Arya News - At 65, Michelle Wong and her husband CS Khong are living proof that the golden years can be vibrant, active and full of adventure.
PETALING JAYA – At 65, Michelle Wong and her husband CS Khong are living proof that the golden years can be vibrant, active and full of adventure – even after life throws you a curveball.
Wong, a cancer survivor since 2007, remembers clearly how her diagnosis in her 40s shifted her perspective on life.
“I was lucky. The cancer was detected early, and I responded well to treatment. But after that, I knew I had to take charge of my own health,” she shares.
At the time, her three children were still young, and like many mothers, her focus had always been a constant juggle of work and caring for her family. “Cancer was the wake-up call,” she says. “It reminded me that I had to start caring for myself too.”
Supporting her through it all has been her husband, Khong, director of a property development company. From Day One, he has been right beside her – not just emotionally, but physically as well.
“Some people may view it as a bad thing. But I like to look on the bright side of things. We got the cancer detected very, very early, and things worked out so easily for us, one thing after another just fell into place very neatly. We took a lot of leave that first year and began travelling and being active together,” he says.
Mr. Khong and Ms. Wong, rightfully proud as they hold up the nation’s flag at the Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED/THE STAR
A support system
Their journey toward active aging began with something simple: an exercise support group for cancer survivors and caregivers at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), led by Associate Prof Dr Mohd Nahar Azmi Mohamed, a sports medicine specialist.
The weekly sessions with the Exercise Support Group (ESG) were a mix of aerobics, Zumba, stretching and light resistance training. But more than the exercise, it is the sense of community that continues to have a huge impact.
“It has become our Saturday routine. Prof always reminds us to listen to our bodies. That has helped us with injury prevention and encouraged us to work within our limits,” Wong explains.
From those initial meetings at ESG, something remarkable happened. The couple began to push their boundaries – gently at first. Then, in 2017, they joined a group of 40 survivors and caregivers on a trip to Kota Kinabalu.
Khong shares: “About 24 of us attempted to climb Mount Kinabalu. Mich (Khong fondly calls Wong) got to Laban Rata that year, and that was already an amazing feat. It was her first hike. She knew her limit, and that’s what mattered.”
Wong didn’t stop there. She continued training and exercising, organised group hikes herself, and eventually reached the peak of Mount Kinabalu on her third attempt in 2021. By then, mountain climbing had become a shared passion.
Both Wong and Khong knew their own pace. They went slow and steady – and together.
Next came World Heritage Site Jeju’s Mount Hallasan in South Korea. Then the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) in Nepal – trekking for five days and walking up to 24km a day.
“When we reached ABC in 2023, all seven of us – four of us cancer survivors – cried. It was a huge achievement,” Wong recalls. “I remember thinking ‘Wow! I can do this. And if I can do this, I can do more.”
Khong, ever the energetic partner, keeps track of all their achievements on his phone, he says whipping out his trusty device and proudly displaying the stats: “That day – Oct 13, 2023 – we clocked 33,468 steps! That’s the highest single-day record we’ve had. Still unbeaten!”
Their active lifestyle It’s a lifestyle not only helps them stay physically fit but also to maintain mental wellness and social connection. PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED/THE STAR
Raring to go
The couple’s adventures didn’t stop there. In March this year, they completed another trek to Langtang Valley and Kyanjin Gompa in Nepal. And when they’re not climbing mountains, they’re taking part in marathons and joining community initiatives such as the Amazing Seniors’ Fitness Marathon and Walk-a-Breakfasthon.
Their weekly routine is no less impressive: 6.30am morning walks at Bukit Kiara in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, weekend hikes at Bukit Gasing, Petaling Jaya or Bukit Wawasan, Puchong, and exercise sessions at UMMC, rain or shine.
“We train three or four times a week. It takes persistence and dedication,” Wong says.
It’s a lifestyle they’ve built not only to stay physically fit but also to maintain mental wellness and social connection.
“We’ve made so many friends along the way, and we really value these friendships,” Khong says. “Seniors often feel isolated. But we have found that being part of the right group can change everything.”
For Khong, who describes himself as “young at heart,” being active is a way of life. “I’ve always been the busybody and highly energetic type,” he laughs. “Sometimes Mich has to pull me back from overcommitting.”
But behind his humour lies a deep sense of commitment – not just to fitness, but to his wife.
“If your partner’s unwell, it’s not an excuse to hold back. You step up. That’s what tying the knot is all about, right?”
Their story is an inspiring reminder that age is not a barrier.
“We’re not young, but that doesn’t mean we stop. Age is not a barrier at all. It’s a matter of just getting started. From there, as you get stronger, you can do more, at your own pace. The main thing is to enjoy yourself,” Wong says.
Khong adds, “Don’t give up before you even start. You have to give yourself a chance.” As they continue to plan new adventures (at least one a year!) and support fellow seniors through ESG, Amazing Seniors and other initiatives, Wong and Khong are a powerful example of what’s possible – at any age.
Their advice? “Start small. Walk in the park. Do stretches. Just begin. The benefits – physical, mental, emotional – are all worth it. Look after yourself and stay active!”