YT16 | How this 43-year-old became a national athlete and a business woman for her daughters
Can a woman in her mid-30s become a national-level runner? This is Jasmine a 44-year-old national athlete, motivational speaker, financial planner, and single mother of two, she embraces an active lifestyle and is passionate about running. Starting her journey at 32, she transformed from a weight-loss seeker to a Singaporean national athlete.
In this episode, Jasmine shares her athletic journey that started in her 30s after a life-altering divorce. From struggling with a basic 2.4K run to becoming a national athlete representing her country in South East Asia games, Jasmine’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and the pursuit of self-belief. Discover how she harnessed the power of sport not only to master her physical body but also to reinvent herself personally and professionally, leaving an inspiring legacy for her daughters and women everywhere.
Table of Contents
Discussion Topics: How this 43-year-old became a national athlete and a business woman for her daughters
- Starting the athletes’ journey in her 30s
- Women are not the weaker sex – I’m faster than most men in SG
- Juggling work, training, & upbringing children
- The journey from a mom to a superwoman
- How do you financially support yourself as an athlete?
- Asians need to be more outspoken
- My journey has been for my girls
Transcript: How this 43-year-old became a national athlete and a business woman for her daughters
Yana: Hello and welcome to another episode of YanaTV. Today our guest is Jasmine Goh, who is first of all, a wonderful mother to two children. She’s also a national athlete and a business woman. Jasmine, thank you so much for joining us today.
Jasmine Goh: And thank you Yana for having me.
Yana: I absolutely love your story because when I think about it, especially athletes, to me it is a person who starts when they are four, five, six years old and I know you started when you were in your early thirties. That’s unusual. So what happened?
Starting the athletes’ journey in her 30s
Jasmine Goh: Long story, and I will start right there. I had a divorce when I was 32. And I always looked at it. It’s not something that happened to me, but it’s not something bad. It is a reset, a moment to reset, a moment to reframe, a moment to reinvent myself and I think I used that opportunity to do exactly that. And I’m very grateful for what I have accomplished and where I am today.
Yana: Why sport? Out of everything like possibly you could do.
Jasmine Goh: I Think it was emotionally very challenging at that period of time. One of the things that I believe I could do and that I have complete control is the physical aspect of me. And so I wanted to use that physical transformation, um, as a stepping stone to my complete transformation of Jasmine Goh.
Yana: So here you’re a national athlete, right? You have represented several times in SEA games. So you show up and I assume probably half of the people would be half your age who are. So how did that feel?
Jasmine Goh: I’ve actually never thought I would be where I am today. Had you told me when I started running that I would be representing my country, I think I would have laughed it off because it’s just so impossible.
When I started running, I was struggling with just the mere running of 2.4 km and 2.4 km is our basic physical fitness test back in school it was to me I had to start somewhere and I said I would do 2.4, right? I struggled, that was my first attempt, um, but I continued and then after that, I signed up for my first marathon and then I did my first ultra, 100Ks, and then I became a national athlete. I wouldn’t say the journey is easy, but what happened was I set a goal and I achieved it because I believed in myself and I tried really hard I put in just so much sweat and tears.
Yana: When you, when you say that I ran, 2.4km and then I became a national athlete shortly after. So I just feel there is a lot in between. How did you find the inner resources? How did you deal? Did you have any setbacks? Did you feel down or did you believe sometimes on the way to becoming a national athlete? How did you overcome all of the challenges?
Women are not the weaker sex – I’m faster than most men in SG
Jasmine Goh: So let me start the story when I became, I think more physical, right? Just having a more active lifestyle that was really transformed me. I think one of the things I said earlier was to transform myself physically and therefore the transformation then would flow into other aspects of my life. I also wanted to be a role model for my children. I think that is very important.
And especially because they’re girls, I want them to know that physically we’re not weak. And that is one thing I never believed. And in fact, I dare say I’m faster than most of the men in Singapore when it comes to running and so I do take pride in that when I say that because we are not the weaker sex.
So we shouldn’t brand ourselves that way or think that way. We should Reframe our thinking. So that’s number one, reframe your thinking. Anytime you want to start a new goal, a new dream, you have to reframe that thinking. So my daughters were, I believe, key factors to why I wanted to become a national athlete.
So it was for them, to show them we are not the weakest sector and there’s opportunity. So many opportunities out there. We don’t have to sell ourselves short because of our age, because of what we think people think of us or what we choose to or believe in ourselves, right?
We can reframe that. We can rewrite the story, and the narrative anytime. Another thing was that In 2015 we held the SEA Games in Singapore. It was here where I witnessed one of our athletes winning the marathon and It was just amazing.
It was amazing to be there, to witness his glory, his win and I was sitting with my, and I still remember today, I was sitting with my children at the closing ceremony of the SEA Games 2015. I looked them in the eye, and I said, The next game, I will not be, just a spectator, but I will be a participant.
