FAQ

 

Q&A

FROM THE DESK OF GERALD CHUAH

“Everything I am, and everything I have boils down to Rocky Balboa. I didn’t create Rocky. He created me.”  – SYLVESTER STALLONE

Gerald Chuah, journalist and author of the Rocky book

Dear Readers,

HAVE  you watched Rocky and felt totally inspired, and you know deep within there is  more to it than just a fictional character in a movie.  Something about it rings a bell, lights a fire, and speaks to the truth in your heart to go further and reach higher than you did  before.

Well you are not alone, millions of people around the world have been inspired by Stallone and his   famous Rocky series since it made its debut on our cinema screens in 1976. And thousands more have  run up the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum each year,  emulating Rocky.

WHAT IS THIS  SECRET THAT HAS CAPTURED THE HEARTS OF MILLIONS ?

Here Stallone explains in his own words the motivation behind his film characters:

“I want to give the audience positive symbols, heroines, and heroes who pull themselves up from the depths of despair. As they struggle and claw and finally attain Their goals, viewers can realize, ` My God, I can do that,’ or `That’s the kind of person I want to be.’”- SYLVESTER STALLONE

Stallone’s rag-to-riches story and his creation Rocky Balboa have often been quoted by  international success gurus like Anthony Robbins who plays the Rocky theme song in his seminars before the fire walk. Other motivational gurus like Jack Canfield (of Chicken Soup for the Soul series) also use Rocky as a positive  example in his book The Success Principles, so did  Robert G. Allen in his  book The One Minute Millionaire.

Now for the first time ever, this unique book captures the words of wisdom and success principles from Sylvester Stallone’s life & films.  The book is finally  available on the internet to coincide with the premiere of RAMBO on January 25, 2008.

THIS IS MY STORY

In September  1988  I was sitting in my room all alone just thinking. As I was poring over my life and wondered what the future holds, I asked myself: “What must I do now? How can I get myself out of this rut and make my life real again?”

As I looked at the many Sylvester Stallone posters on my bedroom walls I said: “Stallone has been a great inspiration to my life in moments like this, but will be able to meet him one day and tell him how much he has inspired me.”

At that moment, the idea of writing this book was born. “Perhaps as Rocky has been an inspiration to Stallone which sparked his initial success as a writer, then this book is my version of Rocky to deliver me out of my depressing state,” I said to myself.

Writing this book is one of the most exciting journey  in my life. I wrote the first draft in seven weeks, but it took me nearly two decades to finally realize this dream.

All these years that I have been working in isolation there were moments when I thought this idea may never see the light of day,  but I persevered nonetheless.  This being my Real Rocky ChallengeI kept the faith and I promise to see it through.

As Rocky had many sequels, my  journey of writing this book  came with its own set of obstacles and challenges which put  me on a  higher ground of self awareness and realization.

There were many highlights along this journey, of course the main one would be meeting  Sylvester   Stallone at the grand opening of Planet Hollywood Singapore on January 22, 1997, and to finally have Jackie Stallone endorse and launch my book at Borders Times Square,  Kuala Lumpur on January 22,  2007 exactly 10 years later is like Hollywood ending to a life affirming story.

The circumstances leading to my  book launch was so incredible it confirms to me that miracles happen and dreams do exist.

Now that I have finally accomplished this dream project, I am glad to note that  many people around the world have similar Rocky inspiration (from the testimonials) and know right from the start what this book is all about, and are supportive of the idea.

Indeed it is a wonderful feeling to be able to connect with other people around the world and share this Rocky inspiration.

If Rocky’s life was a million to one shot then I am one in a million fan who had this incredible idea about writing a book on Stallone and to finally achieve it many years later proves that:

“Nothing is impossible. If I can do it , you can do it too!”

