Cheo Hock Kuan lives by a mantra – you can’t choose your age, but you can choose how you age. She defines ageing as an inevitable journey for everyone and believes “you can either dread it, or enjoy the ride”. Hock Kuan was the former CEO of philanthropic organisation Temasek Trust. She wanted to retire from the corporate world 10 years ago but that plan didn’t materialise because she was given the opportunity to take on a new corporate role.
After retirement in 2017, she took on a non-profit position “that opened my eyes to the world of philanthropy and appreciated the need for ground-up initiatives to address the challenges facing humanity and the planet we live in”.
Hock Kuan turns 70 this year and chooses to age gracefully by focusing on self-care, doing Pilates a few times a week and eating nutritiously so she can be physically fit. She also practises mindfulness meditation every morning “to better appreciate every breath, every moment and every day”.
"I have personally experienced ageing with zeal, and I feel relieved that the heaviness of many obligations and responsibilities – such as supporting my family, raising my kids – are off my shoulders. I enjoy being with my family, siblings and friends in various settings."
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Enjoying Pilates after retirement
Hock Kuan picked up Pilates in her mid-50s. The fast-paced, demanding corporate lifestyle had taken its toll and she started to feel frustrated about its effects – weight gain, increased clumsiness, negative mood and low energy. She felt she badly needed a solution to reverse these conditions.
Her gynaecologist, recommended Pilates to help her with her desire to “age gracefully”.
A weekly jogger, she says Pilates has made her lighter on her feet and stronger in her legs.
Hock Kuan decided to further invest in Pilates. She started Pilates Connect with her daughter, Pek Li Jun, in 2022. Pilates Connect is the parent company of The Moving Body Group, SmartFit Pilates and The Movement Academy.
In February 2024, HER Wellness Club was launched as a women-only club, to better address women’s unique physiological and psychological needs. Many of the instructors specialise in movement and Pilates for women’s health – from pre and postnatal Pilates, to Pilates for menopause and even lymphatic drainage exercises.
The family business is managed by Li Jun, and Hock Kuan provides support with her corporate experience.
“I have fun working with my daughter. We definitely have disagreements from time to time as our personalities and working styles can be very different,” she says. “The beauty is that our strengths are also different and very complementary.”
Hock Kuan's advice for senior women
Additionally, from a more holistic perspective, exercise helps to keep women strong and fit. This means greater physical strength for activities, reduced injuries and risk of falling, along with a more toned aesthetic.
As someone who has embraced getting older, Hock Kuan has the following advice for senior women in Singapore who want to start their wellness journey. Start now.
"I know many women who have been putting their work and/or family commitments first for so long that they have forgotten to take care of themselves. The longer you don’t exercise, the harder it is to begin."
Hock Kuan is also an advocate of making wellness enjoyable and sustainable.
