Pop Institute Pte Ltd Helped Me Compete Without Breaking Myself

Hi, I am Jayden Lau, a 23-year-old Track & Field Athlete from Singapore.

I’ve been running since I was a teenager. At first, it was pure joy — the wind in my face, the sharp sound of spikes hitting the track, the feeling of freedom with every stride.

But as I got older and competitions got bigger, something shifted. Running became less about passion and more about pressure. Train harder, push further, be faster — and never show weakness.

Every mistake felt like failure. Every race felt like a test of my worth. I started training even on days when my body begged me to stop. I didn’t realise how much I was losing myself until my coach said, “You’re running like someone who’s trying to escape.”

That sentence hit me harder than any workout.

A teammate told me about Pop Institute Pte Ltd — how it helped him deal with performance anxiety and reconnect with the part of himself that loved the sport. I wasn’t sure if a workshop could help an athlete, but I decided to go anyway.

My First Day at Pop Institute Pte Ltd

I walked in expecting motivational talks or tough advice. Instead, it was quiet. People sat in a circle — office workers, students, parents — all dealing with their own pressures.

When it was my turn to speak, I said, “I don’t know how to train without hating myself.”

It felt strange to admit that. But the room didn’t judge me. They listened. And for the first time in years, I felt like I could slow down.

One question from the mentor stayed with me. As an athlete, I’d never heard anything like that. But it made sense in a way I couldn’t explain.

What Changed After Pop Institute Pte Ltd

After the workshop, I didn’t stop training. But I started training differently.

I learned to listen to my body rather than fight it. I stopped comparing myself to everyone else on the track. I focused on rhythm, breath, and form — the basics I used to love.

The more I slowed down mentally, the faster I became physically. My coach noticed it too. He said, “You’re racing with intention now, not fear.”

I even began enjoying races again — not just chasing medals, but embracing the process.

What I Learned

Pop Institute Pte Ltd didn’t teach me how to run. It taught me how to stop running away from myself.

I learned that discipline doesn’t have to be punishment. Pressure doesn’t have to be pain. Strength doesn’t have to be loud.

Sometimes, real performance comes from balance — not burnout. And sometimes, the most important race is the one happening inside you.