# Aisyah Rafaee - 2x Olympic Rower on Comebacks, Mental Strength & Redefining High Performance in Your 30s

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/tough-girl-podcast-47123/aisyah-rafaee-2x-olympic-rower-on-comebacks-mental-strength-redefining-high-performance-in-your-30s
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/tough-girl-podcast-47123/aisyah-rafaee-2x-olympic-rower-on-comebacks-mental-strength-redefining-high-performance-in-your-30s.md
Podcast: [Tough Girl Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/tough-girl-podcast-47123)
Published: 2026-05-19T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://toughgirlchallenges.libsyn.com/aisyah-rafaee-2x-olympic-rower-on-comebacks-mental-strength-redefining-high-performance-in-your-30s
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/toughgirlchallenges/Aisyah_Rafaee_.mp3?dest-id=278579
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/tough-girl-podcast-47123/episodes/aisyah-rafaee-2x-olympic-rower-on-comebacks-mental-strength-redefining-high-performance-in-your-30s
Duration seconds: 2799

## Resource

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we're joined by Aisyah Rafaee – a two-time Olympic rower from Singapore who competed at the Rio 2016 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the single scull. After taking an eight-year break from the sport, Aisyah made the bold decision to return—qualifying for Paris 2024 as one of the oldest athletes in the field and redefining what it means to be a high-performing athlete in your 30s. Originally from Singapore and now based in Boston, USA, Aisyah grew up with four brothers and discovered rowing after being scouted during an indoor competition at school. With limited rowing culture and opportunities in Singapore, she carved her own path—training overseas in Sydney, qualifying through a fiercely competitive Asian selection process, and representing Singapore on the world stage. But her journey hasn't been linear. From struggling with pressure at her first Olympics to working with mental skills coach Hansen Bay, from stepping away from elite sport to rediscovering her love for movement, from fracturing her ribs a month before Paris to qualifying with just six months to go—this is a powerful conversation about identity, resilience, vulnerability, and growth. Now working as a HYDROW Athlete and Mental Performance Coach with 3HP Athlete Coaching, Aisyah shares insights on: Building confidence and resilience Letting go of expectations Separating identity from performance The realities of returning to elite sport after time away Training and mindset during pregnancy Why rowing is a lifelong sport Her philosophy of the 3Hs: Happy, Healthy & High Performing This episode is about trusting your timing, embracing new chapters, and asking yourself: Is this smart for me? Aisyah's story is proof that it's never "too late" to chase a dream — and th…

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