I've Always Loved Exploring Sports but in Fitness and Running, I found Freedom: Tiara Alicia

Tiara Alicia opens up to Sportplus.sg about growing up in sport, how fitness helped her overcome mental health challenges, and the inspirations behind becoming a fitness coach

PHOTO VIA TIARA ALICIA

From cruising along the sea's surface, to picking up Muay Thai, to lifting weights and lacing up for a 42.195km race, sport has been at the forefront of her life for as long as she can remember. For Tiara Alicia—fitness coach and content creator—movement has always been more than exercise. It’s been her anchor, her compass, and now, her career.

“From a young age, it’s taught me discipline, resilience, and how to keep showing up even when things get tough. Whether it was training for competitions or just staying consistent, I learned early that progress comes from small daily efforts,” shared Tiara.

“That mindset translates into everything I do now — whether it’s marathon training, coaching, or even content creation. It gave me confidence and taught me to embrace challenges instead of shying away from them.”

A childhood built on sport

Tiara grew up immersed in a wide range of sports. A former sailor, windsurfer, and wakeboarder, her greatest passion was anything that got her out on the water—a love that first took root as a co-curricular activity back in primary school.

On top of that, she also dabbled in gymnastics, before also picking up Muay Thai in 2022 as a means of challenging herself.

PHOTO VIA TIARA ALICIA

But over time, she realised fitness and running gave her something no other sport had.

“I’ve always loved exploring different sports. From the structure of gymnastics to the strategy of sailing and even the intensity of Muay Thai. But what I found with fitness and running was freedom."

“It wasn’t just about competition or winning anymore. It was about discovering what my body could do and how it made me feel stronger both physically and mentally. Fitness became my focus because it gave me a sense of empowerment that carried into every part of my life. I realised it wasn’t just about the sport itself, but the lifestyle and mindset it built.”

Passing down the strength she had found in fitness

At 17, Tiara was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. It was her sister who finally persuaded her to step into the gym—a turning point that sparked her journey into fitness and, eventually, her desire to inspire others to discover the same sense of peace she had found.

“Fitness gave me direction and purpose and as cliche as it sounds, it became more than just something I do. It became a big part of who I am."

“Sport has helped me through tough times, kept me grounded, and opened doors to communities I wouldn’t have found otherwise. It also shaped my career path from coaching to content creation and continues to give me opportunities to connect with people from all walks of life through movement. Most importantly, it taught me to back myself and to believe I’m capable of more than I think.”

PHOTO VIA TIARA ALICIA

Now a fitness coach, Tiara sees her role as much more than just pushing people through workouts. For her, the most rewarding part has always been the same as when she first discovered her love for teaching.

“I love when clients come in doubting their abilities, and then one day they realise they’ve gotten stronger, faster, or more confident. It’s not just the physical transformation but it’s watching them carry that confidence into other parts of their lives.”

Having overcome her own mental health challenges, Tiara emphasises mindset as much as muscle.

“Physical strength will only take you so far but it’s your mindset that determines whether you show up on the hard days. I coach with that balance in mind: pushing clients physically while also teaching them to reframe setbacks, stay consistent, and celebrate small wins. Building resilience is what creates long-term results and makes movement a lifestyle.”

Yet, she didn’t always know that coaching would be her path. Fitness had long been her passion, but teaching was a whole new ball game. It started simply, with friends asking her for advice. Just as she does now with clients, Tiara discovered she loved seeing them make progress—sometimes even more than her own.

PHOTO VIA TIARA ALICIA

“That’s when it clicked for me, fitness wasn’t just personal anymore, it was something I wanted to share. Becoming a coach gave me a way to empower others to build confidence in themselves, not just physically but in life too. That’s what keeps me motivated—knowing I can be part of someone else’s journey gives me fulfilment.”

Her very first client came through Instagram, and that experience has stuck with her since.

“She was a friend of an acquaintance who had seen my own progress and wanted the same for herself. At that point, I had zero formal coaching experience, so I was really honoured that she trusted me to guide her," she recounted.

“What meant the most was that as I grew—getting qualifications, improving my skills, and even raising my prices, she stayed with me for a couple of years. That loyalty showed me the power of trust in this profession, and I’ll always be grateful for her.”

Tiara's running journey

With several sports already under her belt, Tiara recently added another: running. 

“I wanted a challenge that was entirely between me and myself. Unlike other sports, running didn’t require equipment or a team. It was just me, my body, and my mindset."

PHOTO VIA TIARA ALICIA

What started small and as a means of pushing her limits, became a big part of her life. She pushed, and pushed and pushed—and now, she’ll take herself to one long distance running’s biggest achievements: completing a marathon.

This year, she will take on the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM), a milestone that represents years of work and growth. 

“Running SCSM this year feels personal. It’s my chance to put all the hours of training, the discipline, and the setbacks into something tangible. It represents growth and commitment, not just to fitness, but to myself. Crossing that finish line will mean more than just completing a race; it’s proof that I’ve built resilience every step of the way.”

Her preparation has been steady under the guidance of her coaches—something she describes as exciting, but also humbling.

“I’ve been working with Coach Ben and Coach Jim from Coached Fitness who have tailored a running program for me. I’ve been steadily increasing my mileage from 5k and 10k runs, mixing in speed work, and balancing it with strength for injury prevention,” she described.

PHOTO VIA TIARA ALICIA

“Some weeks feel easier than others, but every run teaches me something new about patience and consistency. I’m focused not just on race day, but on enjoying the process of becoming a stronger runner.”

Words from a fitness coach

From childhood sports to full-time coaching and now marathon training, Tiara’s story has never been about perfection. It’s about resilience, consistency, and trusting herself. 

Her message to anyone struggling mentally is simple but powerful.

“Start small and be gentle with yourself. Don’t look at fitness as punishment or something you have to ‘earn.’ Instead, think of it as a safe space for your mind as much as your body. Even a short walk or light workout can shift your energy. Over time, the consistency builds not just strength, but a sense of peace and self-trust.”