Group & Member Spotlight
If you came to our Welcome Fair on August 27th you might have run into our charismatic member, Robin Gardner at the Joyful Pursuits table. This fall she is chairing a new group focused on experiencing a thoughtfully curated variety of wellness modalities, from cutting edge therapies to nurturing experiences and off-the-beaten-path methods!
If you haven't, stay curious and read on about Robin, her journey, and what inspired her to start this particular group, a group that hopes to foster your own wellness journey through exploration and connection.
Robin, how long have you been in Singapore and where did you move from? 
I am originally from Brookfield, Connecticut, USA but lived in Fiesole, a small Italian village located in the Tuscan hills outside Florence, for a year just before moving to Singapore as a newlywed in January 2023.
Did you know much about Singapore before moving here? While I was dating my husband long distance and visiting him in Italy for the second time in less than 3 months he asked if I would ever consider living in Singapore. I was so in love I quickly said Yes and then I did my research! LOL
Was this move to Singapore your first time as an expat outside the US? I lived in Moscow, Russia in the late 1990s when I worked for Interstate Hotels Corporation and went there to help open two Marriott hotels on Tverskaya Street.
What have you enjoyed about Singapore? The accessibility! The ease! The people! The AWA!
What have you struggled with that you didn't expect to be challenging? Not much....Supporting myself and working 50+ hour weeks clawing my way through middle management at Deloitte in New York city was a struggle! LOL. I never really thought I would see this part of the world let alone live here so I am very grateful to my husband, Laurent, for expanding my horizons and enabling me to live my best life right here in Singapore!
What habits or routines make you feel most settled in Singapore? I enjoy playing tennis or pickleball in the morning hours. I love the connections made, the team camaraderie and the physical exercise!
When did you join AWA? How has being part of AWA helped you adjust to Singapore? Joining the AWA was only second to finding local pickleball courts! The AWA was recommended to me from a friend who was a member during her stay in Singapore and I thank her every time we talk because it's my lifeline here making many lasting friendships. I find it to be a diversified group of talented women connected by a single adventuresome spirited thread of somehow/someway saying YES to Singapore. Once becoming a member I say, JUMP IN and DO. What you put in is what you get out ... find your peeps, your interests and create your own community to help feel rooted in a foreign land.
Introducing Joyful Pursuits - the latest AWA group ...
Robin, tell us about your initial inspiration behind Joyful Pursuits. I often dreamt of working as a therapist or fitness instructor but the reality of my circumstances did not practically allow for a career change. However, this didn’t stop me from pursuing certification as a Health & Wellness Coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (New York City) and when my position as an event manager was eliminated at Deloitte due to the Covid outbreak, I became a certified yoga instructor too. Although I do not consider myself an expert in the health and wellness field, I do have passion and that keeps me hungry for knowledge!
The idea for Joyful Pursuits eventually started a year ago and took on various forms and names in my mind until I had an unexpected epiphany moment at the Ice Bath Club. This was an experience I fully expected not to like thinking such a recovery therapy was gimmicky and over-priced. However, to my surprise, after the initial shock of cold and a few more tries, my body adapted and I actually felt better. Plus, I could see my husband benefitting from the experience too. I couldn’t believe my change of heart, and right then and there I realised that everyone's path to joy is different but the only way to know is by trying a variety of things (even if you feel skeptical) AND, in the spirit of helping others, we must do our part to spread beneficial knowledge and awareness. In other words, how can you find joy in your life if, one - you don’t try and, two - what good is any experience if it can't be shared?
What is Joyful Pursuits about? It's about experiences. JP simply provides the gateway to personal discovery. Although the group is a bit self-indulgent think of it as your personalized "Class Pass app"! As a corporate event planner for 20 years I am admittedly hard to please (in this regard - ask my husband! ha ha) but that is an added bonus for JP members because all events are personally vetted and curated by me to ensure the best possible offering.
What kind of people do you think would enjoy being part of Joyful Pursuits? Brave, Open-Minded, Curious, Explorers. Most experiences offered are in a small and supportive group setting so you will never be alone!
What kind of activities or events will the group focus on? All sorts of things and that is the beauty of it. JP runs the gamut from cutting edge to traditional therapies, edgy and off the beaten path to more mainstream experiences too. The first event is at our signature discovery atelier - ReKoop wellness club. This is a private social club offering three popular recovery therapies that are good for body, mind and soul. The second event in October is at the Ice Bath Club (where it all began!), and the third event in November is at the Fragment Club where we will explore rage room therapy. This event will be especially effective for those looking to release inner tension and an unexpected upside is just how good this place is for our planet as a responsible recycling hub for old electronics.
What are your long-term goals for the group?Right now I am simply assembling a modest yet mighty group of like-minded individuals. From there the possibilities are endless but at the very least we will enjoy the benefits of small, curated experiences and discussions targeted to improve our overall health and wellbeing. Personally, in the new year if there is enough interest I would like to entertain the ideas of a group juice cleanse, body detox program, and/or a wellness retreat.
What personal experiences helped shape your vision for Joyful Pursuits? As someone who has struggled with bouts of depression throughout the years I am extra sensitive and motivated toward maintaining optimal mental health. However, I believe it is a multi-pronged approach that includes nutritional awareness, appropriate physical exercise, sound sleep (when possible!), and healthy emotional abundance, among other things. At 53 years young I have finally found sustained happiness and it comes from within. And instead of making excuses I finally and fully embrace the person I am (and am still becoming).
I met my husband the first time in October 2001 at my sister's wedding to his cousin. Over twenty years later and with the help of some family members, our circumstances allowed for a miraculous reconnection! If there is anything I have learned it is to never under-estimate the power of a virtual or physical connection. If something is meant to be, it will be, no matter the time, distance, or space it takes to naturalise. There are over 8 billion people in our world so that is over 8 billon opportunities to connect, grow and learn from. And as expats if we are blessed enough to have a little extra time, energy and resources in our day then let's do just that!
How can members find out more about your group and sign up for events? Go to the AWA website and request to be added to the WhatsApp thread under Activities/Cultural & Learning/Joyful Pursuits. Events and registration is listed on the member calendar.
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