There's a silver lining in every cloud, and Julie Woon used the Covid-19 lockdown as an opportunity to embark on her fitness journey 'Lockdown Series' is a new limited series where we ask people in our Tatler community what new skill or routine they have picked up during this extended quarantine, something they most probably would not do or even consider doing if it hadn't been for this lockdown. Hopefully their stories will inspire you to stay positive and be the change you want to be during these uncertain times.
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has posed a slew of challenges for many. From the abrupt shift in day-to-day schedules to careers and livelihoods being derailed due to the changing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to juggling the very grey area between home-life and work-life and, for some, managing e-learning for their children or doing what they can to keep them entertained at the same time.
As a result, Malaysians have turned to different outlets to manage their cabin fever and the inadvertent stress and uncertainties that came with the various versions of the Movement Control Order (MCO). Some have used the change in routine to invest in skills and other means of reward such as honing their baking and cooking skills, learning a new craft, catching up on reading, binge-watching movies and TV series. More than a few also ventured on a whole new journey like fitness.
Read more: #OurBestShot: Why The Tatler Community Is Getting Vaccinated Against Covid-19
For Malaysian event emcee, TV personality, and mother-of-two Julie Woon, the Covid-19 pandemic has afforded her a great opportunity to find her ‘fit’.
Tell us how the MCOs and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic have affected your work.
The pandemic has certainly affected all industries and my line of work as a TV and event presenter is no exception. Live events had to pivot to studio shoots or Zoom recordings from home depending on the SOPs, which can change in a matter of days or weeks. The scale and quantity of events being held have reduced significantly compared to pre-MCO days as we do our parts to stay home in a bid to end the Covid-19 pandemic.
See also: 5 Young CEOs In Malaysia On The Perks Of Working From Home
Did it significantly impact (positively or otherwise) your fitness as well? In what ways has it done so?
I wasn’t used to staying at home so much so I had to find an outlet to release all the pent-up energy that I had and thus began my fitness journey. Having so much time on hand, I was able to clock in a good amount of time working out each day. It had a cathartic effect and helped me stay focused on getting through the day. As I started seeing results, I got even more motivated to continue exploring what my body is capable of and consequently, helped me achieve a stronger body and healthier mind, which are now more crucial than ever as we go through these trying times.