Singapore #Fitspo of the Week Priscilla Boon: 'I am more content with my body now because it embodies strength'
Be inspired by the success stories of fitness influencers, celebrities, models, trainers and everyday movers in Singapore
Cheryl Tay
·Contributor
Mon, 13 May 2024 at 8:00 am SGT·5-min read
Singapore #Fitspo of the Week Priscilla Boon is a project manager, as well as an ActiveSG athletics coach. (PHOTO: Cheryl Tay)
Life goes beyond the digits on the scale and your body is capable of so much more! Yahoo’s #Fitspo of the Week series is dedicated to inspirational men and women in Singapore leading healthy and active lifestyles. Have someone to recommend? Hit Cheryl up on Instagram or Facebook!
Name: Priscilla Boon (@priscillabjt)
Age: 28
Height: 1.66m
Weight: 57kg
Occupation: Project manager in an influencer marketing agency, athletics coach with ActiveSG
Status: Single
Food: I will meal prep at least two times in a week, especially on days I have long hours of work, back to back, but I will try to eat food of higher protein and moderate my fried food intake. I have been eating meal preps of high protein twice a day.
Exercise: My weekly fitness regime includes a mix of cardio and strength training. I aim to exercise at least four to five times a week. A typical week involves two gym sessions and two to three runs of between 6km and 8km.
Priscilla has been active in sports since her school days, taking part in cross-country, football, track and field, kickboxing, wakeboarding and road cycling. (PHOTO: Cheryl Tay)
Q: When you were younger, were you active in sports?
A: Since young, I have been very active in sports. I used to be part of the cross-country and also the soccer school teams in secondary school and eventually in track & field during my polytechnic days. I competed in the POL-ITE track events (800m and 3,000m) as well. During that period, I trained almost every day, hitting the gym and swimming for my sports coaching practical modules.As I grew older, I discovered new sports and fitness interests like kickboxing, spinning, golf, wakeboarding and road cycling – another way to meet like-minded fitness enthusiast.
You have a full-time job, but you're also a sports coach.
I pursued sports coaching at Republic Polytechnic and began coaching track & field sports at the age of 18, a journey that continued to this day. Until 2019, I worked as a full-time sports coach before transitioning into full-time marketing, with athletics coaching becoming a side endeavour.My secondary school’s cross-country coach and PE teacher instilled in me the values of resilience and discipline through running, leaving a lasting impact on my life. Their influence inspired me to mentor the younger generation, making coaching my passion during my poly days. My goal is to empower more children in both track & field sports and life itself.
How do you balance everything?
During weekdays, I follow a structured schedule – from 9am to 5.30pm, I focus on my corporate job, then head to coaching from 6.15pm to 8pm and then do my own training after.On weekends, I reserve time for social events and appointments and trainings, emphasising the importance of effective time management due to limited weekend availability.
Priscilla coaches kids from five to 12 years old, in a group setting. (PHOTO: Cheryl Tay)
What are the challenges you face as an athletics coach?
I coach kids of five to 12 years old, in a group setting. We ensure inclusive coaching and the kids come from various backgrounds, abilities and have different temperaments, which can be challenging. This requires me to adapt different coaching styles so I can effectively communicate and motivate each individual.In keeping them motivated, especially during tough times or after emotional setbacks, it requires strong leadership and communication skills from us coaches. Children may have shorter attention spans and difficulty maintaining focus compared to adults. For me, I need to keep activities engaging and interactive to ensure mass participation and make learning positive for all.
When you were younger, did you experience any incidents that made you feel insecure about yourself?
Certainly. During my time in secondary school and polytechnic, my peers would often comment on my thin physique. Throughout my polytechnic years, I struggled with L5 disc degeneration, experiencing frequent migraines and restrictive movements in doing sports.The doctors advised me to refrain from intense training and undergo rehabilitation for my back. It was a tough period physically, as I had to give up competitive running and stop altogether by the age of 19. Facing this adversity, it taught me to get up stronger and cultivate greater resilience in life.
When did you feel the least confident about yourself?
About three years ago, I prioritised my work over my health, neglecting it in the process. Given the nature of my day job, which involves a lot of socialising and attending events, I gradually gained weight.Priscilla had struggles with L5 disc degeneration and migraines in her younger days. (PHOTO: Cheryl Tay)
To overcome this, I returned to a healthier lifestyle by joining Anytime Fitness and revamping my fitness regimen entirely. As I progressed in my fitness journey with my gym and running communities, it significantly transformed my life, body image and perspective.
Did you ever struggle with your body?
Yes, I used to struggle with body image at the start of my fitness journey. Eventually I put my focus back on the process – instead of looking at weight, I focused on increasing muscle mass, reducing fat percentage and being more conscious of my diet.Are you satisfied with your body now?
I am more content with my body now because it embodies strength and allows me to live an active, fulfilling life, and participate in various sports.Of course I would look forward to consistent growth and looking more toned. I'm grateful I'm still able to do what I love despite my back injury. All it matters is being healthy, being fit and strong.
If you could change anything about yourself, would you?
No, I wouldn't change a thing. Everything that has transpired in my life has contributed to shaping the person I am today. I am content, satisfied and proud of the version of myself that exists now. Any changes to my past journey could have led to a different outcome and I might not be the individual I am today.Singapore #Fitspo of the Week: Priscilla Boon. (PHOTO: Cheryl Tay)
