Independent fashion industry commentator, former vice chairman and director of Semir
He once managed a team of over 300 fashion designers
The clothes he designed became brand-name memories for many people born in the 1980s during their youth
As a member of the CEIBS EMBA Go 3 team
And as a business elite, he has undertaken several extraordinary outdoor challenges
▲ Independent fashion industry commentator, former vice chairman and director of Semir – Xu Weidong
I set aside time every week to play football and run at night. The meaning behind it is: in these masochistic sports, life becomes filled with joy, passion, positive energy, and a reignited youth. More and more urban elites, just like me, enjoy these kinds of challenging sports. Some runners hire national-level coaches in the city and train long-distance running intensively. If you ask them why they put themselves through this, I believe it’s first driven by a passion for sports; secondly, it’s the sense of pride that comes from pushing limits and conquering oneself; and also the team camaraderie. Our team from CEIBS that participated in the ‘Gobi Challenge of the Business Schools Silk Road’ has always been called the ‘Roman Legion,’ racing through the Gobi Desert with a sacred spirit fighting for team honor.”
ISPO, as the most influential sports exhibition in the world, will hold its first summer edition in Shanghai next year, aiming to introduce a range of international fashion sports brands that emphasize a professional sports spirit. What resonates with sports elites is that professional sports ethos. They also hope to see a systematic presentation of sports at the exhibition, along with the presence of high-, mid-, and low-end sports brands from around the globe.”
Love Football the Most
Football is in my blood. I always set aside time on Saturdays and Sundays to play football. In Shanghai, I’m part of three football teams (one corporate team and two EMBA teams), and I always play striker. I love the thrill of scoring goals. Even though my skills aren’t top-notch, I’ve got passion and goal-scoring luck. Not long ago, we actually organized and participated in a national football league for the EMBA Big Alliance. The meaning of playing football is: it fills life with joy, passion, positive energy, and a reignited youth. Many might think our business school teams exist mainly for networking, but personally, I believe it’s purely out of deep love for the game. We’ve played together for so long without even knowing what our opponents do for a living. All we know is, no football, no brotherhood.
Masochistic Sports Among the Elite
More and more young people in the city, just like me, enjoy these masochistic sports, fulfilling the inner need to conquer oneself once again through physical activity. I think it’s because, at this stage, sports are the best way to combat negative energy.
At the same time, society is moving toward an era of ‘elite-minded internal trends.’ In the past, gatherings of the elite were all about drinking competitions. Now, the definition of the elite has changed. Those with independent judgment, independent thinking, and a sense of responsibility are considered the elite of this era. They gravitate toward healthy gatherings and lifestyles. I’m surrounded by a group of running enthusiasts – pioneers in their fields – who run trail races like the ‘Gobi Challenge of the Business Schools Silk Road,’ the ‘Polar Expedition Race,’ and tackle marathons around the world...
These trail runs require extremely high physical fitness and very specialized training. Some runners hire national-level coaches in the city and train long-distance running intensively. If you ask them why they put themselves through this, I believe it’s first driven by a passion for sports; secondly, it’s the sense of pride that comes from pushing limits and conquering oneself, as well as the unique joy of dopamine released during exercise that others can't experience; and also the team camaraderie. Our team from CEIBS that participated in the ‘Gobi Challenge of the Business Schools Silk Road’ has always been called the ‘Roman Legion,’ racing through the Gobi Desert with a sacred spirit fighting for team honor.
▲ Two Major Trail Runs Popular Among Urban Elites: ‘Gobi Challenge of the Business Schools Silk Road’ and ‘Polar Expedition Race’
Run with the Spirit of a Prisoner
I also schedule a night run every week. When it comes to running and fitness, I’m mainly influenced by the book *The Prisoner’s Fitness Guide*. Life in prison is survival of the fittest, and the strength built in those living and dietary conditions comes from the most primitive training methods – it’s a whole different concept from building muscle in modern gyms. I prefer genuine strength that goes beyond looks. I love the feeling of true power.
Urban running has become a lifestyle for many. Marathons, COLOR RUN, Radio Run, community-based runs, school track circles, nighttime jogs in green spaces... But what truly fuels the running craze is still the elite group I mentioned earlier – they are the real influencers in the running world.