Pre-BL5: Unleashing Boundless Potential BEFORE the Expedition
This article features two participants of the upcoming Beyond Limits 5 charity expedition and their sentiments prior to the trip.
“We know that there’s so much more potential to unlock from within.
So let’s keep trekking with them, as they live beyond their disability.”— QUOTED FROM OUR ARTICLE FEATURING BEYOND LIMITS 5
These words, penned in the previous BL5 article with disabled individuals in mind, have taken on a profound meaning as I delve into the text responses of Rodrick and Wei Ling, participants of the fifth edition of Beyond Limits (BL5). In just a few days, they will embark on a challenging journey through the sweltering heat of the Gobi Desert. As I read their replies to my questions regarding the pre-expedition training sessions they’ve been attending, a realization struck me—I wrote those words focusing on disabled individuals, but now it's time for the participants to embrace these statements for themselves too. Because by taking on this challenge of a charity expedition, they are showing themselves that they have the power to live beyond the ways they may have disabled themselves.
I’m talking about the fears and beliefs they have, that have limited the way they see themselves.
We often doubt our abilities, thinking we lack the necessary experience, physical capabilities, or simply feeling less capable than we truly are. But the truth is, when we choose to take on a huge challenge, what we receive is a crazy beautiful way of stretching us beyond our perceived limits. And this article is here to show you just that.
A teaser of what’s to come for the upcoming expedition, beginning on 1st July!
A glimpse of the pre-expedition training sessions our team has been committing to across three weekends!
In preparing this article, I’ve curated a set of simple, thought-provoking questions for Wei Ling and Rodrick, aiming to gain insights into their transformative experiences during the pre-expedition training sessions organized by Beyond Expeditions. These sessions serve as crucial preparation for the upcoming trek in the formidable Gobi Desert. I wanted to discover what lay within their hearts and minds—before and after the expedition. What unfolded in their responses exceeded my expectations. And now, I invite you to join me in journeying with these inspiring participants of BL5, starting from the pre-expedition phase.
1. Could you share with me about your experience in the training sessions you attended with Beyond Expeditions?
Wei Ling: I have attended two-weekend training sessions so far. The first one at Sembawang Park was a prelude to how it feels to pull a tyre. Oh boy! I have to say, it was quite challenging for me… it reminded me that I need to build up my stamina for the upcoming expedition (Beyond Limits 5).
Scott did a debrief with the members after the training and suggested we increase the intensity of our own physical training. For example, if we brisk walk or jog often, then we should increase the distance. I did some stair climbing after our first training and I definitely have more to improve…
The second training at Coney Island was more intense than the first. As a group, we hiked a total distance of 13.8km with a tyre. This second training was a more accurate simulation of our upcoming challenge in terms of the distance, the feeling of pulling a tyre, the weather conditions, etc. I used a harness to pull the tyre this time, and it made the tyre-pulling way more manageable for me as it spreads out the ‘weight’ of the tyre. Also, the overall pace of the 2nd training was pretty doable. We had to go at that intensity over 10km to best parallel the kind of exhaustion we could face in the desert itself so that we can better prepare ourselves both physically and mentally.
Second team training at Coney Island.
Rodrick: Trekking through the Gobi Desert in a wheelchair is rather crazy. (Note: Rodrick is wheelchair-bound. Inspiring.) Before the training sessions, I consulted experts and had a pair of all-terrain wheels shipped from overseas and fitted to my wheelchair. So despite the huge stones on the trail at Coney island, I could still traverse them thanks to the bigger wheels that my wheelchair is now equipped with. Also, with past experiences of training for table tennis, embarking on a wheelchair trek through Singapore, and traveling overseas, I was able to foresee some of the needs that I will have, e.g ensuring I have a huge spray bottle with me, to mimic and replace my body’s sweating function that was unfortunately lost due to a spinal cord injury.
A shot of Rodrick with his newly fitted wheels.
2. Three words you would use to describe the experience you've had during the training sessions! Do also share why you chose each word.
Wei Ling: ‘MOTIVATING’. Training with like-minded expedition members helped me to stay focused on the collective goal of raising awareness and funds for SPD.
‘ENDURANCE’. Pulling a tyre with a backpack and trekking in a highly humid and hot climate was physically draining. Mentally, I kept having this temptation to give up… haha but the collective goal and my fellow expedition members’ spirit kept me going. So I’ll tell myself I have to do my best and not give up easily.
