SingaporeMotherhood | Parenting
June 2025
From Bodyguard to Buoy: The Making of Coach Athan
Athanasius Pang, better known as Coach Athan, is a 49-year-old father of three and founder of Dip Swim (Singapore). Once part of the elite security team for high-profile figures including Singapore’s founding father, Lee Kuan Yew, Athan’s journey has been marked by personal struggles, including divorce and depression. Through resilience and purpose, he rebuilt his life and now dedicates himself to empowering future generations.
Growing Up Gritty
“Born in 1975, I grew up in a harsh era. As civil servants, my parents had stable but low wages. I often envied classmates when they bought soft drinks or cool stationery. But I didn’t ponder why I could not afford such things. Similarly, I was not academically inclined, but always managed to do enough to pass. Because in both areas, I simply learnt to adapt.
While my parents raised me to stay out of trouble, I also possessed the fairness-seeking characteristics of a Libra. Thus, I thrived in the roles of class monitor and school prefect — I loved the job of having the authority to shout: “Tie your shoelaces!”, “Tuck in your shirt!”, “You’re late. Give me your name!”
Despite our relatively weak family finances, my parents tightened their purse strings, and Mum tried to bring out the (non-existent) artist in me. She would enrol me in art and music lessons — seriously?! Then finally, she signed me up for Taekwondo class — now, we’re talking! There, I found my passion, attaining my black belt when I was 11 years old.
This also opened the doors to a leadership opportunity. Under the tutelage of my Taekwondo instructor, I spent about two years training older children at the Boys’ and Girls’ Homes, observing and befriending these ‘last chance’ kids. I even let one stay at my place when he was out on parole but couldn’t go home. My mum scolded me for bringing a stranger home without permission. Sadly, he vanished with my wallet on the third morning, leaving behind a note that saying “Sorry”. I never saw him again, and I felt bad that I couldn’t help him. In fact, that’s one of the reasons I wanted to join the police force.
(See also: What’s your Child’s Ideal Career Path based on their Chinese Zodiac sign?)
Guarding Giants
Still, my decision to join the Singapore Police Force wasn’t a sudden one. Since young, I was deeply fascinated by the intricacies of law enforcement and the profound impact officers have on society. My path took an especially unique turn when I was selected for the covert Close Protection Unit under Police Security Command. I was just in my second year of service with the Marine Police (now Police Coast Guard) when I received the call.
Working in this elite task force was a transformative experience that taught me the importance of resilience when facing challenges. Every detail, from route planning to crowd management, had to be meticulously planned and executed with precision. From day-to-day commutes to major national and international events, the lives of our nation’s leaders and esteemed guests were entrusted to us. And the weight of that trust was my constant companion for years.
Just three months into my new job, I was assigned to then Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s protective detail. This post came with another challenge — as a junior in rank and experience, I had to prove myself to the elites of the elites, the ‘LKY team’. Not to mention proving to the man himself that I was fit to be his protector. I was only 21 years old!
Another memorable highlight of my career involved Former US President George W. Bush visiting Singapore in 2003. I was part of a special team for this high-profile visit, but it coincided with the birth of my first child. I requested leave and it was granted. But deep down inside, I knew I would regret passing on this assignment. After discussing it with my family, I rejoined the team after my daughter’s birth.
(See also: Do You Know Your Maternity Leave and Paternity Leave Entitlements?)
Behind the Badge
Rising through the ranks, I went from frontline to behind-the-desk roles in Intelligence, Training, Operations, and Planning & Development departments. The job of protecting our country’s leaders and foreign dignitaries put an enormous psychological strain on me. This pressure and responsibility only increased as I climbed the ladder.
Protecting high-profile figures can take a toll on mental and emotional wellbeing. Managing stress and maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial but almost impossible. Many officers in this line experience broken marriages because it is arduous for spouses to have blind faith, not knowing where they are or what they’re doing.
Leaving a career in law enforcement to start my own business was a significant decision, driven by a combination of factors. While I deeply valued my time in the police force and the sense of purpose it provided, I felt a growing desire for more autonomy and creative control over my work. The structured environment, while offering stability, felt increasingly limiting.
Ultimately, my time in the Close Protection Unit was not only a test of my physical and mental capabilities, but also a profound lesson in responsibility, ethics, and unwavering dedication to duty. Serving my country and protecting the brains who lead and represent us on the world stage instilled in me a deep sense of pride. It’s a journey I’ll forever cherish, but it was time to move on.
(See also: Accountability: Teach your Child the Most Important Value of all)
The Other Home Team
I love children, and had always been fascinated by the idea of parenthood. When my children were born, I hoped for them to shine brighter than me. I take my job as a parent seriously, drawing references from my experiences with juvenile delinquents, the training I received in negotiation, profiling, and decrypting behaviours, as well as my own research into child psychology.
My now ex-wife and I first met in secondary school. We married young, partly because 10 years into the relationship felt long enough. As I was savouring a quiet moment one day, she walked up to me with a soft smile. With a glint of excitement in her eyes, she showed me the positive pregnancy test. It’s hard to describe, but it felt like there was a shift in the atmosphere that made my heart race with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Throughout the pregnancy, I attended every doctor’s appointment, read books, attended parenting classes, and prepared a nursery. Which we ended up not using as we decided the children should sleep with us to nurture family bonding. The pregnancy was smooth, and I would often feel the kicks while whispering sweet nothings to the little one inside.
