Motherhood and Pregnancy Issue 2017 by Plus Magazine

May–June 2017

EMILY MOGARD: “A POWER MOM IN EVERY WAY”

BABY PRODUCTS REVIEW, STEM CELL STORAGE, THE ROLE OF A FATHER, MUSIC MANIA, MISS UNIVERSEPHILIPPINES AND MANY MORE…

Flip inside now! PLUS+ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:

SHAZRINAH

SHAZALI

NORIKHSAN PUTEH:

“A MOUNTAINEER WITH A PASSION”

Busy Mom, Busy Schedule

NEVER TOO BUSY TO STAY HEALTHY

Workout ideas WITH YOUR BABY AT HOME!

“BOUNCING BACK FROM ROCK BOTTOM”

USD $3.99 GBP £3.49 BND $5.00 BRUNEI EDITION

Safe exercises for moms to be!

+Content

May–June2017

+Health 6 Busy Mum’s Quick Guide To Staying Healthy 18 Stem Cell Storage: Not your average beauty routine

+Fitness 9 Workout Ideas When You’re Home With Your Baby 12 Exercising During Pregnancy: Safety Tips

+Focus 14 Role of a husband during pregnancy

+Products

20 SIMBA PRODUCT REVIEW

+Life Inspired 22 Shazrinah Shazali: “The Woman Behind The Challenges” 28 NORIKHSAN PUTEH: ”THE CONTINUOUS CLIMB TO A HEALTHY LIFE” 34 EMILY MOGARD: “Athlete. Coach. Power Mom” 39 Musical Mania 42 One-on-one with Maxine Medina, Miss PhilippinesUniverse 2016

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+Publisher Info

Dear readers, W

e are delighted to bring you our Motherhood & Pregnancy issue this month with tips on how to keep exercising safely while pregnant as well as a guide to staying healthy during pregnancy. After your little bundle of joy (or joys for some lucky people!) has arrived, you may want to get back into shape so we have also provided some ideas on how to safely fit some exercises in with your bub at home. We even have something for the dads out there, outlining the role of a husband during this beautiful journey.

Plus+ had the wonderful opportunity of chatting with Maxine Medina, Miss Philippines-Universe 2016 and we got to know about what she thought of her time in Brunei and of her plans for the future. We also got to sit down with Relentless Entertainment and some of the cast of Musical Mania and delve into the inner workings of such an amazing production. Shazrinah Shazali graces our cover this month and our interview with her reveals her challenges

and triumphs in life and shows us just how life can throw us huge curveballs when we least expect it but we can still find an alternative and sometimes even more fulfilling path for ourselves. Sitting down with the incredible Emily Mogard gave us some insight into their wonderful family dynamics and how they stay close as a family but also allows her to have her own time and remain her own person. Last but not least, we were inspired to listen to the climbing stories told by Norikhsan Puteh, who is living, breathing proof that there is no excuse to keep fit and healthy and that age is indeed, just a number. Plus+ would also like to applaud Standard Chartered Bank for recently implementing a new maternity policy whereby their expectant mothers can take up to 20 weeks maternity leave as part of the bank’s efforts to encourage a better work/ life balance for t Many thanks and happy reading, The Plus Team

+Supported by: Ministry of Health (Brunei Darussalam) Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (Brunei Darussalam) Health Promotion Centre (Brunei Darussalam) Progresif Cellular Sdn Bhd

+Publisher information Nexploit Services Lot 4169, Kg Serambangun, Tutong TA 2541 Brunei Darussalam

+Have a story to share? Email it to  plusbrunei@gmail.com

+For business inquiries and distribution

Email it to  plusbrunei@gmail.com

+Get interactive with Plus Magazine +Publisher Nexploit Services +Editor-At-Large Plus Team +Writer Manisha Dhalani Liyana Sidek Jason Rumpun +Proof Reader Monica Lim +Marketing and Digital Content Nursadiqin Misir +Graphic Designer Anna Thien Oleh Melnyk John M. Rey

+Photographer Azree Hakim Salleh +Featuring Emily Mogard Maxine Medina Shazrinah Shazali Norikhsan Puteh +Logistic Hafiz Haji Sulaiman Baaqi Hisab +International Sales Md Mustaqim HHM Nashrul Abu Bakar +Local Sales Ak M Khairunnazeem Pg Abd Momin

All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part of it may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form of by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of Nexploit Services. Where option is expressed it is that of the author and does not necessarily reflect the editorial views of the publisher or Plus. All information in Plus is checked and verified to the best of the publisher’s ability, however the publisher cannot be held responsible for any mistake or omission enclosed in the publication.

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Plus Brunei

+Health

Busy Mum’s QUICK GUIDE TO STAYING HEALTHY

mother’s hands are always full — she’s constantly juggling things like prepping for meals, taking care of kids, looking after the house, managing work, and the list goes on.

how would you be able to keep your family healthy if you’re not feeling your best? Plus, you should lead by example for your kids — a healthy mom will give them the motivation to stay healthy, too.

So how does a busy mother make time to stay healthy? Mothers, more often than not, are known to put their own health in the back burner. Their hectic lifestyles are given priority over their well-being.

Sure, it sounds like an uphill battle. How can you set aside time to focus on your health while running around and keeping up with your busy schedule?

But it’s time to take a step towards change. While your family, work and household are of dire importance in your life, as a mother, your goal should be to provide overall good health for your family — including yourself. After all,

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Here are some solutions on how you can get started:

EAT WELL, STAY HYDRATED As a busy mother, it’s easy to choose “grab-and-go” options over preparing your own meals at home.

With the advent of frozen food, premade take-away options and 3-in-1 types of beverages, it’s tempting to purchase them to save time and effort on making fresh food for your family. But this is one thing you shouldn’t be compromising on. ¬¬ Start by removing junk, processed food and sugar-laden edibles from your home. ¬¬ Choose healthier options when grocery shopping. ¬¬ Find time to prepare your meals at home well in advance (consider meal planning). ¬¬ Make chopping vegetables a family affair with your spouse.

¬¬ Prepare healthy snacks such as nuts or a trail mix at home. ¬¬ Pack your lunches instead of eating out all the time to regulate your food intake.

GET EXERCISE (WITH AND WITHOUT YOUR KIDS) You’re probably thinking, “but I’m already running around the house and the kids all the time, do I need to throw a workout into the mix?”. The answer is yes. Exercise shouldn’t stress you out. It should be a routine that you do that keeps your body moving

at a steady pace and keeps your stress-levels at a minimum. Pick an easy workout and stick to a schedule of executing it in the comfort of your own home. For instance, have three 10-minute sessions whenever your baby or child takes a nap. Even better, get your family involved in your health regime. Go for walks to the park with your spouse and newborn. If your kids are a little older, play outdoor games or sports with them. And if they have it in town soon enough, join a gym with childcare facilities. That way, you get the best of both worlds.

GET ENOUGH SLEEP I can almost hear the smirks of new mothers about how sleep is almost impossible with a newborn or a young child. But nothing is impossible if you’re willing to get a little creative. There are options where you can guard your sleep. Get a babysitter to take care of your toddler while you get some shuteye. Take quick power naps when your baby goes to sleep so you can get rest and wake up on time to get work done while you baby is sound asleep, too. Rest gives you more clarity to handle the day’s

work, naturally making you a more nurturing and patient mother than you already are!

GET REGULAR CHECKUPS It’s not enough that you’re only visiting the doctor to keep track of your child’s health. You need to also make time to see your general practitioner to keep your health in check as well. Set reminders for regular check-ups and plan them in advance with your spouse or a trustworthy babysitter to ensure you don’t miss out on your important appointments at the doctor’s.

