Leeroy Arron Colaco, 24, is an Indian personal trainer who has gained local celebrity as a bodybuilder. Leeroy moved from India to the UAE in 2009 and currently lives with his parents and brother, and works at the Abu Dhabi Country Club. He chatted with Tempo about his background, education and work…
“ I completed high school and college in Goa, India and then got my personal trainer certification from the American Council of Exercise (ACE) through MEFIT, Dubai.
“Aside from bodybuilding I used to do weight lifting and power lifting and competed at university level competitions. I was a regular medal winner for my college in all the three sport for three continuous years and I represented my state for the nationals at university level. Apart from lifting weights, on my off days I played football (I am a big fan of Manchester United), listened to music and watched movies.
“When I first joined Abu Dhabi country club in 2009 I was complete fresher. Everything was very new and different for me. It was a little difficult in the beginning to get along with people from different countries and cultures, but our gym manager Captain Hassan gave me a lot of advice on how to train and deal with members. He was a world champion body builder and Mr. Universe in 2002 and 2003, so he was the perfect person to ask for guidance. He helped me to prepare for a competition in Goa last December where I won the title of state champion and came in second at Western India bodybuilding competition held in Madhya Pradesh, India. Captain Hassan helped me with my training and my dieting for eight to six weeks up to the competition.
“My work as fitness trainer at the Abu Dhabi country club has been wonderful; you get to know lot of new stuff and learn training techniques. It’s a nice learning experience that has helped me to improve as a fitness trainer.
“I was inspired by my cousins who were working out. I used to be amazed at their bodies. From then I started doing light exercises at home. Doing that regularly turned out to be a hobby and I started seeing a difference in myself. It was when I went to high school that, I started following bodybuilding as a sport. I was just 15 years old and I started going to a gym.
When I started working out country club Captain Hassan encouraged me to excel in bodybuilding. That was unusual for me because back home it was more a hobby. He’s become my inspiration because I can see for myself what it takes to be a champion bodybuilder – believe me it’s a tough sport and I find myself truly lucky to have his guidance all the time.
“At the beginning my parents were not very happy about the career choice as I was Bcom graduate. They wanted me to have a white-collar job, and not bodybuilding! But now they are ok with what I’ve chosen. The club has got the best-equipped gym in the UAE, something I would not find in Goa. The facilities have helped me improve my fitness levels and focus better on bodybuilding.
My next goal is to be best in India. I know it’s going to be difficult but it will definitely be possible. I’ve already started training.
By Ajir Shujahi