I will don the national colours. and I will run for And you did it. And I did it. I wouldn’t say I truly believe in it, That it was achievable or attainable. I believe that I can overcome all difficulties and challenges. Maybe I wouldn’t hit the goal and even if I didn’t hit my goal, I would have made a lot of progress, whether it’s in my running, or in my life, like the transformation would flow to the rest of the other aspects of my life.
And that was what I was really reaching for. Not so much the destination, but the journey and I think it was lovely that I attained the goal. But what really made me really happy is that my children get to witness that. Yes, and that they heard me say I’m gonna do it and they witnessed it become fruition, into fruition when two years, in two years I made that happen.
Yana: Wow congratulations. That’s quite remarkable, but I’m also curious. How did it change you when you say that, right? You achieved the goal. You were working so hard. You learn to be the master of your physical body to control your body. How did you do that?
Juggling work, training, & upbringing children
Jasmine Goh: I think I got stronger mentally because the physical change is obvious. You get stronger, you get, your muscle tone and all that. But I think what really, um, the transformation that I was craving for is that mental resilience. emotional resilience, just being able to become invincible in that sense. No matter what setbacks or challenges life throws at you, you’re able to overcome them.
Because if you can overcome these little physical challenges, right? It’s difficult at my age like you said, I didn’t start when I was young. I started when I was in my thirties. I was dealing with perhaps a longer time to recover injuries, potential injuries. That’s right.
And I was also juggling work and training and children. So there’s a lot of things on my plate and I think if I could manage all that well. Then really I can do anything. I felt invincible. I think I’ve shared this with you. Running allows me and an ordinary woman to do extraordinary things.
I know and I love that journey of mine and I’m so appreciative That I had that calling to transform myself I use running as a tool, in this sense, or a platform where I use it to transform myself, and I think, right now, I dare say I’m really different from who I am 2011 and now in 2023, and I really love who I have become.
Yana: Do you feel it’s also changed you as a parent?
The journey from a mom to a superwoman
Jasmine Goh: My kids were really young then, and they have grown in this journey with me. And they’ve always thought of mommy as like superwoman, right? She runs clearly she can run. Sometimes when I go for my training they are like, how long will you be away? How long are you running? I’ll be like, I think today I’m doing like 17. Oh, it’s just 17.
I want them to see that these numbers are not scary in terms of physical, like running, these numbers are not scary. And so I hope that sometimes when they think about their goals and their dreams, they would think that, if mommy had done that, this is not scary. It’s something that I can do too. I want to be that inspiration for them.
Yana: I love how you are just really, motivated by being a role, it’s just so sweet and warm-hearted and how does it show up in business? I don’t know what the situation is right now, but I heard that in Singapore, maybe in Asia in general, the assets are not always paid, maybe not paid as much compared to how it is in the West. So you guys still have to work. So how does it show up in business, with the qualities do you see any changes in that?
How to financially support yourself as an athlete?
Jasmine Goh: Yes and, after the divorce I had to work. We have to support ourselves. I’ve actually done a lot of things. I’ve surprised myself. I was not afraid of taking on challenges. I don’t shy away from difficult situations. I really embrace change and I’ve done things in the finance industry, in the blockchain industry. And right now I’m in the speaker business. In the innovative innovation and technology business.
So I’m really excited about the space I’m in and I think about who I have become over the years. It’s very much aligned with what I am doing right now with my partner. So we’ve created this business called Asia Innovate Hub, where we want to help startups and enterprises embrace change and navigate Buka. And we know, that change is constant. It’s a norm in the world of business and at Asia Innovate Hub, we really want to be shy. We want to move away from the traditional, outdated approaches to management and leadership. We want to encourage innovation, reinvention, and that’s what I do. I reinvented myself. I’ve innovated myself, and I want to bring that change to startups and enterprises.
Yana: I’m looking forward to seeing that. The innovation and how you innovated yourself.
Jasmine Goh: That’s Asia Innovate Hub, we want to encourage innovation. We want to encourage reinvention, and we want to drive growth. We do it in a few ways. One way is through collaboration with USBI, which is a global speaker bureau. Yes, and you are a part of us, right? Yes, so through collaboration with USBI, we will have access to a global network of speakers and thought leaders who can provide global solutions to local problems.
We are also working with startup ecosystems where our clients will have access to groundbreaking and revolutionary technology that is not mainstream yet. And last but not least, we are building a thing that builds things.
Yana: Tell me more.
Jasmine Goh: So imagine a co-founder with superhuman abilities, who never sleeps, is in sync with your startup vision, understands your business DNA, acts like a GPS, guides you, and alerts you if there’s any potential threat. And highlights golden opportunities. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? In fact, we have already used that tool to power the success of 53 startups. And we are set to boost that number to thousands more.
Yana: I’m looking forward to seeing that. Yes and of course in the video you guys going to include links to learn more about it. Just mean and to the most about companies that she’s involved with and wishing you just so much success with all your endeavours.