DON’T FORGET TO TAKE A BREATHER In the hustle and bustle of taking care of the household and your children, mothers often forget to stop and catch their breath. Research some breathing or even meditation techniques that will keep your head in the game and your health in check. If all else fails, get someone to take care of your baby for a few hours — possibly your husband or your parents and get some fresh air. After all, a happy woman makes a happy mother! Article Written By Manisha Dhalani

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May–June 2017

Fitness+

WORKOUT IDEAS WHEN YOU’RE HOME WITH YOUR BABY

f you’re a mother to a few-month year old baby, you are probably well-aware of how difficult it is to get any rest, let alone exercise done, around the house. Fortunately, with some ideas listed below, working out while you’re alone at home with your baby around is not too far from reality, and even better, can be something that you can eventually learn to prioritise. Before we begin, let’s get some preparation settled to ensure that your workouts are regular and effective:

FIGURE OUT THE BEST WORKOUT TIMES You know your baby best. What time he or she needs to milk, nap, be changed, etc. Sure, babies are not known to be predictable, but as a mother, you are the best person to figure out a suitable time-slot you can block for your daily workout.

GET IN THE MOOD Some articles may ask you to workout in whatever attire you are in — priority being to actually get your

exercise done. If that suits you, go for it. The point is for you to get into your mood and comfort spot to actually see through your fitness regime. Find out what works for you — do you need music, or the right kind of clothing? Does the space you workout in matter?

MINI WORKOUTS ARE THE WAY TO GO 10-minute segments of exercise routines. That’s the key to a busy mum’s workout routine. Every time you workout, focus on problem areas or

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+Fitness

a different part of your body. That way, you get a holistic approach in the short amount of time you get to workout in.

IF ALL ELSE FAILS, GET A WORKOUT PARTNER Do you feel safer with another set of eyes keeping watch over your baby while you exercise? Find a partner — whether it be your husband, your best friend, or even your fitness trainer. Get someone to take turns to hold and nurture your baby while you get the exercise you need to keep yourself healthy, which in turn will help to keep your baby healthy and happy, too. Now let’s get into the details. Here are some simple workout routine ideas that you could get started on today:

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Baby Bend: this move helps mothers stretch out their hamstrings and pays focus to the lower back. Sit down (preferably on a mat) and extend your legs in front of you, keeping them together. Lay your baby down on your legs and support him with your hands. Bend forward with ease from the hips. Bend as far as you can go. Hold ten seconds. Return to upright sitting position (you can always plant a kiss on your baby before rising back up). Repeat. Plank: Health consultants often recommend mothers to do this move as it’s a great way to strength core muscles. Place your baby in front of you on the floor so you can watch her while carrying this pose out. Hold your plank position for 20 seconds, rest and repeat for a minimum of 3 times. Hold it longer if you’re capable of doing so. Tree Pose: This exercise is great for mothers to gain back their balance,

post-delivery. Balance on your right leg, bend the left knee and place the sole of your left foot on your right leg (anywhere except the knee joint — go higher/lower depending on your comfort zone). Repeat on the other side. Other great workout routine tricks include dancing with your baby to soothing music that will encourage your baby’s mood and development. For a little bit of a fun, crawl alongside your baby from time to time to get those arms and legs working. While exercising at home, however, it is vital that you keep your both your and your baby’s safety in check. For yourself, warm up first before working out to minimise your proneness to injury. In addition, keep your baby out of harm’s way while you workout — preferably placing them around where you are so you can keep an eye on them. Article Written By Manisha Dhalani

+Fitness

EXERCISING DURING PREGNANCY: SAFETY TIPS

he doctor finally gives you the good news you’ve been waiting for — you’re expecting. You and your partner are over the moon.

Exercising while pregnant…

Congratulations on this new phase of your life!

¬¬ Reduces chances of pregnancy-related diabetes

Becoming pregnant is indeed a joyful occasion. However, it doesn’t call for you to turn into a couch potato with the excuse of not “moving around too much” due to your condition. In fact, pregnancy is a time where you should pay extra attention to your health, and being pregnant is not an excuse not to exercise.

¬¬ Reduces symptoms of depression

Before we delve into the dos and don’ts of exercising during your pregnancy, let’s first take stock of the situation:

¬¬ Exercise alleviates stress on joints, muscles and back

Should a woman even consider exercising during pregnancy? The simple answer to this is yes. Having said that, the intensity of the exercise regime that you perform during pregnancy highly depends on your activity prior to your journey of becoming a mother. If you carried out minimal exercise during your non-pregnant days, then stick to light exercise while pregnant. On the other hand, if your body is already accustomed to medium or high intensity fitness regimes, you may carry on to do so, but with extra precaution and safety measures, which we will highlight further below. Let’s first get into the basics of the matter: what benefits can a pregnant woman derive from exercising while carrying a baby?

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¬¬ Reduces risk of pregnancy complications ¬¬ Regulates blood pressure

¬¬ Better mood and energy levels ¬¬ Promotes blood circulation ¬¬ Increased stamina which is pivotal during childbirth ¬¬ Good for oxygen

¬¬ Improves posture ¬¬ Decreases backaches and fatigue The list does seem endless when it comes to supporting the need for maintaining a fitness regime when you are expecting. Naturally, however, being in a such a fragile state, these benefits come with a disclaimer. Precautions to take if exercising during pregnancy… ¬¬ Exercises that involve lying on your back ¬¬ High-risk exercises that could cause you to fall such as horse-riding, aerobics, downhill cycling, skiing, skating etc ¬¬ Contact sports that involve possibility of getting hit in the stomach (football, Muay Thai, etc)

¬¬ High-altitude exercising like trekking or underwater activities like scuba-diving that may affect your breathing or pressure ¬¬ Don’t exercise in high heat or humidity ¬¬ Stop if you feel pain, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath or if there’s any bleeding Now that we’ve gotten the all-important precautions to take out of the way, let’s focus on some recommended tips that the pregnant you should consider. Before you start, it’s important that you get yourself a good pair of sneakers or walking shoes. You want to keep your feet firm on the ground and give yourself good balance because the last thing we want is for you to fall. Wear comfortable and breathable clothing to allow you to move better in your already fragile condition. Begin by doing some warm-up exercises. Stretch your arms and do some leg rotations — nothing highly intensive. Just as with any regular fitness regime, you must gently ease your body into performing exercises so as not to strain your muscles, making you less prone to injuries. If you’re going to the gym, then having an instructor will be helpful to guide you on what exercise routines to work on. No instructor? No problem.

Here are the top-most preferred exercise routines recommended for pregnant women: ¬¬ Stationary biking ¬¬ Yoga (eliminate all postures that require you to lie on your back) ¬¬ Swimming or walking in water The key to maintaining a good fitness regime during your pregnancy, and even when you’re not, is to listen to your body. Keeping yourself hydrated with ample intake of water and ensuring enough consumption of good calories are vital to you and your baby’s overall health. Another important factor to consider is the need to adjust your physical activity over time as you approach your due date. As your belly gets bigger with your baby’s looming arrival, regulate your workouts and get ample rest for your body and for your baby’s development. If you feel unsure about any of the changes in your body and how you can exercise based on the trimester you’re in, always consult your doctor. Stay healthy, for your baby’s health begins with you. Article Written By Manisha Dhalani

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May–June 2017

+Focus

ROLE OF A HUSBAND DURING PREGNANCY P

regnancy can be one of the most exciting periods in any woman’s life. Often you will hear of women who actually miss the feeling of being pregnant, and may even try to get pregnant again. But pregnancy isn’t only about the woman. While physically it is purely about the woman, emotionally and in terms of support, the father has a role to play in the process as well. After all, it is also his child. Research has proven that a woman’s pregnancy journey is directly correlated to how much the father is involved.

