YeoMama Club:
Lydia Lim
Meet Lydia, a passionate mother of three who shifted from a prominent role in regional marketing to embrace a life centered around family and fitness.
Her routine combines early morning workouts with meaningful family time and social activities. Alongside her fitness journey, Lydia has a deep love for jewellery and actively participates in community work.
Discover how her varied interests and family life come together in her inspiring journey.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I am 48 this year and a mother of three boys aged 23, 15, and 11. I stopped working when my youngest child was born. Previously, I was the South East Asia Regional Marketing Manager for one of the world’s largest hotel groups.
Although I miss working in the corporate world, I cannot imagine not seeing my kids as often as I’d like to during their growing years.
What does a typical day in Lydia’s life look like?
My day begins at 7 or 8 AM with a gym session after dropping the kids off at school. If time permits, I attend a second spin class. Around 11 AM, I either have brunch with my husband or meet friends. The afternoon is for errands and appointments.
By 4 PM, my youngest son and I will be at his desk going through the day’s schoolwork. Dinner is at 6 PM, and we all eat together and watch some TV programs at the same time. By 9:30 PM, the younger kids get ready for bed, and I wind down by watching some K-Dramas.
Fitness seems to be a big part of your life now. How did you discover your passion for fitness, and how has it influenced your daily routine?
Fitness became important to me about three years ago. I started with daily walks in the forests near my home however, I stopped after experiencing several strange occurrences that left me uneasy. It felt as if I had inadvertently invited some spirits into my home during my walks. It was an enigmatic experience. Thereafter, a friend introduced me to spin, and I immediately fell in love with it.
A year later, I joined BFT with my husband and haven't looked back since. It has brought strength, courage, and positivity into my life, and I can't imagine a day without a workout. I've made wonderful friends at the gym, and with the community's encouragement, my husband and I completed two HYROX mixed doubles races, with the first one being introduced to Singapore in 2023.
It seems like you have a wonderful circle of friends around you. How have your friendships enriched your life?How do you support and empower each other as women in your circle of friends?
My gym friends are an important part of my life right now. We are like-minded peeps, analyzing workouts, diets, and the intricacies of protein shakes and BCAAs. Haha! 😂
I also rely a lot on my best friend Mae, who is the most loyal and supportive person I know. She is always honest and empathetic. We never judge each other, but we enjoy judging others! Especially some characters on Kdramas and reality shows. LOL! 🤣
Not forgetting my other BFF who lives in Toronto and comes home yearly. When she is back, all hell breaks loose!
How do you support and empower each other as women in your circle of friends?
Meaningful support begins with attentive listening and lots of empathy. These two traits are the most important for growth and happiness.
Speaking of support, your husband, Mr Chan, was there on the shoot with us. How would you describe your relationship or dynamic?
Oh, we fight a lot! And love a lot too. He has always been a supportive husband, and I shamelessly know that I am his number one priority.
He also believes that parents are the pillars of the family—Mom on the right (because Mom is always right) and Dad on the left. When these pillars are strong, so will the family.
Therefore, he believes in investing in his wife before the children because a happy wife ensures a happy family. That’s his philosophy.
What’s a typical weekend like for you and your family?
My weekends are more laid-back. I work out on Saturdays but rest on Sundays. After my Saturday workout, my husband and I visit the supermarket to buy ingredients for the delicious meals he prepares on weekends. He is a fantastic cook, and everyone in the family looks forward to the weekends to enjoy his cooking.
The boys also have tuition and catechism classes in which we play "grab" to their schedules. Occasionally, we host friends for wine and cheese.
It seems like you're multifaceted, with your hotel background, fitness journey, and standing in for jewellery shoots. What is the next milestone in life you would like to hit?
The jewellery gig was just helping an Italian friend who was in town for the Singapore International Jewellery Expo! It was fun and interesting because I LOVE jewellery!
I actually own a small business called Peranachan, which specializes in customized corporate gifting with Peranakan-inspired gifts. It started from a passion for all things beautiful, and I also work alongside the Association of Persons with Special Needs (APSN). APSN is a social service agency that provides special education, vocational training, and employment support services for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities (IQ 50-70). It is a business I find joy in more than profit, and the fulfillment I get from my daily activities is what keeps me engaged and motivated.
Coming up, I’ll be embarking on a meaningful project with a group of close friends to prepare meals for priests as an act of spiritual service.
In the fitness arena, HYROX was our wedding "anniversary gift" to each other last year, and we aimed to complete our first race before we turned 50, which we did. We competed again this year with better timing (though still not satisfactory), and someday soon, we hope to either compete in HYROX in another country or take part in a different fitness race.
What would you say to someone who’s curious about YeoMama Batik?
YeoMama Batik resonates completely with my style! I love the colorful and playful vibes it exudes, and although batik isn't entirely Peranakan, there is a resemblance in our approach to reigniting the charms of old heritage styles and bringing new energy to them.
I am honored to be part of the Singapore Story collection campaign shoot, and I love that YeoMama is an inclusive brand that does not discriminate.
It is also a successful homegrown brand that I am proud to support as a Singaporean!
