In this episode of Before We Get There, host Nicholas Braman welcomes Aisyah Rafaee, Singapore's first Olympian in rowing, who competed at the Rio and Paris games. Aisyah shares her journey from discovering rowing in secondary school to training in Australia and the challenges faced leading up to the Olympics. She discusses the mental and physical demands of high-level competition, overcoming identity struggles post-retirement, and her recent decision to come out of retirement for the 2024 Olympics. Now an entrepreneur and coach, Aisyah reflects on transitioning her skills and experiences into new ventures while emphasizing the importance of mental skills and adaptability. The conversation provides valuable insights into resilience, the power of community support, and finding purpose beyond athletic achievements.




Aisyah's links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariesyah/ 
Website: https://www.3hpathlete.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17bbRk72ZW/ 


Podcast links:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2h9gsrWKH9C1KY1OzR12kr?si=2a4d19970632465f      

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-we-get-there/id1775182252

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beforewegettherepodcast/   

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nicholasbraman

Website: https://nicholasbraman.com/podcast




00:00 Introducing Aisyah - Singapore's first Olympic rower
05:23  Discovering Rowing
08:24  Family Influence and Competitiveness
16:46  Balancing Life and Rowing
21:56  Training Alone and Overcoming Bullying
25:22  Experiencing the Olympics and Media Pressure
27:42  Struggles with Retirement and Identity
31:56  Finding New Purpose and Love
36:21  Deciding to Compete Again
39:47  Building a Business and Coaching
42:22  Future Goals and Closing Remarks