BEING UNDERSTANDING The father’s role goes far beyond decorating the baby’s room, or picking a name. Those are the beautiful

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Kodak moments that Hollywood likes to highlight to us. Being the supportive husband can get tiring and frustrating, and she might feel irritable, maybe even at the sight of you. But it is your duty as the partner, to understand that she goes through mood swings. Remember that her hormones aren’t normal. The food she normally likes to eat may taste like plastic to her, and she may want you to make a 60km round trip to get that Pulut Panggang all the way from Tutong, only for her not to eat it when you come back. Maybe she just wants you to go away. Maybe she genuinely wanted that Pulut Panggang at that point in time but may not be craving for it anymore. It is normal that not all women are able to clearly articulate their feelings at any point in time, and this truth can be multiplied many times over when

they are pregnant. It pays as a father to stay calm and not to take things to heart. The best way to work around all of this is to remember the end goal, which is the birth of your child, and how best you can smoothen the process for your wife.

BE SUPPORTIVE It goes without saying that being pregnant is physically and mentally tiring, and a husband can do no harm by helping out in household tasks. Is there something in the kitchen that needs to be cooked or cleaned? What about the laundry? It isn’t hard to put the clothes in the washer and to hang it up later on. If this is not your first child then there are other kids to take care of. Have you prepared their breakfast? Are

+Focus they of schooling age? Then there are uniforms to prepare, as well as ensuring they have time for their homework. Marriage is a role for two, and that truth is amplified even more during pregnancy. Don’t leave out the boring task of taking out the trash, sweeping or vacuuming the floors, changing the bed linen, dusting out the nook and crannies around the house. Not everyone can afford to have a maid, which is why she will appreciate the tasks you volunteer for her even more. Are you also financially ready to be a father? Having a child is not cheap, with diapers and milk powders being some of the more expensive products on the market. Be prepared to spend an average of around $500 minimum on these alone, which may mean a reduction in the excessive lifestyle you may be used to. Now would be a good time to cut down on that expensive gym membership and look for cheaper options, or to hold back from purchasing the latest mobile phone. If all else fails, be prepared to work for your overtime pay, or do odd jobs to make sure that you have the purchasing power to be a dad. There are roles that should specifically be done by the father. Take the day off and accompany your wife to her checkups. Find out about her birth plan. Prepare the hospital bag 3 months in advance. Attend parenting classes together. Do some baby shopping, as the experience tends to be an exciting one for the ladies, and an expensive one for the men, but it is a memorable part of preparing for the arrival of your little one. Last but not least, learn to be a masseuse as she will definitely complain about backaches. Little gestures will go a long way in making her pregnancy as comfortable as possible. Remember to be present for her physically and emotionally and you will be in the good books, especially if you want to have a big family.

GET EDUCATED I don’t mean for you to get a PhD in pregnancy. But learn how pregnancy changes a woman’s body. Each trimester is a learning lesson for both husband and wife. As a man, you will probably have learnt about her mood swings before you said “I do”, and at

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no point does that knowledge come in more handy than in the first trimester. It will be very common for the lady to feel moody, irritable, demanding and worried during this period. First time mothers will definitely feel the hormones more as she gets cravings for the most random stuff ever, including items she wouldn’t eat previously even if you paid her, and she starts questioning her ability to be a good mother. Very often pregnant mothers will start seeing themselves as fat, and no amount of convincing will appease her unnecessary concerns. Tell her she’s beautiful, and tell her all the time. Have you learnt how to change a diaper? Spoken to other dads about their experience? Are you aware of the difference between a natural childbirth and caesarean birth, and how certain situations might need your wife to go for caesarean even though you planned for it to be natural? Learn about post-partum depression as you will be at the receiving end of it most of the time but need to know it is not intentional. Watch out also for Couvade Syndrome, where the male partner exhibits pregnancy signs too. Don’t worry, it is not a real life rendition of Junior with Arnold, but it is common for males to also show signs of

fatigue, sleepiness, morning sickness and irritability. This is entirely normal and it isn’t about the hormones going crazy in the male partner, it is merely the partner reflecting the conditions experienced by the woman, a phase which will eventually pass.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF With all the attention on your wife, it is normal to feel a little neglected. Despite your best efforts, it will be normal for emotions to get the better of her. Focus on her, but remember that it takes two to tango, and that you have your needs too. Get plenty of rest, as it will seem like a luxury after the birth of your child. Being a dad is great motivation to make a change in your life, as you want to be the best version of yourself, so learn to eat and stay healthy. Catch up with your friends and share the good news, and ask for their understanding if they don’t see you much over the coming months. Save up your leave days as you will need them for when you might be called home at a moment’s notice. No amount of preparation and reading will prepare you for when it happens, but when it does, it is best to face the situation as prepared as you can be.

+Health

STEM CELL STORAGE: NOT YOUR AVERAGE BEAUTY ROUTINE

n the eyes of the general public, the idea of using stem cells is probably associated more with finding the potion of eternal youth rather than a treatment for more serious diseases like leukemia and thalassemia. There may also be questions about why the subject of stem cells should be associated with the birth of a baby, rather than the use of a goat’s placenta. Even if one is somewhat exposed to the notion of stem cell storage, it is highly likely that many will assume, due to its complexity, such options for pregnant mothers will probably only be available in more developed countries, instead of “not so advanced Brunei”. What actually is Stem Cell Storage? Stem cell storage, or to use its medical name, Cord Blood Banking, is the process of collecting the blood from a newborn’s umbilical cord, which

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contains stem cells in its embryonic state, that can be used to regenerate or replace other cells in the body. But why must it be collected at birth? The only other confirmed source of stem cells other than in the umbilical cord, is in the bone marrow. Healthy stem cells in the bone marrow are one of the treatment options for several types of cancers, but it is a painful and expensive procedure for the paying patient. Collecting and storing the stem cells from birth is non-invasive, and also has the added bonus of allowing relatives of the baby to use the stem cells, should their Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) profile match. There are however studies that show stem cells are also available in the adipose fat tissue in grown adults, but as with all medical advancements, it will be quite some time before this is accepted as a viable source.

Is collecting stem cells harmful for the mother and baby? This is possibly the number one question of any parent considering this, as of course while you want the best for your baby, you don’t want it to come at the cost of harming your baby. Thankfully, the collection of stem cells is done after the mother gives birth. Once the baby is born, it is normal practice for the doctor to cut off the umbilical cord attaching the mother and the baby. Regardless of whether the parents opt for lotus births, eventually the baby will have to be removed from the umbilical cord. This would be the point where the blood flowing from the umbilical cord is collected and sent for storage. The process is quite seamless, and a majority of mothers have reported not even realizing the blood was being collected, as it is such a simple and painless procedure.

