With his boyish smile and ripped physique, Amotti, whose real name is Kim Jae-hong, has won hearts since his appearance in Netflix’s Physical: 100 Season 2 – Underground. As its name implies, the South Korean reality competition series pits a hundred contestants in top physical shape against one another through gruelling challenges.
Initially eliminated after the first team challenge, Amotti made a surprise comeback when he was selected by Olympic gold medallist Jung Ji-Hyun as a member of the Avengers team.
With sheer grit and mental strength, the professional bodybuilder and CrossFit athlete was eventually crowned the winner of the season. These days, Amotti keeps busy with his YouTube channel and his role as Lululemon’s ambassador.
Most recently, he starred in the Canadian athleisure brand’s ‘Together we grow’ campaign, alongside fellow ambassadors, actor Park Seo Jun and Kaaiaa founder Leah Simmons. In this interview, he shares his love for CrossFit, the biggest lessons he’s learnt from Physical 100, as well as his personal growth journey.
What sparked your fitness journey? How did you get into CrossFit?
I got into CrossFit partly because of the singer Rain. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to exercise with him as he is known for his diligence. The other reason is that I know my strengths and they align well with CrossFit.
I started training as a CrossFit athlete when I was 14 – it’s part of who I am, and I’ve met many incredible people along the way. I have good endurance, and I enjoy working hard. I found it enjoyable, pushing myself training and running until I was out of breath. That motivated me to train even more.
You joined lululemon as AN ambassador in 2021. how it has been so far?
I’m honoured to be a Lululemon ambassador, and I want to help others experience the amazing innovation and community created by the brand. Since the start of this partnership, Lululemon has supported me through all my activities and the new challenges I’ve taken on.
I’ve been actively involved with Lululemon initiatives that align with my values of promoting a positive mindset and building a supportive community. It’s been a truly rewarding experience.
Your favourite apparel from Lululemon and why?
These days, I really enjoy wearing Lululemon’s Metal Vent Tech top and Pace Breaker shorts as a set because they keep me feeling my best, which enables me to exercise even harder. Both are so thoughtfully designed with technical fabrics that are lightweight, stretchy, and help to remove any potential distractions, so I can fully focus on working out when I train.
Congrats on starring in Lululemon’s latest campaign, ‘Together we grow’. What does the campaign tagline mean to you?
For me, growth comes from doing what I love with people who share that passion. When we support each other and work together, incredible possibilities open. The campaign’s focus on empowering everyone through movement and community really resonates with me. It’s about inspiring others to enhance their wellbeing, which aligns perfectly with what I’ve built my life and YouTube channel around.
My journey has had its own ups and downs, so I hope that by sharing my experiences, I can help encourage people to keep doing their best without giving up.
How has life changed since you won Physical: 100 Season 2? What lessons have you learnt?
I’ve met good friends, and my community has grown even larger. I thought that we would all start and end as competitors, but we’ve started working out together and becoming even closer.
I learned that working out together is better than working out alone. I used to practise CrossFit alone and focused solely on my individual skills. But through the team mission in Physical 100: Season 2 – Underground, I realised the importance of teamwork and the value of community.
What’s your workout routine like?
I start my daily workout at 9am and continue exercising until 2pm with a personal training session in between. I base my workouts on CrossFit, but I don’t stick to just one type of exercise. I mix in functional training and weight training with the aim of developing my entire body. On my days off, I relax at home watching YouTube or Netflix.
Was there a moment in your life that helped you grow the most?
My career as a professional CrossFit athlete took a pause when I had a scooter accident in 2021. It was devastating to hear that I might not walk or work out ever again because of this. Fortunately, I had my mother by my side to watch over my recovery. Her care for me made me feel like I needed to overcome my injury as I spent many days in the hospital going in and out of tests, surgeries, and physical therapy.
My recovery led to me developing a new relationship with well-being as I realised that having a positive mindset and supportive community is essential. Now, exercising has turned from being just a goal to something that gives me joy.
Now that Physical: 100 Season 2 – Underground is over, can we expect to see you on screen in any other productions soon?
I’m excited to share that I’ve wrapped up filming for two new shows: Survival King and Extreme Tour. Keep a lookout for them on Netflix!
