Amalgamation

Share with us a bit about what you do for work. How did you get into this job?
I work in an executive search consultancy where I do headhunting for chief executives for mining organisations. I’m now based in the UK and I also work internationally in Australia and Canada as well.

It’s ironic, but I was headhunted for this headhunting position (laughs). It’s quite a tough and stressful job, but I’ve been doing well these past two years, and it’s fun learning about people in the mining industry since it’s super niche.

What brings you back to Singapore?
I’m back for a vacation to visit family and show my girlfriend around the country—it’s her first time here.

What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt since moving abroad?
The world is so much bigger than we think, and there’s an incredibly massive diversity on an individual and cultural level. I’ve learnt that we can learn so much about the world we live in by opening our minds to different people and cultures, asking questions, and letting go of the preconceived notions we may have about others.

When you’re away, what do you miss most about Singapore?
The food for sure, especially the spicy stuff!

I never used to like spicy food but it’s become a way for me to reconnect with home when I’m abroad. I started to build up my spice tolerance and even got my girlfriend hooked on it. Now we love spicy food and the flavours here just can’t be found anywhere else. I always end up gaining weight when I come back (laughs) but it’s worth it.

Apart from that, I miss the sun too. It gets really grey in the UK so it’s nice to be feeling the heat and sweating.

What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
My girlfriend and I are big foodies so we love finding new restaurants to try. We also like to go out on walks or play video games. I’m currently playing a race car game and a medieval role-playing game called Kingdom Come: Deliverance which is quite terrible.

Other than that, I do a lot of sports too. I like going to the gym, running, and doing Muay Thai.

How long have you been practising martial arts?
I’ve been doing Muay Thai since I was 14. Even though I’ve practised the sport for so long, it’s always been for fun as I’m not a competitive person. I joined my first fight two years ago and it was an interesting experience to say the least.

Muay Thai is my crutch to relieve stress and anxiety and it has made me a more confident person. Plus, it’s such a good way to lose weight and keep fit! You can burn up to 1000 calories in a single session, which mean you can grab some McDonald’s afterwards if you want (laughs).

I definitely recommend martial arts to anyone who’s interested in getting active but can’t decide what sport to pick up.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
The dream would be to retire with my winnings from the lottery (laughs). But I don’t know, five years isn’t that long of a time. I’m almost 30 and 35 doesn’t seem too far away, so I’ll probably still be working and hopefully making annual trips back to Singapore and exploring other countries like Thailand.