What happens to the stem cells once they are collected? All cord blood collected are sent to a laboratory for processing and freezing into a cryogenic state, usually around -180 degrees, only to be taken out when it is required in the future. The location of the laboratory is dependent on the medical facility of the parents’ choice. Of the 3 companies that have a presence in the private hospital sector in Brunei, Cryocord and Stemlife are based in Kuala Lumpur, while Stemcord are based in Singapore. At these laboratories, the blood is tested for viruses such as HIV and hepatitis, before being preserved in a cryogenic chamber. Stem cell storage has only been around for 25 years, which is the extent of its current known preservation life, however scientists claim that in theory, frozen cord blood can be stored indefinitely. What diseases and conditions can be treated with stem cells? Based on current medical knowledge, there are only a few approved clinical uses of stem cell treatment. The most established and widely used stem cell treatment is to treat the diseases and conditions of the blood and immune system, such as those affecting the red and white blood cells, or to restore

the blood system after chemotherapy treatment. Stem cells have also been used to grow skin grafts for patients with severe burns on very large areas of the body. In Europe, stem cell therapy has also been approved to repair damage to the cornea affected by chemical burns. While the options are still limited, most scientists agree that it is only a matter of time before more medical conditions receive the approval to be treated with stem cell therapy. How much does it cost to collect and store cord blood? Depending on the options chosen, stem cell collection for a Bruneian can cost anything upwards of BND2000! When you consider the costs of having a baby, this is definitely a price too high for many families, and may be the main factor deciding why more parents do not go for this option. Most companies also charge an annual fee between BND200 – BND500, and when you add it all up, it would be no surprise to see the treatment a popular choice amongst the wealthy rather than the mainstream. In Europe and the Americas, collection of stem cells are a little cheaper, while in countries where birth rates are low such as Singapore, subsidies are given to citizens who opt for stem

cell collection, and they can get up to 100% rebates on the fees. It wouldn’t be wise to go into debt for this, but it may be the price parents put on having a healthy child which ultimately determines what is considered affordable and worth their money. Where is the best place to obtain information? Dr Google is quite useful when it comes to research, but the best people to consult are the experts. Your doctor is the first person you should ask, as they are most exposed to the procedure of stem cell collection. The midwife is also usually a good source of information, as it is likely they will be assisting the doctor in the collection of cord blood during delivery. Other than the local healthcare practitioners, the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cellular Therapy (FACT) is the body that certifies if a facility has met the criteria for patient care and laboratory practices. They are the main certification body used in major nations such as the USA, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and should be the most reliable source of information. Article by: Jason Rumpun

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+Products

SIMBA PRODUCT REVIEW

SIMBA OFFERS HIGH QUALITY AND EYE CATCHING PRODUCTS FOR BOTH YOU AND YOUR BABY TO ENJOY!

SIMBA MOSQUITO REPELLANT LOTION Mommies Review The last thing you would want for your child are pesky mosquito bites. Slip this lotion in your bag and you’re set for a day out with your gem! Our mommies had no problems with carrying ir this product around in the no s wa re the se bags becau leakage and it is durable. and The lotion glides on easy ’re you If n. ski absorbs into the to t no ell, sm the t ou afraid ab e to worry! Your little one is sur one. s thi of like the fruity scent

SIMBA THUMB SHAPED PACIFIER

You will not have to worry about breakage with this pacifier! Your little ones are sure to enjoy this handmade pacifier without having it break as it is made to last at least one to two years! Mommies Review First of all, it’s thumb-shaped! The little ones are more familiar with shapes like these, hence they are more attracted to it. The designs are also very attention grabbing with attractively bright colours and lion designs. This pacifier comes with a carry case so you won’t have to worry about finding ways to carry it around on daily excursions!

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SIMBA WET WIPES

t wipes that do If you’re looking for we chemicals, this is just not contain any harsh ! These wet wipes what you’re looking for Cleaning has just ter. contain 100% pure wa t wipes can be used we e es Th r! gotten easie s, even brushing your for many different thing baby ’s teeth!

SIMBA STANDARD NECK FEEDING BOTTLE

ttle’s The Simba Feeding Bo he lyp po of de plastic is ma is ich wh ) SU (PP ne nylsulfo c sti pla a high performing lerthat has better heat to of ds kin r he ot ance than d it an e fre A BP is It c. plasti or od y does not absorb an ed ne n’t wo or colour. You tly to worry about constan g din fee ur yo g gin chan ain! bottle over and over ag ll wi e ttl This feeding bo r stay clear with no colou nip ne co sili e Th . ge chan th wi n ple from Japan ca red su as t res d stand bites an use ca or k ea br t no ll that it wi e! on any harm to your little can e ttl Bo The Simba Feeding also n ca It . ars ye last up to two py Sip e th o int d me be transfor ws gro t ou Cup when your child us th uld co It e. the feeding bottl a for nt hu e th u yo e very well sav new sippy cup! Mommies Review shaped! First of all, it’s thumbre familThe little ones are mo ese, hence iar with shapes like th to it. The ted rac they are more att ention att ry ve o als designs are ely bright grabbing with attractiv . This ns colours and lion desig case rry ca a th wi pacifier comes about rry wo to ve ha so you won’t d on un aro it finding ways to carry daily excursions!

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+Life inspired

SHAZRINAH SHAZALI:

“The Woman Behind The Challenges” CHALLENGES AND OBSTACLES ARE CONSTANTS IN LIFE. IT IS HOW YOU RISE FROM THEM THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

t only 24 years old, Shazrinah Shazali has seen a lot of the highs and lows that life has to offer. She lived her entire life with a road map in hand ready to take on the world and her future. She did not walk through life, she ran. She grew up a very active child who loved to run and swim. She used to bag gold and silver medals home from sports day, she played her cello in music recitals and she exposed herself to

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public speaking and debates. She pursued a degree in Neuroscience, and at a young age, she knew she was set for life. She was prepared and felt secured. But no one can ever be prepared for everything life throws at them. 2015 was the year everything seemed to come crumbling down in Shazrinah’s life. She had to undergo one major surgery that took away

everything she had, everything she had worked for and everything she had ever dreamt of. Fast forward to today, and she is now recovered and happily married with a baby princess on the way. How did she overcome a challenge she thought she’d never bounce back from? We had the pleasure of hearing her story!

Tell us a bit about your childhood years. Throughout primary and secondary school, everything revolved around sports, music and just school in general. When I left for New Zealand for high school, I decided that I needed to try new things. I ended up completely stopping all the sports I used to do and just focused on academics. I started doing public speaking and debates, which were things that you would think you would never see me doing. Throughout high school, I focused more on the creative side too. I participated in music competitions for my cello and I joined many school shows. I also joined a speech competition called the “Race Unity Speech Competition”. We competed against different high schools in Dunedin and I represented Bayfield High School. I gave a speech on good neighbours in terms of race unity. I won runner up in that competition! Going to New Zealand opened my eyes to take on leadership roles. Back when I focused solely on sports, I never wanted to become team captain. I had always wanted to be just one of the team players and to do work behind the scenes. I never saw myself as a leader until I went to New Zealand, where I had to be involved in a lot of leadership roles. Being in another country at a young age also gave me the opportunity to start finding out who I really was. These opportunities opened up doors for me in university. How was it settling back in Brunei after being away? When I came back to Brunei after my graduation, everyone started telling me that I was getting so fat! That led me to start doing exercises like spinning, Zumba and Insanity. I went from weighing 73kg to 63kg by just exercising, keeping active and watching my

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diet. I think that because I left home at an early age, it made me learn a lot of things on my own a lot faster. Back in New Zealand, I ventured into cooking and that was how I found my love for it. There is one thing I also realized about fitness. Nutrition plays a part, yes, but you end up reaching a point where you are working out so much that you end up eating more than you think your body can take. Coming from a neuroscience background, I’ve always known that our bodies are in a constant burning phase. I lost a lot of weight because of that! How important is fitness to you? I came back from New Zealand weighing pretty heavily! Then I lost 10kg over the course of graduating from my Bachelors Degree and getting accepted for my Masters. When I went to Sheffield for my Masters, I joined the gym and went out for jogs. I also started ShefShaz. I started ShefShaz as an Instagram page so I could share the food and recipes that I’ve made. I didn’t really expect the things it would bring me in the future. It was something that I did for fun and I found joy in it. I would usually cook my food and share pictures of them on the Instagram page. I got so many followers, which was very unexpected! I started being recognized as ShefShaz and I thought that was pretty cool! After I graduated my Masters, I came back to Brunei and that’s when I started CrossFit. While I was in Sheffield, I started noticing people doing CrossFit. I was a bit hesitant to try it out at first because I thought it was very much focused on weightlifting and elite athletes who do CrossFit seem to be very bulky! I didn’t think it was for me. However, I got in touch with one of the CrossFit affiliates in Brunei and I was told that there was a Foundations/Beginners class. I still remember driving to the box and feeling very nervous because I didn’t know what to expect! Before that, I had never lifted heavy weights. As the weeks progressed, I kept coming back to the CrossFit classes and I realized how much

