#60: SG's Fastest Woman on What Success Never Taught Her

Before Shanti Pereira became Singapore's fastest woman, before she made history on some of the world's biggest stages, she was a ten-year-old girl who lost a few races in primary school and wanted to quit.

That's where we begin. Not with the medals, but with the moments most people never see. Losing both her scholarships within the same week at 22 and sharing, "It really felt like rejection." Getting injured in an Olympic year after achieving her dream of qualifying for Paris on merit, and wondering if she'd even make it to the start line. The unglamorous discipline of showing up on the days she didn't feel like it at all.

What struck me most wasn't Shanti's list of achievements.. it was the way she spoke about identity. About learning not to tie her self-worth to success or failure. About protecting her peace. And about choosing, again and again, not to give up when things get hard.

At the end of every season, whether it's been a good one or a difficult one, she asks herself: "Did I show up?" I think that's a question all of us need from time to time.

I hope you'll enjoy this conversation with Shanti Pereira.

Chapters

00:00:00 Meet Shanti Pereira: The Woman Behind Singapore’s Fastest Sprint

00:01:20 Growing Up in the Shadow of Track and Field

00:03:46 The Childhood Lesson That Changed Everything

00:05:27 Grounded Advice For Her Younger Self

00:06:54 Facing Rejection: Losing Two Scholarships in a Single Week

00:09:14 Defying Failure and Choosing Resilience