Miss Universe Singapore 2018: Tyen Rasif wants to empower people to get fit and healthy

Tyen Rasif

Undergraduate, 22

With her bodybuilding background, Miss Tyen Rasif went from training for international bodybuilding competitions to learning how to walk, talk and act like a beauty queen for Miss Universe Singapore.

Among her titles are second place in the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Asian Championships 2017 in Mongolia and fourth place in the Olympia Amateur Asia 2017 in Hong Kong.

The 22-year-old marketing undergraduate from Singapore Management University believes there is beauty and femininity in having a fit and muscular physique.

I have a more athletic and muscular physique, which will definitely stand out compared to the others.

Miss Rasif is also a singer and YouTuber, and recently partnered online channel clicknetwork.tv to launch health series No Sweat to inspire the public to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

What cause do you want to champion in MUS 2018?

I want to empower more people to be fit and healthy. Life comes with many challenges; be it work, school, family and relationships. I want more people to find fitness as a way to improve their mental and physical well-being so they can be strong to overcome obstacles.

What is the most interesting thing about yourself, and how does this set you apart from the other contestants?

I have not come across a body type like mine. I have a more athletic and muscular physique, which will definitely stand out compared to the others. My physique will not only make me stand out on a local stage, it will also set me apart on an international stage, bringing attention to Singapore as a strong and worthy contender.

Furthermore, the rigorous training I experienced in preparing for international bodybuilding competitions has built my grit and high level of discipline to take on training for an international beauty pageant.

This year's theme is The Beauty of Empowerment. What is the most empowering thing you have done in your life?

To discover working out and eating better as a way to cope with stress. I fell in love with fitness because having a healthy and strong body makes me feel more confident.

After seeing how fitness empowered me, I became a personal trainer because I wanted to use it to empower others to find their own inner strength and confidence.

However, one-on-one training has its limitations and I wanted to spread my passion for fitness to a larger audience.

I fell in love with fitness because having a healthy and strong body makes me feel more confident.

My YouTube channel now has more than 7,000 subscribers. I have been able to connect with viewers in countries such as India, Malaysia, Australia (and many more) who have been inspired to start their own fitness journey.

I want more people to understand that working out is not only a way to improve your physical strength, but also mental strength.

 

If you could change anything in the world, what would it be?

People find it hard to strike a work-life balance. This is prevalent in Singapore. I have seen it as a fitness trainer, where people struggle to balance their busy work schedules, raise a family and find time to take care of their personal well-being. I want more people to make their well-being a priority, because it is with feeling our best that we can thrive in all other aspects of life.