I actually liked it. Everything is pretty much set for you. You come into the gym and the workout is ready for you. You also get to meet a lot of different people. It started to feel more like home. Everyone there felt like family. I remember those days when I would stay back after the class to go out and have dinner with everyone. CrossFit introduced me to weightlifting and competitions. I have competed in netball, swimming, and athletics competitions when I was younger but CrossFit is a whole different game. How exactly did everything turn upside down so quick? I started experiencing fainting spells. I remember I was at an event on a ship and all I remember was being so scared. After that fainting episode, I was rushed to JPMC. At first the doctors told me that it was normal because of my height. They did not notice anything wrong at first. My husband (who was my boyfriend at that time) insisted that I needed a second opinion. So I went to Kuala Lumpur for a full medical check up. That was when I found out about a tumor that was compressing a vein that pumps blood to my heart. When I found out, the tumor was already compressing 60% of my vein. In a way, I was grateful that I found out about it quite early. Yet at the same time, it was frustrating because I was already in a really good place. After my Masters, I was awarded the Graduate Research Scholarship at UBD to do my PhD. I was not only under a scholarship to do my studies, but I was also getting an allowance that allowed me to self-sustain myself. I was doing things that I loved so much. I didn’t have to rely on anyone for that. When I found out about the tumor, I ended up stopping everything. I had to stop CrossFit because it wasn’t safe anymore. I had to take a leave of absence from doing my PhD, which was really tough! I was already doing so many things and I had started so many things. I was getting publications written and I had just done my first mini conference. I felt like I was in such a good place! When I found out that

I had to get surgery done as soon as possible, it felt like there was a huge hole in my world. I just didn’t know what to do anymore. I was so lost. When the tumor happened, it felt like things slowly slipped away. I had an issue with my scholarship because I was gone for more than 2 weeks, so I lost my scholarship. Everything just seemed unfair to me. I had always been the type of person who knew what I wanted. I had always wanted to get a PhD and I knew I wanted to be academically successful. I had the surgery in August 2015. I came back to Brunei after 2 months of recovery in KL and I had a wedding to organize. I got married in December 2015. I was dealing with a lot of things. I was thinking of ways to keep my scholarship and I was thinking of ways to stay fit for my wedding. The biggest question for me at the time was, what’s next? Where am I going in life? I didn’t have a Plan B. Plan A had always worked out for me. When I applied to my high school in New Zealand, I got accepted. When I wanted to go to university, I had the grades to get in on my own grounds. When I wanted to go to the UK for my Masters, I managed to get accepted. When I came back to Brunei, I got the scholarship to do my PhD here in Brunei. My Plan A was going so well! At that point in my life, I never thought that I would need a Plan B. After I got married, I wasn’t able to go back to my PhD. My scholarship was gone and I was advised to take 6 months off from everything. I ended up taking more than 6 months off to recover even further from my surgery. It felt like it was the end of the road for me. I just didn’t know what to do anymore. I just gave up. Share with us how you climbed back up from such a low point in life. At that time, I still had my Instagram page for ShefShaz. My husband and I came up with the idea to use ShefShaz as a business to provide healthy food alternatives for lunch. I really wanted to do what I believed

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May–June 2017

Life inspired+ through this. Some people have their own business but they want something else. My husband has a full-time job but he would like to start something else of his own. I have my own business but I want to have the stability of a full-time job. I think that’s the challenge for many people. I don’t think I have fully overcome my all my challenges but I have new ones now. I have the biggest challenge on the way too which is a baby coming soon! Coming from rock bottom and climbing back up to be where I am now, I’m just grateful. If people were to ask me what’s next for ShefShaz, I can honestly say I don’t know. I had planned out my entire life, but suddenly it just didn’t work out for me. in. I wanted to prove that you could eat healthy and not have to spend so much. I also wanted to show that eating healthy didn’t mean going all green. It could just be alternating your carbs and cooking your food in a healthier way. That was the concept of ShefShaz. I registered ShefShaz, I received the certificate, I changed the logo and I uploaded my first menu in early March. I was surprised at the number of orders that rolled in! To be honest, it was more of a trial thing but it ended up doing so well! It wasn’t the exact direction I wanted to go in life. I came from a science background and I was more interested in working with people who had mental illnesses. I went from having a Neuroscience Masters Degree to cooking. I never saw myself doing that. It was a huge challenge. Cooking for a lot of people is a challenge in itself. I didn’t know how the estimations worked. I didn’t have a nutrition background so I didn’t know how to portion meals properly. But as time went by, I got more comfortable with it. However, I still felt like something was missing. I missed the interaction with people. That was when I was introduced to Special Olympics. I started volunteering for their events. I was eventually invited to be a part of the SOBD committee. I also started coaching their athletes. It helped that I had a background in fitness too. I felt that this was my missing link. Coming out of surgery, I felt like there was a big hole. I always thought that it was the PhD because I had always wanted that ever since I was younger. However, I slowly realized that wanting to have a PhD

was such a small thing. For some people it might mean so much, and at that time, it meant the world to me because I wanted to achieve something of that caliber. When I started being involved with SOBD, I realized that my passion was working with people with special needs and providing them with opportunities that were not academic. I was earning my own money from ShefShaz so I didn’t have to worry about other people funding me and on top of that, I got to spend my weekends coaching. What helped you through the tough times? It was the shock of going back to zero. I felt like I was a hundred percent sound and secure in life. Having all those securities stripped away from you and hitting rock bottom was really tough for me. All because I did not have Plan B. ShefShaz gave me hope. I loved being able to cook healthy meals and sharing them with people. Volunteering for SOBD is also one of my passions. SOBD is my breather away from ShefShaz which is pretty much my 24/7 now. Having ShefShaz and SOBD, it diminished whatever challenges I had. I do admit that it is a challenge now. I am 7 months pregnant and I am still cooking and handling my business. I wake up at 6am every morning to cook and then I do my deliveries. It can get very challenging. It’s quite a hefty job. It is rewarding, but I have to slow down somehow. I have thought about applying for a full-time job. I think it’s normal for people to go

What advice would you give to people who feel like they are at the end of the road? My advice would be to not give up. There are always things in life that you are passionate about, whether it earns you income or not. Are you willing to spend that much effort on something that earns you nothing but gives you great rewards? Or are you willing to spend time on something that earns you no satisfaction but big rewards? It’s up to you. Some people feel like they are at the end of the road not because they aren’t financially sound. Some people feel like they are at the end of road because they are unemployed. It’s crazy to think how many people feel that way. I definitely felt like I was at the end of my road. But now I feel like there’s no end to my road because you create your own paths. After everything was taken away from me, I created my own path in life. I opened myself up to different opportunities. You have to be willing to grab opportunities that come. Don’t be selfish in what you think is best for yourself. I thought a PhD was the best thing for me but I found that ShefShaz and working with special needs people is actually more fulfilling. Remember that your road never ends. FEATURING: Shazrinah Shazali ARTICLE BY: Liyana Sidek PHOTOGRAPHER: Asree HAIR BY: WoMen Hair

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+Life inspired

NORIKHSAN PUTEH ”THE CONTINUOUS CLIMB TO A HEALTHY LIFE”

hat are the best kinds of stories? Why, the kind told by a mother of seven and grandmother of two about her mountain climbing adventures, of course! Her stories about her adventures are breathtaking and she is living proof that age should not be a limit to your fitness and passion. All throughout her life, Norikhsan has kept active with all sorts of activities. Her active lifestyle started at an early age and she has never looked back since. Not even motherhood stopped her! With passion and determination, she climbed mountains in different countries and conquered her fears while doing so. She also experienced climbing to Everest basecamp! She let nothing get in the way of her passion and health.

