Bobby Ida, German-Indonesian Fitness Influencer, Talks Faith and the Road So Far
The TV show host is focused and driven, but he wasn’t always. He explains the pivotal moment that changed his life
It was a New Year’s Eve night in 2013 that I first met Bobby Ida, and I thought he was an American because of the name- Bobby- very American; and the baseball hat that he was wearing- also very American. But American he is not. He’s half German, born to a German mother, and an Indonesian father. It can be hard for people to find their identity when they’re born between two races and two cultures. But for Bobby, he has learned to embrace both cultures: “From the German culture I have learned a lot about discipline, to be on time and to work hard; and from the Indonesian culture I learned to be grateful in whatever circumstance, and to be happy no matter what.”
Bobby in Perth, Australia where he won 1st place for Indonesia in the Men’s Physique Open at the Omara Classic | Photo Credit: Bobby Ida/Instagram
A fitness fiend, model, social media influencer, body builder and TV host of Pro Warriors (in Indonesia), Bobby keeps active. He doesn’t like sitting around. He did a lot of that growing up and I don’t think he’ll really be found sitting around as the years progress. You just don’t really see him sitting around being inactive. You can find him in the gym most days, and he also competes in bodybuilding competitions. He just got back from Australia where he competed in the Omara Classic in Perth and won 1st place in the men’s physique open, and the Arnold Classic in Melbourne, where he won 3rd place.
But with all of his accolades and accomplishments to date in fitness and media, Bobby likes to simply be known as a simple guy who is following the call of God on his life. And what inspires him? He says: “anything that is positive.”
Bobby is a quiet guy. Once described by a girl in his church in Berlin, she said: “Bobby is a nice guy, but an interesting guy.” He doesn’t say a lot, which keeps people wondering more and more about him. And perhaps Bobby likes it that way. And although he’s quiet, he’s attentive, knowing what’s going on, even if it doesn’t seem like he does. He’s 26 now and he has come a long way in the past few years, becoming an Instagram influencer and mini celebrity in Indonesia from his bodybuilding and fitness work. He also relates to Hip Hop culture and there was a time that he wanted to become a rapper- “I love Hip Hop so much, from the cool clothes to the beats.” Who knows, maybe one day he will.
But for now, this 26-year-old’s life goal is simple: “As corny as it sounds, I just want to live my life as best as I can for Christ. I know I’m not perfect and have a lot of issues, but no matter what happens I want to finish my own race and reach my purpose in this life and be myself, not anyone else.”
Early years
Bobby with his mother | Photo Credit: Bobby Ida/Instagram
Seele Magazine: What part of Germany are you from and what was it like growing up there?
Bobby Ida: I was born and raised in Mönchengladbach. It’s a small city close to Düsseldorf. I’m really grateful that I could spend my time as a kid in Mönchengladbach because we still have a lot of forests and nature there, so I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time outside and not in front of a TV.
SM: Please introduce yourself, who is Bobby Ida?
BI: I’m a national IFBB Indonesia athlete, Indonesia’s biggest Fitness Youtuber, an international model, TV Host of Pro Warriors, and a son of God.
SM: You’re half German, half Indonesian. Do you find it challenging being two ethnicities? If so, explain.
BI: Yeah, it’s pretty challenging. I struggled with it a lot during my teenage years because I thought I didn’t belong to one group, but as I got older I understood that it’s pretty cool to have two places to call home.
SM: What are some of your hobbies outside of fitness?
BI: I love to read a lot, for me it’s very important not only to train my body but also my mind. I love to be creative. Last year I launched my own gym wear brand in Indonesia called 2ninefit. I just love to do whatever I can think of.
Faith & when things changed
Photo Credit: Bobby Ida/Instagram
SM: What got you into fitness? How did you decide you wanted to be a body builder?
BI: Sports were always a part of my life. I played soccer as a kid, and as a teenager I was a huge fan of martial arts and did Thai boxing for more than 3 years. But I was really skinny for my height of 180 cm (5ft, 9 in) and I was scrawny, around 68-70 kg (149 – 154lbs). Kids in school called me skinny, that’s why I wanted to build up my body a little bit, but then I fell in love with going to the gym.
SM: What’s the most interesting thing about being in the fitness/body building industry? How does this industry fulfill your life?
BI: It's my passion, other people spend hours and hours playing instruments, but I could spend a week in the gym without missing anything. What I find fascinating the most is how your body can change through proper diet and training.
SM: If you weren’t in the fitness industry what would you be doing?
BI: I probably would have gone to college and would be working in an office, just a pretty simple life.
Bobby hosting the Indonesian TV show, Pro Warriors | Photo Credit: Bobby Ida/Instagram
SM: What was your big break? What is your biggest accomplishment so far?
BI: There are two big breaks in my life: the first is when I got signed as a TV host for one of the biggest shows on Indonesian TV called Pro Warriors, and the second is as an athlete when I won the Overall Title for being the best bodybuilder in Indonesia 2017, becoming a national Athlete.
SM: How do you keep your ego in check as you’re growing in notoriety on social media? How do you stay humble?
BI: It’s really tough, especially when my TV show came out and my face was literally everywhere on the big billboards. But, I’m already 3 years on social media and I have discovered for myself that that’s not really real. I mean, people can love and praise you today and tomorrow they will hate and criticize you- even with the media it's just the way things are. I always remember that’s not me either. My talent and hard work is because of God. I put all my faith in Him because He brought this far, not me.
SM: You’ve got the ability to stay focused? Where does that come from? How do you stay so focused?
BI: I just have my priorities in life and I’ve never really had a big social life, and a lot of people can’t understand it but I’m ok with that. For me there is nothing more important than to fulfill my dreams and my purpose. That’s what I remember each day, even if I have to be almost like a robot sometimes.
“This is what is even funny to me, that God uses me in environments that are based on looks. I just try to change the game as much as possible instead of thinking that I’m better than anyone else.”
Bobby in Jakarta, Indonesia | Photo Credit: Bobby Ida/Instagram
Faith
SM: How are you striving to be a good steward of what God has placed in your hands- being effective, which has resulted in a little fame?
BI: I keep myself close to Him[God], doing basic things like reading my Bible each day, I have a prayer and worship time, and I go to church and attend my home group [Bible study].
SM: You’ve got faith in God, like you’re serious about your walk God. How do you keep your eyes on God when you’re in an industry that’s carnal and focused on looks?
BI: This is what is even funny to me, that God uses me in environments that are so based on looks. I just try to change the game as much as possible instead of thinking that I’m better than anyone else. I want to inspire people to live healthy and reach their goals.
Bobby with American bodybuilder Breon Ansley | Photo Credit: Bobby Ida/Instagram
Conclusion
SM: You’re better known in Indonesia. Do you plan to move to Indonesia in the future and make your life there? Or do you always see yourself in Berlin?
BI: Yes, I have had that plan for a long time, and I will move soon to Indonesia to focus on my career.
SM: What can your followers expect from you in 2018?
BI: They can expect the same Bobby as before, only a bit better in terms of character and content. I will try to bring more and higher quality content and to improve other people’s lives as much as I can.
SM: When you hear the name Jesus what comes to mind?
BI: Life, I’m only here because of Him. I have never seen myself as special or with a purpose. I was lost without direction but when I met Jesus He gave me more than life, He gave me a purpose and goals.