Amie Wang started her fitness business on the playmat next to her kids’ beds. So she thought, why not incorporate exercises into everyday life and play?!
What’s your story?
Pilates was love-at-first-try for me 15 years ago. Since then, it has been my go-to exercise for strength and flexibility. After two pregnancies, regular pilates practice and incorporating it into everyday movements (e.g. lifting up my now 19 kilogram and 13.6 kilogram sons), I’m the strongest I’ve ever been and have the energy to stay active with my growing boys. My personal journey gave me the courage to pursue pilates training and certification.
During my training, I had to steal time to intensify my practice. When my children needed me to stay next to them during naptime, I did a few exercises on their playmat. I incorporated exercises into playtime with my children. Sometimes using them as weights. This gave birth to Play It Fit to help time-starved moms integrate pilates exercises into their daily activities, being and playing with their children. Instead of struggling to find time for a 1-hour workout, they can aim for 5 minutes, 5-6 times a day.
What excites you most about your industry?
Seeing young families staying active and having fun together whilst keeping fit.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I’m originally from Taiwan and have always felt a close connection to Asia. I’ve spent time working in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. From 2012 to very recently, Singapore has been a wonderful place to call home for me and my family.
Favourite city in Asia for business and why?
Singapore. It’s easy to set up a legal entity. Almost everything is available and can be done online. There are vibrant and supportive entrepreneur communities that encourage you and want to see you and your business succeed.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
If you can do something today, do it!
Who inspires you?
People who have the courage to stay true to themselves and live the life they envisage.
What have you just learnt recently that blew you away?
Learning about the nervous system, the brain in particular. I came upon neuroscience when my oldest child was 2.5 years old. Understanding how the brain develops has been transformative and helped me become a much more peaceful parent.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I believe in serendipity and know all the experiences I’ve had make me who I am today. So, I don’t think I would change anything.
How do you unwind?
Hanging out with my husband after we put our kids to bed. Sitting on the couch with a good book on a rainy day. Watching a favorite show. Story time, dancing and being silly with my kids.
Favourite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Hoi An, Vietnam. It is a wonderful place for a fun family vacation filled with a variety of activities. Lots of delicious food, culture, outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, biking), and shopping. Taiwan is also one of my favorite destinations – just the food alone makes it an awesome place to visit.
Everyone in business should read this book:
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Shameless plug for your business:
At Play It Fit, we focus on education, mindset and play.
1. Education – we help moms become aware of their current posture and habitual movement patterns during early parenthood. We teach them the basic principles of pilates and equip them with a set of exercises they can easily do on their own, at home, in between (in-person/Skype) sessions.
2. Mindset – we ask moms to think of ‘exercise’ as movement integration. For example, instead of carving out a big chunck of time (e.g. 1 hour), which is difficult to do with young children, we train moms to pick 2-3 exercises and do them in 5 minutes. They do that 6 times a day, that’s 30 minutes a day.
3. Play – we encourage and teach them how to perform these exercises with or around their children so it’s more convenient to ‘work out’. They can play and bond with their children while being a role model for a moving body.
Currently, I’m working on a book about play and fitness for the everyday mama. I’m also taking my reconnect-and-rebuild post-natal program and move-n-play programs for young families online later this year.
How can people connect with you?
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.playitfitnow.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amiew
Twitter handle?
@playitfit
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This interview was part of the Callum Connect’s column found on The Asian Entrepreneur:
Callum Laing invests and buys small businesses in a range of industries around Asia. He has previously started, built and sold half a dozen businesses and is the founder & owner of Fitness-Buffet a company delivering employee wellness solutions in 12 countries. He is a Director of, amongst others, Key Person of Influence. A 40 week training program for business owners and executives.
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