The Lightness of Being
Balancing work, play and her passion for fitness, Meaghan See epitomises the modern wellness warrior
Lawyer and fitness instructor Meaghan See shares her journey to wellness, and why keeping fit is her top priority
Achange of place often merits a shift in perspective, and that is exactly what set Meaghan See on a serious journey to fitness in 2012. The daughter of Jaacky and Maria See, Meaghan has always been into sports but she took it a notch further when she was pursuing a Master of Law degree at the University of California, Berkeley in the US. “I tried various classes and started training for longer runs. It was a way for me to relieve stress and clear my mind. I suppose the cool weather also helped,” shares Meaghan with a smile. “There was a point in time when I didn’t like running but having people around you while you’re doing it really helps. There’s a culture of being active in San Francisco and that really got me going. I knew it was something I wanted to take with me when I moved back to Singapore.” Currently juggling a full-time job as an in-house legal counsel in a large bank, with part-time teaching roles at Anthem and Webarre, where she teaches indoor cycling and barre, respectively, Meaghan definitely has her hands full. The Puma ambassador has what she calls a “monotonous schedule”, a lifestyle that perhaps isn’t very different to what professional athletes lead. She knows her priorities and has the discipline to see it through. In fact, she finished three half-marathons in the past year—her best time being 1 hour 51min, which she achieved at the Sydney Marathon. Exercising aside, Meaghan also complements her workouts with a healthy diet. A vegetarian for the past 10 years, she is conscious about what she puts in her body as well as how food sustainability affects the world at large. “I did it for the animals,” says the owner of four spritely dogs. However, like everyone on the path to self-improvement, there is one part that she is keen to learn and master— meditation. “Meditating is hard for me. It takes so much to be calm and still… I guess moving is how I meditate.” Surrounded by Amanoi’s lush forest and sculptural boulders, Meaghan reckons this serene setting is a good place to start.
ON WELLNESS AS A TREND:
“I’ve never seen Singapore take up fitness in this manner before. In school, you were sort of forced to do it. It was only when I was in the US that I saw people genuinely embrace fitness, eating healthy, and wellness as a whole. I only see this trend growing because people see the benefits in the way they look, feel and function.”
ON TEACHING INDOOR CYCLING, HIGH-INTENSITY INTERVAL TRAINING AND BARRE:
“It’s not something I do just for the people I teach. It’s also for myself. It’s very much a two-way thing— when I see them finish a class and they’re happy, I derive pleasure from it as well.”
ON THE PLEASURE OF WORKING OUT:
“The start of the workout is always the hardest. Specifically, the first 5min when you’re still stiff and your body is not warm yet. The trick is not to give up. Think of inertia—once you keep going it’s going to be hard to stop. There’s nothing like the fulfilment of a good workout.”