach.com
• LinkedIn: Anthony Ng Monica

This summary captures the essence of the conversation between Cody McGuffey and Anthony Ng Monica, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the key points discussed in the episode.