At 14, running felt like nothing more than an uninvited chore to Jessica Ang. Between physical education classes and badminton sessions, jogging alongside her father seemed superfluous. Her dad ran with intentional dedication; her mother, meanwhile, poured every ounce of energy into sustaining the family and excelling in her professional career, leaving health at the bottom of an overflowing priority list.
Those early father-daughter miles slowly took on deeper meaning. Along local paths, her father would listen patiently to her schoolgirl complaints and impart a timeless perspective: 活在当下—live in the moment. Once a moment slips by, it never returns.
Years later, that principle of presence would evolve from a childhood lesson into an essential survival tool.
The Wake-Up Call: Redefining Self-Care
The defining pivot in Jessica’s life arrived with devastating suddenness. Just one year after receiving a diagnosis, her mother passed away.
The loss sent shockwaves through her family. Like many hardworking households in Singapore, life had consistently been organised around professional deadlines and social commitments, operating under the dangerous assumption that personal well-being could afford to wait.
Her mother’s passing broke that illusion. Jessica realised that self-care is neither selfish nor optional; it is the structural foundation required to show up fully for the people you love.
When Jessica later embraced motherhood, she caught herself slipping into the very pattern she watched her mother navigate: sacrificing every part of herself for her children. Remembering her mother’s struggle, she took to the neighbourhood park connectors.
Those short, rhythmic loops became non-negotiable pockets of "me time," offering a calm anchor amidst the chaos of domestic and professional life and carving out space to reclaim her identity.
Lacing up her running shoes became an act of active remembrance. Whenever grief threatened to linger in the stillness of her absence, movement offered an outlet. Her mother had always been known to chiong—to drive relentlessly toward her goals. Out on the pavement, Jessica channels that exact drive, redirecting it toward protecting her health and vitality.
From a Spontaneous 10K to the Marathon Stage
Jessica’s return to structured running happened almost by accident at age 30. Stepping in to take a friend’s slot at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM), she found herself staring down a 10km starting line having never run more than 3km at once.
She approached the race with a lighthearted "just try" attitude, but crossing that finish line sparked a hunger for physical progression.
Her training soon expanded from neighbourhood park connectors onto the scenic, coastal stretch of East Coast Park. The open sea breeze, shifting horizons, and bustling community transformed routine mileage into an invigorating ritual. Easy 5km sessions steadily grew into 8km tempos and longer distance runs.
Connecting with running groups and reuniting with secondary school peers added a vibrant social dimension to her training. Running ceased to be an isolated discipline; it became an ongoing road of self-discovery, testing how far a pair of running shoes and consistent grit could carry her.
A Journey of Discovery
Now representing electric vehicle pioneer BYD in the Soles of Singapore editorial series—spotlighting the authentic voices driving Singapore’s running community ahead of the Singapore International Marathon—Jessica approaches each starting line with profound clarity.
At 14, every kilometer was a matter of routine. Today, it is an active testament to self-evolution and an uncompromising vow never to leave health on the back burner again.
If her mother could watch her stride forward on race day, Jessica envisions a message rooted in pride and quiet victory. She strives to stand as an evolved reflection of her mother’s legacy: carrying forward the same indefatigable work ethic, while tenderly protecting the heart that keeps it beating.