About
Hi, I'm Yan.
Rebuilt from zero. More than once.
Speaker, coach and movement teacher for leaders who look fine on the outside and are running on empty inside.
My story
At 18, I wasn't sporty. I was the girl watching other girls who seemed to have it all. Then one dance fitness class changed something. For the first time, my body moved the way I wanted it to.
Then came cancer. I was told I was cancer-free, but I wasn't free from cancer.
I kept going, and in 2011 I placed fourth in Singapore's national physique competition. From the outside, I was the strongest I'd ever been. Inside, it had turned into obsession, isolation and insecurity. After the competition, I didn't know who I was anymore.
At 28, my business closed and I burned out, falling into the darkest place of my life.
Zero taught me this: when there's nothing left to lose, you might as well go for it. The only way is through. Keep going, slow or fast, as long as you show up. And my body taught me what my mind couldn't: symptoms are signals.
What I do now
I've taught movement since 2013, to teens, athletes, the elderly, and women navigating scoliosis, PCOS and endometriosis. I've worked in UX research, ran my own business, helped build a Pilates teacher academy, and written more than 40 published articles on health and wellbeing. Today I bring all of it together to help leaders 40+ rebuild after life's turning points.
Today it comes together as the Axis Method: Return. Root. Rise.
Credentials
- Polestar Pilates, comprehensive studio certification
- Classical Pilates Comprehensive, Certified Teacher
- Integrative Women's Health Institute: Women's health coach, Peri/menopause Graduate
- Precision Nutrition Level 1
- Medical Qigong Level 1 (IIQTC)
- Scolio-Pilates Modules 1–2
- First recipient of the Vintage Pilates scholarship by Sandy Shimoda (2025)
- BCG RISE Digital Sales & Marketing, with Merit
- User Experience Design Immersive, General Assembly
- BSc Applied Science (Food Science & Technology), NUS
Beyond work
If I could build my own alter-ego, she'd be Alexandra "Alex" Munday, Alice from Resident Evil, Jean Grey, Wonder Woman and Mystique, all in one.
Outside teaching, I'm happiest down a rabbit hole: astrology, Human Design and spirituality are how I make sense of people, seasons and myself. I'm also a Tibetan sound bowl enthusiast.
Fun fact
I share a name with chef Martin Yan of "Yan Can Cook." I can't promise the cooking, but I can promise the rebuild.
What I stand for
Integrity · Authenticity · Kindness · Joy · Spirituality · Sustainability