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We’ve all heard stories of people feeling crushed when their application to become an air stewardess gets rejected. After all, it’s often seen as the dream job.
But for Sheshi, the reality was far from the picture-perfect life many imagine.
Became an air stewardess at 19
At just 19 years old, Sheshi stepped into a career many dream of: travelling the world as an air stewardess, earning her own income, and gaining independence early in life.
But behind the polished image and fast-paced lifestyle, she found herself quietly questioning if this was a life she could sustain long-term.
Today, she co-owns a Pilates studio called Dimples Pilates in Kota Damansara, where her focus has shifted from constant movement to helping others slow down, reconnect, and build strength in a more intentional way.
How mourning changed her
After completing SPM, Sheshi initially pursued psychology, but her life took an unexpected turn when she lost her father.
He was a very central figure in my life,” she added.
The loss pushed her to grow up faster than she anticipated, and with that came the need to become financially independent. That was when she entered the aviation industry — not out of lifelong passion, but as a practical step forward.
Looking back, she describes that phase as one that shaped her resilience and forced her to navigate adulthood on her own terms.
The reality of cabin crew
While many associate being cabin crew with glamour and travel, Sheshi said the reality was far from what people see online.
There’s a constant expectation to be perfect and when I asked myself if I could do this for the next five to ten years. The answer was no.”
From appearance to communication, the standards were always high. And starting young while dealing with personal challenges made the pressure even heavier.
Over time, Sheshi realised how easy it was to lose herself in the process of constantly performing and meeting expectations. Still, the experience taught her discipline, consistency, and professionalism, qualities she carries with her today.
Discovered peace in Pilates
Sheshi first came across Pilates casually, but what stood out to her was how different it felt compared to traditional workouts.
“It wasn’t just about doing more reps. It required control, precision, and understanding how your body moves.” she explained.
As Sheshi became more invested in Pilates, she pursued formal training and became STOTT Pilates certified, thus gaining a deeper understanding of anatomy and movement.
She later worked across seven different studios, where she began noticing gaps in the industry such as over-reliance on equipment to inconsistencies in how classes were taught, leading her to vow to make much-needed changes in the scene.
Invested into building her own studio
Initially, Sheshi and her partner planned to build their own studio from scratch. But when the opportunity arose to acquire an existing studio that aligned with their vision, they decided to take it over instead.
They invested into acquiring and restructuring the business. However, the transition wasn’t without challenges.
There were existing systems and structures they had to work around, and not everything could be changed immediately. To make things more difficult, their first month of operations coincided with Chinese New Year and Ramadan, resulting in a slower start than expected.
“It added another layer of pressure early on. But instead of rushing, we focused on improving what they could first and gradually refining the rest.”
Outside of the studio, Sheshi also experienced rapid growth on social media, where she started posting on TikTok during the Covid-19 pandemic just to explore something new.
Unexpectedly, her videos began gaining millions of views, even catching the attention of The Grammys. But as her audience grew, she became more conscious of how content could easily become driven by trends rather than intention.
At one point, it started to feel more performative than purposeful.
“That was when I decided to take a step back and reset, choosing to focus on creating content that felt more authentic and aligned with my values.”
Redefining success
For Sheshi, success today looks very different from what it used to be.
“In the past, it was all about income and recognition. But now, it’s about building something useful and sustainable.
“I hope to create a space where people of all backgrounds can better understand their bodies, move well, and build confidence over time,” she said.
For those looking to start their own business, Sheshi emphasised the importance of clarity and intention.
“You don’t need everything to be perfect. But you need to understand your trade-offs and be ready to adapt.”
Her journey from aviation to entrepreneurship wasn’t planned out step-by-step, but it was guided by a clear sense of what she wanted her life to feel like.
And today, that clarity continues to shape everything she builds, from her business to the content she creates.
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