The last word would be ‘CHALLENGING’. I take it as a personal challenge for myself to go out of my ‘comfort zone’ to do something different, something that pushes both my mental and physical limits, especially given how I have an eczema condition.
Rodrick: My first word would be ‘THANKFUL’. The training sessions gave me a hint of what I will face on the actual trip. I had blisters on my hands and muscle sores for days after the training! I now better know what I need and what my limits are, prior to going on this trip.
Second word would be ‘FEAR’.
Truth be told, I feel tremendously unprepared for the trip (which would be 7 days of trekking) in the physical aspect. Apart from the trekking, we are also camping in the middle of the desert in makeshift tents (for 6 nights). As someone with a spinal cord injury, with no core strength/balance, the camping part itself will be very tough. Putting both activities together, I will certainly be pushed to my limits on this trip.
My last word is ‘DETERMINED’.
Managing myself on this trip is certainly going to be a daunting task. I think it is clear to say that I’ve never done something so extreme in my life, let alone after my spinal cord injury. I will bring along a cautiously optimistic attitude towards the actual trip.
I will push my limits in a controlled and safe manner - even if that may mean that I won’t be trekking and completing the entire 120km planned for the trip. Will cautiously push myself, and report back with my achievements after the trip!
Rodrick displays an inspiring level of endurance and resilience.
3. How do you feel the pre-expedition training sessions have prepared you, physically and mentally, for the upcoming expedition?
Wei Ling: The two pre-expedition trainings that I have attended so far have prepared me physically and mentally with close to 80% readiness. At least during the second training session at Coney Island, I felt the stretch on my whole body, the exhaustion of pulling a tyre for more than 10km and the ground condition of the sand/gravel environment. However, I understand that at the Gobi Desert, the climate condition and the actual ground condition will vary and could be even more challenging than the environment at Coney Island.
Rodrick: The sessions have been helpful, though I don’t think I am fully prepared, nor will I ever be. While I have seen other PWDs (Professionals with Disabilities) conquer marathons, Antarctica etc., I can’t say I’ve truly understood the scale and enormity of this feat until I am up close and personal with it myself. I’m also worried I could be underestimating the possible severity of injury I could face.
The Gobi Desert is on a whole different level of difficulty and uncertainty, so I’ll have to adjust, adapt and tackle the difficulties that I face there, head-on. I will also have to take things slow and ramp the physicality up as the trip progresses, instead of going all-in from the start. Safety is the ultimate priority, after all.
4. What are some of the strongest feelings you have towards the upcoming expedition?
Wei Ling: I have not been to Mongolia before, so I am really looking forward to seeing the vastness of the land, meeting the local nomads/Mongolians and experiencing the culture. There is a mixed bag of feelings – feeling a bit anxious, yet excited and looking forward to the expedition!
Looks like Wei Ling’s fellow teammates are feeling excited for the expedition too!
Rodrick: It has to be fear, like earlier mentioned. There are still many many many things that could go wrong during the trip… This is also the first time that I’ll be pushing myself this hard. I faced huge struggles during past (Beyond Expeditions’) trips, and I foresee that the challenges this trip will be worse. I definitely need to be really disciplined when it comes to taking care of myself on this trip!
5. In one sentence, could you describe your entire experience with Beyond Limits 5 so far?
Wei Ling: Scott has been supportive! He ensures that we are well prepared for the trip; having appropriate attire, essential equipment etc. One of the things he constantly highlight is that the overall well-being of the team members is paramount!
(Wei Ling gave more than one sentence, but I’m not going to be particular about this since it makes sense!)
Rodrick: The experience so far has merely been a teaser.
THIRD TRAINING SESSION (WITH SPECIAL GUESTS!), 25TH JUNE 2023.
The BL5 team had one last training session on 25th June, and it was a special training session because we had several special guests joining us! Read on to find out what went down during this third training, from one of our very own participants herself.
Wei Ling’s perspective:
We had our third group BL5 training just over the weekend on 25 June (Sun) at Coney Island. It served as our final training session before embarking on our expedition on 30 June. Time has flown by, and the countdown to our departure is well underway. Excitement is building, and I can hardly believe how quickly the day is approaching!