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May–June 2017

+Life inspired How was your first climbing experience? I was sixteen years old! I didn’t know anything about climbing mountains. I remember the experience very well. It was a scout outing to bring cub scouts to climb the peak of Mt. Kinabalu. We were even carrying bicycles! I was there to accompany them and make sure that even the youngest scout would reach the peak safely. I had never climbed before that! Amazingly, we all did it! I did treks and hiked occasionally, but I had never climbed a mountain before that. However, for reasons unknown, when they invited me to join for the first time, I just agreed! I remember that time very well when I thought to myself “What have I gotten myself into?!” Everything went well until it dawned on me that we all had to wake up at two in the morning to climb. It was freezing! It was fun, but at the same time difficult. I have no idea how I even reached the peak! Did you continue climbing mountains right after that first experience? I actively went trekking until I finished my studies. When I started working, I kept active. I was doing Zumba, and I went on runs too. I also jet-skied! Back in 2010, my cousin and a few others went for a medical check up at the place I was working at. When they invited me to join their climb, I thought “You must be crazy!”. He kept inviting me and I kept putting it off. But somewhere along the way, I started running again and a few years later, a late friend of mine started a hiking activity at Shahbandar. My very first try got me thinking that I’d never do that again! But I did come back and I even found a shortcut to the route. From then on, I just kept going back for more. That was how I gave in to my cousin’s requests to join his treks. My first trek was at Tasek. It was the 21st of December 2014. I doubted myself, so I started making a lot of excuses. Somehow to my surprise, it was easy! That was when I started looking for more. I started training and going on more treks. I then climbed Mt. Merapi on the 28th or 29th of April 2014. I even celebrated my birthday on top of Mt. Prau!

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What was your most memorable climb? It was when I was climbed Mt. Rinjani. A lot of people would say climbing Mt. Rinjani is difficult and it is! Here’s the thing, I didn’t just do it for myself. What kept me going was the fact that I did it for the ones I love. I climbed the mountain for my niece, for my parents, and for my patients. In April 2016, I got selected to climb with The ASEAN Friendship Trekking Expedition Team. These are a group of trekkers who come from all over Asia. What was the biggest obstacle while climbing Mt. Rinjani? It was the fact that it’s very cold at night! Another thing was that, climbing Mt. Rinjani was quite difficult because when you take one step forward, you will slide down two or three steps backwards. It gets you

frustrated, because it feels like you’ll never reach the peak! But whenever I felt like giving up, I told myself that I have already climbed so far! What’s a few hundred metres more to go? So I picked myself up and kept climbing. Concentration helps too. Climbing Mt. Rinjani especially needs concentration. One wrong step can make you slide down. If you concentrate and watch where you step, you will be just fine. You must really love climbing mountains to be able to block out the fear! How do you do it? The moment I put on my gear, I just cannot wait to start climbing! When the guide tells us that our transport has arrived to bring us to the base camp, I think that is my happiest moment! When I start trekking, all my worries and stress just disappears. The excitement and happiness helps!

+Life inspired

I remember the one time I came down with a flu the night before a climb. My cousin told me that I was not allowed to join the climb if I was not feeling better the next day. That very night, I took my medicine, went to bed and woke up the next morning to get my gear ready. I was determined to not miss that climb! I was ready to do all it took to feel good enough for that climb. The scenery you see from the top of mountains is out of this world! It’s nothing like what you see from below. It’s very beautiful. The moment you reach the top of mountain, the tranquility you feel is something you don’t get in the busy cities we live. Tell us about your experience at the Everest basecamp. Oh it was great! Can you believe that they have WiFi?! Wherever I was, I was still connected to the rest of the world. I could share photos with my friends and family right away! The Nepalese people were also very nice and hospitable! They took very good care of us. It was such an amazing experience with them.

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My cousin, unfortunately, got sick in the middle of journey. He had food poisoning from Day 1, when we were two stops away from Everest basecamp. It was an emotional time for us because he handed over the flag to my other cousin and I. His oxygen level was getting low and they had to carry him down. My other cousin then fell sick one stop away from the basecamp. He handed the flag over to me. I kept my promise to reach Everest basecamp and I made them promise me that they would survive. It was a very emotional time for me. I walked and climbed for both my cousins and for all the people in Brunei. How was it like juggling motherhood and an active lifestyle? I have always loved jet-skiing. I also did a bit of running. But I did not climb mountains. Now that all my children are grown up, I have more time for myself. I am also glad to say that my kids join me for activities like night walks at Tasek. My kids are also very active in their own sports. My youngest daughter plays touch rugby and my youngest son plays frisbee.

I also used to bring my girls out for Zumba. Do you believe that mothers and even grandmothers can keep active? Yes! I know a few mountaineers who are grandmothers! They still climb actively! It’s true that sometimes we get busy juggling a lot of things in life. But you have to make time. There is no such thing as not being able to keep yourself fit. If you are not healthy, you will get sick. If you’re sick, who’s going to look after your family? Do something that you like, and do it well. You don’t have to climb mountains or do extreme sports. Just be healthy. This is also very important for young mothers. Don’t be afraid to make your health and fitness a priority. FEATURING: Norikhsan Puteh ARTICLE BY: Liyana Sidek PHOTOGRAPHS PROVIDED BY: Norikhsan Puteh

+Life inspired

34 PLUS May–June 2017

EMILY MOGARD: “Athlete. Coach. Power Mom”

AN ATHLETE, A COACH, A WIFE AND A MOTHER OF FOUR. ALL MOTHERS OUT THERE WOULD AGREE THAT BEING A MOM IS A FULL-TIME JOB. BUT HOW DOES EMILY MOGARD JUGGLE EVERYTHING AND STILL KEEP A BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL SMILE ON HER FACE EVERY TIME SHE STEPS INTO THE GYM?

mily grew up in Iowa where she kept active most of her childhood years. She was introduced to an active lifestyle and sports at a young age. That led her to be a part of the rowing team in her university. She met her husband, Michael Mogard, who was a part of the baseball team in university and this lifestyle continued into their marriage and eventually their family. The couple launched Reebok Crossfit 673 in 2012, and that was the beginning of their life here in Brunei. Emily shares with us her passion of being a mom, the challenges she had to overcome and the happiness her family and children bring her.

What were the main challenges of settling in Brunei and a whole different culture? We really love having and raising our young family here! Finding the opportunities and social structure for our kids to fit into has been quite unique because we are here on our own. This has led to some challenges for our kids and family because we had to create our own paths. Being away from family is definitely difficult. We try to make it back home every year but even so, it’s a long way from family. If there’s one thing that we could change, we would put Brunei and the US close together because we

love our life in Brunei but we do have a hard time being away from family. We would love to see them more often than we actually do. It takes a lot of getting used to. What made you decide that moving to Brunei was the right choice? How did you overcome the rough times? There had been a few forks in the road, one with our youngest son being very ill. Sometimes we think that maybe we would experience a different kind of success if we did this back in the States just because the cultural barrier wouldn’t exist there. But we really do have peace in our hearts that it is right for us to be here.

