AT 58, Liaw Teck Leong is far from slowing down. He was once Mr Asia 2000 and was a ten-time Mr Malaysia title holder throughout the 1990s.
His mission has shifted from winning bodybuilding competitions to fighting Malaysia’s silent epidemic – obesity.
Today, the veteran bodybuilder is a certified nutritionist, wellness coach, and anti-ageing advocate, determined to help Malaysians reshape their health from the inside out.
“Obesity is the root of it all. Diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, all of them have one thing in common: excess fat, especially the kind you don’t see,” he said when met at a Wellness Talk, organised by GE Professionals of Great Eastern collaborating with Hap Seng Star Mercedes Benz here recently.
A Growing Crisis: Obesity in Malaysia
Malaysia’s rising obesity rates are a growing concern, and the government is taking notice of them.
Recently, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) instructed overweight officers to undergo a health regime to lose weight, a move Liaw sees as long overdue.
“Why is the government spending so much on healthcare subsidies? The real cost driver is obesity, and its side effects: diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and more.
“Not all obesity is visible; you can look slim and still be dangerously unhealthy. It’s about how much fat your body can safely carry, and that range is different for everyone,” he said.
The Muscle Factor: What Truly Determines Health
Liaw believes one of the most misunderstood components of long-term health is muscle mass, a key to resilience against illness.
“Muscle is a longevity organ. It’s not just about looking good. When you’re sick, even with cancer, people with more muscle recover faster. At 70 or 80 years old, muscle is more valuable than money,” he said.
He warns that muscle loss is not a natural part of ageing; it’s preventable through the right diet and proper lifestyle choices.
Weight Loss Is Not About Starving or Calories
One of Liaw’s most passionate arguments is against the common “eat less, move more” advice.
“It’s terrible advice. You don’t lose weight by starving. You lose muscle. And the less muscle you have, the slower your metabolism becomes. Then you gain fat faster,” he expained.
He challenges the calorie-counting myth too, citing as an example 500 calories of steak and 500 calories of noodles that are not the same.
“Your body responds very differently. Steak builds muscle, burns energy during digestion, and doesn’t spike insulin. Noodles do the opposite,” he added.
A New Partnership for Natural, Safe Supplements
Through his continuous research and passion for science-backed wellness, Liaw has partnered with a genuine US-based company, distributing natural, lab-formulated supplements aimed at weight management and anti-ageing.
Sold in three-month packages, the capsules are part of a holistic programme, not a quick fix.
“It’s not magic. You still have to eat right and stay consistent. But the results are real. I have seen it change lives, and also emphasising that weight loss shouldn’t be drastic. It must be healthy and sustainable. These products support the process, not replace it,” Liaw stressed.
Understanding Diabetes: The Hidden Hormonal War
As someone who works closely with diabetic patients, Liaw explains that high blood sugar is only the symptom, not the problem.
“The real issue is insulin resistance, and there’s no drug that can cure that. It needs to be reversed through food and lifestyle,” he said.
He explained how insulin and glucagon, both hormones, become unbalanced over time, leading to dangerous sugar spikes and organ damage, even when glucose readings seem ‘okay’.
“You can have normal sugar readings and still damage your kidneys. It’s not just sugar; it’s the insulin response that destroys your body over time,” he added.
Rethinking Food Culture and Policy
Liaw believes Malaysia’s food culture is a major contributor to its health crisis.
“Ask anyone on the street what they eat for breakfast: nasi lemak, roti canai, mi mamak. All high-carb, low-protein. It spikes your glucose and insulin, and you’re hungry again by lunch,” he said.
He urges Malaysians to prioritise protein, even for their children.
“Cereal and juice are not breakfast. It’s sugar. Kids need real food, like eggs, fish, meat, and vegetables,” he shared.
But he also points to policy, saying that protein is expensive and not every family can afford it.
“That’s where the government needs to step in, not just with campaigns, but with education and support,” he added.
Food is Instruction, Not Just Fuel
Drawing from his ongoing research, Liaw sees food as more than calories and gives you a lot of information.
“Everything you eat is a message to your body. The body doesn’t respond to calories; it responds to nutrients and hormones. That’s why the same number of calories can have completely different effects depending on what you eat,” he said.
Nevertheless, he added, to be healthy inside and outside, his approaches are to prioritise protein in every meal.
Avoid ultra-processed and seed oils; eat whole, unprocessed foods; support your body with safe supplements if needed, and do not chase weight loss, but chase health.
You Don’t Need Money to Lose Weight – You Need Knowledge
Despite selling high-quality wellness supplements, Liaw insists that money isn’t the barrier to health.
“You can lose weight without spending anything, if someone guides you. That’s why I’m here. To educate, to guide, to help Malaysians change their lives,” he said.
From the bodybuilding stage to the frontline of Malaysia’s obesity fight, Liaw Teck Leong is leading a new kind of health revolution, one meal, one muscle, and one mindset at a time.
Also present at the talk were GE Professionals of Great Eastern; Group Manager, Lawrence Tan; Unit Manager, Stella Chong; and organising chairman, Dr Deborah Chong.
