Singapore #Fitspo of the Week: Felicia Ong

Life goes beyond the digits on the scale and your body is capable of so much more. Yahoo’s #Fitspo of the Week series is dedicated to inspirational men and women in Singapore leading healthy and active lifestyles. Have someone to recommend? Hit Cheryl up on Instagram or Facebook.

Name: Felicia Ong (@veopoo)

Age: 29

Height: 1.6m

Weight: 50kg

Occupation: Sales executive

Status: Attached

Diet: No particular diet; I eat a lot for a petite human.

Training: Mountain biking two to three times a week, with some cardio workouts and runs

Q: What kind of sports did you do as a kid?

A: When I was a kid, I was mostly active. I played netball for eight years and took up rollerblading when I was 13. I started travelling since young because I inline skated competitively around the globe, representing Singapore for most of my teenage years. Big thank you to Shirley and Eddy back then for making it happen.

What other sports did you dabble in as you grew older?

When I was younger, I didn’t have the money to buy a mountain bike so, I stuck with rollerblades. Who would imagine I would spend more than S$20,000 on bikes now?

When and how did you start competing in motocross?

Well, for motocross, it was just fun and games. If there were competitions available and I have nothing on that day, I would join it! It’s harder to juggle motocross rides as we have to cross the borders to do it every week. I started joining races because of friends actually.

Then when did you start competing in mountain biking?

Yes, it was about the same time as motocross and enduro. I joined my first race in July 2016, almost a year after I started mountain biking. It was Singapore’s National Championship competition. I managed to clinched second among the other experienced riders for my first race. Lucky me!

You only picked up the sport a few years ago, was it hard to pick up such sports as an adult?

Definitely, I was a very later bloomer. And that being said, I had a lot to catch up on. I may know how to ride a bike but I wasn’t one with the bike yet. I rode with the faster boys and that gave me an advantage because I could observe and try my best to replicate everything they do. Monkey see, monkey do. Until now, I’m still trying my best to catch up.

Both of these sports are high risk, can be dangerous and not many girls are in these sports. How do you feel about it?

I would be lying if I said I have never felt scared when it comes to big drops and huge airtimes. But the adrenaline rush after completing it feels better than fear. I get scared but I always tell myself, “If they can do it, I can too.”

What advice would you give someone, who doesn't have background as a kid, who wants to pick up either of these sports?

If you fail, try again. Because it is the courage to continue that counts.

What are some of your memorable experiences in motorbiking and mountain biking?

For motorbiking, I went up a hill at godspeed, didn’t see what’s ahead and crashed into a boulder, breaking three ligaments in my ankle in the process.

On the other hand, for mountain biking, it would be waking up to snowcaps mountains in Whistler. It was literally “eat, sleep and ride”.

What are your fitness goals now?

Just to be healthy, keep fit and be free of illnesses. Health is wealth.

When did you feel the least confident about yourself?

When I was younger, I felt ugly. Because I would usually be left out in groups and I wouldn’t know why exactly.

How did you overcome it and become more confident?

I guess you look at the bigger picture, accept your individuality and do not compare yourself to others. There will always be someone better than you. There is also a fine line between arrogance and confidence. Be confident, not arrogant. Help others always and not look down on them.

Are you satisfied with your body now?

Yes, I am! I will note that I have always exercised. I was an athlete growing up and I feel blessed to be born with a fully functioning body. I have unwanted fats around my waist, I have scars throughout the skin. There’s nothing wrong with having them around. The brilliance of my body is greater than the smartest human’s conscious mind.

Have you ever received any comments about your body?

Not really. Or maybe I have. It probably wasn’t important enough for me to remember it. Oops!