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May–June 2017

We really like the freedom of having our own box (gym). Our kids are a part of it and it is something that we do as a family. We have free access to it and we get to do something that we love. So even when things aren’t going so well or there are challenges, we think about how cool it is that we get to do things together as a family, how much time we spend together and how our kids get so many opportunities! If the box wasn’t ours, then maybe we wouldn’t be able to include our kids as much and maybe I wouldn’t have as much freedom and flexibility to coach when it works for me. Our family values can be met here and that keeps us pretty grounded. What are the challenges of being a mom and an athlete at the same time? When you’re still in the childbirth and pregnancy stage, it can get difficult

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because your body is going through so many changes and there is just so much being demanded of you just by carrying, delivering a baby and then recovering from that. Now that I’m out of that stage, it’s just the busy state of all the kids’ activities and attending to them. When I train or coach, it’s an “untouchable time”. That time is guarded for me. The rest of the time is for my kids. I’m home schooling them right now and I try to give them as much exposure, lessons and activities. The thing is, the time I’m at the box is my time away from them. The beauty of this though, is that I get to merge it together. I get to bring one kid along with me to the box and that’s the quality time we spend together. It’s time for just me, but I also get to pull in one kid, spend time with them and give them that focused attention which is really special for them and also really special for me. It’s just a matter

of finding ways to make it work and make it a win for everyone. It is also a matter of doing something important for my own personal happiness, health and fitness, and not letting that get sacrificed because of my kids. It is good to let them see how committed and dedicated I am to what I do because that builds something good in them. At the same time, it shouldn’t be too much that it reaches the point where they would ever wonder once if workout comes before them, because they will always come first. I make sure I always communicate with them. I always tell them to let me know if they’re sick, if they need to do something, if there are any scheduling conflicts or if they just ever need me. I want them to know that they will always come first. I get really focused when I train for a competition and they’re all super

Life inspired+

understanding! There are just always extra things to do at the box during competition season and they’re all very understanding! Just between my husband and I as a couple, we give everything we need to give just for him to have a good workout attempt for a competition, whether he needs extra rest or extra warm up time. Whatever he needs, we do everything we can to support him to have the best attempt possible. Vice versa, when it’s my turn, they’re so good at giving me extra time or extra focus. Because they want to see me do well! They understand CrossFit and they’ve all taken an interest in it. They know what’s going on and they know how important it is for me. They make my job so easy! They are really a good support! We show our kids the rules of the box. We show them how to navigate the place well whenever they’re around. They have a pretty good understanding of what

they can or cannot touch, where they can or cannot go and when they can talk to people and when they shouldn’t disturb someone in the middle of a workout. We teach them from a very young age how to govern themselves in the box, so they have a really keen understanding on that. Fortunately for us, they all really enjoy it. The box is a place they like to be in and it’s a privilege that they get to come along. They all enjoy it each in their own way. Calla really loves the gymnastics side of CrossFit. Miah takes a slam in the weightlifting part of it. Jaimon does more of the whole thing. We’re still seeing where Zion will land. Within the scene of CrossFit, they have their own strengths and interest. We really want fitness and exercise to be built in into their lives. As long as they build fitness and exercise into their daily life, we give them the freedom to express it however they want. We’re not pushing them into it but there is an expectation

that they need to do something that will promote fitness in their daily life. Before everything else, have you ever doubted that being a mom, athlete and coach all at the same time was possible? I had no idea that I would be in this place and I love it! I’m the fittest I’ve ever been! I have always been active and athletic in the past but this is the fittest I’ve been and very much integrated into a community. I was a schoolteacher before we had kids. That was the career path I had. Now, I get to mix that with fitness. Because coaching is teaching, just a different form of it. We also do CrossFit Kids classes that includes kids’ education. I have the ability to coach, be as fit and still get fitter in many years to come as an athlete. This was not what I pictured for myself or the kids, but I am more than thrilled that this is where we are!

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May–June 2017

+Life inspired Speaking of training and being an athlete, do you watch your diet for competitions and just daily life in general? Our four kids are really close in age, so there was a season when I was either pregnant or breastfeeding. It was one or the other for about 6 years, or a good amount of time. I watched my diet because I was thinking of my kids. At that time, it wasn’t really for me. I was just thinking of my babies. When I got out of that time, I thought that I never really struggled with weight so I just allowed myself whatever food I wanted. I kind of got away with it until I started reading and understanding about caring for your body more. Diet actually really does matter. It’s how you feel, how you perform and the longevity of your life. I may be getting away with it right now but maybe 20 years down the road, I might really regret not making good decisions when I was in my thirties. Those things started to weigh in on me and I am around people who eat very clean. So I decided to re-evaluate and take it more seriously. To be honest, only recently did I start looking into my daily intake and even my kids’. When I looked at the amount of sugar we ate, it actually added up to a lot! It’s honestly been a recent endeavor that we cleaned up our diet. Now I really understand why people say that it is the foundation of fitness. It really matters. I am now at a place where I just want to treat my body well and know it will perform well. What is the most rewarding thing about being a mom and an athlete? I think I just feel very capable and that’s a good thing. I feel empowered and strong enough to interact with my kids and teach them things. Calla loves gymnastics so I can spot and show her how to do certain movements. Jaimon loves to workout together and it’s a really fun activity that we share together. Miah comes in for her weightlifting session and I love that it’s a positive way that we can connect. I feel very empowered to be a good role model and help them to be the best that they can be. It just feels good to be able to do all these things. I just like being able to wake up in the morning and feel confident in my own skin. I know that my kids see that and I want that for them. I want them to wake up and be proud of who they

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are everyday. It doesn’t have to be a certain body type or a certain skill set. I just want them to feel powerful for who they are. CrossFit helps you do that because you’re always making progress and new accomplishments no matter how small or big it is. It’s a really powerful energetic feeling. It bleeds into all areas of life. It does affect how I feel socially, as an educator, as a friend or as a wife. Confidence spills over in all areas of my life. We see it with people that come through our doors. Maybe they’re not sure of what their body is capable of or maybe they don’t feel quite comfortable in their own skin. Just give them time, because the acceptance of the community helps a lot. They feel cared for and they feel like they have a place to belong to. That helps a person’s confidence. Just to watch people do something they’ve never done before, it’s amazing! They light up and it’s so fun! It really transforms a whole person. What advice would you give to new moms or soon-to-be mothers? My advice would be to build in a slot for exercise and make it something that is untouchable. If you wait until life gets a bit easier and your schedule settles down, it just won’t happen. You need to prioritize it from the get-go. If

you’re not at a really high place of fitness, that’s okay! Just start with something mild and gentle. Just start with something. Make it your sacred time. Even though it might be time away from your kids, when they watch you commit and dedicate yourself to something, that is really good for children to see! It is a really good example for kids. I have talked to moms who sometimes feel guilty for exercising when they think they should be doing things for their kids. They just feel selfish. But it is not selfish! It is something that is so good for the kids to see and it’s a benefit for the mother! There is no better time. Even if your kids are still young and it gets chaotic, just find a way. I found a way. My kids are really close in age and they were really young when I started. I just made it happen. That’s just something that has already been built in from the start. If you’re waiting for fitness to fit in your life, it won’t. You have to fit in it. FEATURING: Emily Mogard ARTICLE BY: Liyana Sidek PHOTOGRAPHER: Asree

MUSICAL MANIA BY RELENTLESS ENTERTAINMENT

elentless Entertainment is no stranger to hosting jaw-dropping shows and musicals. They did it again on the 18th and 19th of March at the JIS Arts Centre where they performed a total of 3 shows. The enire show was a 2-hour long musical filled with short snippets of song selections from different shows and musicals such as the

most recent hit movie LaLaLand, the much adored animation Moana, the classic Mulan and many more songs that tugged at the audience’s heart strings. The entire show was run by a team of talented singers, dancer, actors and crew members from different ages. The 2 hour musical emitted a burst of energy that radiated

through the audience. It was indeed a musical to remember for the audience, and the entire cast and crew too! We had the chance to chat with some of Musical Mania’s cast and crew members to bring you a behind-the-scenes perspective from the preparation leading up to the day of the event.

