This is a personal reflection by Jessie Chen, founder of JC Health. It is a story about why she left a comfortable career to sell mini bikes at Singapore's weekend bazaars — losing money, being turned away at MRT stations, and yet finding a purpose so deep it moved her to tears. At the heart of it all is one question she has asked herself since the pandemic: "When I am 80 years old, will I still be independent?"
https://youtube.com/shorts/SkkihLnrg3Q?si=ozyX0sDnsPWL96VZ
Why I Started JC Health
Since I posted that video on Friday—to be honest—I don't know if others liked it or not, but I find myself watching it over and over again. This is a moment that deeply touches the depths of my soul. It's not just about the present; it's about how I unconsciously spoke my innermost feelings and the reasons why I started JC Health. I was moved by my own words—this is an answer that has been buried in my heart for a long time. This is why I firmly believe what I am doing is meaningful. For myself and for society, this is a career worth pursuing.
This is why JC Health began sourcing and studying samples in late 2023. During my first visit to the Canton Fair, among countless samples, I felt a unique calling toward elderly rehabilitation. Not the kind of products you only need when you are sick, but small home exercise products suitable for the elderly. I conducted extensive research, combining my knowledge from fitness certification courses with kinesiology and nutrition.
The Science Behind Low-Impact Movement
The fundamental principle of kinesiology is blood circulation—driving the body's "Qi" and blood to transport nutrients to every organ, nourishing their natural functions while simultaneously discharging toxins. It is about reducing sarcopenia. The essence of anti-aging is "stimulation": stimulating muscle strengthening to overcome the natural process of aging and maintain muscle mass. For older individuals, especially those without a fitness foundation, intense or violent exercise can backfire. Their joints, ligaments, and nerve tissues may not be able to bear the load, adding a burden to already fragile organs and causing strain. This is why I advocate for "low impact" exercises that still activate key muscles and maintain mobility. Whether it is active movement like a mini bike or passive movement like a mini elliptical, these are the best starting points for seniors at home.
Memories of the Pasar Days
I remember the first time I took the mini bike to the bazaar at Fengshan 84. While introducing the benefits to the elderly, I would find myself happily explaining and even assembling them on the ground right there. The elderly would take them home, often carried in their grocery trolleys. The beauty of the bazaar was that I saw them every weekend. Some seniors would come down specifically to tell me, "This is so useful! I cycle for an hour without realizing it while watching TV". My face would break into a huge smile; I felt so happy and satisfied.
The "Bicycle Lady" of the MRT
To be honest, back then, the Grab transportation fees and stall rent cost more than I made. I was losing money on every mini bike because I didn't account for shipping, storage, or my own labor. Because these are exercise products in large boxes, some Grab drivers would arrive, see the boxes, and say, "I carry people, not cargo". The MRT even refused to let me in with so many boxes. If you look at my early videos, you'll see how I became a "celebrity" of the MRT stations—simply because I was constantly being rejected. It wasn't easy to find a Grab driver willing to take the load. After a day at the bazaar, I often had to wait for several cars before I could bring the goods back to the shop.
Becoming Known in the Community
But I seemed to become "famous" suddenly. I remember on March 1, 2024, I hadn't even reached my stall by 8:30 AM. The auntie from the neighboring stall called me at 8:00 AM asking, "Are you here yet? There's an uncle waiting. He asked if the 'bicycle lady' is coming because he wants to buy". When I finally arrived, he was already there waiting. I had just taken out my last two mini bikes when he said, "I want both". I was stunned and asked why he was buying two. He told me they were for his 80-year-old father and his father's brother because their legs were becoming weak. That was such a moving moment. Sometimes when I ran out of stock, daughters-in-law would come by asking when I'd return because they wanted to buy a birthday gift for their father-in-law. Being in the community is wonderful because you are recognized and accepted.