Roderick was the first to arrive, reaching the location just before 11:45 am. It was comforting to see a familiar face, and we engaged in a pleasant conversation while waiting for the rest of the team members to arrive.
The BL5 team, comprising of Vivien, Man Zhi, Jaslyn, Roderick, Jimmy (who was unfortunately unavailable that day) and myself, along with Paul, a videographer from Beyond Expeditions, and Limin, a prospective BL6 member, commenced our training at around 12 pm. We started with warm-up exercises at Punggol Point Park, our usual meeting point, before proceeding to Coney Island. It was evident that most of us had come well-prepared, bringing our own harnesses to pull the tires. Our camaraderie grew stronger as we familiarized ourselves with one another, knowing that we would spend a solid 10 days together as a team. The bond was forming, and I couldn't help but feel optimistic about our upcoming adventure.
The Team
The members are visibly more comfortable and bonded now, compared to when they first met for the pre-trip briefing!
During the first part of our training at Coney Island, we were pleasantly surprised by the presence of Gordon Ho, Senior Marketing Communications Executive from the SPD team. Aware of the challenging weather conditions, Gordon thoughtfully prepared cold drinks for us. It was a refreshing treat that provided much-needed respite from the humid and hot temperatures.
In the second part of our training, around 2 pm, we were privileged to have Mr. Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), as well as a Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC (Queenstown), join us.
Eric had learned about our expedition trip and training through Roderick, one of our team members. After brief introductions, we discovered that Eric had just returned from an overseas trip the day before, making it all the more impressive that he joined us despite the "jet lag" effect. Eric even took on the task of trek-pulling a tire himself, giving him a firsthand experience of what we will endure throughout our BL5 expedition in the Gobi Desert.
Mr. Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, pulling a tyre alongside Rodrick, one of our participants in the upcoming BL5 expedition.
As we trekked through Coney Island, Eric engaged with several expedition members, sharing his thoughts and getting to know them better. Additionally, Katherine Sng, Director of Community Partnerships, and Melissa Tan, Partnerships Manager, from the SPD team joined our training at Coney Island. Although they did not pull tires like us, they trekked alongside us, showing their support. I had a delightful chat with Katherine, where she inquired about how I learned of the expedition trip and why I decided to join.
The SPD team.
At the end of our training session, Eric and Katherine expressed their gratitude for our commitment and participation in the BL5 expedition, wishing us the best of luck in this meaningful cause we are undertaking.
Mr. Eric Chua sending his blessings to be with us during our charity expedition!
The SPD team even treated us to ice cream as a well-deserved reward for our strenuous training efforts. But the generosity did not end there—after training, Scott from Beyond Expeditions invited us to iVegan at i12 Katong, one of the sponsors for Beyond Expedition. It was my first visit to the restaurant, and we all relished a delicious and refreshing vegan meal. Overall, it was an unforgettable experience, filled with engaging conversations, wonderful company, and delectable food.
Looks like our participants are experiencing quite a roller coaster before the expedition begins! And that’s the beautiful thing about taking on a challenging expedition like Beyond Limits; the transformation begins the moment you say ‘Yes’ to being a participant. I don’t know about you, but I’m honoured and extremely humbled to be capturing these two participants’ pre-expedition thoughts and feelings, fears and worries. Because when we hear from them again after the expedition, we get to directly witness the raw beauty of their transformation.
I’ve interviewed both Wei Ling and Roderick after they’d completed BL5, and here are their interviews for you to continue this journey with them till the end. (Read all about Wei Ling and Roderick’s experiences in their respective articles here!)
If you’re keen to learn more about Beyond Limits 5, head over here because we’ve got an entire article dedicated to this.
You can also follow Beyond Expeditions’ social media here, to catch all the action live.
And if you’re curious about the next edition of Beyond Limits (BL6), head over here. It’s going to be an icy challenge, and this time, we’re challenging young minds and hearts too.
Article written by: Valerie
Valerie, a freelance writer with a quirky infatuation with steamed buns and slightly bizarre food combinations.
(“Try soft-boiled eggs and hot milo!”)
She wishes to keep writing stories that bypass typical food reviews and appreciation of scenery, stories that inspire readers to pursue curious conversations about the unique cultures and lifestyles of every country.
