After crossing the finish line of my Ironman 70.3 race on Sunday, I didn’t have the luxury of rest. While many of my teammates decided to linger and relax in Da Nang before catching the 9 p.m. flight back to Ho Chi Minh City, I had a different plan. My flight was at 5 p.m. sharp—just enough time to pack, hydrate, and say quick goodbyes before heading straight to the airport.
The race might have ended, but my journey didn’t pause. I landed in Ho Chi Minh City that night only to prepare for my 7 a.m. flight to Singapore the next morning. Yes, back-to-back travels with a triathlon-fatigued body might sound intense, but that’s how life rolls sometimes. In Singapore, I powered through two packed days filled with meetings and walking long stretches of airport terminals—while every muscle in my body screamed for a break.
Embracing Rest: The Power of Listening to Your Body
When I returned from Singapore, I spoke with my coach and made a conscious decision: I would take a week off from intense training to allow my body to fully recover. No cycling. No swimming. Just light walks, gentle jogs, and lots of stretching and yoga.
That week of rest reminded me of how important recovery is in any long-term journey. Whether you’re training for a triathlon or working on a big project, there comes a point when the most productive thing you can do is pause and listen to your body and mind.
During this much-needed downtime, I returned to one of my favorite books—The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. In it, Tolle reminds us of the beauty and liberation that comes from living fully in the present moment. He talks about the “pain-body,” a collection of old emotional wounds we carry unconsciously, often letting them shape how we react to life. His teachings on mindfulness and presence resonated deeply with me during that quiet week of healing.
As I lay on my yoga mat, breathing deeply, feeling every stretch, I understood what he meant. So often, we carry stress from past failures or anxiety about future events into today. But when you simply be—with your breath, with your body, with the quietness of the moment—there’s an undeniable peace that emerges. That week, instead of pushing through the pain, I chose to be with it. To acknowledge it. And in that, I found a powerful form of healing.
Back to the Rhythm of Training
Now, I’m back—re-energized and excited. My teammates and I have decided to sign up for a TriFactor triathlon—a race with slightly different distances than the Ironman:
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🏊 2.25 km swim
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🚴 80 km bike
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🏃 10 km run
We’re still finalizing who will take on which leg, but just having this event on the horizon is thrilling. It’s a mini-goal on the way to the next big one in November: either Ironman 70.3 in Phu Quoc or Langkawi, Malaysia. These smaller goals help keep us focused, grounded, and motivated. They remind us that success isn’t about a single peak—it’s a series of milestones, each building on the last.
Finding Meaning in the Work We Do
Outside of training, I’ve been just as energized by my work life. I’m currently involved in several sustainability-focused projects, and each one fills me with a deep sense of meaning. Whether it’s reducing emissions, creating green supply chains, or developing carbon credit solutions, I genuinely believe that the work we’re doing is helping build a better world.
Sustainability is a commitment to long-term thinking, community responsibility, and mindful business. Each project I contribute to, no matter how small, feels like planting a seed for a more sustainable future. And that gives my daily grind a sense of purpose that no paycheck alone can match.
Mentoring the Next Generation: A Labor of Love
Another huge part of my life is mentoring students from disadvantaged backgrounds—especially those pursuing international education opportunities. This year has been incredibly busy, but also deeply fulfilling.
We’re in the final stretch of preparing paperwork for our last student, who is attending UWC Changshu in China. The rest of our students are already well into their visa and admissions process, heading off to amazing places like Costa Rica, Italy, Japan and Germany. Each destination represents a new chapter for these bright, resilient young people.
Some of these students come from incredibly challenging backgrounds—parental loss, poverty, or having to work multiple jobs while going to school. Yet, they dream big. They dream of studying abroad, exploring the world, and building a better life. Their courage inspires me every day. And it’s this inspiration that fuels my energy to work with them—even after long hours at my day job or early mornings training for triathlons.
Supporting Our Alumni: The Journey Doesn’t End at Acceptance
Mentorship doesn’t stop once a student gets accepted to a program. I continue to support last year’s students as well. Most have just completed their first year of study and are now preparing for a productive summer. I help guide them in structuring their summer plans—studying for the SAT, researching universities, preparing personal statements, and pursuing extracurriculars that align with their passions and values.
It’s a lot to juggle. But every time I sit down to help one of these students, I remind myself of why I do this. It’s not just about academic success. It’s about empowerment. It’s about helping someone see what’s possible when they’re supported, believed in, and given the tools to succeed.
A New Chapter: Professional Growth in Singapore
This week, I’m heading back to Singapore—not for work this time, but for growth. I’ll be sitting for a registered consultant exam, another step toward deepening my expertise and becoming more professionally qualified to support clients in the region.
While studying and exams might not be as physically demanding as triathlon training, they come with their own set of challenges. But whether it’s the physical endurance of sport or the mental endurance of professional development, both require grit, planning, and purpose.
Wrapping Up: Presence and Purpose
As I reflect on this whirlwind of a month—from intense races and international travels to supporting students and preparing for exams—one theme continues to emerge: presence.
Thanks to Eckhart Tolle’s words, I’ve become more conscious of how powerful it is to simply be where you are. The past cannot be changed, and the future is not guaranteed—but the present is yours to experience fully. Whether you’re chasing a goal, healing from pain, or guiding someone else through their journey, doing it with awareness and intention makes all the difference.
So here’s to showing up—with energy, with heart, and with presence.