 

Q&A with Gerald Chuah

” The World Meets  Nobody Halfway, remember that. You’ve got to do what’s best for you, always do that.” – OVER THE TOP

1. Why did you write this book?

“Since young I have felt a `special connection’ with Sly.  I knew what the Eye of the Tiger represents, and I could clearly see and understand the survival principles in Stallone’s Life & Films which urge  audiences to reach out for their dreams and don’t look back. Nothing is impossible if you  believe and set your minds to it.  There are many positive examples and nuggets of truth from Stallone’s life and film that could  impact readers and inspire them to greater heights.  This book is  my Rocky story to see how far I can go, because Rocky never gave up, and by writing this book and finally fulfilling this dream, proves to me that nothing is impossible.”

2. What is your book all about?

“This book is unique as it is the first in the world to expound on the concept and philosophy of the Eye of the Tiger, which represents the Indomitable Spirit of man reminding us to always Stay Hungry and Stay Natural,  and keep focused on the direction of our dreams,

“Everybody has got dreams but how many of us dare to believe and reach out for the impossible?,

“This book is unique as it is the first in the world to expound on the Survival Principles from Sylvester Stallone’s Life & Films which offers a complete life guide to every aspect of living from love, faith, courage, dream, determination, wisdom, and spirituality.”

3. How is this book different from other self-help books?

There are many self-help books  in the market but this one is different as it takes inspiration  from Stallone’s famous film characters. For example Rocky is an underdog fighter who put all his dreams in one shot. The heart of the champion is reflected in Stallone’s earlier blockbuster films such as the Rocky and Rambo series, Over The Top, Lock-Up, and Cobra which struck a chord with audience’s  heart.

They gave us a glimpse of what is possible in life through faith, hope, perseverance and determination. These character-based motivation is far more powerful than any theory or success formulas. This book is not only a collector’s item for Stallone fans but a powerful  guide to anyone who wants to make the most out of his or her life.

4. How id you research this book?

Many of the lessons from this book are inspired from Stallone’s blockbuster films from the 80s, while others are taken from books, magazines, documentaries and the internet.

One powerful reference is the novel Rocky II. Written by Sylvester Stallone himself in 1979, the book contains many powerful insights into the heart of the character.

It was a miracle how I found this book in a bargain bin of a second hand bookstore. There are many other references which  I stumbled upon like rare documentaries and articles which offered  a wealth of information in my research.

“Another unique resource was a box of old  newspaper articles  which I found in a newspaper archive. Every news clipping about Stallone, documenting his road to fame since the 70s was inside that box, including an article in his own words about the creation of Rocky Balboa which  became an overnight success.

5. Who will benefit from this book?

Basically everyone who believes they have the potential to accomplish more in life, and who are willing to go that extra mile to make their wildest dreams come true.  This book will strengthen your core values and principles and keep you in touch with your higher values and ideals.  Most importantly it will  help you get back The Eye of the Tiger to stay hungry and stay focused, and seize your opportunities in life.

6. Where can I buy this book?

At the moment the limited edition hard cover version of this book is only available in bookshops in Malaysia, and on this website. I am not sure when it will be available for mass circulation, so I suggest that you grab it fast. This unique book has not been written before and is not available in other parts of the world.

7. What are the highlights of your journey?

My most exciting experience was  in meeting Sylvester Stallone in person at the grand opening of Planet Hollywood Singapore on January 22, 1997, and of course to finally launch my book with Jacqueline Stallone (Sylvester’s mom) at Borders Times Square, Kuala Lumpur, exactly 10 years later was simply incredible.

When I asked Jackie to sign the Rocky poster for me, she said: “For you I have to add another line,” and she wrote: “Would you believe this day?”

8. What are your future plans for promoting the book and continuing the Rocky legacy.

I want to create a Real Rocky Foundation to inspire people to go the distance with their dreams and I want to highlight their stories in my upcoming book, documentaries and websites,

“I believe the Rocky spirit will never die  but continue to live in our hearts and inspire us to the next level.  Now that the torch has been passed on to the next generation, the next Rocky is not just another fictional character but you and I taking the lessons, values to the next level.