A Friend Who Didn't Understand
My childhood friend is also in Singapore. She asked me, "Why are you making products for 'old people'? And going to the bazaar? I don't understand. You're exhausted. Are you even making money?". I told her I was losing money but I wanted to do it. She stared at me, finding it unbelievable. She knew I used to run a travel agency and that with my education, I could do something much less exhausting and more profitable. She kept advising me to stop, but I insisted. Eventually, she stopped talking about it, though she later offered to help me find other stall locations.
"A Work of Great Merit"
Once in Serangoon, an auntie sat down to try the mini bike. She mentioned she had an older model at home and said to me, "What you are selling is a work of 'Great Merit' (Gong De Wu Liang). I support you". She bought a seat cushion that day. I've seen many seniors come to try the cushions—some saw my videos or old livestreams, others heard from friends. They came specifically because of hip pain. When I watch these videos now, they bring back those memories of the bazaar. These moments are why I started, why I persist, and why I will continue no matter what.
The Soul's Inquiry: A Question for My 80-Year-Old Self
During the pandemic, while I was studying for my ACE personal trainer certification, after I passed the exam, I chose the topic of "Functional Aging." During those days of training and studying "Functional Aging", I asked myself the same question over and over again:
"When I am 80 years old, will I still be independent?"
https://youtube.com/shorts/g2fFdjKwYDY?si=135qcvHhiL2ViaOx
To me, Functional Aging is not a medical term; it is the answer to the most basic needs of a human being. I started asking myself the hard questions that touch the most vulnerable nerves of my heart:
- Can I still walk out of my house by myself?
- Can I carry my own groceries back from the market without help?
- Can I handle my own basic needs—like using the toilet or taking a shower—without someone having to lift me?
- Can I still go traveling on my own to see the world?
- Can I keep my memory sharp and clear, staying away from the fog of dementia?
- Can I go out and enjoy my life without constantly worrying about whether my body will fail me?
Losing Mobility Means Losing Dignity
Among the six systems of natural human aging, losing the leg strength to walk and the hand strength to carry things is fundamental. Once you lose these, it triggers a chain reaction—physical, psychological, and social. When you lose the ability to handle your own basic needs, you lose your Dignity.
https://youtube.com/shorts/vlSfxUCkP_s?si=HyCvZKoF-Xxvf-E3
This is why in my videos, I am talking to my future self. I am reminding everyone that "Functional Aging" doesn't happen the moment you turn 70; it is a slow, invisible decline that starts much earlier. If we don't "stimulate" our muscles and our circulation now, we are simply waiting for the day we lose our freedom.
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Prevention is better than cure. I want everyone to keep the strength in their legs and the clarity in their minds so they can enjoy their later years with total independence.
A Personal Regret — and a Hope
Perhaps my greatest regret is that my mother passed away at 43 due to a car accident caused by exhaustion from working too hard to raise five children. My father passed away at 68. When I was young, I didn't understand much, and living in Singapore meant I rarely had the chance to accompany my father in Fujian. I remember the last look he gave me when I was leaving for Singapore; he looked old and helpless, and was even afraid of falling while climbing to the second floor. Back then, I didn't know how to care for an aging father; I only thought about how to survive in Singapore, thinking that giving him money was enough. But money isn't everything. Being able to live healthily and independently in old age is the greatest gift of life. I didn't have the chance to care for my parents—that is my regret. I hope those with elderly parents can see them live long, healthy lives.
Between December 2022 and July 2023, I lived in Melbourne, Australia. My landlord was an aged care worker, and her two daughters were a doctor and a physiotherapist. I made local friends who were also caregivers, and we visited aged care exhibitions. They helped me deeply understand the social burdens and anxieties of an aging society—it's not about building more nursing homes. The Australian government and the elderly themselves hope for "aging in place" (living at home). The basic condition for this is that the elderly can remain independent or have relatives to rely on. In Singapore's high-cost, high-pressure environment, children may not always be there. I believe the best way to retire is to maintain mobility and independence. This is my goal for when I am 80 or 90, and I hope everyone can enjoy a high-quality, independent life as they age.