From a global corporate career to two unpaid years of grit and sacrifice — all to build a sanctuary for fitness and passion
"I endure, so we can rise together."
MY Call to Adventure (Corporate to Passion)
Before CHIMPCHAMP, my path looked very different.
I was a corporate high-flyer, selected into three elite management training programs across my career. in all Fortune 500 companies Out of 2,000 applicants, I placed in the top three for my very first program. Later, I joined General Electric’s prestigious Experienced Commercial Leadership Program after my MBA — a role that brought me across Argentina, Belgium, Denmark, Southeast Asia, and Australia.
At one point, I was overseeing marketing communications and channel management for the entire Asia Pacific, leading multi million campaigns under my charge with five-figure payrolls. I had stability, prestige, and recognition.
But I gave it up. I traded skyscrapers and boardrooms for an uncertain road. Why? Because I saw a gap. In Singapore, the fitness industry lacked both quality and sustainability for coaches. I believed I could contribute to my homeland. And deep down, the desire to coach, and the passion as a fitness coach and Les Mills programs started the spark and momentum.
"I gave up stability and prestige for passion and purpose."
The sacrifice
🧹 TEACHING & CLEANING
Taught for free, cleaned the studios myself.
💸 No salary No grants
2 unpaid years with no covid aid
⏰ Relentless hours
2am nights and 7 am mornings
CHIMPCHAMP wasn’t funded — it was fought for.
For two years during covid, I drew no salary. Many assumed fitness studios had government support, but most subsidies didn’t apply because I wasn’t on payroll. The only relief we received was rental rebates.
I held on to the conviction that when I clean the studio myself and teach classes, I stay relevant to the needs of everyone in CHIMPCHAMP.
Footnote: I am bleassed to have a gang of CHIMPCHAMPers who always volunteer to help and support in the cleaning and everything administrative too. 🙏
Just as we reached our stride, the world stood still.
THE COVID STORY (OUR STEWARDSHIP)
"I followed up quarantined members every day, sometimes 3 times. We weren’t just a studio; we were a lifeline."
When Singapore faced its first COVID cases linked to group fitness in CHIMPCHAMP FITNESS 2 weeks after we open, no one knew what to do. We weren’t told who the patient was, or how to act. I remember it was a Les Mills Bodypump class and I received the call at 2pm when I was having my usual late lunch at Triple 1.
So we acted anyway. Out of pocket, I paid for professional deep cleaning — before we were even required to and stopped operations when the ministry has told us to continued.
When members were quarantined in hotels, I personally texted each one, every single day — checking on their health, sending motivational messages, and keeping communication flowing so no one felt left behind. (Information was withheld from them but we felt they have the right to know and we did it by regularly touching base with every person.)
We recorded encouragement videos, rallied the coaches, and built online classes so the community could still work out from home. We even gave out small rewards, not because we had excess, but because people needed hope.
In the darkest moment, we chose connection over fear.
Our Tender Loving Care (TLC) culture did not evolved, it was there from Day 1.
Our TRANSFORMATION
A playground where safety, quality, care and community come first.
A sanctuary for passion — where coaches thrive and opportunities is available.
Through sacrifice and stewardship, CHIMPCHAMP became more than a studio.
For Members: a safe, transparent, quality-driven sanctuary where health and connection come before profit.
For Coaches: a rare space where passion is protected, burnout is reversed, and excellence is cultivated.
This belief gave birth to the CHIMPCHAMP Academy — equipping coaches not just with skills, but with renewed purpose. Can you imagine we have taken this sanctuary of passion through Bodypump, Bodycombat and Les Mills Dance!
I’ve seen a big improvement in my fitness level ever since I joined this studio, wouldn’t have done it without the support from Coaches. A welcoming environment with amazing people. ~ Kyle
From Singapore to the world — a fitter planet, a healthier team, and a better you
Today, CHIMPCHAMP is more than my story — it’s a movement.
We believe in a fitter planet, one person at a time, but also in a fitter industry: one where coaches can flourish, and members feel truly seen.
From Asia Pacific boardrooms to the Marina Square studio floor, my journey has been one of trading prestige for passion, comfort for conviction, and safety for sacrifice.
But I endure — so we can rise together.
Stay Awesome Stay Champion
Prescott
CHIMPCHAMP has grown from one person’s leap of faith to a movement that belongs to all. Discover how we became Singapore’s only homegrown fitness brand. See our Brand Story.