The day I witnessed the miracle of birth and held my child for the first time, I lifted her up high like in The Lion King. An indescribable sense of awe and gratitude for this precious life entrusted to my care came over me. We were blessed with another smooth pregnancy six years later. This time it was a boy. I once again held him aloft with pride and joy.
(See also: Support for New Dads – Because They Need Help Too!)
When Love and Duty Collide
Outside of work, I tried to spend as much time as I could with my children. My wife was understanding and would not let me do the ‘night shifts’. That said, we were very fortunate that both babies were easy to care for and seldom fussed at night. I remember winning a diaper-changing competition — that shows how hands-on a father I was, right?
To be honest, it was really tough juggling family with my demanding career. I would get paged during family time and had to answer calls at all hours. I would leave for work before anyone awoke and returned when everyone was already asleep. At work, we used to joke that our children would start calling us ‘Uncle’ soon.
My security business venture was also struggling and I dabbled in gambling and investing in stocks and shares, foolishly thinking it was a quick way to bring in working capital. To compound matters, my wife, for reasons of her own, divorced me. She got full custody of our children, then 10 and 4 years old, as well as our HDB executive apartment. Penniless and homeless, I had to move back in with my parents. She later took me to court when I was five months in arrears for child support. My children hated me for not being around. We grew distant.
Between the loss of career and family, ending my own life seemed to be the best solution. Then I remembered what SM Lee said to me once. “If you can’t protect yourself, how can you protect me?” So, I cleaned up my act and turned my business around.
(See also: Single Parents in Singapore: This Single Father shares His Story)
Second Chances
In 2014, on a work trip to Vietnam, I met Huyen. She was the person at the budget airline’s counter when I needed to purchase extra check-in baggage. I was bringing soft toys back for my children in my carry-on, but it exceeded the size limit. The fee seemed exorbitant, so I asked if she would hold onto my empty suitcase. “I will be back in two weeks,” I said. She kindly obliged.
Two weeks later, I emailed her to arrange for collection. She called me back and invited me to a meal instead. Over dinner, she told me that the luggage was lost. In what is now a long-standing joke, I quipped: “Is that how you planned to entrap me from the very beginning?” We were married in 2018.
A year later, little Ariadne was born. She was another easy child and it felt like a chance to make up for lost time with my older children. Her bright eyes and infectious laugh quickly became the centre of my universe. She also became my saving grace as my business took another nosedive.
The pressure of trying to stay afloat while supporting my family definitely took a toll on my mental health. Of course, the Covid-19 pandemic was the final blow. I asked myself why I seemed to rise and then fall again. So much for thinking I could show my first two kids that their daddy was not the failure their mum painted me as. But when my parents sold their matrimonial home to help clear my debts, I knew I had truly failed everyone. Again, death seemed to be the only way out.
(See also: Expecting my first Baby during the Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown)
Tough Men Last; Tough Times Don’t
But this time, I was stronger and recovered faster. Ariadne’s arrival gave me new strength and a second chance. I didn’t want my three children to brand me a coward when they grew up, nor leave behind a stigma for them to bear. Reflecting on all my training, I told myself countless times that I would stand the test of time.
During Covid, I was jobless and pondering my next steps. On the flip side, as Ariadne began exploring the world around her, I could be there every step of the way, marvelling at her every milestone and cherishing the simple joys of parenthood. I first took her swimming when she was 12 months old. Four months later, we were already diving 1.8-metre depths together.
Thinking back, I put together all my skills and experience:
- Volunteering at the Boys’ and Girls’ Homes
- My skills in negotiation and behaviour profiling
- My love for children and having three of my own
- Freelancing as a clown and magician for children’s parties
- A passion for water — I was in NCC Sea in school, and then the Coast Guard
- I gave trainings on tactical water rescue during my private security days
Last but not least, swimming with Ariadne affirmed that this was the right direction. And thus, Dip Swim was born. Stemming from my passion for both swimming and child development, I wanted to create a revolutionary swim pedagogy that would not only teach essential swimming and water safety skills, but also nurture the whole child.
(See also: 10 Truths about Baby Swimming Lessons (+ Best Places to Learn))
This Little Light of Mine
Ariadne is now five years old. Often the demo student when I conduct swim lessons, she inspires, helps, and motivates many children. Parents and children call me Coach Athan, but it is Ariadne who is the face of Dip Swim. Her innate positive energy and cheery vibe infects everyone who meets her.
As I reflect on the journey of fatherhood with Ariadne by my side, I am filled with gratitude for the privilege of being her dad. Our relationship has blossomed into a beautiful tapestry of shared experiences and unconditional love. From swimming and playing the piano to doing her homework, I cherish every moment I spend with her.
As she grows up, I hope she will develop strong work ethics, a passion for helping others, and a commitment to innovate and make a positive difference in the world. But as for me, my most important job is to be her rock, her protector, and her loudest cheerleader.”
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