Buro 24/7 malaysia and under armour presents
UNLIKE ANY
Six Malaysian women share their stories of their achievements, embracing their strengths and weaknesses, and overcoming their biggest obstacle - themselves - to realise they are unlike any. And so are you.
DANCER
Suhaili Micheline
"I was 12 when I was diagnosed with scoliosis, which is the abnormal curvature of the spine, and for that age, you can imagine how it can all be just too much. On top of multiple treatments, the examiner for an important ballet exam failed me when I believed I was doing my best, and when I believed I was really standing straight. But I wasn't. She couldn't pass me and have me believe something that wasn't real. Everyone had high hopes on me as a dancer and I was so embarrassed by this rejection that I remember thinking I just wanted to be normal and decided to concentrate on my studies. I gave up.
It was only later when I was introduced to contemporary dance that I saw my condition as a blessing in disguise. While ballet was rigid, stiff and almost impossible for my body, my physique gave me a huge advantage in modern dance. I had a lot of support from my family and friends who made me realise that everything happens for a reason. It's okay to feel like your whole world is falling apart - it's better than holding it in - but after that, accept and forgive yourself. Know that the challenge given to you is for the purpose of pushing you out of your comfort zone to improve your life. We all have to face failures and if you persevere, you will eventually succeed."
It's okay to feel like your whole world is falling apart -
it's better than holding it in - but after that,
accept and forgive yourself.

RADIO ANNOUNCER AND HOST
Linora Low
"Learning to accept who I am was tough and I only achieved this when I was doing my bikini competition at the beginning of this year. It was an intense process because I was training every day, cutting down on food and experiencing different kinds of stress - it really made me think. I ended up praying often, learnt a lot of things about myself and slowly accepted all of it. But that also inspired me to improve my flaws and shortcomings.
I try to keep a positive mindset and by nature, I do have this image of being happy all the time despite everything that's going on. But I do have my quiet moments where I overthink and it can get quite dark sometimes. In times like these, the right support is crucial and my mum is one of the people I can always count on. For example, I was very ill once, on top of a hectic schedule, and complained to her, "Why am I sick now?" and she answered, "Just buck up. You will make yourself sick if you think you are sick." It's true. The power of the mind is incredible so change your mindset to change your outcome."
The power of the mind is incredible so change your mindset to change your outcome.

SINGER, ACTRESS AND YOGA TEACHER
Atilia Haron
People didn't understand why I wanted to sing jazz when there's no market for it here but I believe there is. They'd say things like how my mum was a pop singer and how she was always on TV - why don't I do the same thing? But I love to write my own music and even though it's not mainstream, I still stick to it. The reason is simple: I want to. Same with how they think I'm a Jack of all trades, master of none. "She likes to do everything but what is she good at? She wants to sing, do yoga, teach, act, everything!" I don't see anything wrong with trying to be good at everything.
I feel it's important to stay strong and be confident. The first step is to be comfortable with yourself - how you look, what you love, embrace your strengths and weaknesses. Next, choose any amazing habits or positive actions and do it every day. You will see the improvements in a short time and it will change you.

I never thought I could do a handstand or a headstand, and I did it when I was 40. I was so happy with myself.
I feel it's important to stay strong and be confident. The first step is to be comfortable with yourself - how you look, what you love, embrace your strengths and weaknesses.

TRAINER, FITNESS TV HOST AND MODEL
Nana Al Haleq
No one knows you better than yourself and you will regret it if you don't try. If you failed once, learn from your mistakes and try again.
"My journey began because of vanity - the desire to look good. I was completely focused on the goal and, without much thought, decided to use Instagram as a diary. Then, I received a message thanking me for sharing tips for working out as it helped her lose weight. That was when I realised it wasn't just me posting online for myself but how it can affect someone else's life too. It was overwhelming at first to have more and more people come up to me for advice but it made me realise the role I have taken up and it made me more confident.
Not many in my own circle believed in me. My parents spent a lot on my studies and trained me for corporate work so that I can help the family business. When I told them I was giving that up to work as a fitness personality to inspire others, they told me there was no future in it. My friends too said this was just a phase. I didn't listen. I quit my job and dove right into it. If you can dream it and you love it, do it. No one knows you better than yourself. If you failed once, learn from your mistakes and try again. There will always be people putting you down but you don't have to respond. Focus on the journey and the prize at the end of it."