MD. MUSTAQIM HJ. HARIAH MOHAMED

AMIN NORDIN

How did you feel when you were assigned to play these characters?

How was it like performing 3 shows in 2 days?

At first I was really nervous because truth be told, I did not know any musicals! I only knew about Singing In the Rain because of the song Good Morning. I did not know about the other musicals! I just started listening to the songs I needed to sing and I started to get a feel of it. I started learning it as we went along for rehearsals. I took it one step at a time. I really wasn’t sure what I was doing for the first 2 weeks! I also learnt to love the characters, all of them! I feel like Relentless did a good job in placing me in these roles because I feel like I could somehow put myself in their shoes, especially Hamilton. We both rap!

It was okay for me because I already have the experience of doing multiple shows. It was tiring, but I already expected it. I was actually happy that we got to do 3 shows instead of just 1. If we only did 1 show and something wrong happened, there would be no chance for us to improve or correct it. A lot can improve in the span of just 3 shows in terms of the flow and our confidence level.

The transition from one character to another also wasn’t that hard. Changing clothes in between scenes helped us ease into the character a bit more.

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May–June 2017

SOPHIA ZAMANI ABDUL RAHMAN What were your roles in the musical? I didn’t have a specific role but I was with a group of children singing songs from the stage musical Annie, Matilda and Sound Of Music. What’s next for you? Singing has always been a passion of mine and I hope to, one day, be a professional singer. But for now, I would very much like to take part in future performances so that I can get more experience on stage.

THARWANA HARUN What was the best part about being a part of this musical? Honestly, I have always been compared to my brother — Aziz Harun. So the best thing about being a part of musical was, I wasn’t just Aziz Harun’s sister who could sing. I am my own person and I have a different identity. The second thing would be the new friends that I have made. We have not stopped talking to each other after the musical. I never thought I’d make actual friends out of doing something voluntarily.

40 PLUS May–June 2017

SARAH What were the main roles you played in the musical? I was mainly a dancer in a lot of the numbers, about 10 numbers in the whole production. I also played one acting scene. It was quite tough because there were a lot of things to memorize. 10 numbers and 10 very different routines. I was at the studio rehearsing almost everyday.

Life inspired+ AMY & MARDI What were your roles in the musical? Amy: I am the co-founder as well as the managing director of Relentless Entertainment. For our musical productions, I assumed the roles of co-director, assistant choreographer, producer and production manager. I am also in charge of costumes and I dabble a bit with the set designs and oversee the marketing and ticket sales of the musical. I also performed as Mary Poppins from Mary Poppins and Maria from The Sound of Music. Mardi: I am the founder of Relentless. During the production season, I am the director, choreographer and producer of the musical. I am also in charge of set design. What’s next for you? Amy/Mardi: We will continue to support and do our best to help develop the performing arts scene here in Brunei. There is so much talent in our home country and we believe that these talents need to be seen and heard. We would like to thank everyone who has stuck by us since the beginning. You are the reason we have kept going for the past 10 years. We have some big plans for the rest of the year and the next 3 years. We are so excited to share our concepts with everyone once everything has been ironed out!

FLORA NGU JIA TING What were your roles in the musical? I was involved in quite a number of performances. I played Matilda from Naughty & Revolting Children, Annie from Tomorrow, Hard Knock Life & Little Girls and also Sound of Music. The role that was particularly important to me was Annie because it was a huge responsibility as it was one of the lead roles. What’s next for you? I’ll definitely be joining more musicals and taking every chance that comes my way. I’ve grown to really enjoy working with a big cast in a huge production because it gives me the sense of satisfaction and pride after a successful performance. Since I am in Year 6 this year, I do have to prioritize my studies and balance out my time well. I really do hope to continue shining in both my academics and music.

ARTICLE AND INTERVIEW BY: Liyana Sidek PHOTOGRAPHER: Hakim Salleh

PLUS 41

May–June 2017

ONE-ON-ONE WITH

Maxine Medina, Miss Philippines-Universe 2016

Philippines in the Miss Universe pageant was in Brunei for a holiday with her family, I had to pull out all the stops just to meet her.

So when I heard that Maxine Medina, the representative of The

Fortunately for me, Maxine was having lunch at MK Shabume Restaurant in Gadong, whose management was kind enough to let me

t’s not very often that you get to meet a genuine beauty queen. After all, living in Brunei, we don’t get the same kind of exposure that our ASEAN neighbours have to the world of modeling and pageantry.

42 PLUS May–June 2017

to speak to Maxine for a few minutes despite the crowd of fans who wanted to be up close to their idol. Sincere apologies to the members of the public who had to wait while I conducted my interview with Maxine Medina, but a journalist has got to do, what he’s got to do!

Life inspired+ Tell us about your experience in the Miss Universe pageant. Did you feel a lot of pressure, especially since it’s held in the Philippines, and that you had to replace the former winner of the Miss Universe pageant? The pressure is always there. But I tried to maintain my focus on the competition. There was pressure to achieve back-to-back wins and the expectation of the entire country to succeed Pia (Wurtzbach) in every way was there, but I tried my best, and made sure I also enjoyed every aspect of the competition. Now that the competition is over, what’s the plan for you in the future? First, I am going to pursue my degree in Interior Design, which is one of my interests. I also plan to participate and give back in community events, especially those that raise funds for children with HIV and cancer. Lastly, I’d like to travel around the Philippines with my family, and personally check out all the beaches and tourist spots, because we are very fond of traveling, and it really bonds us together.

ARTICLE BY: Jason Rumpunk PHOTOGRAPHER: Raul Padernal Photography SPECIAL THANKS: Kathelyn Dupaya and Michelle Tolentino

Is there any possibility you will be entering showbiz in the Philippines, especially since many members of your family are already involved in the entertainment industry. (Laughs) I would like to travel first with my family, and continue studying, while performing my role as the representative of Miss Universe before making any decisions to enter show business. Finally, what advice would you give young girls who have big dreams of achieving major goals such as yourself?

Hi Maxine. Welcome to Brunei! Tell us about your time here in Brunei and what the response of the community was like regarding your visit here. Thank you! Brunei is very welcoming, everyone is here (at MK Shabume) to greet me, and I also never expected so many fans to greet me at the airport when I arrived. I’ve only been here for 3 days, and every day is like a welcoming party. I’m actually

surprised and flattered they would do something like this for me. What are the chances of seeing you in Brunei again? I would hope to come back again, as me and my family would like to come and visit all the tourist spots here. We didn’t have much time to do that this trip, so I’m pretty sure that we will come back again.

Always follow your dreams even if they seem too big to achieve, and never be afraid to try. Embrace every flaw you have, because every flaw will teach us lessons in life. I never actually believed I could be a beauty queen, and this was always meant to be just a dream for me. I never thought I was capable enough and got scared just at the thought of it. But now even after the competition has ended, I am constantly growing and still learning more about myself everyday and enjoying every minute of it. That’s excellent advice! Thank you Maxine for your time, and we hope to see you again in the near future.

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May–June 2017

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