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BEING updated with the latest trends and TV shows may not have been part of Stephanie Gan’s childhood, but she has no regrets pursuing a life as an athlete.
Starting with ballet at two and swimming a couple years later, as a precautionary measure by her mother, Stephanie was introduced to a blend of ballet and swimming at the age of seven.
Since then artistic swimming, also known as synchronised swimming, has become part and parcel of Stephanie’s life.
As she started competing after a year of being in this sport, balancing her training with her studies soon became second nature.
Although she and her sister were the first in the family to pursue a sporting career, both took it head on and reached the top and represented the country.
After primary school, Stephanie enrolled in the Sports School and spent her high school year there, filling her days with training and studies.
So, instead of discussing about the latest trends and games with her fellow classmates, most of their conversations surrounded around the latest trainings and the struggles that went with it.
Upon finishing her SPM, Stephanie took a gap year to focus on the 2017 SEA Games, but returned to her studies soon after.
When The Vibes asked if she has ever thought of pursuing the sport full-time and putting her studies on hold, she shared that studying was always part of her plan.
“We have to be realistic and even then injuries were part of the game. Especially with artistic swimming in Malaysia, we must always have a back-up plan post retirement.
“Also, being from an Asian family, studying is a definite thing,” Stephanie shared jokingly.
One might assume that further studies would require greater planning with regards to a set schedule for training and academics, but this is contrary to what Stephanie says.
“I actually felt that uni life was easier because my schedule wasn’t back-to-back studying and training like in the Sports School.
“I had the luxury of choosing and arranging my time. I chose classes that allowed me time to train and discussed my schedule with my coaches.”
Stephanie is currently pursuing her degree in Marketing at Help University after her plans to further her sports and studies in the United States were interrupted by the global pandemic and the political situation there. - The Vibes. June 4, 2021
