Top of Her Game

Sport can lead to success on the global stage, but this is not limited to the pitch, field, court or track-having a sporting background has the potential to lead to business success too.

- Rachel Duffell

Studies have shown that the vast majority-more than 90 per cent, according to a study by consultants EY and women's sports platform espnW-of women in C-suite positions play sport. Taking up sport later in life can also have a positive impact professionally. We spoke to women in these positions in a range of industries about their sporting journeys, the role of sport in their lives, and why they would encourage other women and girls to pursue it

SAIL AND TRAIL

Stephanie Leung CIO, Stashaway

Always active, Hong Kong-based Stephanie Leung started to take sport more seriously after turning 30 when she found her health was failing. It was a wake-up call. She started running, picking up trail running, first with a little 5km and now competing in 100km races, a nice complement to the snowboarding she’s been doing over the past 15 years, for which she is a certified coach, as well as co-founder of a snowsports school in the popular Japanese ski town of Niseko. During the pandemic, she started sailing too, and more recent pursuits include tennis and Thai boxing, where she has found that competing against an opponent adds another dimension to sport.

“To me, individual sports like marathons are a form of meditation or self-discovery,” she says. “You are always trying to compete against your inner self, which tells you that it’s impossible—but when you push a bit harder every time, you prove yourself wrong and realise that it is possible. Team sports are much more about achieving a common goal—the feeling of trusting each team member to deliver and working seamlessly together is also really thrilling.

“Sport helps to build resilience. Also, it’s important to know that many limits are just in your mind. It’s a self-defence mechanism built into our minds that you can push past and overcome.”

SUCCESS TO SUCCEED

Michelle Yong CEO, Aurum Land