07_BT_July 2022

Special Feature
What
the mind
believes,
the body
achieves.
Can you tell us what you have been
busy with recently?
I’ve been pretty busy with my restaurant (Restoran Rebung
Chef Ismail) and my role as a fellow researcher and lecturer
at UKM. As the Founder of Afyaa, I have also been sharing
health-related insights with the public. Work aside, my kids
are my priority. Thus, my wife and I try to spend as much time
as possible with them. We enjoy watching them grow up and
helping to bring out the best in them. Both of us are doctors,
so it’s been quite hard to juggle our time. However, we do
our best as we do not want to miss out on crucial parts of the
parenting journey.
Your professional journey has been
incredibly inspiring. Can you share
what led you to transition from one
career path to another?
I always believe in trying new things. Once you’ve succeeded
in something, you should try a different field. For me, once
I’ve achieved my goal of being a doctor, I decided to pursue
my dream of becoming an astronaut. Now, I’m transitioning
into parenthood and parenting. Always pushing yourself and
trying new things are what truly inspire me to keep going. I
do not live in my comfort zone. My next target is to become a
pilot in two years and work in Africa.
Let’s talk about your passion as a
parent. Tell us more about how you
raise your kids. For example, what
do you do to build a stronger bond
with them?
I encourage my kids to try different activities such as
swimming, taekwondo, music, and so on. Guiding them
to do their very best is important. You also need to be
knowledgeable about parenting, and you need to have
plans. From short-term goals to long-term goals, these will
help the parenting process. I think if your relationship with
them is built on a solid foundation, you can ensure a strong
bond with them even when they grow older. Even though
I’m very strict when it comes to their education, I still
encourage open communication.
BabyTalk | July 2022 11