Meet Angie Seow, founder of Activation Pilates and an experienced Pilates instructor with over a decade of teaching experience. Angie is an incredible mompreneur of two daughters, who has forged strength, balance, and success both on the Reformer and in life. Looking at her cheerful smile, you would never imagine what she has endured a couple of years ago.

Angie's life took a dramatic turn in 2021 when she faced a near-death experience a couple of years ago. On March 19 2021, it was just a regular Friday for 36-week pregnant Angie, who had back-to-back sessions with her clients from 7.30 am in the morning till 2 pm in the afternoon at the Pilates studio. She had lunch and resumed teaching her classes. All of a sudden, she felt a throbbing pain in her head and felt that she could not steady herself. She rushed to the pantry to sit down, hoping that the pain would go away. It didn't. All she remembered was, that she placed her head on the table to rest. Little did she know that a series of events had already begun to unfold, and the next time she woke up, her life would change forever. 

Meanwhile, Angie's colleague noticed that although Angie appeared to be sleeping, she was vomiting. Suspecting food poisoning from lunch, her colleague called Angie's husband, urging him to come quickly and take her to the doctor. “I tried to wake her up when I arrived but couldn't. It was a strange sight because her eyes were closed, yet she was vomiting,” said Angie's husband, Adrian Yuen, 44. It then dawned on him that she was likely unconscious. They called an ambulance and the doctor at the A&E department of the National University Hospital informed Adrian that Angie might be having a stroke or brain bleed and ordered an immediate scan. The vomiting was possibly due to involuntary reflex actions resulting from brain trauma.

Soon after, Adrian was called into a room where several doctors were gathered. One of them explained that Angie had major bleeding in her brain, likely due to an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a rare condition of abnormal blood vessel tangling that disrupts normal blood flow and oxygen circulation. The AVM might have been present since birth and triggered by her pregnancy. “We need to perform two emergency surgeries,” the doctor told Adrian. “First, a C-section for the baby, then brain surgery for Angie.”

To put things into perspective, only about 1% of the general population have AVM. Of those afflicted, more than half do not survive a brain bleed, and the rest may live with severe or permanent impairment. After 20 days at the hospital, Angie miraculously got better and was well enough to be discharged. Together with her firstborn, she made her way home. This harrowing event was a wake-up call, compelling her to reevaluate her priorities. The brush with mortality made her acutely aware of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. During this period of introspection, Angie realised she needed to make significant changes in her life.

A miraculous turn of events — Angie recuperating at home seen here with older daughter, Michaela

Founding Activation Pilates

Fast forward to today, Angie is well and healthy and successfully leading her team of Pilates instructors at Activation Pilates, helping others find the same sense of balance, strength, and peace that Angie herself found through her transformative life  journey.

Angie's family celebrating Natalia's first birthday.

Founding Activation Pilates was a push factor for Angie. Her near-death experience prompted her to re-evaluate her life choices and redefine her priorities. During her contract renewal, she was offered a lower salary. This meant that Angie had to work longer hours to earn the same amount. The lower pay, the lesser time spent with her family were signals that pushed her to leave, but she didn't want to abandon her clients. Fortunately, her employer compromised and allowed her to take her clients with her and Angie went on to find a space to continue teaching Pilates. 

Everything aligned when she discovered Core Collective. At that point in time, Core Collective coincidentally had a private Pilates studio space available. Angie took a leap of faith, rented the space, and have never looked back since. It has been 3 years now. Growing Activation Pilates within Core Collective space, Angie found relief in having fewer worries compared to running her own studio outside, as utilities and customer service support were all handled for her. With lesser financial worries, Angie also feels that she is able to focus on the small things that matter — buying little gifts for clients (i.e. during festivities like Christmas) to make them feel appreciated.

Activation Pilates soon quickly became a haven for individuals seeking to improve their physical health, relieve stress, and finding their holistic path to wellness. They also have grown to love the space at Core Collective Dempsey; where Activation Pilates is located. The proximity to nature and the quietness of the place is ideal for them to slow down, focus on their bodies and needs, and recharge for the day ahead. Angie herself also feels more at home at Core Collective, where clients are the main priority. Feedback, such as replacing worn-out Pilates resistance springs, is promptly addressed and swiftly acted upon. 

Angie (left) seen here with Michelle Yong, founder of Core Collective. 

Angie is committed to expanding Activation Pilates at a steady pace, carefully selecting the right individuals to support the company's growth. When asked for her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, Angie gave a sheepish smile, feeling undeserving of the question. She humbly credits her clients, who are mainly business owners, and says she learns plenty from them. She shared a heartwarming example of her client, Mr. Ong, a successful businessman who remains grounded and friendly to everyone around him, engaging in cheerful conversations even with the staff at his favourite coffeeshop. Angie embodies the same genuineness and humility as Mr. Ong, and the growth of Activation Pilates is a reflection of that. Today, it stands as a warm, cozy, and well-equipped Pilates studio in the heart of Core Collective Dempsey.

Angie pondered for a while and soon follow with her personal advice to anyone who wants to be an entrepreneur, "Find something you are genuinely passionate about and skilled at, and that also benefits the community. Focus on that, and also care for your clients and employees, and they will come to trust you. If you do that, everything else will fall into place. Revenue will come, and you will naturally be able to run a sustainable business — from the heart."

Contributor:

Welcome to Activation Pilates at Core Collective, Dempsey — a haven for fitness enthusiasts and well-being seekers. Founded by the experienced Angie Seow-Yuen, a trusted instructor with over a decade of expertise, our team offers a holistic Pilates experience. Activation Pilates focuses on physical fitness, unlocking potential, and enhancing the mind-body connection. Tailored classes cater to diverse needs, as well as one-on-one, duet, or group sessions. Our team is committed to individualised instruction and ensures a safe and effective Pilates journey. Beyond traditional exercises, we incorporate innovative techniques for engaging and effective sessions while at the same time committing to ongoing education to ensure clients receive the latest insights and practices in the world of Pilates.

Connect with Activation Pilates on their website, and Instagram.

Core Collective is home to over 100 fitness, wellness, beauty and lifestyle and medical professionals who can help you live your best life. Book a tour to get started today!