BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Open For Business  >  From Athlete to Founder: Why This Medalist Dove Into Business

From Athlete to Founder: Why This Medalist Dove Into Business

Ryan Kee, Co-Founder, Sailfish Swim Academy | Ethan Chew, Co-Founder, Sailfish Swim Academy

16-Dec-24 10:00

From Athlete to Founder: Why This Medalist Dove Into Business

“Just keep swimming”, in this episode of Open For Business, we explore how SEA Games medalist Ryan Kee turned his passion for swimming into a thriving business.

Sailfish Swim Academy was established in 2016 by SEA Games medalist Ryan Kee to tackle multiple challenges: reducing drowning incidents among children, creating career pathways for ex-athletes and fresh graduates, and discovering talent for Selangor through Persatuan Renang Amatur Selangor (PRAS).

Operating across seven locations in the Klang Valley, the academy offers lessons tailored to children as young as four months old.

In this episode of Open for Business, we speak with Founder Ryan Kee and Managing Director Ethan Chew about Sailfish’s journey—from its humble beginnings to becoming a thriving academy. We discuss their approach to program development, building a mission-driven team, navigating the challenges of scaling, and their ambitious plans for expanding swim education in Malaysia.

Produced by: Carol Wong

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  marketsmanagingeducationsportsentrepreneurs

Tags:  medallistswim schoolPRASswimmingsea gamesbusiness





Play / Pause

Listen now : Top 5 at 5: A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of...

Today’s Shows



6:00 AM

The 6AM Stretch

Thought-provoking discussions on ideas, people and events shaping our lives.

7:00 AM

World Market Watch

Michele Schneider, Chief Strategist at Market Gauge tells us where international markets are heading.

7:15 AM

Morning Brief

We recap global and local headlines from today's papers and portals.

7:30 AM

Morning Brief

Jonathan Curtis, Co-Chief Investment Officer, Franklin Equity will be sharing the outlook of US tech stocks.

7:45 AM

Morning Brief

Firdaos Rosli, Chief Economist, Ambank gives us an outlook on Malaysia's economy.

8:00 AM

The Breakfast Grille

Shariman Yusuf Mohamed Zain, CEO of Alam Flora, shares how the company is transforming from a concession-based waste collector into a circular economy and environmental solutions player.

8:30 AM

Morning Brief

Dr. Abdul Rahman Yaacob of Verve Research explains whether the South China Sea Code of Conduct can truly keep the waters safe without resolving territorial disputes.

8:45 AM

Morning Brief

Dato' Dr. Ahmad Farhan Mohd. Sadullah, Vice Chancellor of Universiti Putra Malaysia, shares insights into the the Malaysian rail system.

9:00 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) Michele Schneider, Chief Strategist at Market Gauge tells us where international markets are heading.

9:15 AM

Opening Bell

(REPEAT) We take a look at the FBM KLCI as well as regional capital markets.

9:35 AM

What's The Focus

We wrap up the week’s biggest conversations to keep you in the know.

10:05 AM

Open For Business

Thiban Chandra, Founder of TechX Malaysia shares about moving from a reservoir engineer in the oil and gas industry to launching a home audio and Hi-Fi venture.

11:00 AM

Mattsplained

Matt Armitage, Founder, Kulturpop

12:00 PM

Enterprise Explores

Dickson Woo, Country General Manager & Technology Leader, IBM Malaysia shares findings from the IBM 2026 Business and Technology Trends.

1:00 PM

The Breakfast Grille Repeat

Shariman Yusuf Mohamed Zain, CEO of Alam Flora, shares how the company is transforming from a concession-based waste collector into a circular economy and environmental solutions player.

2:05 PM

Discovery Hour

An eclectic selection of BBC shows, curated with variety in mind.

3:05 PM

Front Row

BUKA 2026 uses solo theatre and dance to explore identity, belonging, and emotional truth. We speak with producer Hoe Hui Ting and performer Yon Lynn to find out more.

3:25 PM

Front Row

The MPO’s 28th season spans Mozart to movies, anime, and Broadway. Resident Conductor Gerard Salonga shares how the orchestra keeps classical music exciting.

4:05 PM

Health & Living

The United States is now encouraging its people to eat more protein and fats, and less carbohydrates. But why is it doing so? And what should you learn from their new guidelines?

5:00 PM

Top 5 at 5

A countdown of the 5 biggest stories of the day, to catch you up on all you need to know!

6:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple + Zombies on Screen

7:00 PM

Just For Kicks

We react to the midweek European matches that saw Man City losing to Bodo/Glimt, as well as Spurs surviving a scare against Dortmund. Then, we preview Matchweek 23 of the English Premier League, including the big one - Arsenal hosting Man Utd at the Emirates.

8:00 PM

Bar None

Young Malaysian golfer who turned pro last year, Mirabel Ting joins us to share the eventful journey in her career so far.

9:00 PM

The Selector

Covering all styles of music from indie, dubstep, folk, soul, electro and everything in between from some of the most exciting artists in the UK.