“I just want to tell you one thing, that I’m proud of ya.” – ROCKY III

"From Underdog to Overachiever: My Rocky Road to Meeting Stallone"

Picture this: me, a regular guy with a not-so-regular dream – to hand a book I'd written to none other than Sylvester Stallone himself. Sounds like something out of a Hollywood movie, right? Well, let me tell you, it was a real-life rollercoaster that involved persistence, a dash of luck, and a whole lot of determination.

The day I finally met Stallone, let me tell you, it was like reaching the end of a marathon I'd been running for a whole decade. Yep, you heard me right – ten years of dreaming, planning, and rewriting. It all started back in the day when I was just a kid – a shy, introverted scribbler who believed that words had the power to change the world.

But here's the kicker: I wasn't just dreaming about any book. No siree, I was cooking up a motivational masterpiece inspired by none other than Rocky himself. You know, that iconic underdog who defies the odds and teaches us all a lesson or two about getting back up when life knocks you down. If Rocky could do it, why couldn't I?

Flash forward to the year 1997. Stallone was slated to make an appearance at the grand opening of Planet Hollywood in Singapore. And guess who was ready to seize the day? Yours truly, armed with a rewritten version of my book that I'd polished like a pro.

Now, imagine me – a regular Joe in a sea of Stallone fans. The excitement was palpable, and my heart was doing the cha-cha in my chest. As Stallone strutted past me, I felt like I was in one of his action-packed scenes – freeze frame, internal debate, and then a decision: seize the moment.

But guess what? Reality is a lot like a Stallone movie – full of unexpected plot twists. Just as I was about to make my move, a security guard swooped in like a hawk to protect the star. Stallone was right there, within arm's reach, and yet it felt like he was on the other side of the galaxy.

As the event wrapped up, I was faced with a dilemma – do I pack up my dreams and head home, or do I keep fighting? Let me tell you, my friends, I chose the latter. And this is where fate played its hand, introducing me to the hero of my story – Syed Yusof Syed Nasir. This guy was like my Yoda, my guiding force, my Obi-Wan Kenobi.

With Syed Yusof by my side, I felt like I had a secret weapon. He waltzed right up to Stallone, my book in hand, and introduced me as the journalist who had penned this ode to Rocky. Stallone's smile? Oh, it was like a million shooting stars lighting up the night sky.

I reached out, we shook hands, and in that moment, it was like Stallone and I were on the same page – not just literally, but spiritually. We even posed for a photo, and let me tell you, that click of the camera was like music to my ears. It was proof that dreams could become reality, even if they seemed as distant as a mirage in the desert.

Walking away that night, clutching that photo, I felt like a champ. The journey had been wilder than Stallone's action scenes, and it had taught me a thing or two about the magic of persistence. Remember that scene in Rocky where he keeps getting back up, no matter how hard he's hit? Well, I was living that scene, and let me tell you, the underdog can emerge victorious.

Meeting Stallone and seeing him hold my book was like a shot of motivation straight to the heart. It was a lesson in never giving up, no matter how tough the odds. That night, I learned that even the most impossible dreams can come true with a sprinkle of determination and a dash of faith.

So, my fellow dreamers, here's the deal: if I could turn my wild dream into reality, you can too. Whether you're chasing a Hollywood-worthy goal or simply trying to conquer your daily battles, remember that every Rocky needs a round to train, stumble, and rise stronger.

As I look back, I see that my journey wasn't just about meeting Stallone. It was about proving to myself that dreams are worth chasing, and sometimes, even the most far-fetched dreams have a way of surprising you. So go ahead, chase those dreams like Stallone chased the bad guys – with grit, determination, and a memorable soundtrack playing in the background.

And who knows? Maybe one day, you'll find yourself face-to-face with your own version of Stallone – a symbol of triumph, resilience, and the magic that can happen when you dare to chase the impossible. After all, as Stallone once said, "It ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." So go on, keep moving forward – your Stallone moment is waiting.