YOGA TEACHER
Robyn Lau
I shouldn't even care what people would think about me because I've tried that and I wasn't happy.
"It took me a long time to figure out what is it that I love to do. An ego-based decision led me to study law and halfway through, I realised it wasn't meant for me. But I still pulled through because I was afraid people would think I wasn't good enough, that my parents would be disappointed and I might lose friends. With a heavy heart, I ended up working at a law firm. Hated it. My brother then told me to do what I wanted to do and not give in to people's opinion of me. I tried working for events (it was fun), did a corporate training job (it was nice), moved on to the tech department of a local startup (it was alright) but they were all not it. One day, my ex-boyfriend asked me what would drive my passion? I realised I wanted to teach and I've been a self-practising yogi since I was 18.

Of course, with that, there were many doubts and I'd have to give up a comfortable lifestyle and job stability. Would my friends still respect me the same way? Will I be able to afford my shopping habits? It took a while but I concluded that as long as I'm willing to work hard, money will come.
As for friends, I shouldn't even care what people would think about me because I've tried that and I wasn't happy. I also don't need a full closet of clothes. Whenever I stay over at a friend's place, I only pack the essentials and it dawned on me that everything I need fits in one bag. So I dropped everything, did my yoga teacher's certification in Koh Samui, came back and started teaching at Atilia's studio. My mum wasn't too keen on my decision and still tried to convince me to go back to corporate. I kept quiet for the longest time until I finally decided to send her an email saying, "Mum, I've done the whole corporate thing. Now I wake up at 5am in the morning, do my own practice, head out to teach and work all the way till 10pm. I come back home and I'm happy. To do this job, I need to make sure I don't get injured, that I eat and sleep well. I take care of myself and I'm doing this without anyone telling me to do it." I can finally feel like I'm myself and that's enough."

TV HOST AND ACTRESS
Yasmin Hani
You don't have anyone else but yourself. You suffer the pain yourself. You achieve things yourself. At the end of the day, it's up to you to break the barrier to realise you are capable.
"After becoming a mother, I discovered I can do more for another human being. My dreams are bigger and my aims are higher because it includes them too. I'm not just thinking about their future but mine as well. I'm in their life and I want to live longer and healthier so I won't burden them. I don't want them to suffer or trouble them to take care of me. Having this kind of confidence doesn't just stem from being a mother. Even before I had my kids, it's something I had to realise. You don't have anyone else but yourself. You suffer the pain yourself. You achieve things yourself. At the end of the day, it's up to you to break the barrier to realise you are capable.
It's not easy to be positive. It takes practice and it's also something to do with how you were brought up. Asian parents don't tend to shower their kids with a lot of praise. They may say bitter things to stop you from doing certain things but that's just the best way they know. If you aren't in a positive environment, then create it. Create the change you want to be. Associate yourself with inspiring people, read good quotes, listen to happy songs, and motivate yourself. Do the same to others. Refrain from saying negative things like, "You look haggard. What happened?" but instead ask, "Hey, are you okay?" Stop asking about the looks on the outside. Ask about how people feel on the inside first. It'd be nice to hear someone say, "I love your energy". When you feel good, you will look good and it's contagious."

Watch the Unlike Any campaign video below:
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Credits
Photography: Eric Chow/Blink Studio
Videography: Shepherd Pictures
Styling: Joan Kong
Art Direction: Yi Suen Chong
Hair: Juno Ko
Makeup: Cat Yong
Text: Rachel Au
Location: Xclusive Fitnesz & Naza Towers @ Platinum Park
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