My dream is to prove to the average Singaporean that it is possible to dream big and achieve big things in sports like MMA.
I pretty much stayed out of fights when I was younger. I knew I had to pick my fights and fight them the right way, so I chose to walk away.
The best thing about being a teenager is the innocence of youth and discovering yourself on a daily basis.
Puberty was an interesting process, but that’s one of the few things I wouldn’t particularly miss, except for the growth spurt in my height.
Height is a small factor in the dating game. My height gets me noticed, but it’s not the only thing about me that’s a good ice-breaker and conversation-starter.
When I was a paramedic, I had to fly solo with my ambulance driver to send a woman in a lifethreatening situation to the hospital. It was the most challenging ambulance call I attended, but I learned so much about myself from that experience.
MMA is truly the most honest form of expression in terms of martial arts. It started out as a means of pitting all the different forms of martial arts to see which ones are the most effective. Today, the sport has evolved to a state where it demands that its athletes be well-versed in all the various forms of striking and grappling.
MMA competitors embody the apex of physical conditioning; the better well-rounded competitor with superior conditioning usually triumphs.
Some athletes fall back on the excuse that they are under pressure to perform at the highest levels constantly, so they choose to indulge in performance-enhancing drugs (PED). My principles are against taking such PEDs.
My favorite dish is my cheat meal of nasi lemak, especially the one my mother cooks.
You could classify my family as traditional. There was that initial concern over the path I’ve chosen but it’ll get better.
In Singapore, any sporting endeavor is seen as an unstable career choice, and the stereotypes associated with combat sports competitors is still prevalent.
My idol is MMA Fighter Georges St-Pierre. He is an epitome of discipline, dedication and a true martial artist.
Muay Thai World Champion Yoddecha Sityodtong once said: “A diamond is only formed after a lump of coal is molded by tremendous pressure for years.” He rose above a terrible childhood to win his first world championship at age 22 and has been featured on History Channel’s Human Weapon documentary. He’s a role model and a teacher.
A lot of people settle for much less in life as that is comfortable for them. I’d rather work hard in pursuit of a life I want to live, instead of settling for a life that others think I should lead.
