Nan Fung’s Vanessa Cheung, the driving force behind The Mills, on CrossFit and the power of community
In the What Matters To Me series, a Generation T honouree describes what they do, why they do it, and why it matters.
It doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in the day for Vanessa Cheung to achieve all that she does, yet somehow she keeps adding to her list of accomplishments. With a bachelor’s degree in biology—she initially wanted to be a vet—and a master’s in landscape architecture, it was nevertheless expected that she would eventually join the family property development business, Nan Fung. When she did, it was to shake it up by spearheading one of Hong Kong’s largest private revitalisation projects, The Mills.
Outside work, Vanessa discovered CrossFit. Hooked on the benefits of leading a more active life, she became co-owner of CrossFit Asphodel, founded coconut-based drinks company Quo and established a community health initiative, the Keep Moving Project. Here, Vanessa introduces the various aspects of her work in her own words.
See also: Connect To Change: Getting Active For Education In Hong Kong
Being active is one of the things that keeps my mind clear. It also means I can set goals and accomplish things outside work. It’s a non-negotiable part of every day.
CrossFit is an empowering sport. The community is supportive and caring, no matter your background or profession, and everyone has a common goal. There’s also always something to learn and to improve on.