Student Stories

“If we can master our failures, then success is ours.” - Vanan

Could you briefly share with us your current career portfolio as a founder and Head coach of FitMantras? What inspired you to start your own company?

As the Founder of FitMantras and Head Coach, I have 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. For the past 15 years, I have taken on multiple roles, starting from a junior trainer and climbing all the way up to Master trainer. In 2017, I decided to start my own fitness company as it has always been my passion, deep down in my heart, to venture into this field. This has created a path for me to go in that direction, helping me to achieve and provide fitness and great health to our customers.

What are the challenges that you face in your career and how do you overcome them?

Challenges are a part and parcel of life – they are constant and real. We need to adapt to them and find new ways and innovations to solve them. In fact, challenges make us grow and move out of our comfort zone. Be ready for them and conquer them when they come up. It's never easy to start your own business but it's not hard as well. The challenge I faced at first was that no one knew about my company or what I do, but I succeeded over time by going all out for my clients.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in your life, till now?

I’m most proud of being able to successfully launch my new Virtual Training sessions, and my Virtual Talk session by Kopi With Vans, where I cover fitness topics related to lifestyle. Since young, I love talking, even when I was in primary school. But now I learnt that your speech can change the world.

What made you study a Diploma in Sport and Exercise Sciences at PSB Academy? How did this programme help you to make a difference in your company and career?

I believe that constant education and self-improvement are crucial to one's growth and success. That’s one of the reasons I took a Sports Science course with PSB Academy. This programme has widened my knowledge and at the same time, it makes me understand clearly the perspectives of fitness and health, which I can implement for my business. PSB Academy covers both practical and theoretical aspects, helping me to upgrade myself.

What is your next step towards the sports science industry?

I hope to attain a degree to sharpen my skills for the future. When our education stops, we stop growing too.

What would be your advice for sports and exercise science graduates seeking a similar career?

Always be hungry and constantly improving and fine-tuning yourself. There will be a point when you will start to think that you are the best – you have to drop that completely. Keep learning and keep moving ahead.

Any quote that you live by or a quote that you would like to share with our current students?

With the current situation in the world, attitude and discipline are much needed to shape up ourselves and the world. We often plan for success but never for failure. If we can master our failures, then success is ours.