The Pursuit Of Progress -SYOK Podcast [ENG]

Duke Krishnan has played pro rugby in Japan and the U.S., broken records, and made history. But long before the medals, he was just a tall, awkward kid who never quite fit in and didn’t know how to deal with everything he was feeling. In this episode, Duke gets honest about growing up feeling different, carrying unspoken anger, and the journey from “just be strong” to learning how to realign his energy.

From ex-national Taekwondo athlete to advocate for self-work and healing, Sara Yap has learned that strength isn’t just physical . In this episode, she opens up about the hidden toll of high performance, the pressure to constantly stay ahead, and the emotional turning point that led her to finally choose herself.

From squash world champion to driving force behind youth empowerment, Nicol David has redefined what success looks like beyond the court. In this episode, she opens up about the mental toll of staying at the top for nine years, how she learned to manage pressure from a young age, and the emotional moment she decided to retire.

From elite athlete to advocate for sports development, Shalin Zulkifli has redefined what it means to succeed beyond the game. In this episode, she opens up about the challenges of balancing sports and education, the tough transition after retirement, and why being an athlete today means more than just winning medals. How do athletes prepare for life beyond competition? And what does it take to turn success on the scoreboard into long-term impact?