Singapore #Fitspo of the Week: Rachel Tan
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: Rachel Tan (@racheltantrains)
Age: 32
Height: 1.71m
Weight: 55kg
Occupation: Founding instructor at Barry’s Singapore
Status: Married
Diet: I’m vegetarian and occasionally eat fish for extra protein.
Training: I run six times a week and do strength training four times a week.
Q: Did you have any fitness background as a kid?
A: No, I was very unfit when I was young and afraid of any kind of lacrosse or football hitting me. Imagine this: running a mile in 13 minutes when I was 17. Now I can comfortably run it under 6.5 minutes. How times have changed.
When you started working, did you have a regular fitness regime?
I did HIIT (high-intensity interval training) about three times a week, and supplemented it with yoga and barre a few times a week.
When did you start to realise that it is important to have a fitness regime and work out regularly?
After university, as I was recovering from an eating disorder, I had a very unhealthy relationship with exercise. I took a break from the gym a few months to help redefine this relationship. As I came back, I decided to have a regimented schedule for the different types of workouts I did to ensure I didn’t overdo anything. I made sure I did things for enjoyment, not for weight loss.
Your passion for fitness became so great that you quit your jobs and decided to become a fitness trainer. What led you on this path?
My previous careers were in journalism, marketing and advertising – I was last with CNN. A dream job for myself at the time, but nothing can replace the satisfaction you get from motivating others face to face, watching them get better every day because of your words and energy.
Each moment means something to someone in a fitness class. Two years ago, I simply got the opportunity to teach barre at a studio I attended, and coincidentally got another opportunity at a second HIIT studio. I got my personal trainer certificate and never looked back.
Currently I teach running and weightlifting at Barry’s Bootcamp and a barre HIIT class at The Faculty.
What are the plans next?
The next two years are exciting. As a lululemon ambassador now, I’m looking forward to create magic with the wider fitness community. I would like to host events that promote positive body image, mental well-being and honest, raw human connections rid of pretension and vanity. I also look forward to grow with Barry’s as we open the second studio in the very near future. Teaching a lot, hopefully.
What are your fitness goals now?
I would love to run a 10km and/or a half marathon this year! Would also love to get back to a regular yoga practice – something I don’t have the discipline to do ever since starting to teach.
When did you feel the least confident about yourself?
That would be during and after my battle with anorexia. I felt unattractive, weak and embarrassed. After months of counselling and family support, I adopted a healthier relationship with running – using it as a way to clear my head, and empower myself.
Are you satisfied with your body now?
I’m stronger and faster than I ever have been and that is enough for me! It allows me to help my mother move heavy loads into the car, I can rearrange furniture in the house by myself – you get the gist. I feel capable and would not trade this feeling for anything.
Have you ever received any comments about your body?
Other than people asking me if I’m Korean, most comments have been more about my strength or my speed on the treadmill and I’m thankful for that.