Jasmine Goh: Thank you. Thank you. So whether you are an individual with a big idea or a business that is looking to expand, please connect with me.
Yana: So I Will tell all my friends who are in startups in this particular business that you guys are going there. I think that’s great and that YanaTV focuses on Asia, right?
And there’s a lot of dialogue between Asian people and non-Asian people. So as an Asian woman who is a national athlete and you, I don’t know if you have actually seen Westerners or Caucasians running. Whether people are or not, you definitely see them in a business environment. So I’m just curious. So what was your experience of Westerners or Caucasians?
Jasmine Goh: Interestingly, my business partner is Caucasian. The working style is different. That’s for sure. And also because of gender, right? I’m female, he’s male. So there’s obviously that gender difference, there’s also the culture difference.
Yana: So what is different?
Asians are not straightforward
Jasmine Goh: I think in Asian culture, we’re not straightforward. But you guys are just going straight on. Attack. Oops. Head on.
And sometimes we get, I wouldn’t say offended, just maybe we take more time to calibrate or to reflect before we give our answers and that can come across as we are uncertain, or that we don’t know our stuff, maybe, just because we are a little slow in… Which
Yana: Is that right?
Jasmine Goh: is not the case.
Yana: Again, it’s just taking more time to process things.
Jasmine Goh: That’s right. Oh, we want to… Not offended, right? Because we’re just… nice.
Yana: Specialising Turkish Caucasians, that’s the biggest joke here.
Jasmine Goh: But I do appreciate the difference. I think there are a lot of us, a lot of things we can learn from the differences, from the differences, right? Asians can be more outspoken, for sure.
We can get to the point faster, for sure. And I think maybe the expats or the foreigners could maybe take time to slow down and appreciate the culture, appreciate the differences, and give us some time, to calibrate and think about our answers and let us get back to you.
Yana: I love that. It’s very gracefully put, Jasmine. I can see.
Jasmine Goh: I think that’s what you experienced.
Yana: I have been in Singapore about this for more than 15 years now. Yes. I’m fascinated by Asia and I learned so much that I have a different experience, right? Your business partner is Caucasian. My husband is Asian, and that has been a very interesting journey. Everything is pretty much what you said. but he would be too fast. Slow down you’re too direct.
Say it indirectly that’s right just wait. Don’t rush people and so it’s interesting how certain things we Have culturally and we need to learn how to adjust when we go to a different world. So I learned a lot just by being married to him and dealing with people.
Jasmine Goh: I see and I think in business as well we tend to build connections. I think that’s important and I’m sure it’s important in other aspects of the world but maybe. Foreigners would expect, if I’m good, you’ll take me, right? I don’t have to have, I wouldn’t need the time to build a relationship with.
Yana: So the CV is enough, right? right. So which is not? It’s not.
Jasmine Goh: It’s not. It’s so important, especially in Asian countries, to have a connection, a relationship. And that’s what we should build first, then show off what we have in, our portfolio or what we’re good at because People don’t need to know what you’re good at. People need to know whether they can connect with each other.
Yana: And they can trust you and you can trust them.
Jasmine Goh: I think trust is so important. Yeah.
Yana: I love that. Thank you. So coming to your daughters again. For you, it’s a big thing. I know. And you’re very proud to be a mommy and you identify a lot, with that. So do you, a lot of things you do. Professionally and personally is to So if you were to give, let’s say, a for your daughters or anyone, any other children around their age, what would you say to the children?
I was trying to be better for my girls
Jasmine Goh: I was watching the movie Bobby. With my kids, it was about women’s empowerment and all that, right? Rf There was a quote and I’m going to use it now. I hope I don’t butcher it. It says, we mothers stand still so that our daughters can look back and see how far they have come. I actually don’t relate to that because, after my divorce, I was running. I was running as far as I could, right? I was trying to go further. I was trying to run faster. I was trying to be better for my girls.
So that they can see how far I have come and will be inspired to travel further than me. If I have a message to any young ladies out there or even mothers or women, it would be Rise Up. There is nothing to gain from standing still. Rise up and be the rising tide that lifts all boats.
Yana: Thank you so much. And that was Jasmine Goh on YanaTV. Sharing in such a graceful, gentle way, her story is very profound, the motherhood being an athlete, being a businesswoman And Jasmine and I would love to hear from you in the comments under this video.
What is your journey? We have mothers who are very passionate about motherhood with us. Maybe we have other athletes. So please if your colleagues have just meant to let us know that you watch this video comment below and connect with us As we have been saying here in many interviews already relationships are everything. So I personally would love to hear from you and we also would like to say a special. Thank you to Muse Studio for hosting YanaTV.
They are our very Special beloved partners. So thank you for the opportunity. And the most important. Please subscribe to the YouTube channel and share wonderful episodes with Jasmine, and with friends. Let’s share love. And I will see you next time.